Seed Cycling Energy Balls

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.

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.

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!

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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.

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

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