Make your own Raw Flaxseed sprinkle
Raw Flaxseed is one of nature’s super foods. And it has been a part of human and animal diets for thousands of years in Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Why is Flaxseed so good for you?
What’s In Flax
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Flaxseed is very high in omega-3 essential fatty acids. It is the omega 3s — “good” fats — that seem to lower cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar, lower the risk of breast, prostate, and colon cancers, and reduce the inflammation of arthritis, as well as the inflammation that accompanies certain illnesses such as asthma. One of my patients recently told me that his dermatologist even recommended it to him for treatment of his rosacea!
In addition to the omega-3s, the remaining two components of flaxseed — lignans and fiber — are being studied for their health benefits as well.
Lignans, Soluable and Insoluable Fiber
Lignans, for example, act as both phyto-estrogens and antioxidants, while the fiber contained in the flax seed is of both the soluble and insoluble type. I read somewhere recently that men are better off eating the seed itself, rather than just the oil. I don’t know if that is accurate, but here is a way I like using flax.
To make this you need a simple electric coffee grinder, an inexpensive one will do, to grind the flax seeds into a fine powder. I start with whole flax seed because the pre-ground flax in the store is not ground fine, but more importantly, as soon as you grind a seed into powder you have broken the protective covering and the oils start to oxidize, so fresh ground is “healthier.”
Use Fresh Seeds–Check the Date, Know Your Brand
Start with a high quality organic flaxseed, like Spectrum Naturals. Better quality flax tastes better and is fresher. Oils go bad with time. All seeds and nuts are full of oil. So start with fresh quality seeds, go organic, and leave the pesticide residue and rancid oil behind.
Recipe for Flax Seed Sprinkle
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons raw flaxseed
2 tablespoons raw pumpkin seeds or walnuts
2 tablespoons un-hulled black sesame seeds
A dash of high quality sea salt
Gently toast the pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds in the toaster oven or on a cast iron pan. When they start to pop, cover, shake the pan or keep stirring with a wooden spoon. Don’t burn, but give a little time for them to pop.
Put the raw flax seed and other seeds or nuts in the grinder. Grind for a minute or two until everything is ground to a fine powder.
How to Use
Flaxseed by itself is buttery, but also a little bitter. It is a bit strong. But ground with nuts and seeds yields a delicious buttery, nutty topping.
Sprinkle on Top of Cooked Food
Sprinkle flaxseed on top of cereal, yogurt, salad, rice, pasta, fish, chicken, that is full of healthy oils, fiber, and some protein, too. Try it with other nuts and seeds, too, like walnuts, sunflower seeds, chia seeds.
Flax Natural Desert
My favorite is to take some Pavel’s or Lifeway Yogurt or Kefir, and add a tablespoon of this, with some natural sweetener, like Date or Carob syrup (Arab or Iranian Market), or Apricot Preserves. Its so delicious. I think kids would like this too. You could put it on toast with instead of butter and jam.
Flaxseed Sprinkle and Jelly Sandwich
Instead of heavy hard to digest peanut butter, mix with tahini and jam, for a great PBJ alternative
