Flax seeds are a power house of many nutrients and contain various other health benefits, especially for children. They are rich in fatty acids which are vital to a child’s brain development. These seeds also boost immunity in children. Only two tablespoons of flax seeds hold up to 200% of the daily requirement of omega-3 fatty acids. These acids also aid in lowering cholesterol and encourage cardiovascular health. Flax seeds are considered good for pediatric use. Children above the age of two can have flax seeds in various forms. A child, depending on the dose determined by a doctor can have one teaspoonful of ground flax seeds or one teaspoonful of flax seeds oil to treat constipation. Flax seeds can be eaten whole, ground or even in the form of oil.
Mocha chocolate chip banana muffins with flax seeds
Mix together 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tbsp butter softened, 1 egg, 1/4 cup brown sugar and 3 ripe smoothed bananas. Then add 2 tbsp of instant coffee which has been dissolved in ¼ cup of milk, water or cream. Add 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Now in a medium bowl, mix well, ¾ cup wheat flour, 1 ¼ cup of white flour, ¼ tsp salt, ½ tsp baking soda, 1 ½ tsp baking powder and ½ cup ground whole flaxseed. Add dry ingredients to wet and blend together. Then fold in ½ to ¾ cup of semisweet chocolate chips. Spoon this mixture into paper lined muffin cups or a greased muffin pan and bake at 300 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Place on a rack to cool down.
Flax waffles
In a bowl mix together, ½ cup ground flax seeds, 1 ½ cups flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, ½ tbsp sugar (optional) and ½ tsp salt. Now in another bowl beat 2 eggs, ½ a cup melted butter/oil and 1 ¾ cups milk.
Incorporate the wet and dry ingredients and stir till the batter is moistened and lumpy. Now just fry waffles on a hot and greased waffle iron. Serve with chocolate sauce, apple sauce or any other berry sauces.
Chocolate chip oatmeal and flax seed cookies
Cream to a smooth consistency ¾ cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar and ½ a cup granulated sugar. Then add 2 eggs and a few drops of vanilla extract. In another bowl mix together 1 cup flour, ½ cup ground flax seeds, ½ tsp soda, 2 ½ cup of rolled oats and 1 tsp salt.
Now blend the wet and dry ingredients together and add 1 cup of chocolate chips and mix thoroughly. Preheat oven at 325°F. On a cookie sheet, scoop the batter and spread at least 2 inches apart with a tablespoon. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Place on a cooling rake till cookies are at room temperature. You can store them in an airtight container for future consumption.
Apple crisp
You will require 3 tbsp of white sugar, 6 cups of fresh and sliced apples , 1/3 cup ground flaxseeds , 1/3 cup quick cooking oats , 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice , 1 tbsp cornstarch , ¼ cup brown sugar and 1½ tsp ground cinnamon.
Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Now combine in a greased baking dish apples and lemon juice and toss gently to coat. Combine cornstarch, sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon and add this mixture to the apple mixture to coat it well. Now combine remaining cinnamon, flax, brown sugar and oats in another bowl and then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apple mixture. Bake for about 40 minutes or till the apples are tender and the crust turns golden brown.
Pancakes with flax seeds
You will require, 2 eggs, ½ a cup of ground flaxseed or flaxseed meal, ¼ cup of cream, 3 tbsp of cottage cheese, 2 tbsp of oil/melted butter and ¼ tsp baking powder.
Just mix together all the above ingredients with a whisk. The batter should be a little runny and lumpy. On a lightly greased skillet drop a couple of spoonfuls of batter and spread to form a pancake. Cook on either sides until lightly browned. Serve with your choice of toppings.
Fruit and flax seed smoothie
You will require a cup of fresh orange juice, 1 scoop of flax blaster, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp sugar, 4-5 strawberries, ¼ cup blueberries and 3-4 ice cubes.
Simply blend together all the above ingredients in a blender till smooth. Serve with extra cut fruits and a sprinkling or coarsely ground flaxseeds.
Orange cranberry and flax seeds muffins
You will require, 1 cup of chopped cranberries, 1 ½ cup fresh orange juice, ½ and ¼ cup of Sugar, 2 ¾ cups of flour, ½ cup ground flax seeds, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 beaten egg, 1 tsp grated orange peel, ¼ cup canola oil and ½ tsp salt.
First blend together ¼ cup sugar, cranberries and ½ cup orange juice. In a bowl mix flaxseed, ½ cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, orange peel and salt. Now combine oil, egg and 1 cup orange juice. Pour the liquid ingredients in to the dry ones and stir till moistened. Then pour the cranberry mixture and fold. Scoop mixture in to muffin cups and bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.
Flax seed chewy bar
You will require, 4 cups of miniature marshmallows, ¼ cup butter/margarine, 1 cup rolled oats, ½ cup raisins, 1 cup of crushed graham crackers, ½ cup ground flaxseed, ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds and ¼ cup desiccated coconut.
Melt butter in the microwave. Now add marshmallows on high in the microwave for 1 minute, occasionally stirring until marshmallows are melted and smooth. Now add in the graham crumbs, oats, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, raisins and coconut till thoroughly coated. Press this mixture in a greased pan using fingers. Let it cool and then cut into long bars.
Flax crinkles
Mix together ½ a cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup sugar, ¾ cup flour, ½ cup ground flaxseeds, 1 tsp baking powder and ¼ tsp salt.
To this mixture add 6 tbsp of water and ¼ of cup oil and mix well. When all the ingredients are combined well, the formed dough should be a little gooey. Now take a spoonful of this dough and roll in to small balls of about 1.5 inches each. Roll these balls in powdered sugar and bake at 325 degrees for about 12 to 15 minutes. You can store them in airtight container for future consumption.
Flax seed chocolate and zucchini muffins
You will require, 2 ½ cups of all purpose flour, ¼ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, ¼ cup of ground flax seeds, 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar, ½ cup margarine, ¼ cup canola oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 eggs, ½ cup sour milk, 2 cups of finely grated and unpeeled zucchini, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ tsp baking powder and salt to taste. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Now combine cocoa, flour, salt, baking powder, ground flax and baking soda in a bowl. In another bowl, mix to a smooth consistency oil, margarine and sugar. In it add eggs and the sour milk. Now add the flour mixture and stir until combined. Now toss in the zucchini and mix well. Scoop this mixture in paper baking cups and bake for about 18 to 20 minutes. The mixture will make up to 24 muffins.
Flax seed burger
You will need preparation time of 15 minutes. Ingredients you will require are a pound of thawed ground beef you can also use ground turkey, bison or veal. 2 tsp of finely chopped onions, 1 clove of minced garlic, 2 tsp of milled ground flax seeds, ¾ cup of soft bread crumbs, 1 beaten egg, 2 tsp of water, a tbsp of mustard, ¼ tsp pepper and ¼ tsp sea salt to taste.
First mix well the chopped onions, meat, garlic, bread crumbs and ground flax. Now lightly beat eggs and water and add it to the meat mixture. Then add mustard, pepper and salt. Make patty of desired size. Cook the patties on a grill or on a stove top till no pink remains or for about 12 minutes. You can top the patty with a slice of cheese if desired and cook for one minute. Place the patty in hamburger buns with salad leaves, tomatoes and cucumbers.
Children who suffer from bowel obstruction, narrowed esophagus or inflamed bowel should not consume flax seeds as they are very high in fiber and can make these conditions even worse. Never consume raw and unripe flax seeds as they may be poisonous.
You can keep a shaker of flax seeds in the refrigerator and you children can sprinkle them on yogurt, oatmeal or applesauce.
