Flaxseed Meal

[JuliaSannar]

Anyone ever bake with it? I bought some at the store the other day thinking I would learn to bake with it. I bought the Bob's Red Mill brand off the shelf. THe package says that it keeps best in the fridge of freezer. Does this mean after the package is open? THe recipes I found in my Super Baby Food book says the same thing (only of the whole flaxseed, not the "meal" version). Should I be worried? I have never used it before and want to make sure I am doing it right. It says it can be used in place of butter.

[Lorah]

I used it once a LONG time ago. Yes, it needs to be stored in the fridge to keep it good and fresh. I used it in the place of butter for some banana bread....wasn't too bad imo!

[JuliaSannar]

They sell it on the shelf though, so I am assuming that it is one of those things like natural peanut butter that has to put in the fridge after opening?

[Lorah]

I think so.

[Luckylove]

Do you normally take flax seed oil or a flax seed supplement? I remember when Dustin and I would go to the gym daily and eat way better he had me take supplements and they would go right through me. Be careful!! Sorry if TMI. I just wanted to warn you.

[justamom]

It is suggested that any form of flax besides whole flax seeds be refrigerated so they don't go rancid.

Here is a link to more information about flax in general (note the warnings about taking too much flax while pregnant, see below):

http://www.worldshealthiestfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=81#summary

Here is the reference to pregnancy doses:

Several animal studies (involving rats and mice) have raised questions about the safety of high-dose flaxseeds during pregnancy - not for the pregnant females, but for their offspring. "High-dose" in these animal experiments has meant flax intake as 10% of the total diet, or about 4 tablespoons of flaxseed for every 2,000 calories. Although it is impossible to generalize from animal studies to humans, we recommend that women who are pregnant (or considering pregnancy) consult with their healthcare providers if they are consuming or planning to consume flaxseeds in these high amounts.

Did you get it at Costco?

[JuliaSannar]

Kathleen - I don't normally take the supplements. The whole reason I bought it was to replace butter in recipes while baking. It is supposed to be better for you?!?

Tina - Thanks for the warning (about preggos) Tina. I had no idea. I got my package at Olivers but it has been sitting in the cupboard for a month or 2. I think I will toss it to be safe.

[My3sonsplus1]

I often use flax to replace butter in recipes. Just use 3 parts flax for every one part butter called for. The recipe may be darker and you may need to pull it a touch earlier.

Tina: I am fairly sure she didn't get it at Costco (TJ's perhaps, that is where we get ours). Costcos is like 5 times more expensive than the stuff I get at TJ's. It is crazy expensive there!

[justamom]

Ya I noticed that! It is organic, but geez.

[My3sonsplus1]

Julia is is fine to take, seriously! And you would be able to smell if it were bad (it shouldn't really "smell" at all, if so a bit "nutty" if it "smells" then sure toss it, but otherwise it is good for you. Great source of healthy fat and fiber... Nothing bad would happen if you took it and it was bad except it would taste nasty. I don't think you would be consuming 4 tbs-6 tbs a day of it...