Lemon Sesame Protein Balls are perfect for a healthy mid-day snack or pre/post workout fuel! They’re are soft, chewy and very satisfying given that they’re loaded with good fats and protein. These no-bake balls are super easy to make with ONLY 4 ingredients needed!
DID YOU KNOW? Sesame seeds are beneficial for female hormones.
Sesame seeds contain phytoestrogens, plant compounds that are similar to the hormone estrogen.
Therefore, sesame seeds might be beneficial for women during menopause when estrogen levels drop. Phytoestrogens may help counteract hot flashes and other symptoms of low estrogen.
What’s more, sesame seeds are a rich source of lignan precursors. These specific compounds are produced by the microflora in the colon and have been shown to have powerful cancer-fighting effects on several specific types of cancer.
A 2012 study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that dietary lignans may act as a natural cancer treatment to reduce breast cancer risk by modifying tumor characteristics. In the study, lignan intakes were associated with a lower risk of estrogen receptor negative breast cancer. The study found that women with the highest intake of lignans compared to the lowest intake had a 40 percent to 50 percent lower chance of developing breast cancer.
All that said, if you’re looking for an easy way to add more sesame seeds into your diet, try my Lemon Sesame Protein Balls.
These protein balls are great for a healthy mid-day snack or quick pre/post workout fuel. Make a batch and store them in the fridge or freezer, so you’ll always have a healthy snack ready to pop or take with you when you’re running out the door.
Lemon Sesame Protein Balls are perfect for a healthy mid-day snack or pre/post workout fuel! They’re are soft, chewy and very satisfying given that they’re loaded with good fats and protein. These no-bake balls are super easy to make with ONLY 4 ingredients needed!
3/4cupPurePaleo Protein Powder vanilla, or PurePea Protein for plant-based version
6-8dropsfood-grade lemon essential oil , or 1.5 tsp lemon extract
2tbspsesame seeds, black or white
1/4tspsea salt
Instructions
Add sesame seed butter, protein powder, lemon oil or extract and sea salt into the food processor and combine ingredients. Use a spatula to scrape sides if needed. Mixture should be dense and smooth so it can be pressed together. If it's too wet, add more protein powder. If it's too dry, add more sesame seed butter (1 tsp at a time).
Using a teaspoon, scoop mixture and form into small balls. If balls are too sticky to form, place mixture into the freezer for 10-minutes then remove and form balls.
Roll balls into sesame seeds then place them in large shallow glass container so they're not touching one another.
Store protein balls in the fridge or freezer for a frozen treat. Once the balls have firmed up, feel free to stack them in a smaller container.
Coconut Matcha Protein Balls are a yummy snack filled with protein, tiger nuts, coconut, dates & matcha! They’re AIP friendly, paleo & delicious!
Did you know that coconut oil can be helpful when it comes to weight loss? Here are 3 ways coconut oil supports weight loss …
#1 BOOSTS METABOLISM
Coconut oil is high in MCTs (medium chain triglycerides), which are fatty acids that are metabolized differently than most other fats, leading to beneficial effects on metabolism.
Several studies confirm that when humans replace the fats they are eating with MCT fats, they burn more calories.
Therefore, a calorie from coconut oil is NOT the same as a calorie from olive oil or butter (although these fats are perfectly healthy too).
#2 REDUCES APPETITE
Many studies on MCTs show that compared to the same amount of calories from other fats, MCTs increase feelings of fullness and lead to a reduction in calorie intake.
So, coconut oil boosts fat burning (“calories out”) and it also reduces appetite (“calories in”).
#3 SHRINKS BELLY FAT
Eating coconut is particularly effective at reducing the harmful belly fat in the abdominal cavity, which is strongly associated with disease.
Studies also show that MCTs lead to weight loss, but the weight loss effects of coconut oil appear to be fairly mild, except for the abdominal fat.
Now give these delicious, coconut-rich protein balls a try! They’re AIP, Paleo & IBS friendly.
1/2cuptiger nut flour, or almond flour if not following AIP
4tbspPurePaleo Protein powder vanilla, or PurePea vanilla for vegan/not AIP version*
2tspmatcha green tea
4pitted dates, soaked for a few minutes
1/4cupcoconut oil, melted & cooled
1/2cupcoconut butter/manna, melted & cooled
Instructions
Add all ingredients into a food processor and process until ingredients start to stick together. If mixture is too dry, add 1 tsp of coconut butter or oil at a time. If mixture is too wet, add 1 tsp of tiger nut flour (or almond flour) at a time.
Scoop out mixture with a tablespoon, press firmly together then roll into balls.
Enjoy right away or store in an airtight container for later.
Easy Baked Drumsticks are the perfect wholesome food to add to your weeknight dinner menu. This 4 ingredient recipe is quick to prepare–just toss everything in a bowl, place in the oven and wait for crispy & juicy drumsticks to appear! This recipe is AIP friendly, low-carb, keto & paleo.
DID YOU KNOW? Dark meat contains more nutrients than white meat.
Because white meat has about half the saturated fat of dark meat, it has been considered the “healthier” alternative.
BUT while white meat is largely a protein delivery system, dark meat contains not only a high source of protein, but nutrients too.
Dark meat is far richer in minerals such as iron, zinc and selenium, as well as vitamins A, K, and the B complex — B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin) B6, B9 (folate) and B12 (cobalamin).
In addition, dark meat is high in taurine – a nutrient known to aid in anti-inflammation, blood pressure regulation, healthy nerve function, the production of bile acid, which breaks down fat, and other important functions.
Consider replacing some of your white meat chicken dishes with some dark meat chicken dishes. Try my Easy Baked Drumsticks and some of my other delicious dark chicken meat dishes …
Easy Baked Drumsticks are the perfect wholesome food to add to your weeknight dinner menu. This 4 ingredient recipe is quick to prepare--just toss everything in a bowl, place in the oven and wait for crispy & juicy drumsticks to appear! This recipe is AIP friendly, low-carb, keto & paleo.
Wild Salmon with Pesto is the not only super healthy, but real quick and easy to make! All you need is fresh wild salmon, dairy free pesto and 20-minutes. Paleo, low-carb & keto.
DID YOU KNOW? Wild salmon is high in Vitamin D.
On average, wild-caught salmon contains 988 IU of vitamin D per 3.5-ounce or 165% of the RDI. Some studies have found even higher levels in wild salmon — up to 1,300 IU per serving!
Up to 50% of the world’s population may not get enough sun causing many people to be deficient in vitamin D. This is partly because people spend more time indoors, wear sunblock outside and eat a Western diet low in good sources of this vitamin.
Vitamin D deficiency is linked to everything from skin problems to weight gain to autoimmune disease to cancer and heart disease.
This stresses the need for all of us to get plenty of sun exposure, and supplement or eat vitamin D-rich foods, such as wild salmon, on a regular basis.
Pair Wild Salmon with Pesto with one of these healthy sides …
Wild Salmon with Pesto is the not only super healthy, but real quick and easy to make! All you need is fresh wild salmon, dairy free pesto and 20-minutes. Paleo, low-carb & keto.
This refreshing Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie is the perfect summer time drink for when you’re chilling on the porch or kickin’ it poolside! It’s not only delicious, but packed with antioxidants and vitamins–and sweetened with Mother Nature’s candy. Only 3 simple ingredients needed to make this AIP, paleo and plant-based friendly cold drink!
DID YOU KNOW? Pineapples contain a group of digestive enzymes known as bromelain.
Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes which work together to help your digestive system break down and absorb proteins from the foods you eat.
These enzymes can be especially helpful for people with pancreatic insufficiency, a condition in which the pancreas cannot make enough digestive enzymes.
Additionally, bromelain from pineapple can help relieve stomach aches, heartburn and diarrhea, according to some research.
This refreshing Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie is the perfect summer time drink for when you're chilling on the porch or kickin' it poolside! It's not only delicious, but packed with antioxidants and vitamins--and sweetened with Mother Nature's candy. Only 3 simple ingredients needed to make this AIP, paleo and plant-based friendly cold drink!
No-Bake Pumpkin Seed Protein Balls are the perfect healthy mid-day snack or quick pre/post workout fuel. They’re soft, chewy and very satisfying given that they’re loaded with good fats and protein. These no-bake balls are super easy to make and can be stored in the fridge or freezer, so you’ll always have a healthy snack ready to pop or take with you when you’re running out the door!
5 reasons why you should eat pumpkin seeds
1. High in magnesium
1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds contains nearly half of the recommended daily amount of magnesium. This important mineral is vital for many physiological functions, including proper bowel function – yet an estimated 80 percent of Americans are deficient in magnesium!
2. Restful sleep
Pumpkin seeds are high in tryptophan, which is needed for serotonin and melatonin (the “sleep hormone”) production. Both of these hormones help promote a restful night’s sleep.
3. Post-menopause symptom relief
Pumpkin seeds are rich in natural phytoestrogens which can help reduce hot flashes, headaches, joint pains and other menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.
4. Healthy hormones
Pumpkin seeds can help naturally increase your estrogen while also providing fiber to support healthy estrogen metabolism. It’s an excellent way to create a healthy level of estrogen without leading to excess levels, also known as estrogen dominance.
5. High in antioxidants
Pumpkin seed may help fight the growth and spread of cancer cells due to their high antioxidant content. Diets rich in pumpkin seeds have been linked to a lower risk of several types of cancer, including breast, stomach, lung and colorectal cancer.
Add more pumpkin seeds to your diet with this simple no-bake protein ball recipe!
These protein balls are great for a healthy mid-day snack or quick pre/post workout fuel.
Make a batch and store them in the fridge or freezer, so you’ll always have a healthy snack ready to pop or take with you when you’re running out the door.
No-Bake Pumpkin Seed Protein Balls are the perfect healthy mid-day snack or quick pre/post workout fuel. They’re soft, chewy and very satisfying given that they’re loaded with good fats and protein. These no-bake balls are super easy to make and can be stored in the fridge or freezer, so you'll always have a healthy snack ready to pop or take with you when you're running out the door!
3/4cupPurePaleo Protein Powder, vanilla, or PurePea Protein - vegan version
1tbspraw coconut oil
2tbspsprouted pumpkin seeds, or raw
2tbsptoasted coconut chips or shredded coconut, unsweetened
1/4tspsea salt
Instructions
Put pumpkin seeds and coconut chips into food processor and process into a fine crumble. Set crumble aside on a plate.
Add pumpkin seed butter, protein powder, coconut oil, vanilla extract and sea salt into the food processor and combine ingredients. Use a spatula to scrape sides if needed. Mixture should be dense and smooth so it can be pressed together. If it's too wet, add more protein powder. If it's too dry, add more coconut oil (1 tsp at a time).
Using a teaspoon, scoop mixture and form into small balls. If balls are too sticky to form, place mixture into the freezer for 10-minutes then remove and form balls.
Roll balls into the pumpkin seed and coconut crumble then place them in large shallow glass container, so they are not touching one another.
Store protein balls in the fridge or freezer for a frozen treat. Once the balls have firmed up, feel free to stack them in a smaller container.
My mission is to help women heal their gut, lose weight and feel great through simple and delicious smoothies, whole food nutrition & healthy lifestyle habits.
