For many of us, the holidays are an excuse to eat whatever we want and how much we want. Traditions, rituals, family agreements all suggest that this is freedom. I was once of that understanding, too. When I moved away from home and was in charge of my life, it felt like freedom to eat whatever I felt like whenever I felt like (even foods that didn’t do me good).

I’ve come to realize it is actually not true freedom. Myra Lewin once said something that stayed with me. She said, “This kind of thinking comes from a misunderstanding that what is outside of us brings us inner happiness and joy.”

This rings very true to my ears. I used food to cover up emotions, feel in control and for comfort. The brief moments of pleasure were enough to do it again and again. With time I came to realize this is not the way I want to keep living. I want to make conscious decisions that bring long-term joy and sattva (sweetness), not short-lived pleasure.

We all have peace, joy, and freedom already. Sometimes we just have to hold up for a bit and stop, listen and realize it’s right there. True freedom to me is making the choices I want to while feeling good and being healthy, all the time. Accepting the moment just as if I had chosen it, also helps me find peace in the moment.

These bliss balls are a great option for something delicious that meets my new definition of freedom. They satisfy me, ground me and are easy to digest if you chew well and pan fry the nuts and oats lightly.

Enjoy your true freedom, and blissful holidays!

Bliss balls
Makes 12-15

You’ll need:
1 cup oats
1 Tbsp. ghee
3 cups pitted dates
1 cup your choice of chopped nuts (Blend half of the nuts to a fine flower if you prefer them less crunchy.)
1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cardamom
1 tsp. ground ginger
Carob powder for rolling

Here’s how:
Melt the ghee in a pan and add oats. Pan roast until lightly browned. In a small bowl, mash the pitted dates together with your hands.
Place your combination of nuts in a dry pan and roast until lightly toasted. This will help with the digestion of the bliss balls.
Place the oats and nuts in the bowl with the mashed dates and add the cinnamon, cardamom and ginger. Using your hands, mash everything together until well mixed. Roll into small balls.
Fill two drinking glasses or bowls with a bit of carob powder. Roll the balls around to get covered.
Keep them in the fridge, but serve at room temperature.

This was originally shared with Hale Pule.
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True freedom - And a treat