Monday, May 23, 2011

Tropical Traditions Golden Flax Seed {Review and Giveaway}

This past week I had the pleasure of receiving a box in the mail (don't you just love boxes in the mail!?) containing Whole Golden Flax Seed from Tropical Traditions. This, like everything I have ever received from Tropical Traditions, is a high quality product. It is packaged in a nice reclosable bag and the flax seeds are of great quality. 

 I have used flax seeds for quite a number of years for several reasons:
  • Flaxseed oil is one of the richest sources of OMEGA-3 fatty acid, Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) an ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID (EFA). This fatty acid is considered essential, meaning that your body cannot make it but requires it and so must derive all of it from the diet. The average American diet is lacking in this fat. Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. One serving of Organic Whole Flaxseed provides 9 grams of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Golden Flaxseed is unique in that 48% of its total fat content is omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Flaxseed contains very high amounts of DIETARY FIBER, both SOLUBLE and INSOLUBLE. Golden Flaxseed is 28%-35% fiber, 1/3 of which is soluble, and the other 2/3 insoluble. Soluble fiber also plays an important role in maintaining the “good bacteria” in our bowel, like Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacteria. Insoluble fiber increases the bulk of stools.
  • Flaxseed is an outstanding source of many essential nutrients, including: proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, folate, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, magnesium, potassium, iron, thiamine, copper, zinc, calcium and phosphorus.

The way that I have found to be the easiest in using flaxseed is simply to add it to all of my baked goods. We I grind my grains I simply grind my flaxseed as well. It is also commonly added to smoothies or to top your  morning cereal. It is recommended that you have around 2 tablespoons a day. We don't always get that much but at least we do have it on a regular basis. 
 
   Here is a recipe that I made last week using Tropical Traditions Golden Flaxseed:
Rhubarb Cheesecake Bars
 
Crust:
1/3 cup butter
1 1/4 cup flour
4 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup oatmeal
 
Filling:
8 oz. cream cheese OR homemade ricotta cheese (I used the homemade ricotta as we have lots of extra milk just now and to use it I added just a bit of milk and then blended it until smooth)
1/2 cup sugar (you might prefer 3/4 cup but we try to use as little as possible.)
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cup rhubarb, cut into small pieces
CRUST: Combine all ingredients and mix until crumbly. Pat half of the mixture into ungreased 9x9 inch cake pan.
FILLING: Combine cheese, sugar, egg and cinnamon, beat until smooth . Add rhubarb and stir to blend .
Pour over crust, top with remaining crust crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Eat warm or cool. Store in the refrigerator.
 
Would you like to buy Golden Flaxseed? You can find it here. It is currently priced at $10.30 for the 1 lb. package.
 
One person also has the opportunity to win a package!
 
If you would like to try to win please leave a comment on this post. Leave a relevant comment and please don't just say "I would love to win". :-) I would love to hear how you like to use flaxseed or how you have made your diet healthier or something like that.
 
Make sure to leave a way for me to contact you should you win! (If there is not contact information then you cannot win.)
 
~If you would like an additional chance to win please "Like" Tropical Traditions on facebook. Leave another comment letting me know that you did that. Thanks!

~For another chance to win you can subscribe to Tropical Traditions e-mail newsletter. Again leave me another comment letting me know that you did that.

This giveaway will end on June 2nd. so be sure to comment before then.
 
 
 

19 comments:

Homemade Easy said...

Hello: I have never used Flax Seed. Wonder if it would help my little boy. He has tons of allergies to foods (eggs' @ above 10 on the allergy scale, can't even have them in our home) and dairy. BUT, if you believe in this product, I would be too. THANKS for being so knowledgeable. I'm here to learn from you. Virginia.

Martha said...

I always use flaxseed in my bread. I have never tried the 'golden' kind though.

Lisa said...

I've used flax seed in bread baking but haven't ventured out beyond that. Popping over from your comment on my blog!
I definately have to try out those bars!

Creations by Dina said...

I just recently used flaxseed as a coating for cheese sticks. I ran out of bread crumbs so I ground up flaxseed in the blender and added italian seasoning and garlic and coated the mozzarella sticks and fried them. They were nice and crunchy on the oustide and gooey on the inside. The boys loved the taste dipped in some pizza sauce I canned last summer!

Sue D said...

I have never used flax seed before but am interested in it. I do have lots of rhubarb right now and will copying your recipe.
slrdowney at hotmail dot com

Sue D said...

I subscribed to Tropical Traditions email newsletter.
slrdowney at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

We use flaxseed in our granola, and sometimes I add it to our smoothies. We have a nut allergy at our house, so I sometimes add it to baking dishes that call for nuts. The flaxseed crunch is a nice substitute. But right now, we have your Rhubarb Cheesecake Bars in the oven with ground flaxseed, so I think this may be our new favorite way to use flaxseed!!! Thanks for the recipe!:)
Alysia

Linda @ Linda's Lunacy said...

I have never tried flax seed before. Since going gluten free, I've been concerned about not getting enough fiber. I like the numbers you listed, an would like to include flax seed in my diet to up my fiber.

Linda @ Linda's Lunacy
http://www.lindaslunacy.blogspot.com
lindaslunacy at gmail.com

Linda @ Linda's Lunacy said...

I like Tropical Traditions on Facebook as Linda P.

Linda @ Linda's Lunacy said...

I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions e-mail newsletter.

Linda @ Linda's Lunacy
lindaslunacy at gmail.com

Pearl said...

Hi, I make sourdough crackers every week and add a heaping tablespoon of flax seed to the dough. The all day souring helps make the flax seeds digestable. They'e delicious!
Your recipe for the rhubard cheesecake looks yummy. I plan on making with some rhubard I have in the freezer.

Pearl said...

I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter. Thanks for the opportunity to win. Have enjoyed looking around your web site.

Pearl said...

I liked Tropical Traditions on Facebook.

April said...

I just ran out of Flaxseed...I need more...would love to win some since I like to use it as an egg substitute and I add it to our daily green smoothie.

aprilarcher00 at hotmail dot com

April said...

I like TT on FB.

aprilarcher00 at hotmail dot com

April said...

I subscribe to TT newsletter.

aprilarcher00 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

My wife grinds goklden flax seed and puts it in her home made bread. She just told me that we are going to grind some and have it every morning Yum!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Abbi. I went to face book and "liked" your site. If I win the golden flax seed, My E-mai is TDrag02@hotmail.com Thanks, and God bless!

Bonnie Williams said...

I like to use flax seed in my whole wheat bread. Another "healthy" habit that we have been practicing is eating either homemade yogurt or kefir smoothies every day. We use our goats milk.

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