Probiotic brownies: The sweet treat that helps balance hormones

If you suffer from the monthly torment that is PMS, you NEED this probiotic brownie recipe in your life. The lavish sweet snack contains zinc, a fancy mineral that is not only important for our immune system, but also needed by our body in order to make hormones. A shortage of it can result in hormonal balances, which is NEVER a good thing. Aside from the all-important zinc, the brownies require just a few ingredients, and NO baking. Perfect for when PMS strikes. Ingredients: 2 cups pecans or walnuts 1 teapsoon probiotics (Udo’s is a good one) 9-12 medjool dates (regular dates won’t work) Good pinch of sea salt flakes 6-8 tablespoons cacao or cocoa powder Method: Pulse the nuts and optional probiotics using a food processor, until they are crumbly. After getting rid of all stones, add each medjool date, one by one, down the food processor chute while it is running. Spoon in the cacao or cocoa powder, then add a generous pinch of sea salt flakes before giving one last blast in the food processor. Pinch the brownie ‘dough’ together with your fingertips. It should stick like gum. Scoop into a loaf tin lined with baking parchment, then press down firmly with the back of a spoon and freeze. Remove from freezer after 1 hour and chop into bite-sized brownies, then return to the freezer in a glass or plastic container until you devour straight from frozen. Note: When removing the stones from the medjools, make sure you check for black dust, which is a sign of plant mould. If you find any, discard the date and wash your hands. Recipe and images via Susan Jane White.