When I go home home (i.e. my parents house) on the weekends, flax seed/ chia seed porridge is my go-to favourite breakfast. The reason I generally wait to get home and have this beauty is because I now associate it with reading The Sunday Times Style magazine, but also unfortunately it is not something that can be made quickly and easily in the office.
Making this dish is easy and quick when you have prepared your flax the night before. I suggest leaving your flax overnight so it is ready to go in the morning, but if you forget to do this or jut feel like this dish spontaneously, soak your flax seeds for at least 10 mins. Why? Well flax, like chia seeds, when soaked, swells up and creates a gel like consistency. This gel is what gives the porridge a yummy thick texture, helps keep us fuller for longer, and helps move food through our digestive system.
N e e d:
3 tablespoons of ground flax.
2 tablespoons of oatbran
enough water to generously cover this
almond milk (sweetened or unsweetened)
1 egg white
S u g g e s t e d T o p p i n g s:
Peanut butter
Seasonal fruit (I used blueberries)
Seeds
Bee Pollen
Cacao Nibs
Dried Fruit
Coconut Flakes
Honey
D o:
1) Soak your flax and oat bran overnight/ for a period in the morning to create your flax gel.
2) In the morning add your egg white and a splash of almond milk. Whisk until all mixed.
3) Put all ingredients in a non stick saucepan, on a low heat cook the porridge until it is warm all the way through and all the egg white has cooked.
4) Place your porridge in a bowl to serve. Top with your choice of toppings and enjoy.
H e a l t h B e n e f i t s of F l a x:
Flaxseeds are a a great source of fiber and work as a natural laxative. They are a great way to keep things regular.
Flaxseed oil contains concentrated amounts of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fat. Vegetarians and vegans often use this as a substitute for fish oil.
Ground flaxseed has been shown to work just as well as statins in lowering cholesterol.
Flaxseeds are a good source of magnesium.
Flaxseeds contain high levels of lignans. Lignans may protect against estrogen-dependents cancers such as breast cancer.
An ounce of ground flaxseed per day was shown to regulate estrogen levels in post-menopausal women.
Flaxseeds have been shown to protect post-menopausal women from heart disease.
Flaxseed decreases insulin resistance and may protect against diabetes.
Soaking your nuts, seeds beans and grains prior to consumption will also enhance your nutrient consumption due to the soaking process removing the majority of the phytic acid. This acid can prevent us from absorbing a lot of the nutrients as it is very difficult for our bodies to digest. In particular, if you are a vegan or vegetarian, soaking your nuts, seeds, beans and grains is advised. Read more here.
Have a good Sunday everyone. X
