Homemade Flaxseed Muffins

Get creative with this easy and healthful recipe. You can use a variety of fruits to make these muffins. Some favourite combinations are applesauce with apple juice plus raisins, orange juice with whole orange pureed in the blender, or pureed pineapple, pineapple juice and coconut. Just remember to use pureed fruit plus juice to equal two cups of wet ingredients.

1 cup boiling water
1 cup flaxseed, crushed or milled, available in health food stores
2 ½ cups whole wheat flour or spelt flour
2 ½ tsp. baking soda
pinch of salt
½ cup canola oil
2 eggs
1 cup honey
2 cups oatmeal
2 cups fruit juice or fruit puree
1 cup raisins, walnuts or coconut (optional)

Pour boiling water over flaxseed and let stand. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Mix together honey, oil, eggs and fruit juice mixture and add to dry ingredients. Add oatmeal, raisins and flaxseeds. Stir mixture to blend.

Fill muffin cups and bake at 375 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.

Makes 2 dozen large muffins and they freeze very well.

Flaxseeds

The tiny flaxseed is a nutritional powerhouse. A great source of soluble and insoluble fibre, ground or soaked flaxseed can work wonders in improving bowel function and assisting in the intestinal pathway that eliminates cholesterol and hormone residues.

Flaxseeds are also a good source of essential fatty acids, and contain lignans, which seem to have a protective effect on the breast and other hormonally sensitive tissues.

Make sure to include a tablespoon of ground flax as part of your healthy diet.