honey whole wheat bread with golden flax seeds.

FLAX SEEDS

Flax seeds have been around for thousands of years and have many health benefits. Flax seeds have been helpful in alleviating some allergies, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, joint problems, and flax seed oil helps to reduce the drying and cracking of winter skin.

The recommended daily dose is 1-2 tablespoons per day. You can eat flax seeds as a whole seed, or as a powder. Flax seeds are most powerful when they are eaten as a ground seed. The grinding helps to release the lignan oils which is found in the outer hull of the seeds. Lignans are a rich source of antioxidants. Flax seeds are also one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Just to give you an idea of how powerful flax seeds are, you would have to eat about 100 slices of bread to get the same amount of antioxidants as found in 2 tablespoons of flax seeds.

Where do you find flax seeds you might ask….You can find them at a health food store, Costco, and in many grocery stores that carry bulk foods. So now all you have to do is add flax seeds to your shopping list!

Here are some yummy ideas……

• Dannon vanilla yogurt with fresh berry and flax seeds
• Add flax seeds to your favorite bread recipe
• Sprinkle flax seeds in your salad
• Try cottage cheese with pineapple and flax seeds
• Granola or any cereal…just a 1-2 TB of flax seeds
• cakes, brownie or cookies….just add some flax seeds
• muffins…just add flax seeds to the mix

You can add flax to just about everything. You just need to remember to store your flax seeds in the refrigerator and use them often!! Your body will thank you and it is such an easy way to boost up your daily nutrition.

Honey whole wheat bread with golden flax seeds

3 cups warm water
1/4 cup canola oil
1/3 cup honey
6 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup ground golden flax seeds
1 TB wheat gluten
1 TB dough enhancer
1 TB self rising yeast
1 TB salt

In your mixer(can be done by hand, but won’t be as fluffy), add warm water 110-120 degrees, oil and honey. Don’t mix. Then add 4 cups of milled wheat flour…don’t mix. On top of the flour add bread dough enhancer, wheat gluten, and yeast. Mix on speed 1 until smooth. Let stand for 10 minutes. Next on speed 1 add the salt, golden flax seeds, and the rest of the flour(about 3 cups). If dough is still too sticky add more flour. Set timer for 10 minutes on speed 2 and mix. With Pam on your hands- form dough into 6 small loaves. Be sure to spray the loaf pans first. Place loaves into a cool oven, then turn on the oven to Bake 350. Bake for 30 minutes. Enjoy!!