I’ve been in yoga teacher training for about a month now. I’m experiencing a lot of personal growth, learning how to get more in tune with myself and learning a lot about anatomy and yoga. I’m stronger physically and I’m meeting new people. Often, I spend about 20 hours a week either practicing or learning about yoga, which seems a little insane — but I’m loving it! I’ve never felt more at home in my own skin.

There have been some unexpected changes, though, and one of them is that my food preferences are starting to change. If you know me, you know that food has always been closely tied to who I am — so perhaps it makes sense that no change could occur in me without my food preference changing, too.

My food realignment started on our second week of training, when our teacher led us through guided meditation that included a body scan. We sat still, slowly thinking through each part of our bodies from head to toe, looking for tightness or openness. I’d just eaten a bagel and cream cheese and when I got to my stomach during the body scan, I realized that I felt miserable. My stomach was tight and cramping. I felt bloated. Clearly, my body was not down with the bagel.

After this moment, I haven’t been able to go back to my former state of unawareness, like it or not. I eat sugar and feel shake-y and cramp-y. I eat too much cheese and I feel like someone threw a brick at the center of my body. Suddenly, I’m starting to understand why people drink kombucha and eat vegetables and avoid carbs and dairy. Suddenly, I’m starting to feel how food lands in my body. It’s wild and not entirely welcome — I love cheese and dairy and carbs! — but I’m learning to adapt to a sort of modified-consumption schedule.

This is a weird moment for me and it’s the reason why I haven’t been posting on this blog much. Because it raises a question: What is my style of food now? I’m still trying to locate what feels good in my body, trying to figure out what I crave and what I want to make each week. (And no, I am not pregnant — thanks for asking, Mom!). To be honest, I’m still figuring it out and the next few months will be a transition of sorts on this blog and in my life. But I’m slowly finding things I love to eat — like these Peanut Butter Energy Bites. Healthy, filling (for the days when I have 8 hours of yoga) and delicious.

Peanut Butter Energy Bites

Adapted from the recipe on the back of a Trader Joe’s Organic Flaxseed Meal bag

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup flaxseed meal
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (or almond butter)
• 1/3 cup honey or maple syrip
• 1 tsp vanilla

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, then form into 1″ balls using your hands. Arrange on a foil-rimmed baking sheet and freeze for about an hour, until set, then store in the fridge. Enjoy!