Omega of a Cracker
There is however just one thing better than a Long Weekend and that is getting away for it! Or maybe there is one more thing.. having your getaway organised for you (thanks Felicity!). On Friday afternoon a group of us arrived at Euston Station to embark the Rugby bound train. A couple of hours later we were scanning inside 2 narrow house boats for the finest mattress that was to provide our sleep for the next 3 nights.
And No! Canal boating is not just for families with dogs and retired old couples! All the cool kids are doing it and since there were 18 of us spread over 2 boats, it is safe to say Canal Boating is very cool indeed. Especially when you dress up as pirates and gypsies on Saturday night to vary your look in void of staring at 17 other ugly faces in a small confined space- what is not cool about that?
In all seriousness though, it was an amazing weekend and a unique way to slow down, travel through the waterways and its multiple locks (first time!!) and see the beautiful English countryside from a different perspective. And according to Tim’s “map my run”, we covered 23miles- not bad for a couple of days worth and since you can literally walk beside the boat by foot and still beat it.
Why are Omega 3 Fatty acids essential for your diet?
• These polyunsaturated fatty acids are called ‘essential’ because the body can’t produce them and needs to get them from food
• We need omega-3 fatty acids for numerous normal body functions, such as controlling blood clotting and building cell membranes in the brain
• Omega 3 lowers bad cholesterol, protects against heart disease and lowers chances of a stroke
• In is even used to treat depression
• New studies are identifying potential benefits for a wide range of conditions including cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (Harvard School of Public Health)
So where to get your Omega 3?
• The common answer would be fish, but this is simply a lack of information plus fish comes with its own parasites and diseases
• Most of these essential fats are actually in flaxseed oils, extra virgin olive oil, flaxseeds, hempseeds, walnuts, beans and winter squash
• Flaxseeds are at the top of the list, where a 1/4Cup serving contains 7g, in comparison to Salmon, where a 4oz serving has 2.1g of omega 3 fatty acids. Even a walnut 1/4Cup serving contains 2.3g
And not only are flaxseeds rich in Omega-3, they have plenty of fibre and antioxidant lignan, known to fight disease and prevent cancer, so here are my 2 favourite flaxseed cracker recipes...
ESSENTIALS
-Food Processer
-Dehydrator
THE SAVOURY ITALIAN FLAXSEED CRACKER
½ Cup x whole flaxseeds (or linseeds, same thing)
1 Cup x Water
2 x Tomatoes
½ Cup x Sun Dried tomatoes (soaked for 1 hour)
½ Cup x Fresh Basil
¼ Cup x Organic Olives (pitted)
2 Tbsp x Lemon juice
1 Tbsp x Italian herbs (your choice of dries spices)
THE SWEET ANTIOXIDANT FLAXSEED CRACKER
½ Cup x whole flaxseeds (or linseeds, same thing)
1 Cup x Water
1 Cup x Strawberries
½ Cup x Blueberries
½ Cup x Cherry (pitted)
2 x Medjool Dates
1 x Tbsp Purple Corn Flour
The number one rule of making crackers with whole flax seeds is to soak the flax overnight. In the right side picture you can see how gooyiethe mixture is in the morning. I used brown flax (left) for the sweet recipe and white (right) for the savoury. Which ever one you choose is upto you, it does not alter the taste.
Transfer into a bowl with the soaked flaxseeds and add the herbs and lemon juice. Mix
Dehydrate at 105 degrees F for 6 hours, peel off the sheet and transfer to a mesh tray and dehydrate for another 10 hours
Note: I spread the mixture quite thinly, because I like my crackers really thin and crispy, almost like chips. If you like a cracker more dense, don't spread so thin and dehydrate for double amount of time on both sides.
For the sweet cracker: process the strawberries, cherries, blueberries and dates in a food processer with an S blade
Transfer into a bowl with the soaked flaxseeds and add the Purple Corn Flour. Mix well
Spread the mixture over 2 dehydrater trays with teflex sheets Note: This sweet recipe is a mix of crunchy and chewie, almost like a fruit leather, but more ridgit. If you like more of a crunch, add double amount of flax (plus water to soak) and also dehydrate for an additional 5 hours.
Oh and if you are not planning on eating either of these straight away, cut or break them up and transfer to an airtight container so they stay crunchy. Yum!