Hormones have been in the spotlight quite a bit recently…
I’m sure you’re all very familiar with cortisol, the stress hormone that wreaks havoc on our bodies. And everyone knows that adrenaline is produced the moment we experience fight or flight.
But what about female hormones in particular?
(Guys, if you’re reading this, it can definitely apply if you have a woman in your life who’s dealing with hormonal imbalance).
I’m talking about estrogen and progesterone. Do we really know how those affect us?
If you’re like me, you’ve experienced PMS symptoms on more than one occasion (debilitating cramps, mood swings, etc.), felt a little crazy around ovulation time, and generally felt like you couldn’t get a hold of your emotions.
Well, our hormones affect us in more ways than we are aware of, especially if we are out of balance.
How Hormones Affect Our Bodies & Mood
Low estrogen can impact mood and bring on feelings of depression and anxiety, while low progesterone can exacerbate anger and irritability.
The same hormones are responsible for ensuring we have a 28 day cycle (give or take a few days for some women).
On the other hand, adequate estrogen during the first phase of our cycle gives us energy, confidence, and lifts our mood. For those women trying to conceive, adequate progesterone in the second phase of the cycle ensures that the conditions are optimal for egg fertilization.
Even if you’re not trying to conceive, having the right amount of progesterone ensures a consistent 21 to 35 day cycle.
While these hormones are naturally occurring in a woman’s body, certain factors impact their natural production. These can be environmental, physical, or caused by poor nutrition.
This is where nutrient-dense seeds come in.
Seed Cycling For Hormone Balance
Seed what?
You may or may not be familiar with seed cycling. It’s a very simple concept of eating specific seeds that balance estrogen during the first half of the cycle, and eating certain seeds that balance progesterone during the second.
During the first half, also called the follicular phase, flax and pumpkin seeds encourage estrogen production.
During the second half, also called the luteal phase, sunflower and sesame seeds promote progesterone production.
Read more about seed cycling here.
Should You Soak The Seeds First?
That is entirely up to you, but if you’re looking for maximum nutrient absorption and easy digestion, I highly recommend soaking the seeds prior to dehydrating or drying them. Soaking the seeds first will break down the anti-nutrient phytic acid and neutralize some of the enzyme inhibitors.
You can also purchase already soaked and dehydrated pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, if that’s more convenient.
I also encourage you to seek out raw, organic seeds to ensure optimum nutrition, and so they’ve not been sprayed with hormone-disrupting chemicals.
*One note about flax and sesame seeds. These are trickier to soak, and I’ve opted not to. Flax seeds create a viscous consistency with the addition of water. Sesame seeds are so small that it can be difficult to dehydrate them.
Read more about why you should soak nuts and seeds here.
What To Add Along With Seeds
Seeds are great, don’t get me wrong!
Yet, when combined with 100% pure cacao, coconut oil, coconut flakes, maca powder and dates… they take on an entirely different profile and become lovely, nutrient dense bliss balls.
They’re chewy, succulent, and so very chocolate-y.
The best part is that cacao and maca both have hormone-balancing properties, which work beautifully to create these luscious bliss balls.
What You Need To Make Hormone-Balancing Bliss Balls
Besides several different sized bowls for soaking the seeds, you’ll need roasting sheets, a food processor, and either a dehydrator or an oven.
After drying the seeds, I grind them finely in my food processor until they turn into a seed butter consistency, perfect for making bliss balls even smoother.
You will end up with 2 batches — one for the follicular phase and one for the luteal. You will have extra of each mixture, so save it in an airtight container and use it as you wish in smoothies or as toppings for salads.
The dehydrator yields truly raw seeds. If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can use the oven on the lowest temperature instead.
Let’s get to the recipe!
4.63 from 8 votes
Hormone-Balancing Bliss Balls For Seed Cycling
Feeling hormonal or getting hit hard by PMS? You're not alone! And thanks to nutrient-dense seeds that regulate female hormones, these natural hormone-balancing bliss balls with cacao and dates can help. They're chewy, succulent, and so very chocolate-y... the perfect easy recipe for any time of the month!
CourseSnack
CuisineTraditional
Prep Time 1 day 20 minutes
Soaking Time 8 hours
Servings 24 balls
Calories 198 kcal
Author Daniela Modesto
Ingredients
Bliss Balls For The Follicular Phase
- 1 cuppumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoonflax seeds
- 5dates
- 1/8cupcacao powder
- 2teaspoonsmaca powder
- 1/8cupunsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/4cupcoconut oil
- 1/2teaspoonvanilla extract
- 1pinchsea salt
Bliss Balls For The Luteal Phase
- 1cupsunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoonsesame seeds
- 5dates
- 1/8cupcacao powder
- 2teaspoonsmaca powder
- 1/8 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/4cupcoconut oilmelted
- 1/2 teaspoonvanilla extract
- 1pinchsea salt
Instructions
To soak and dehydrate seeds...
Add pumpkin and sunflower seeds to individual bowls and cover with water.
Let soak for a minimum of 7 to 8 hours or up to 24 hours. Overnight is easy and convenient for me.
Once soaked, lay seeds out on separate dehydrator trays that have been covered with parchment paper or other liner first.
Dehydrate for 2 hours at 145 degrees Fahrenheit, then turn down to 115 degrees Fahrenheit for the remaining 12 hours or so (until dry).
Or, if you don't have a dehydrator, preheat oven to 170 degrees Fahrenheit (or as low as it will go).
Place seeds on separate roasting sheets.
Roast until dry, stirring and checking frequently. This may take an hour or so.
Once seeds are dry, proceed to making bliss balls!
To make bliss balls for the follicular phase...
Mix together soaked and dehydrated pumpkin seeds and flax seeds.
Add 3/4 cup of this mixture to food processor.
Process for 5 minutes until smooth (seed butter consistency).
Add remaining follicular phase ingredients: dates, cacao powder, maca powder, shredded coconut, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and sea salt.
Process until smooth.
Roll mixture into balls and dredge in additional coconut flakes or cacao.
Refrigerate for at least 1 to 2 hours.
Bliss balls can be stored in an air-tight container for 2 weeks. Eat 2 to 3 per day for best seed cycling results.
To make bliss balls for the luteal phase...
Mix together soaked and dehydrated sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.
Add 3/4 cup of this mixture to food processor.
Process for 5 minutes until smooth (seed butter consistency).
Add remaining luteal phase ingredients: dates, cacao powder, maca powder, shredded coconut, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and sea salt.
Process until smooth.
Roll mixture into balls and dredge in additional coconut flakes or cacao.
Refrigerate for at least 1 to 2 hours.
Bliss balls can be stored in an air-tight container for 2 weeks. Eat 2 to 3 per day for best seed cycling results.
Recipe Notes
Once you have your ground seeds, you can store them in containers for several weeks. You will have extra mixture of both, that can be used in smoothies or to top your favorite salads.
If you don't mind seeds that aren't raw (keeping in mind that raw is best!), you can toast the seeds at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes each, which yields a lovely toasted flavor.
For menopausal women wishing to seed cycle for hormone balance, rotate the kinds of seeds (luteal phase and follicular phase) every two weeks, mimicking a female cycle. More info here.
Nutrition Facts
Hormone-Balancing Bliss Balls For Seed Cycling
Amount Per Serving (3 bliss ball)
Calories 198Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Sodium 9mg0%
Potassium 195mg6%
Carbohydrates 9g3%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 9IU0%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 42mg4%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Looking for other hormone-balancing recipes? Check these out!
- No-Bake Herbal Adaptogen Energy Balls
- Maca Gingersnap No-Bake Treats
- Mixed Berry Hormone Balancing Smoothie For Ovulation Support
Looking for more naturally sweetened or sugar free treats? Try these!
- Allergy Friendly White Chocolate Peppermint Snowballs
- 4 Ingredient THM Chocolate Coconut Candy
- No Bake Chocolate-Covered Raspberry Cookie Bites
- 3 Ingredient Homemade Honey Candy Recipe
- Homemade White Chocolate Candy
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