Anti-Inflammatory Hormone Balancing Energy Balls

I've been having some fun in the kitchen lately and am excited to share my current favorite: no-bake energy balls full of anti-inflammatory and hormone balancing ingredients!
These will satisfy your sweet tooth while benefiting any inflammation or hormone imbalances you may be experiencing. 

I should note that my kitchen was a mess after making these. Your hands will be nice and sticky during the making of these treats, and there's bound to be cacao powder, coconut flakes, and random seeds on your floor, counter tops, and everywhere in between.  I think the mess is well worth it though!

These balls are great for hormone balancing because they are full of seeds that support your cycles. I will be posting next all about the science behind seed cycling, but in short- seed cycling is used to boost estrogen in the first phase of your menstrual cycle and boosting progesterone in the second phase. Seed cycling can help relieve PMS, increase fertility, and ease pain from ovarian cysts, endometriosis, PCOS, and more. ​For my anti-inflammatory and healing tea, check out this post.  Since this recipe calls for sunflower seeds, if you're using these energy balls for seed cycling, I recommend you consume them during the second half of your cycle (Day 15-28).

These energy balls will keep you fueled without crashing as there are no refined sugars, no gluten, no dairy, and no grains. 

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup pitted Medjool dates
• 1/2 cup cacao powder
• 1/4 cup raw cashews, plus extra for rolling if desired
• 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
• 1/4 cup organic unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup sunflower seed butter
• 2 tablespoons organic maple syrup

Directions:

• Grind the seeds in a coffee grinder, food processor, or blender.
• In a food processor, add the ground seeds, pitted Medjool dates, and cacao powder. Process until the mixture resembles the consistency of sand.
• Add in the flaxseed meal, unsweetened coconut flakes and blend until combined.
• Add in sunflower seed butter until combined
• Add organic maple syrup and tahini little by little, blending in the food processor in between additions. Stop adding tahini and maple syrup when you have a nice sticky consistency to the mixture.

• Using a tablespoon, scoop 1 tablespoon at a time from the batter and form into balls. If the batter ever becomes too sticky, place mixture in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set and then begin again. 
• Roll balls into extra coconut flakes, if desired
• Once all of the energy balls are complete, place in sealed glass container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or you can freeze for up to 2 months.