Tag Archives: flaxseed

Grain Free Haven Newsletter and Discount Code – January 27, 2016

omms

My family has experimented with all kinds of nut and seed meals to figure out what makes our eating experiences joyful and satisfying. One of the most satisfying ingredients has been flaxseeds and flaxseed meal. They are filling and give a convincing grain texture to baked goods. On top of everything else it is an extremely nutritious ingredient.

FLAXSEEDS

There are two basic types of flaxseeds–brown and golden. The brown have a stronger, nuttier flavor than the milder golden seeds.

Flax has been cultivated for more than a millenium, with the first evidence of the plant dating back 30,000 years. Fibers from the plant are used to make fabric and fine linens. The seeds are typically eaten whole or ground into a meal. This meal is the reason you are reading about flaxseeds right now. We use golden flaxseed meal when we add flaxseed to Grain Free Haven products.

Flaxseeds have four main components that are beneficial to the smooth functioning of our human bodies: omega 3 fatty acids, protein, fiber and lignans.

–Omega 3 fatty acids help support a healthy cardiovascular system by reducing internal inflammation.

–The protein in the seeds and meal help synthesize the fatty acids in your body and give you energy to move all day long. If you need to increase your protein intake and not interested in eating a big steak, then have a spoonful of flaxseeds!

–Fiber, as we all know, is necessary to help our bodies absorb vitamins and nutrients. People often rely on grains to consume a sufficient amount of fiber to keep their digestive system working smoothly. Such a high level of fiber in flaxseeds makes them a logical grain free source of it.

–Lignans are often found in high fiber foods and further contribute to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of flaxseeds. They have also shown promise, through the consumption of flaxseeds, in reducing the effects of menopause and pre-menopausal symtoms (like reducing hot flashes – yay!).

Our Power Buns and Loaves are made from a combination of coconut flour and golden flaxseed meal. They can be paired with any “meal” (see what I did there :-)) and  definitely fill you up. More products are coming up with flaxseed meal, as we rotate some of our other recipes at the weekly markets.

RECIPE

These buns are a great way to have buns for burgers or breakfast. They are less dense than our Power Buns and much quicker to make, while being a powerful source of omega 3 fatty acids, fiber and protein.
Microwave Flaxseed Buns
1 tablespoon butter or oil
1/2 to 1/3 cup golden flaxseed meal
1 teaspoon baking powder
Dash pure stevia powder (optional)
1 egg
In large microwaveable mug melt butter. Add flaxseed meal (a larger quantity of meal makes for a shorter, denser muffin), baking powder and stevia, then stir until butter is absorbed.
Add the egg and stir briskly until fully incorporated. Place mug in microwave. Cook on high one minute. If the center of the muffin is still sunken cook for 15-20 more seconds. Remove mug from microwave and immediately flip muffin out of mug. Let cool about five minutes and serve.
LOCATIONS
Saturday, January 30, 2016, 8am-5pm: Dallas Farmers Market.  The warmer weather is bringing on thoughts of lighter flavors. Try our blueberry lemon muffins and chase those winter blues – heh – away!
Sunday, January 31, 2016, 10am-5pm: Dallas Farmers Market. We will have plenty of Power Buns and Loaves to keep you going all week! Stock up, along with our muffins and some fresh, organic produce from other market vendors!

 

DISCOUNT CODE

If you come by my booth and tell me this week’s discount code you will get $1 off any purchase of $15 or more! The code for this week is BLUEBERRY!

Please feel free to forward and share this newsletter with anyone you like! I look forward to seeing you this weekend! Come on out and enjoy the predicted beautiful weather!

10/22/15 Grain Free Haven Newsletter and Discount Code

powerbunsHello all you grain free fans! Welcome to the Grain Free Haven first weekly newsletter!

GRAINS BAD?

I have received a number of questions about why grains are “bad.” My family’s journey to grain free eating started with trying to solve a problem, not identifying whether or not a group of foods was bad for us.

After a long process of elimination we figured out my husband’s body quite violently rejected wheat. When he says he will be sick for three days if he eats it, it is no exaggeration! Looking for healthy alternative snacks and baked goods let us to highly refined, often dry, and flavorless wheat free substitutes. We then turned to our kitchen and found solutions, which we now share through Grain Free Haven products.

Back to why grains are bad. My short, non-medical professional answer, based on how I and my husband feel after NOT eating them is this: They can cause damage to the digestive system and make your body work harder than it needs to, thus leaving less energy for good health and living life.

You can find all kinds of information about why they are good for you (mostly government and grain council sources) and also why they are bad for you (mostly advocating paleo and low carbohydrate diets like this one). They are all persuasive, and written for the layperson who does not have extensive nutrition or medical knowledge. So what is a person to do?

What I know is that leaving grains behind has resulted in the complete disappearance of my husband’s gastrointestinal issues, which previously landed him in the hospital a few times, and significantly reduced the inflammation and autoimmune issues I was having. No, we did not take any medications to accomplish this feat. Our diet changes included elimination of sugar (which I will discuss another time) and grains. That’s it. Fixed.

I can’t say that our snacks and baked goods will solve all your ills or make you live longer. I can say, based on how my family’s health is doing, they are better for you than what you will find in the gluten free aisle of the grocery store!

GRAIN FREE INGREDIENTS

Another question I am asked regularly is what the heck do I use to make muffins, bread and buns if I don’t use grains?! Nuts, seeds and eggs, for a short answer.

The three most common ingredients in my baked goods are almond meal, coconut flour, and eggs. Eggs are relied on heavily due to the high level of moisture absorbed by coconut flour. When was the last time you saw a loaf of bread made with only one cup of flour? If you use coconut flour you will see it every day!

Flaxseed meal–both dark and golden–also factors in frequently to give the products a “grainier” texture. There is no escaping that most of us grew up eating breads made with grain, and that texture is a big factor in the “comfort” of such foods. The flaxseed meals help connect the grain texture and the grain free products.

Fats are good for you! Really, they are. Fat is needed by your body to give you energy and help absorb vitamins and nutrients in your food. Don’t get me started on low fat and low calorie diets. I tried them for years to no avail. If you want more on the subject I suggest you check out the books written by Gary Taubes.

On with fats. Depending on the product, I use butter, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, or lard. Yes. Lard. Like grandma used to. Each type of fat gives a different flavor and texture to baked goods, whether grain free or not. Some are more interchangeable than others, and I have experimented with them all. If you ever have a need for one of my products to be vegetarian or milk/butter free, just let me know and I can whip up a special batch for you.

COST OF GRAIN FREE

One thing you will notice if you are going grain free is that grains are really cheap compared to grain free ingredients, like nut meals. The second thing you will discover is that grain free ingredients are also harder to find. Money and time are the two main reasons why I started my business. I love to help other people find economical and convenient access to grain free convenience foods.

Walk down the baking aisle at your local grocery and see if you can find the ingredients you need. You may struggle to find success. Try the organic/natural food aisle and you may have better luck. When eating grain free there is little to put in your basket from the aisles in the middle of the store. We spend most of our time and make selections from the outer edges–proteins, dairy, produce and deli. I am like a kid in a toy store when I find a grocery that has a full aisle of natural and organic products, which usually means I can find grain free ingredients for baking. What a joy to not have to order online!

The cost of time and effort is very much worth it to me. As I watch my six year old daughter growing fast and thriving every day I do not doubt we are doing something right with her diet. When I see my husband able to sleep through the night and eat satisfying, filling meals without concern, there is no doubt we are doing something right. When I see extra weight I have carried for years steadily drop off the longer I avoid sugar and grains, I have no doubt we are doing something right.

LOCATIONS

This week you can find us two places!

2nd Annual Grizzly Fall Festival on Friday, October 23rd, 5-8pm: a fun fall fundraiser for the Uplift Grand Preparatory School in Grand Prairie. We will be offering mini versions of our Pumpkin Spice Muffins and Banana Bread Muffins, along with Power Buns and wonderful nut mixes. Come on out and have some Friday evening fun while supporting a great school! The festival will be in the school’s parking lot (or moved inside if it is rainy) at 122 NE 2nd Street, Grand Prairie TX.

Grand Prairie Farmers Market on Saturday, October 24th, 8am – 1pm: this week’s market is highlighting the kick off of Red Ribbon Week and Craft Fair vendors will be joining us! Find more information about the Market here.

I am also in the process of getting approved for the Dallas Farmers Market downtown. I will keep you up to date on when I will be there, so you can visit us and have more opportunities to restock during the week!

DISCOUNT!!!

If you come by my booth and tell me this week’s discount code you will get $1 off any purchase of $15 or more! The code for this week is PUMPKIN OVERLOAD.

Please feel free to forward and share this newsletter with anyone you like! I look forward to seeing you this weekend!