Cherry Chocolate Bliss Balls
This recipe along with Superfood Seed Balls was born after dabbling with Seed Cycling as a holistic approach to begin balancing my hormones due to declining progesterone. My family has a history of early perimenopause and I figured it was the perfect chance to finally try it out personally. I had read about the concept in my nutrition and naturopathic studies over the years but never had the need to play with it until 2020. The year of extra stress for everyone, I know. But what I didn't realize is that the stress hormone cortisol literally competes with progesterone receptors and limits the activity of progesterone! Yeah, it all started to make sense…especially since I was quickly approaching 40 (which also happens to be the time women naturally start producing less progesterone).
On a mission to feel more like myself and reverse (or at least reduce) my new symptoms of brain fog, anxiety, hormonal acne, and insomnia, I started to integrate more seeds. And as much as I like nuts, seeds, and all things ‘healthy’ - I quickly realized I needed to figure out a way to be more consistent. A friend mentioned that I could make a big batch of seed balls to stick in the refrigerator or freezer and I’d be set for the whole month! Brilliant, right?
Cherry Chocolate Bliss Balls
Follicular phase (cycle day 1-14)
This recipe combines the two supportive seeds ideal to in the 1st half of your cycle:
Flax + Pumpkin
Mixed with unsweetened dried dark sweet cherries, dates, cacao powder, a touch of vanilla, and sea salt you get a chocolaty treat with awesome health benefits too!
They’re the perfect early morning snack with a cup of coffee, dandy blend, or tea.
Or a healthy pick me up in the afternoon.
Let’s get rollin’!
What you’ll need:
food processor
mini scoop (not a must, but recommended)
flax seeds
raw pumpkin seeds
cacao powder
maca powder (optional)
sea salt
unsweetened dried cherries
dates (medjool)
vanilla extract
dark chocolate chips (optional)
** If your dates aren’t fresh and moist you’ll want to soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes before making these balls. Drain and discard water.
1. Place flax, pumpkin seeds, cacao, sea salt (and maca root if using) in food processor.
2. Pulse about 5 times, processes for about 10 seconds. Alternate a few times until ground.
3. Add dried cherries, dates, and vanilla. See notes about soaking dates if they’re not very moist.
4. Pulse about 10x to break up the cherries and dates. Process for 20 sec. Repeat cycle ~3x
5. Now’s the time to add chocolate chips if you’re taking it to that blissful level ;)
6. Pulse and process well enough so dates and chocolate are mixed and you can form a ball.
7. Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, start forming small bite-sized balls.
8. Letting a little one help may or may not be helpful. She thinks they’re tasty though!
9. Make sure you’re set with a podcast, audiobook, video course…or a face time with a friend!
10. Store in airtight container in fridge or freezer. The thaw quickly!
Enjoy 2-3 seed balls each day. I love to have them with my Dandy Blend “coffee” or tea!
Cherry Chocolate Bliss Balls
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes:
If your dates weren't moist enough and the mixture is a little too dry to form a ball you could always sprinkle a few drops of water at a time and process again until it starts to stick more and hold form.
Another option is to keep the mixture in the ground state and store it in an airtight container in the fridge - add a couple of tablespoons to yogurt or oatmeal each day.
I find my unsweetened dried dark cherries at Trader Joe's. There are some options on Amazon too!
