Easy Seed-Cycling Energy Balls (Follicular Phase, Pumpkin & Flax)
I love a make-ahead morning snack, and these follicular seed-cycling energy balls have been an awesome addition to my morning routine.
(Note, if you’re not seed-cycling or don’t know what that is…they’re still delicious and healthy!)
For me, these tick a few boxes all at once. Some functional lab testing last fall suggested that I should eat a little something with my coffee first thing in the morning (but not something that will massively spike my blood sugar), as I was showing signs of being catabolic due to stress.
Plus, I try to do seed cycling pretty consistently to help regulate my hormones. Often I chuck the seeds in the blender with my breakfast smoothie, but this is an even more fun way to get them in.
For these follicular seed-cycling energy balls, we’ll focus on a blend of raw pepitas and ground flaxseed (the follicular phase is approximately days 1-14 of your cycle…day 1 is when your period starts).
Eat 2 per day for those 14 days if you make them small enough…lol sometimes I accidentally make them massive.
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I’ve played around with various substitutions, partly because of my dietary restrictions (so tahini instead of nut butter), and some due to preference…I tried to do without the coconut and subbed protein powder, but didn’t like the texture.
I also added a nice dose of salt for some sweet-and-salty action.
I’ve found that I like giving the oats and pepitas a rough chop in a coffee grinder or food processor, as it provides a better texture and helps them stick together better…plus, you’ll absorb more with freshly-ground seeds. But seriously like two or three quick pulses, don’t pulverize them.
And if you only have whole flaxseeds, grind them fresh.
Put all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. If the mixture seems too dry or isn’t sticking together well, add in a few extra tablespoons of nut butter. Then stir in the mini chocolate chips.
Cover the mixture and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to chill.
Using a small cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop out approximately 2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
Your goal is 28 small balls, and you’ll eat 2 per day during the first 15 days of your cycle to get the recommended serving. My track record with nailing this is…iffy 🙂 But I just get as close as I can, or sometimes accidentally make giant ones and then just have one per day.
Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Or…*exactly* two weeks, since it’s a 14-day supply.
If you’re looking for a healthy, delish breakfast snack, these follicular seed-cycling balls are a perfect make-ahead option!
Other healthy breakfast options you’ll love:
- Healthy Seedy Quinoa Breakfast Cookies (GF, Vegan, Nut-Free)
- Mom’s Super Healthy Breakfast Bars (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Cinnamon Maple Tahini Quinoa Granola (GF, vegan, almond-free)
- Healthy, Cozy Carrot Cake Oatmeal (GF, Vegan, Nut-Free)
- 5-Minute Vanilla Spice Cassava Flour Waffles (GF, DF)
- Healthy Dark Chocolate Granola (GF)
- Super Healthy Orange Honey Spice Granola (GF, dairy-free, can be nut-free)
- Make-Ahead Mini Baked Eggs with Veggies
Adapted slightly from Gimme Some Oven
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Easy Seed-Cycling Energy Balls (Follicular Phase, Days 1-14)
Super easy & delicious seed-cycling energy
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (ideally fresh-ground)
- 3/4 cup of raw pepitas, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons of organic hemp hearts
- 2/3 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2/3 cup of runny tahini (or your preferred nut butter)
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1/3 cup raw local honey
- Splash of vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- I usually use a small food processor or coffee grinder to roughly chop (not grind or pulverize) the pepitas and oats. Just a couple pulses does it. And if you only have whole flaxseeds, grind them fresh.
- Put all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. If the mixture seems too dry or isn’t sticking together well, add in a few extra tablespoons of nut butter. Then stir in the chocolate chips.
- Cover the mixture and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to chill.
- Using a small cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop out approximately 2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat with the remaining mixture. Your goal is 28 small balls, and you'll eat 2 per day during the first 15 days of your cycle to get the recommended serving.
- Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks
Notes
- You want nice and mixed, runny tahini but if it's TOO runny, you'll need to use less or end up adding more oats because it'll be wetter.
- If, once you add the liquid ingredients, you find it's too runny, you can add a bit more oats. If it's too dry, add a bit more nut butter.
- You could try subbing maple syrup for raw honey if you want to make these vegan...I'd go a little scant as maple syrup is runnier AND sweeter.
- You can freeze these for up to 3 months, but my understanding is that it's best for them to be as fresh as possible. So I make a batch of these every month before my cycle starts.
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