Flaxseed....an Egg Substitute!

I'm a big fan of flaxseed, it's high in omega 3's which are great for your heart health. I bought some flaxseed meal and I'm having a lot of fun trying to find new ways to add it to my meals.  I blend up at least a tablespoon in my smoothies and I recently found a great new way to incorporate even more flaxseed into my diet....mixing ground flaxseed (or flaxseed meal) with water makes a great substitute for eggs in baking!

It seems like I'm always out of eggs when I need them so this is a great alternative.  I have a big bag of flaxseed meal on hand and it takes just a minute to mix the equivalent of just one egg.  One large egg is equivalent to 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed in 3 tablespoons of water.

I wanted pancakes tonight and I was out of eggs so I used this alternative and it worked great.  I challenge you to try it at home!

Who Put Tofu in My Smoothie?

Yes, it can be done AND it tastes good!  A smoothie with tofu?  And let's add some baby spinach in there too.....I promise you won't even taste it.  You're probably thinking I'm crazy, but try it, I think you'll like it.  It's packed with protein and is a great way to get your day started. 

Blueberry Soy Smoothie
Serves 2

1 banana (frozen if possible)*
1 cup frozen blueberries*
1 cup baby spinach
6 oz silken tofu**
2/3 lowfat milk or soy milk
1 tablespoon ground flax seed
1 tablespoon honey 

Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. 


*Frozen fruit works best because it keeps the smoothie really cold and eliminates the need for any added ice. 
**Look for silken tofu in the Asian isle of your grocery store.  It's shelf stable and is usually found in a box.
The tofu adds some great texture and creaminess to the smoothie.