HEALTH DRAMA:THE FLAXSEED AFFAIR

In the digital age there is no escaping the endless drama from our social media to sometimes our customized wacky Google  searches( you know what I’m talking about don’t be shy) and of course our never ending junk emails. Surely, but slowly the drama that we watch in our homes from our TV regarding our favorite soaps and  sitcoms are being replaced from the drama in the blogosphere of healthy living!  The most recent drama that has taken health connoisseurs including myself by storm is  “The Flaxseed Affair.” Endless articles and publications have revealed so many reasons why fish lovers including myself are cheating on their favorite dishes by secretly adding more of Mr. or Mrs. Flaxseed to their mix! .  There is so much hype in the health community about this miracle seed that hands down you need to get on board with the flaxseed affair and for these reasons:

* Lower Cholesterol: The soluble fiber content of flax seeds trap fat and cholesterol in the digestive system so that it unable to be absorbed. Soluble fiber also traps bile, which is made from cholesterol in the gallbladder.

* Improves hair and skin: The ALA fats in flax seeds benefits the skin and hair by providing essential fats as well as b-vitamins, which can help reduce dryness and flakiness. It can also improve symptoms of acne, rosacea, and eczema. This also applies to eye health as flax can reduce dry eye give you clear skin

* Lowers cholesterol-  As noted in The journal of Nutrition and Metabolism , “found that adding flax seeds into one’s diet can naturally reduce cholesterol levels.

Bile is then excreted through the digestive system, forcing the body to make more and using up excess cholesterol in the blood , furthermore lowering cholesterol”

*Aids in digestion and reduces sugar cravings: Flax is extremely high in both soluble and insoluble fiber which can support colon detoxification, fat loss and reduce sugar cravings

* High in Omega- 3 Fatty Acids

* Helps in reducing Menopausal Symptoms:The lignans in the flax have been used as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy because lignans do have estrogenic properties. It may also help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. It can even help menstruating women by

*High in Fiber: One of the most astonishing benefits of flax seeds is that they contain high levels of mucilage gum content.  Mucilage is a gel-forming fiber that is water-soluble and has incredible benefits on the intestinal tract.

*Flaxseeds are  great gluten free food- Using flax is a great way to naturally replace gluten-containing grains, which are inflammatory where flax is anti-inflammatory.

*High in Antioxidants, promotes immunity, and balances hormones.  Flax seeds are packed with antioxidants. Lignans are unique fiber-related polyphenols that provide us with antioxidant benefits for anti-aging, hormone balance and our cellular health in preventing cancer. .  By consuming flax regularly you can boost your immunity because the Lignans are known for their anti-viral and antibacterial properties.

 * Promotes weight loss: Since flax is full of healthy fats and fiber, it will help you feel satisfied longer so you will eat fewer calories overall which may lead to weight loss. ALA fats may also help reduce inflammation.

*Just two tablespoons of ground flaxseed contain more than 140 percent daily value of the inflammation-reducing omega-3 fatty acids and more lignans, a cancer-fighting plant chemical, than any other plant food on the planet

Notes: “Essential fatty acids. Fifty-seven percent of the total fatty acids in flaxseed oil are alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), one of three omega-3 fatty acids. When consumed, ALA is converted into the other, more powerful omega-3s, docosahexaeonic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids. Ground flaxseed has ALA, but flaxseed oil contains the highest amount.”

RELEVANT INFORMATION

Flaxseeds can also be called linseeds, are small, brown, tan or golden-colored seeds that are the richest sources of a plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in the world!

FLAX SEED NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

When you look at the nutritional benefits of flax seeds, there are many things that will catch your attention.

A  1 ounce (3 tbsp) serving of flaxseeds contains:

• Omega-3 (ALA) 6,338mg
• Fiber 8g
• Protein 6g
• Vitamin B1 31% RDA
• Manganese 35% RDA
• Magnesium 30% RDA
• Phosphorus 19% RDA
• Selenium 10% RDA

  WAYS TO HAVE A FLAXSEED AFFAIR STARTING RIGHT NOW!

1. Stir 1 Tbsp. ground flaxseed into oatmeal, cereal and smoothies

2. Use ground flaxseed as a topping for salads

3. Make vinaigrette with 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, 1 Tbsp. vinegar and 3 Tbsp. flaxseed oil.

4. Mix 1 Tbsp. ground flaxseed into tuna, chicken and egg salads

5. Add  whole or ground flaxseed to bread recipes

6. Toss. cooked pasta with 2 Tbsp. flaxseed oil

7. Coat and roast vegetables in equal parts flaxseed and olive oils.

8. Replace eggs in recipes with flaxseeds servings that equal eggs (see my recipe)

9.  Put in seasoning

10.  Mix into dips like hummus, guacomole, or other healthy spreads

 CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE WITH RASPBERRY FROSTING (VEGAN, DAIRYFREE, GLUTEN FREE, AND NO REFINED SUGARS)

• 1 ½ cup oat flour  Gluten Free
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ cup of Stevia Sugar Leaf
• ½ Agave light syrup
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 Tablespoons of Flax Seed( Per every Tablespoon of Flax add 3 Tablespoons of water it equals one egg replacement in recipes)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 4 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp white vinegar
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• ½ cup chocolate chips ( Chocolate Dream Dairy Free Vegan Chips Semi-Sweet ( Can use Lilly's chocolate chips for less sugar)

Raspberry Frosting

1 Bag of Frozen Raspberries

2 Cups of Coconut Yogurt (Greek Style Preferred)

¼ Cup Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix (Organic I used) You can use sugar free/fat free vanilla for less sugar

2 packets of monkfruit or stevia

Directions:

Cake

Preheat oven to 350° F.  Grease an 8 x 2 inch round Cake Pan s or 9 x 1½ inch round Cake Pan 

In a large bowl combine dry ingredients

Add wet ingredients and mix well

Stir in chocolate chips and pour batter into pan.

Bake for 37 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Let cool and ice with your favorite frosting or see my recipe for raspberry frosting

• While the cake is baking  you can prepare the frosting. Put the thawed  raspberries in a blender and pulse into a smoothie like mixture. Add the purée to a small pot, and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the purée has reduced by half. Cool completely. Add the Greek yogurt, pudding mix, and sweetner to a large bowl, and beat for 2 minutes, or until thickened. Mix in the raspberry purée. Chill for at least 2 hours before piping onto the cake.

Garnish

• Fresh Mint
• Raspberries
• Chocolate Chips 

DISCLAIMER: The nutritional and well-being information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional nutritional or  medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition

For more information go to www.zenonaplate.com