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    Seed Cycling Energy Balls

    Dec 10, 2018 • Follicular Phase, Hormones, Luteal Phase, Menstrual Phase, Ovulatory Phase, Snacks

    Seed Cycling Energy Balls for Hormone Balance. Vegan and Gluten Free snack bites. #seedcycling #energyballs #snackballs #hormonebalance

    I’ve been wanting to share these Seed Cycling Energy Balls with you for a long time!

    Before we get into the recipes, let’s learn a little more about seed cycling.

    What is Seed Cycling?

    Seed cycling is a naturopathic method of rotating different seeds at different times of your menstrual cycle. There are four specific seeds that support hormone balance which in turn, may help alleviate those pesky PMS symptoms like acne, amenorrhea, heavy bleeding, fatigue, infertility, insomnia, mood swings, cramps and more. 

    The alternating seeds include flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds. These seeds provide various oils, vitamins, and minerals that help stimulate production, detoxification, and metabolism of estrogen and progesterone. Seed cycling is a simple, natural and inexpensive way to support fluctuating hormones using the power of food.

    Seed Cycling Energy Balls for Hormone Balance. Vegan and Gluten Free snack bites. #seedcycling #energyballs #snackballs #hormonebalance

    How to Seed Cycle 

    I wanted to provide a basic overview of how and why this method works. I?ve been following the seed cycling method and making these Seed Cycling Energy Balls for a while, and think it?s a wonderful place to start eating for your cycle, if you want to start small, because it?s effective and super easy to incorporate!

    Seed cycling is divided into two rotations. Even if your cycle is irregular and does not fall within the average 28-30 day range, I recommend working off of the days in a normal menstrual cycle rather than going off of when you ovulate or when you get your period, because this will gently encourage your cycle to balance itself out naturally, to a more normal length.

    A few things to keep in mind:

    • A reminder that nuts and seeds can go rancid if not stored properly, so it?s best to refrigerate them in glass jars to keep fresh.
    • Ground flaxseeds are more easily absorbed, so you should always grind them (otherwise you would just poop them out whole).
    • If you are grinding seeds as we are in the following recipes, do not soak them first–they will just turn into a wet mess!
    • For pumpkin, sesame, or sunflower seeds, you can eat them one of three ways: raw, raw and soaked, or raw and ground.
    • I buy all my seeds in bulk from either Whole Foods or Amazon because that is easiest.

    Rotation One (Menstrual and Follicular – Days 1-14):

    The first rotation combines your menstrual and follicular phases (days 1-14), to support rising estrogen levels with flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds. Day 1 is the first day of heavy menstrual bleeding.

    • Flax seeds are high in phytoestrogens that promote estrogen production as well as lignans that help detoxify excess estrogens along with fiber, to eliminate them properly. Together, they work to harmonize optimal estrogen ratios (so cool, right?!).
    • Flax seeds and pumpkin seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that fight inflammation and work to regulate FSH levels for ovulation support. Not to mention their amazing benefits for healthy skin, hair and nails!
    • Pumpkin seeds (also known as pepitas) are high in zinc which helps to prime and support the production of adequate progesterone in the next phase (the luteal phase).

     Add flaxseeds to smoothies, chia pudding, energy balls (like the one below), oatmeal, baked goods, etc. Add pumpkin seeds to salads, yogurt bowls or homemade trail mix.

    Seed Cycling Energy Balls for Hormone Balance. Vegan and Gluten Free snack bites. #seedcycling #energyballs #snackballs #hormonebalance

    Rotation One Recipe (makes 12-14 balls):

    1 cup raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
    1 cup flaxseeds (raw or ground)
    1/2 cup vegan plant protein powder (chocolate or vanilla)
    1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
    pinch of sea salt
    3/4 cup peanut butter (or sub any nut or seed butter)
    2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
    1-2 tablespoons maple syrup (I use ChocZero maple syrup)
    1/4 cup filtered water

    In a food processor, combine pepitas, flaxseed, protein powder, coconut and sea salt. Blend until finely ground and crumbly. Add in the peanut butter, coconut oil, sweetener and water and blend until well combined and the mixture starts to form into one big ball in food processor bowl. Using an ice cream scooper, gently form into balls; they are too delicate to roll. Refrigerate to firm up for 30 minutes. Store in refrigerator for snacks or alongside your smoothies throughout the week.

    *Note: you could half the recipe and make a fresh batch each week, you could make the full amount to eat 2 per day, or you could make the full amount and eat 1 per day over the course of 14 days  – they will stay fresh in the fridge for that long. Hope this helps!


    Rotation Two (Ovulatory and Luteal Phase – Days 15-28/30):

    The second rotation combines your ovulatory and luteal phases (days 15-28/30), to support progesterone levels with sesame seeds and sunflower seeds.

    • Sesame seeds are high in lignans that help harmonize and modulate estrogen levels. They?re also rich in magnesium and calcium, (which helps with the absorption of magnesium) to ease PMS cramps and provide an immunity boost.
    • Both sesame seeds and sunflower seeds are high in omega-6 fatty acids that help reduce PMS-related inflammation while also supporting progesterone levels.
    • Sunflower seeds are rich in selenium which is essential for liver function, to ensure proper detoxification and elimination of excess hormones

    Rotation Two Recipe (makes 12-14 balls):

    1 cup raw sunflower seeds
    1 cup sesame seeds
    1/2 cup vegan plant protein powder (chocolate or vanilla)
    1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
    pinch of sea salt
    3/4 cup peanut butter (or sub any nut or seed butter)
    2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
    1-2 tablespoons maple syrup (I use ChocZero maple syrup)
    1/4 cup filtered water

    In a food processor, combine sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, protein powder, coconut and sea salt. Blend until finely ground and crumbly. Add in the peanut butter, coconut oil, sweetener and water and blend until well combined and the mixture starts to form into one big ball in food processor bowl. Using an ice cream scooper, gently form into balls; they are too delicate to roll. Refrigerate to firm up for 30 minutes. Store in refrigerator for snacks or alongside your smoothies throughout the week.

    *Note: you could half the recipe and make a fresh batch each week, you could make the full amount to eat 2 per day, or you could make the full amount and eat 1 per day over the course of 14 days  – they will stay fresh in the fridge for that long. Hope this helps!

    Add sesame seeds to salads, soups, stir frys, sauces, baked goods, or energy balls (like the one below). Add sunflower seeds to yogurt bowls, salads, soups, sauces, baked goods, or energy balls.

    Seed Cycling Energy Balls for Hormone Balance. Vegan and Gluten Free snack bites. #seedcycling #energyballs #snackballs #hormonebalance

    I hope you enjoy! They really taste like crunchy peanut butter balls. Mmmhmm! 

    PIN FOR LATER:

    Seed Cycling Energy Balls for Hormone Balance. Vegan and Gluten Free snack bites. #seedcycling #energyballs #snackballs #hormonebalance

    SHOP THE POST:


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ashley L Keiser

      June 28, 2021 at 2:30 pm

      Do you have to use the protein powder? What is the purpose?

      Reply
    2. Karen

      July 13, 2020 at 5:36 am

      Shannon,

      Just curious if this seed cycling would work for women post menopausal who have a hormone imbalance.

      Reply
    3. Jenna Soulliere

      March 10, 2020 at 8:13 pm

      How do these recipes (seed cycling balls, smoothies, etc.) effect your body when you are on the pill? Is there a phase or phases of recipes to stick to or not eat while on the pill? What affects can these foods have on the body while getting constant amounts of hormones from the pill?

      Thank you!
      Jenna

      Reply
    4. Colette

      February 23, 2020 at 12:16 pm

      Wow, these are some huge balls! I will for sure half the recipe next time. I would also recommend grinding whole flax seeds before putting them in the food processor. The food processor didn’t do the greatest job at chopping them up and as you all know, flax seeds must be ground in order to get its benefit for seed cycling 🙂 Very tasty – thanks!

      Reply
      • Megan

        July 29, 2020 at 11:49 am

        Hi Shannon. Thank you for all the great information you provide here! I have PCOS and am in the process or learning what that actually means, and how I can use foods to heal my body. All that said, I stopped by birth control in January, and am currently on my 4th period this year. I’m excited to be having a period, but they have lasted 14+days. Which rotation would you recommend to help shorten a long, heavy period? Thanks so much!!

        Reply
    5. Mercedes Noriega

      October 09, 2019 at 3:14 pm

      Thanks for the recipe. I was wondering, do you activate the nuts when cooking with them? I mean, leave them in water the night before or something like that? Or you just use them raw from the package?

      Reply
      • Shannon Leparski

        October 09, 2019 at 5:36 pm

        Hi Mercedes! You definitely could. If you do, make sure they have sort of dried out overnight so they aren’t so wet. It’s just an extra step that I usually don’t have time for so I skip, but totally up to you.

        Reply
    6. Susan DuBois

      July 29, 2019 at 6:16 pm

      IF you have a serious coconut allergy what would you substitute for coconut oil? Just use more nut butter?

      Reply
    7. Harsha

      July 02, 2019 at 1:43 am

      Hi thanks for sharing this recipe, please tell how often can I use them?

      Reply
    8. LT

      June 01, 2019 at 7:30 am

      Hi! Great idea!!

      I’m not big on protein powder. Do you think if I just subbed in a bit more of each seed to stand in for the amount of powder it would work okay? Or maybe a different seed like hemp?

      Thanks!!

      Reply
      • Shannon Leparski

        June 01, 2019 at 10:24 am

        Hi sure you could try more seeds or hemp! I’m sure it would work fine.

        Reply
    9. Kim

      April 22, 2019 at 4:24 pm

      What can I substitute for the shredded coconut? I dont have problems with coconut oil but shredded coconut wrecks my belly.

      Reply
      • Shannon Leparski

        April 22, 2019 at 5:00 pm

        I would just omit it I were you, it won’t make a big difference!

        Reply
    10. Michelle

      March 14, 2019 at 7:49 pm

      Hello! I just made the sesame ones and they are so good, thank you! I was wondering how big your ice cream scoop is? Mine is about 2tb and I got 22ish- I might go with eating 2 a day.

      Reply
      • Shannon Leparski

        April 22, 2019 at 4:57 pm

        Yes 2 a day would be perfect! My ice cream scoop is definitely on the bigger side, I suppose. I never thought about it! I know it makes a big amount but you could freeze them too, I would imagine. I also mentioned you could half the recipe for next time, if you want!

        Reply
    11. Stacey

      December 31, 2018 at 2:02 pm

      Hi-

      I just started reading about seed cycling. What I have read so far is that you should be eating 1 TBS of each seed per day. Have you read the same? Do you follow that amount? Do you have any idea if it matters if you have more than 1 TBS per day? Not sure what your recipe breaks down to per ball. Also, my protein powder is made with Pumpkin Seed Protein. Obviously, I will not use this for the Rotation Two recipe, but do you think it will add too much pumpkin seed if I add it to the Rotation One recipe?
      Thoughts?
      Thanks!
      Stacey

      Reply
      • Shannon Leparski

        April 22, 2019 at 5:00 pm

        Hi Stacey! I have heard about the 1 tablespoon per day thing and I would imagine the exact amounts don’t matter that much, but a substantial amount close to that is recommended. Depending on how big you make them, I would say eat 1-2 per day and you should be good! Also, I would maybe half the amount of pumpkin seeds you use for the rotation one recipe 🙂

        Reply
    12. Hailey L

      December 14, 2018 at 9:41 am

      I’m allergic to flax! Are there any alternatives?

      Reply
      • Shannon Leparski

        December 14, 2018 at 11:00 am

        I would say chia or hemp seeds!

        Reply
    13. R

      December 10, 2018 at 3:47 pm

      What if you’re pregnant!?

      Reply
      • Shannon Leparski

        December 14, 2018 at 10:59 am

        I don’t think they are recommended for pregnancy – at least not the cycling part but I think you could make them for snacks occasionally! Or you could swap the seeds for any kind of nut/seed combo!

        Reply

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    SHANNON Leparski

    SHANNON Leparski

    Hi! I'm Shannon, a Certified Hormone Specialist and plant based blogger living in Chicago. I help women heal their bodies bodies from the inside out and balance their hormones naturally through a plant based diet and lifestyle. Let me guide you through it, so you can glow from within and feel the best you've ever felt!

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