An important seed mentioned in the Bible in Proverbs. “She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands”.

Flaxseeds, sometimes called linseeds, are small, brown, tan or golden-colored seeds. In fact, linseed or “flax seed” are different names for the same seed. Flaxseeds are a great source of dietary fiber, minerals, plant protein and one of the best sources of omega 3 fatty acids from plants. Along with being good brain food, they’re good for our hair, eyes, heart, skin and nails.

Flax seeds have been eaten for about 6000 years – one of our first cultivated super!

All clothing during Bible times was made from either wool or linen. Linen comes from flax fiber. The Jewish priestly garments were made of pure linen.

The ancients wove the flax plant fibers into cloth, paper and rope and the Egyptians used the cloth for wrapping mummies. The Shroud of Turin is said to have been made with linen made from the flax plant. This makes sense since flax is source of linen.

Flax was one of the first food crops ever grown, second only to probably wheat.

First, if you eat whole flax seeds you’ll get fiber only so in order to get the nutritional value you have to consume ground flax seed (called flax seed meal) or use flaxseed oil but make sure the oil says it has at least 25% particulate – the nutrition is in the non-oil part of the seed. Always store flax in the frig. If you leave the oil on the counter long enough, it turns into linseed oil – furniture polish! No, it won’t hurt you but it won’t help, either.

Sprinkle it on cereal along with some cinnamon – pour some ground flax or flax oil in your smoothies. Toss some into quick bread and muffins. Sprinkle some on your supper salad. You can also sprinkle some on pasta, like mac & cheese. Top your breakfast yogurt with it along with some fresh fruit.

And if you’d like to add some oatmeal (then it wouldn’t be grain free) I think you could do that – maybe sub in for some of the nuts, seeds or shredded coconut.

2-1/2 cups assorted nuts and seeds (part of the mix is 1/4 cup flax seed)

1 cup dried fruit

2 cups shredded coconut

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cinnamon to taste

Chop 1 cup of nuts and seeds. Place in bowl.

Use your food processor to pulse the other 1-1/2 cups of nuts and seeds into a finer chop. Add to the bowl, stir in fruit and coconut.

Cook oil, honey, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon until mixtures starts to bubble, then pour over fruit mixture. Blend. Press down real hard into foil lined, sprayed pan. Cool completely, remove and cut into bars.