Showing posts with label Flax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flax. Show all posts

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Do You Know About Essential Fatty Acids?


Fatty Acids are building blocks that aid in composing fats and oils in the body. These fatty acids are commonly known as essential fatty acids because as opposed to popular belief, the body needs fats to function properly.
Every cell living in the body needs EFAs to help rebuild and create new cells. They are also used in the body to help with the productions of prostaglandins, which is a hormone-like substance that acts in a chemical manner to send messengers and regulators to various functions of the body. Cell function depends on a balanced intake of EFAs.
Because these EFAs cannot be made by the body, we must supplement them into our diet. The easiest and most effective way to ensure you get enough fatty acids is with supplements, though you can also get EFAs from food sources.

There are two most common categories of EFAs: omega-3 and omega-6. Omega-6 EFAs, including linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids, can be most commonly found in raw nuts, seeds and legumes. They can also be primarily found in vegetable oils like borage, grape seed, primrose, sesame and soybean oils. Omega-3 EFAs, including alpha-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic (EPA), can be found in deepwater fish, fish oil and flaxseed and walnut oils. 
Studies show In order for these oils to be beneficial, they must be in a pure liquid or supplement form and not heated. Heating the oil destroys the EFAs and can result in creation of harmful free radicals. Also, if these oils are hydrogenated, the linoleic acid is converted into a trans-fatty acid, which is not beneficial to the body.
EFAs have many beneficial effects on many various disorders. They can help improve hair and skin with disorders like eczema and psoriasis. They also have the potential to reduce blood pressure and the risk of blood clot formations. Studies show that EFAs can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as benefiting cardiovascular disease.
 

EFAs are also aid in the transmission of nerve impulses and in normal development in the brain. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is specifically very beneficial to brain for its support of brain function, memory, and mood. This makes it the perfect supplement for any child or infant to help their growing, healthy brain develop. A deficiency in EFAs can impair the ability to learn and recall information.
There are two very beneficial fatty acids in omega-3; eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). As well as one in the omega-6; gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). There are specific benefits that come from these fatty acids. And they are very helpful and effective on various disorders.
 

Benefits of Essential Fatty Acids

EPA supports healthy heart & body by:
*Maintaining heart and circulatory systems
*Enhances joint flexibility and movement
*Supporting immune function
*Supports optimal metabolism and body comporition
*Balances blood sugar levels
*Supports natural anti-Inflammatory responses

DHA supports healthy mood, mind & memory:
*Supporting learning and memory
*Promotes positive mood and well being
*Supports/protects the brain, eyes and nervous and immune systems
*Essential for proper development in infants and children

GLA supports healthy skin, hair and hormones by:
*Nourishing hair and skin
*Supporting healthy joints
*Enhancing hormonal balance
*Maintains optimal body fat metabolism
*Provides a 'feel good' effect and can improve mood
*Supporting a regular menstrual cycles


Essential Fatty Acids are a great addition to one’s diet, young or old and are especially beneficial for anyone with skin, eye, inflammatory and learning disorders as well as so many others.
It is recommended that 10-20 percent of your calorie intake should be essential fats. The best sources of EFAs are fish oils and flax seed and flax seed oils.

Barlean's Omega Swirls (available in various flavors), Nordic Naturals Fish Oils, Natural Factors Omegas and Carlson Labs' Finest Fish Oils are among some of the finest, high quality EFA supplements that we stock here for you at HealthStyles Market.
Stop by HealthStyles Market today to check out the many Essential Fatty Acids options and get the best one for you!



Be sure to check us out and like us on Facebook!
 
~Crystal

 
 
 
Sources: “Prescription for Nutritional Healing” by James F Balch & Phyllis A Balch; Nordic Naturals http;//www.nordicnaturals.com
 
 



 

 


Friday, March 30, 2012

VEGGIE FLATBREAD


Gluten Free VEGGIE FLATBREAD


Preparation:
Preheat oven to 425F

Lightly spot spray a cookie sheet (with sides)
Line with parchment paper

Precook:  1 small yellow onion that is diced finely
1/2 cup green pepper diced finely
1/2 cup red pepper diced finely
Saute veggies in dry non-stick skillet until just wilted

Let cool while you mix up the batter

Dry ingredients:
3/4 cup blanched almond flour
3/4 cup ground golden flax meal
1 tsp Rumford baking powder
1 tsp Real Salt organic garlic salt
1 Tbsp Braggs organic sprinkle (24 herbs & spices seasoning)

Wet ingredients:
3 large organic eggs
3 Tbsp. Spectrum Safflower oil
1/2 cup purified water

In mixing bowl, mix dry ingredients together and blend well.
In separate bowl, break eggs and whisk, add oil and water and whisk again.
Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix very well.
Pour batter onto prepared pan and spread evenly onto parchment lined pan.



Bake 18 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned.  Let cool and cut into small squares.

This bread is delicious with a veggie/avocado salad for lunch or served with soups and stews!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Dairy Free Joy!

Oh. my. GOODNESS!!!   New Dairy Free JOY!

I just have to tell you about the newest dairy free "milks" that have just arrived at HealthStyles Market!  Two new additions...Flax "Milk" and Sunflower "Milk".

Good Karma Flax Milk is just like you guessed....made out of cold pressed flax oil! It is lactose and dairy free...gluten free....soy free! Each 8 oz serving has 1200mg of Omega 3 plus 345 mg of Omega 6 and 385mg of Omega 9 -  and yet is only 25 calories!

Its as rich in calcium as diary milk and is also kosher, vegan and non-GMO!  Your child will never know that they are getting the benefits of flax oil right in their serving of "milk"!   But the best part?  It is rich and creamy and tastes wonderful!  We have both the original and the unsweetened versions available in our nondairy refrigerated section!  

Want to know more?  Check out their website: http://www.goodkarmafoods.com/

The second new option is Sunrich Naturals Sunflower Beverage and it is made from sunflower seeds!   It also is diary free...gluten free...soy free! One 8 oz serving is 45 calories and contains 50% RDA of Vitamin E and 20% RDA of Folic Acid!

It is shelf stable and we are stocking all three options, the original or unsweetened or vanilla.  It too is rich and creamy and just delicious!  An added convenience is not having to refrigerate it until opened.  If you want to know more, their website is:  http://www.sunrich.com/

EIther one of these new beverages are the perfect base for your morning smoothies or to pour over your favorite cereal or to cook with in any recipe calling for dairy!

How do I describe them to you?  To me, its almost like the Flax milk is similar to Coconut milk and the Sunflower milk is similar to Almond milk.  

For years, I have used Rice Milk as the dairy substitute in my kitchen and it always seemed like a very weak skim milk to me.  Having grown up in Minnesota, I was never a big skim milk fan and I liked cream way too much!  I LOVE these new choices....they are so much richer and creamier and it helps me to feel like I am not missing the dairy at all!

Perhaps you are thinking that you have no interest or need for a dairy substitute?

Let me give you some "food for thought" - as quoted from a book we offer in our Customer Checkout Library called "Go Dairy Free" by Alisa Marie Fleming.

First of all, I LOVE her book!  Its the BEST guide and cookbook for milk allergies, lactose intolerance and casein free living that I have ever seen!  All under one cover!  We also have her book for sale in our book department.

Quoting from page 21 she lists the most common symptoms of milk allergy as:

SKIN:
Itchy Red Rash
Eczema
Hives
"Shiners" of Black Eyes
Aphthous Ulcers (Canker Sores)
Swelling of Lips, Mouth, Tongue, Face, or Throat
DIGESTIVE:
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal Cramps
Abdominal Bloating
Diarrhea
Gas/Flatulence
Nausea 
Vomiting
RESPIRATORY:
Runny Nose/Congestion
Sneezing
Watery Eyes
Itchy Eyes
Coughing
Wheezing
Shortness of Breath
Recurrent "Colds"
Recurrent Ear Infections
Sinusitis
Behavioral:
Fatigue
Migraine Headaches
Hyperactivity (ADHD)
Irritability
Night Waking
Anxiety
Sore Muscles and Joints


Alisa has a beyond fantastic website and blog at: ghttp://www.godairyfree.org/
She offers everything you need to join the dairy free lifestyle and still enjoy life!

With just one or two of these symptoms, your life can become a daily challenge of suffering and really....is it worth it to you?  Really?

We, at HealthStyles Market are stocking a very large variety of dairy free food options like milks, cheeses, yogurts, kefirs, sour cream, cream cheese, butter substitutes,  ice creams, frozen treats,  pudding cups, chocolate bars, chocolate chips and more!

We are here to help YOU in whatever way we can - so stop in our store and allow us to serve YOU with positively outstanding personalized service!

See you soon!
Arlys