WEEK 15: Flax

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Trial and error. Some things worked this week and some didn't. I finally bought some flax seed and am trying to get it into to something every day. The boys are still eating well pretty much on their own. Some meals are messier than others.

FOOD DESCRIPTION
I added flax to porridge and dusted on top of tofu pieces. I also attempted to bake some cookies and we introduced cauliflower.

PROCESS

• I added a scoop of flax seed to porridge (either oatmeal or a whole grain version at dinner) this week.
• Cauliflower - I fed the boys frozen, organic cauliflower this week. It was part of a mix with broccoli and seemed to take a few days to catch on.
• Cinnamon Flax Seed Cookies
• 3/4 cup butter (softened, not melted)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup flax seed
• 2 Large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2-1/3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2/3 Tbsp baking soda
• 2 cups oatmeal
  
  Cream butter and sugars in a large bowl; add flax seed. In another bowl, beat eggs and vanilla together. Combine with flax mixture. Sift together the flour and baking soda. Mix in oatmeal and cinnamon and combine with other ingredients. Form dough into 1-1/2" round logs. Wrap and put in freezer to chill. Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice into 1/4 inch medallions. Place on baking sheet and bake 13 to 15 minutes.  

WHAT I LEARNED
Flax is easy to mix in to existing foods, but I must work a little harder to learn how to bake with it effectively. Flax seed can also be used as a substitute:

• 3 Tbsp flax seed = 1 Tbsp margarine, butter or cooking oil
  To substitute for all of the fat, increase liquid by 75% as ground flax absorbs liquid. Note that baked goods will brown more quickly.
• 1 Tbsp flax seed plus 3 tablespoons water = 1 egg
  Allow to sit for several minutes together before adding to your recipe for pancakes, muffins and cookies

REACTION
The boys at their porridge with the flax added the same as usual. The cauliflower took a few days to catch on, but both began to eat it themselves. They will always eat anything that I feed to them on a spoon or fork, but for picking it up themselves, they definitely have favorites and preferences. I honestly haven't fed the cookies to the boys. I thought them as a definite treat due to the added sugar and just haven't seen the need for them yet. I made them to try myself and must say I was disappointed. I am definitely not used to that much whole wheat flour and I'm sure they would have been great with all-purpose flour. I did eat one and still have some dough in the freezer to try again.

SUMMARY
As mentioned in Brain Boosting Nutrients, you will see that flax seed is an Omega-3 Fatty Acid. When buying, choose cold milled because all the nutrients remain in-tact. Consider using it in smoothies, pancakes, and meatloaf; or as a topping on cereal or yogurt. Maybe I'll get the chance to post something else made with flax in the future.

Please share your thoughts or ideas.
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