Perfect Bar Unwrapped: Flaxseed Superfood

In Perfect Bar Unwrapped, we’re sharing exactly what goes into our bars that makes ‘em so darn good for you. That’s why each month we’ll be highlighting one of the 20 powerful superfoods included in the Keith family’s age-old recipe, complete with all of its uses, benefits, and a recipe of your own to try.

Because, when we find something amazing, we’re all about sharing the wealth with the people we love.

Meet This Month’s Superfood

Flaxseed can be found in all kinds of food including crackers, oats, bread, and of course, yours truly. When first discovered, King Charlemagne required his subjects to consume, this small but mighty superfood, every day because he believed so strongly in the health benefits. It only takes a small serving to gain a huge amount of benefits from this nutritional powerhouse, but make sure that it’s ground up to get the full effect of its nutrients. It’s important to note, that once it’s been ground up, it begins to oxidize and lose its nutrients, so make sure you’re ready to use it or you’ll lose it!

The Benefits

• High in fiber
• Protein rich
• Chock full of antioxidants
• Healthy dose of Omega-3 Oil
• Supports healthy hair and skin
• Contains vitamins and minerals: Vitamin B1, Copper, Molybdenum, Magnesium and Phosphorus

The Uses

Sprinkle it on/in:

• Oatmeal
• Smoothies
• Soup
• Yogurt
• Tea
• Salads
• Granola

Or use it as a:

• flour substitute for baking: muffins, cookies, brownies, pancakes, bread, etc.
• replacement for eggs (check out this recipe for flaxseed egg)
• thickener

The Recipe

Try adding Flaxseed into your next smoothie bowl. Give this recipe, from the smoothie bowl queen herself,  Lee Tilghman a try next time you’re in the kicthen:

Smoothie bowl recipe:

Makes 1 bowl

To make the base:

• 2 frozen bananas
• 1/2 fresh banana (make sure it’s spotted and browned – (most easily digested this way)
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
• 1/2 cup almond milk (I make my own)
• 1 tsp organic cinnamon
• 3 jumbo medjool dates

Blend until smooth. Make sure it is thick & creamy. Liquid to solid ratio is very important here!

Toppings:

• 1/2 sliced fresh banana
• 1 tbsp goji berries
• 1 tbsp flax seeds
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp pepitas
• 1 tsp buckwheat groats
• 1/2 cup ‘rawnola’ — medjool dates, peanut butter, and coconut shreds pulsed in a Vitamix for a few seconds
• Add some blueberries to top it off!

Let us know how your smoothie bowl turns out by tagging @perfectbar, @leefromamerica and #itsjustperfect!