The Seed Cycle

The Seed Cycle - what is this you may have asked.

I have heard a lot of talk lately regarding ‘The Seed Cycle’ and to be honest at first it didn’t really resonate with me. Another thing to add to my trial diet. I have struggled for years on what to eat, that supports my body and the debate with my mind on keeping up with eating certain foods that I have read or heard are good for me and whatever it is that I feel I have going on at that time.

In my early 20’s, working as a beauty & massage therapist I developed slight eczema on my hands. At this time, I just thought it may be all the body scrubs I was using that was damaging my hands and never thought it could be related to anything like what I was eating.

Later on, prior to having my daughter in 2013 my eczema was covering my palms. I remember it to be so raw I wore gloves at times, to protect my hands. I was seeing my GP who prescribed me cream to cover my hands in, but it never “fixed” the itchy redness of my palms. (I am side tracking now) To cut the story short it was here that I started to look into food and how what I was eating helped with my health problem, but I also found it so hard to be strict and stick to good foods when I craved things like cheese, bread and quick and easy items right. So, when I say I have struggled for years on trialing diets that support my body this is what I mean, and also with getting on top of my eczema (finally!) then other health problems would pop up and I feel I am back at the start again, questioning what I have eaten. I know foods that can trigger my eczema now and lay off them for a while if I have a flare up.

Since my daughter has been nearing her menarche (first bleed), I have been curious to find out more about the female cycle so I can educate her and help her to be prepared especially with what foods can and won’t support her. The more I have listened, read and studied the more in tune with my own cycle I become and realise what I have believed to be “just apart of having your period” are actually symptoms, my womb trying to communicate with me that something is not in balance.

When I heard “The Seed Cycle” on yet another podcast suggesting it can help with my hormones and my cycle, I took this as a sign that I need to try this! One day after I ordered online it was delivered to my doorstep! I started the seed blend (phase 2) straight away, which also got me to check in with what day of my cycle I was on and start to keep a track each day.

I have found the easiest way for me to add the seeds into my daily schedule is in my mid-day smoothie. I change up my recipe depending on what I have left in our kitchen (after the kids raid all the good stuff)

I usually add coconut water, a ripe banana, berries or frozen pineapple, a little frozen yoghurt or sorbet along with my powders like AM powder (The Skin Friend) MSM, Immune boost blend and cocoa. I will then add the scoop of seeds before blending.YUM!

Phase 1 | Day 1-14 - Pumpkin seeds and Flaxseeds.

ideal for women during the Menstrual and Follicular phase of their cycle. The flaxseeds and linseeds contained in this blend may be beneficial for women experiencing PCOS and may lower the occurrence of excess hair growth and acne. Plus, these seeds can assist with pre-menstrual breast tenderness.

Phase 2 | Day 15-28 - Sesame seeds and sunflower seeds.

perfect for women during the Ovulation and Luteal phase of their cycle. These seeds are rich in Vitamin E, playing a big role in balancing our nervous and endocrine system to restore optimal hormone levels in the body.

PMS symptoms are often due to an imbalance of our key female hormones, estrogen and progesterone.

Seed cycling provides specific nutrients such as phytoestrogens, lignans, zinc and vitamin E, to support the production and elimination of estrogen and progesterone at the exact time your body needs it during your cycle. 

Why not check out a better understanding of it on their website here.

The brownie I made is a pre packaged The Seed Cycle Brownie Mix which is specific to phase 1 of the cycle and so yummy and easy to bake!

Let me know if you have already tried or if this post inspires you to give the seeds a go.

Much love,

Meg