Seed Cycling Cacao Energy Balls (Ve)

This recipe is brought to you by Nutritional Therapist and Medicinal Herbalist, Maya Oakley.

Follicular Phase Cacao Energy Balls (Days 1–14)

Ingredients (Makes ~14 balls):

1 cup (10–12) Medjool dates or dried apricots
2 tbsp ground flaxseed
2 tbsp ground pumpkin seed
¼ cup raw cacao powder (plus extra for rolling)
1 tbsp nut butter (almond, cashew, or peanut)
1 tbsp coconut oil (optional)
1 tsp maca powder (optional to supports energy and hormone balance)
½ tsp cinnamon
Pinch of sea salt
1–2 tbsp water, as needed

Instructions:

If your dates or apricots are firm, soak in warm water for 10 minutes, then
drain.
Add all ingredients to a food processor. Blend until the mixture is sticky and
combined.
Add water a tablespoon at a time if too dry.
Roll into 1-inch balls and coat with a little cacao powder.
Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.

Luteal Phase Cacao Energy Balls (Days 15–28)

Ingredients (Makes ~14 balls):

1 cup (10–12) Medjool dates or dried apricots
2 tbsp ground sesame seeds (plus extra for rolling)
2 tbsp ground sunflower seeds
¼ cup raw cacao powder
1 tbsp nut butter (sunflower seed or tahini work well)
¼ tsp turmeric + a pinch of black pepper (for anti-inflammatory support)
½ tsp cinnamon
Pinch of sea salt
1–2 tbsp water, as needed

Instructions:

Soak your fruit in warm water if needed, then drain.
Blend all ingredients in a food processor until a sticky dough forms.
Add water gradually to reach desired consistency.
Roll into balls, then gently roll in ground sesame seeds.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Storage:

Fridge: Keeps for 7–10 days
Freezer: Up to 2 months
Best enjoyed 1–2 per day, ideally mid-morning or mid-afternoon

Health Benefits

Cacao

High in magnesium and polyphenols to support mood, brain function, and energy.

Seeds

Deliver essential nutrients like lignans, zinc, selenium, and vitamin E for hormone balance.

Nut butter and coconut oil

Healthy fats for brain, hormone production, and blood sugar regulation.

Protein Powder

Adding protein powder (½ scoop) to the batch boosts protein per ball to 4–5g.

Dates / Apricots

Natural energy, fibre, potassium; apricots also provide iron and beta-carotene.

Dried apricots are a fantastic alternative to dates in these recipes. They’re naturally sweet but lower in sugar, making them more blood sugar–friendly. They’re also a rich source of plant-based iron, potassium, and vitamin A (as beta-carotene), which supports immune function, skin health, and progesterone production - especially helpful in the luteal phase. Apricots are gentler on digestion, and their tart-sweet flavour complements cacao beautifully.