question regarding flax seeds

[lil fairy z girl]

just a quick question, i have noticed some recipes call for ground flax and some whole flax. Why the need to grind it? Does ground flax need to be soaked? Also could one grind flax with a pestel and mortar, or is it too tough?

sorry for such trivial questions,

sal
~*~*~*

[Springtime]

Whole flax seed will go through your body whole. you cannot digest it, so people eat it to add a bit of an extra workout for their bowels. If you put a tbsp in a glass of water you can see how each seed creates a bulb of jelly around it. This is what's great for your insides. You can also drink the seeds and water with they jelly, great for an inner work out.

Ground flax is different. You don't have to soak it, and if you blend it with liqids it will thicken them slightly. (in vegan baking they're used to substitute eggs). Your body can digest them, and they contain omega-3's.
They're also used to make crackers and crustst in a dehydrator. I put them on my un-cereal. No taste, really, but very versatile.

If you have powerful blender i guess you could grind whole flax seed, and i know people grind them in coffee grinders. I buy mine.

Oh, and remember not to over consume ground flax seed. Keep it under 5 tbsp a day, since they contain small amounts of hydrogen cyanide.

Peace

[spicyfull]

Great job SpringTime...........

[lil fairy z girl]

hi, thank you so much for your concise answer. excellent, thank you,

:)

sal
~*~*~*

[donnyandcathy]

Does the same thing hold true for Hemp, Chia, and Salba Seeds?
Do we need to make sure they are ground to consume the nutrition benefits?
Thanks!!
Cathy

[juliebove]

Does the same thing hold true for Hemp, Chia, and Salba Seeds?
Do we need to make sure they are ground to consume the nutrition benefits?
Thanks!!
Cathy


Chia and Salba are the same thing. I've usually seen the term Salba in reference to the white seeds only. They can be eaten as is, but to get the full benefit, they should be soaked overnight in the fridge. They will form a refreshing gel.

I don't think Hemp seeds need soaking.

[donnyandcathy]

Thanks!! I didn't know that Chia and Salba were the same thing, that's why I love this group ;)
I was wondering why there was a "new" super seed out there. My health food store sells Chia and Salba so I thought they were two different things.
Thanks so much!!!
Cathy