I love the holiday where you can get deliciously conniving, all in the name of fun. The one and only ‘April Fools’! This year because we were so busy, had company and I was still trying to recover with my Asthma and Sinus issues I didn’t put as much time into it as I should. But it was just enough…..
Here are my somewhat ‘tweaked’ Super Chocolate Energy Balls (you will find the recipe below with my added ‘tweaks’ or you can find the recipe on food doodles – my favorite place to find good healthy recipes). I had made these a few days previous and rolled in coconut.
For Keaton and Debbie I took cotton balls rolled in chocolate then rolled in coconut and strategically put them in the same container as one other Super Chocolate Energy Ball. Keaton picked first, threw it in his mouth in one full sweep and mentioned very nicely that it was a bit chewy (I had to warn him not to swallow and watch while his mom ate hers). Walking to the next room I offered one to Debbie who, for some odd reason took the bigger of the two balls which was NOT the April Fools ball. I was sadly disappointed that she would not be able to experience such a divinely crafted deviant snack.
We were headed on a hike from Coogee Beach past four or five more beaches to finally get to Bondi Beach for some surfing and fun. The walk was suppose to take a couple of hours so naturally we would need lots of water. I had offered to bring some for Debbie and Keaton as I had put a tablespoon or so of sugar in each water bottle. But again, Debbie declined as she said that they had their own…. I guess Marissa would be the only one to enjoy this gag. She took one sip and made a face before dumping it out. Imagine the girl that loves sugar disposing of it!
Incredible views along our beach walk.
On our hike we came across a guy in the parking lot playing the drums because (A) his neighbors probably wouldn’t like or allow it (B) his wife didn’t know he had them yet. After taking this picture we assured him that we would be happy to text his wife a photo… he just laughed but he did let the kids take a minute on the drums.
A beautiful cemetery overlooking the sea.
After finally making it to Bondi Beach Dale was able to join us for just bit, long enough to try his hand at surfing again.
Dale and Keaton are just headed out to see what the surf is like on famous Bondi Beach!
Marissa and Keaton catching a few waves before heading home to get ready for Les Mis.
The producer of this show flew out previous to us attending and said that of all the ‘Le Mis’ performances worldwide… this was the best.
We would have to agree! The performance of ‘Les Mis’ moves you to make changes for the better in your own life … to us that is some of the magic in this play. Patrice Tipoki performed the part of ‘Fantine’ with extreme feeling and wonder, as a mother myself I cannot imagine what I would do in those circumstances, Patrice has a way of pulling you into feeling her pain and love for her daughter.
This performance of ‘Les Mis’ was definitely a highlight of our trip!
Chocolate Fig Truffles
- 3/4 C almonds
- 1/2 C dates
- 1/2 C dried figs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Pinch sea salt
- 2-3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder(or raw cacao for an added boost of antioxidants)
- 1-2 tbsp water if the mixture is too dry
Blend the almonds till they become a fairly fine meal – but not quite till they turn into butter. Remove from your food processor and add the dates and figs. Blend till there are no large chunks of fruit left. Add all the other ingredients to the food processor including the previously ground almonds and blend. Before it forms a dough stop the processor and taste a little and add more cocoa if desired, then continue to blend till a dough forms. Scoop and roll into balls, press into cookie cutters for fun shapes, or press into a loaf pan and slice into bars. You can also press whole or roughly chopped almonds into them for a change of texture or roll them in cocoa powder to cut the sweetness. These can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature but we prefer to eat them straight from the fridge.
*I didn’t have figs so I just used dates, instead of water I used about 3 T. coconut oil, 3-4 T. of Chia seeds, & I used mixed nuts (unsalted) because I did not just have almonds. Don’t be afraid to mix things up in your recipes, that is half the fun.
