Flaxseeds - AKA Linseeds

The super food of super foods!! Nutritious and delicious!

Various papers of published research are proving what we believed for centuries; flaxseeds are a great aid for us to get healthier.  The Journal of Nutrition has published a promising study on the effect flaxseeds may have in weight loss.  Other studies reveal that flaxseeds being rich in so many essential nutrients are very likely to help with high cholesterol, cleanse and protect the digestive system, support the immune system and course let’s not forget it can also improve all kinds of skin conditions and make our hair stronger and healthier.

They are the best plant source of Omega 3 Fatty acids and if this wasn’t reason enough to start adding it as part of our diet, they are also rich in fibre, protein, Selenium, Vitamins B1 and B6, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper, Zinc, Phosphorus and Manganese.

I buy organic golden linseeds and then grind some every week and put them in a little glass jar in my bag.  This way I always have some for when I’m out and about, I can then sprinkle them on my lunch and smoothies. Remember that its best to buy the whole seed and then grind them into a powder as you need it.  Once they are in ground form they lose their power quicker.

Various ways to use Flaxseeds:

In soups and stews – They act as a thickener

Pancake mixes - Use whole for a nutty crunch or use ground up to thicken up the batter.

Smoothies

Sprinkle on salads and all other foods

Sprinkle on Yogurts, porridge and desserts

Ingredients: 

2 heaped tbsp of wholemeal flour

1 heaped tbsp of ground almonds

1 egg

½ tsp of baking powder (gluten free)

1 tbsp of golden linseeds

Small handful of Pecan nuts (or any other nuts you prefer)

Pinch of salt

Milk of your choice

Butter

Maple Syrup

Method:

Mix the baking powder with the wholemeal flour, ground almonds and a small pinch of salt. Add the  egg and enough milk to get the consistency you desire. The thicker the butter the more dense the pancake.  Add the linseeds last by stirring them into the batter. 

In a small frying pan melt a small nob of butter and some of the pecan nuts. Allow for the nuts to brown on each side and then add around 4 tablespoons of the pancake mix. Cook until brown  on both sides and serve with a dollop of your favourite yogurt and a generous drizzle of maple syrup.

We all know that the immune system is responsible for destroying pathogens that invade our bodies but what we sometimes forget is that the immune system also has the job to destroy our own cells when they become cancerous and attack healthy cells.  Maintaining a healthy immune system is imperative to good health and in the prevention of cancer. 

Fortunately, at the moment there’s a lot in the media about the link between a healthy gut leading to a healthy immune system.  The healthy food revolution we are witnessing today is doing a very good job of informing us of it and I’m constantly reading new scientific articles proving that fact. 

I would however like to remind you of another very important fact that the new fast paced world we live in today has forgotten. I’m referring to the last stage of the immune system’s response to infection.

When we are sick our immune system is on high alert, producing millions of various kinds of fighter cells to recognise, engulf and destroy the invaders. When the number of invaders are at a number that no longer puts the body into danger the Suppressor T-Cell will come into action sending messages to the immune system to rest. 

If the immune system is activated for longer periods of time than is necessary and this happens repeatedly it may damage healthy cells.  

We must therefore learn to rest when we are sick to allow our immune system to also rest when the Suppressor T-Cells send the message out.  Suppressing our symptoms when we have a cold so that we may carry on normally is not helping our immune system.  Instead we should be looking for ways to support it by eating well, drinking lots of fluids to aid the lymph to flush out toxins and most of all to rest.  Allow our bodies to do the work... they know exactly what they are doing!

Image by Alexandra & Jorj