Looking for a great snack dip that helps balance your hormones?  This healthy recipe is a yummy dip and perfect for women looking to balance their hormones before menopause and replace estrogen after menopause.

Makes 1 cup

• 2 cups cooked white beans
• 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp. parsley, minced
• 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1/8 tsp. sea salt
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar 

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Use as a spread on whole wheat French bread, crackers, Melba toast, rye bread, or multi-grain toast.

Not many women know that beans are loaded with isoflavones, those phytoestrogen substances that help balance your hormones before menopause and replace estrogen after menopause.  And, they’re a high source of protein without the complications of cholesterol.

For many of us, a meal wouldn’t be complete without something sweet.  Here’s the wonderful news: you can satisfy this craving and still maintain a healthful diet. The trick is to put together the right ingredients. A great example of this is my oatmeal-raisin cookie recipe. Oats are a wonderful source of iron and zinc. Raisins deliver potassium and iron.

Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies

80 Calories per cookie and No Fat!

1/4 cup almond or sunflower oil
6 Tbsp. maple syrup
2 eggs slightly beaten
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking powder
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup of whole wheat flour*

*or rice flour, available at health food stores and many supermarkets

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix almond oil and maple syrup. Combine with eggs, vanilla, and salt and blend. Mix flour, baking powder, rolled oats, and raisins. Combine all ingredients and mix. A few teaspoons of water may be added until the dough is the right consistency. Spoon onto greased cookie sheet and flatten each cookie slightly with a spoon. Bake 12 to 15 minutes.