Chocolate Chip PMS Bites (GF) (DF)

I don’t know I know any women out there doesn’t struggle with PMS! Research suggests that 75% of women suffer from headaches, mood swings, bloating and etc.!

This is definitely becoming more common with the toxicity we have in our food and environment to cause and imbalance of hormones therefore creating escalated PMS symptoms.

The real cause of PMS is simply this: Your hormones become unbalanced, your estrogen levels increase, and progesterone levels decrease, either relatively or absolutely.

I don’t know about you but I have horrible cramps, major anxiety, brain fog, moodiness and just overall tired. This has really been the case most of my life unfortunately! While I try not to take medication anymore, I try to really do all the “right” things to combat it my best.

I eat healthy, I workout, I do things to help with my own self care, I practice good sleep habits, I get my greens, I take my supplements, but yet, I still have this horrible PMS. It could be part of the aging process however, anything I can do to ward off symptoms to make my life and anyone who comes in contact with me more pleasant, the better!

So, after doing a lot of research and a lot of experimenting, I’ve decided to make a food that I enjoy to not only help combat PMS cravings but actually work in my favor to ease the symptoms!

One thing I always crave during my PMS time is chocolate and I’m pretty sure that most of the women out there do the same!

So, rather than making my regular chocolate chip cookies I decided to #1 - cut down the sugar, #2 add in some pms fighting foods like seeds and flax, #3 add in more plant protein.

1. Nuts and seeds - There is a thing called Seed Rotation - which I know sounds crazy but I really do feel that seeds work! Seed rotation is used to boost estrogen levels in the first part of your cycle, called the follicular phase, and progesterone levels during the second part or luteal phase. While I don’t follow the seed rotation exactly, I do try to incorporate seeds into my diet! Especially during that time!

   Pumpkin seeds in particular, which I used are rich in a number of nutrients that have shown to reduce PMS symptoms with their abundant source of magnesium which can help lift your food and fight water retention and help with irritability.

2. Cut down the sugar - sugar affects the hormones in a HUGE way! Why do you think our bodies crave it so much when we are pmsing?

   Sugar not only provides major highs and lows in mood and energy, it can also disrupt one of the most powerful hormones in the body: insulin. And insulin is closely connected to all of the other hormones in your body, including estrogen and testosterone.

   Simple, refined sugars cause spikes in blood sugar and insulin. But complex carbohydrates, fiber, protein and healthy fats promote more gradual increases and decreases in blood sugar and insulin, lowering the glycemic load and lifting the burden on your hormones.

3. Add in more quality protein - Animal protein contains all eight essential amino acids and large amounts of protein per serving. ... Low protein diets are linked to decreased growth hormone, estrogen and prolactin (linked to immunity, metabolism and breast milk production) and increased stress responses and thyroid imbalance.

   While I still don’t eat animal protein I try to still get my essential amino acids through supplements and other foods. Adding in a high plant protein here was a great option.

After looking through the above you see why I wanted to create something that would provide me with all of the benefits to combat PMS so these cookies were my little creation to create some resolution!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup tahini

• 1 cup oats

• 1 cup almond flour

• 1 tbsp coconut oil

• 1/2 banana

• 1 cup almond milk

• 2 scoops Owyn Vanilla Plant protein

• 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

• 2 eggs

• 1/4 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• *optional 1/4 cup flax - great for added fiber!

• *optional 1 tbsp white miso paste - fermented foods help with digestion!

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and pre-grease cookie sheet with coconut oil

2. Mix dry ingredients: oats, plant protein, almond flour, baking powder and pumpkin seeds in blender and mix well.

3. Add in wet ingredients: banana, coconut oil, tahini, vanilla extract, tahini, eggs and nut milk. Blend with dry ingredients.

4. Remove from blender and put in large bowl. Add in chocolate chips and fold in chocolate chips and mix well.

5. Use 1-2 tbsp of batter to create mini cookies or use a mini ice cream scooper. Makes 18 small cookies or 12 medium-large sized cookies!

6. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown!

7. Let cool on parchment paper for about 2-3 minutes and enjoy! Freeze to save for another time or keep them in the fridge for cool grab & go healthy snacks!

I’d love to see your creations and would love to hear you feedback on if they are working for your PMS symptoms! TAG me on Instagram @AngieReneeFitLife or share the recipe on Facebook!

I hope you enjoy!

Thanks for following along!!!

XX

Angie