“Luteal” Cookie Dough Power Balls

One of my primary areas of focus in clinical practice is helping women address irregular cycles, PMS, and menstrual symptoms along with other hormonal concerns. Figuring out which hormones are off and providing natural therapeutic solutions to help balance estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone are integral to regulating cycles and decreasing symptoms like acne, bloating, and PMS. Nutrition and dietary strategies are key along with supplementing with any additional herbs and supplements as necessary.

The seed protocol, a combination of 4 different seeds taken in either the follicular (first 14 days) or luteal (second 14 days), is something that I commonly recommend to integrate into one’s diet. These protein-packed cookie dough balls are great for consumption during the luteal phase (second half of the menstrual cycle). Please note, depending on your symptoms and hormone levels, there may be other interventions to complement the seed protocol to achieve true therapeutic improvement and why seeking a naturopathic doctor for your own individualized treatment plan is SO important.

What makes these cookie dough balls special to the luteal phase?

It is a great way to incorporate sunflower and sesame seeds. The sunflower and sesame seeds help support progesterone in the second half of the menstrual cycle when progesterone should be rising to help oppose estrogen. Too much estrogen or too little progesterone can create a state of estrogen dominance and may contribute to menstrual-related migraines, cramping, bloating, acne, and/or spotting. There is also a significant amount of protein to help with building muscle because as testosterone levels drop towards the end of your cycle, muscle strength can decrease.  There are tons of healthy fats to support hormone synthesis because, believe it or not, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and cortisol need cholesterol to be made. A low-fat diet can lower your hormones and lead to absent periods.  Dates supply natural sugar for energy and magnesium, iron, and fibre!

What about kids and men?

Don’t worry, the hormone shift is not drastic and they are totally safe for men and kids to consume as well. They can make a great pre-workout or post-workout snack. They are also perfect as a healthy snack for kids during their recess or even to take to work.

Other Perks

Vegan, Gluten-free, refined sugar-free (monkfruit and stevia-sweetened), 21+ grams of protein thanks to a soy-free and pea-free protein powder.

---

“Luteal” Cookie Dough Power Balls Recipe

Ingredients:

Makes 6 Balls.

• 1/4 cup coconut flour

• 1/3 cup superfine almond flour 

• 1 scoop @detoxorganics vanilla vegan protein powder (A total of 21g protein from hemp, quinoa, brown rice, and pumpkin seed protein sources)

• 2 tbsp coconut oil

• 2 pitted dates

• 1 tbsp sunflower seeds

• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (plus some extra to roll balls in)

Method:

1. Add the coconut flour, almond flour, protein powder, coconut oil, and dates to a food processor and process on high speed until the mixture is all combined and begins to stick together. It should be a wet and coarse mixture that can hold together when rolled into a ball.

2. Put mixture into a bowl and mix the sesame and sunflower seeds in.

3. Roll/mold into little bite-sized balls.

4. Roll each ball in some extra sesame seeds to coat.

5. Store in fridge or a cool area as the coconut oil will melt at room temperature.

6. Let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before consuming so it becomes a bit soft.

Interested in this Detox Organics Protein powder? The link to purchase it online is via the Shop tab above.