RECIPE: Shalin’s Seed Cycling Super Balls
When our hormones are out of whack, weight gain is a major side effect besides hot flashes, night sweats, PMS, heavy / irregular / diminished menstruation, acne, mood swings, thinning hair, brittle nails, lack of libido, fatigue or infertility. True to the motto "Let food be thy medicine" - Seed cycling is a very gentle way to balance hormones throughout the two phases of the menstrual cycle by regulating the hormone estrogen in the first half of your menstrual cycle and the hormone progesterone in the second half.
But let's start from scratch! Our menstrual cycles are divided into two main phases:
* The follicular phase begins with menstruation (day 1 to 14 or until ovulation begins
* The luteal phase begins right after ovulation (day 14 to 28 or until first day of menstruation)
Under ideal circumstances these phases would follow a 14-day rotation of a 28-day cycle, but in fact the length of a woman’s cycle varies from 21 to 40 days. During this roughly four-week span, the two key hormones estrogen and progesterone rise and fall in a specific pattern. When the hormone levels are balanced, estrogen rises during the first half of the cycle whereas progesterone levels rise during the second half of the cycle while estrogen levels slowly decline.
Seed cycling uses four alternating seeds, which are high in specific oils and nutrients in order to balance the hormones that are prevalent in each phase. For maximum absorption of their nutrients, it is recommended to freshly grind the seeds, as whole seeds are difficult to break down in the gut.
Phase 1: Consume one tablespoon of raw flax seeds and one tablespoon of raw pumpkin seeds, both are rich in phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are compounds that naturally occur in plants and are able to mimic the action of estrogen. They support the estrogen-dominant follicular phase by increasing or decreasing estrogen levels as needed.
Phase 2 : Consume one tablespoon of raw sunflower seeds and one tablespoon of raw sesame seeds, both are rich in omega 6 fatty acids. Omega 6s convert into gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in the body and have been shown to be effective in supporting progesterone levels, as well as reducing inflammation in the body.
Seed cycling is one of the easiest ways to support hormones naturally and effectively in a gentle way, complementing approaches like holistic counseling for overall well-being. It can be used as a tool at any stage of a woman's life (pre-menopause, menopause, post-menopause), but it is recommended to complete at least three to four cycles to see noticeable changes. For personalized guidance, consulting a functional medicine practitioner can optimize results.
Tips for Seed Cycling
Track your cycle and ovulation to ensure syncing the correct seeds at the correct time.
Buy organic, raw, whole seeds and grind them freshly as seeds begin to oxidize after 15 minutes.
Use the recipe below to have the recommended daily dose convenient in form of a delicious Super Ball. Store them in the freezer to prevent oxidation and enjoy chilled, as they tend to soften at room temperature.
Coconut Date Energy Balls
For 14 Balls:
1 cup organic sliced almonds
½ cup organic dates
For Follicular Phase
1 cup organic, raw, flax seeds, ground
1 cup organic, raw, pumpkin seeds, ground
For Luteal Phase:
1 cup organic, raw, sunflower seeds, ground
1 cup organic, raw, sesame seeds, ground
Optional Add-ins as desired
A pinch of:
Ground ginger
Minced fresh ginger
Vanilla extract
Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
Ground Cinnamon
Ground Allspice
Place all the ingredients in a mixer. Process until everything is blended and smooth.
Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more dates for sweetness, ginger for spiciness.
Add some water until the desired consistency is reached.
Scoop out rounded 1 Tbsp amounts and roll into balls.
Roll the balls in organic shredded coconut.
Transfer balls to the freezer or refrigerator to chill for 15 minutes to firm up.
Store the balls in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer up to 1 month.