FLAX: Another Way To Enjoy Plain!

Because it has the most protein and least sugar, I eat one of my Plain Yogurts daily (although I think my record is six...that story and the ramifications thereafter are for another time)! I am therefore, constantly finding new ways to enjoy my Plain Yogurt.

Over the holidays, my brother's fiance told me to put flax seed on my yogurt. I said that I already get my Omega 3s through daily supplements.  She told me I should eat it for the fiber. After visiting a store, I found ground flax, toasted flax, plain flax, flavored flax, every flax you could imagine. It touted Omega 3s, fibers, lignans, etc. I bought the toasted flax, but knew I needed someone to demystify the flax out of it!

Thanks Nutrition Diva . You had a great piece a few days later that helped me make sense of these little guys that look like sesame! If you have the time, check it out. If not, here's what I learned: flax does contain Omega 3s, fiber, and lignans, but you need to ground it to enjoy its benefits. Either ground it yourself, or buy it pre-ground. Either way, ensure that it is ground fresh (no more than two weeks old). 

Since then, I have pulled out grandmother's mortar and pestle (that she carried all the way from Turkey). I ground my toasted flax each morning (it takes a total of 1-2 min -- same time it takes to heat the water for my tea). I throw it into my plain yogurt, add a little agave nectar, and Whola...I have an even more nutritionally delicious start to my day! Plain, certainly doesn't have to be boring...just look at the flax!

Recipe:

• One cup plain BWOL yogurt

• 1 Tbsp Ground Toasted Flax Seeds

• 1 Tbsp Agave Nectar (doesn't spike your GI as much as honey)

Approximate Nutrition:

• 200 Calories

• 20g Protein

• 6g Fiber

• 4g Fat (the good stuff from the Flax Seeds)

• 13g Sugar (low GI fro the Agave Nectar)