Hey all, I bought some flax seed today for the first time ever and I was wondering what to really do with it.  Can you just mix it in stuff, does it change consitency, does it have flavor?? Please enlighten me on this "super food" that I hear so much about.  Thank you.

I have used it a few times.  I have heard that you have to grind it up before use.  There is a recipe around here for minute muffins using flax meal and an egg that is very good.
I also use it as a filler for meat loaf or you can add it to oatmeal.
Just be careful because it is very high in fiber and some people get plugged up from it.

 I use it whole.  I brew tea with it, I put it in salad, homemade bread and muffins and actually it doesn't plug you up, it makes you go !!  It is great at keeping me regular and it makes your hair shiney!!

how soon post-op can you start to use it? I used it pre-op often. I'm constipated and would love to use it again. I'm 3 weeks post-op sleeve. TIA

I read some time ago that you did need to grind it up to get the benefits from it!  Google it.  I personally like it in yogart... doesn't habe much, if any of a flavor. 

 Either..you can grind it up and use it in things..(meatloaf is a good idea).  Or use it as a seed in things..oatmeal, yogurt, etc...and its good for you.  I was reading up on it a few years back..i bought some but didn't use it much.  need recipes.  lol  

You do need to grind it to get the health benefits from flax, your body doesn't break the seeds down whole. It's a great fiber supplement if your body tolerates it. It does plug some people up, even with drinking a lot of water. If you want the one minute muffin recipe, let me know and I'll send it to you. Personally, I make mine with almond flour and just a bit of flax, much better taste and texture if you ask me. There's also a hot cereal people make with it that is good for breakfast. Not bad with some milk and splenda.

 yeah do send me the recipe...i know i used to take fiber pills (chewables) everyday and they really did help my messed up body. lol  I know whole grains are good for us so flax is good too.  I used to get some really good flax seed bread in a store in SD where i lived.  But haven't seen it here and i can't quite find a recipe to duplicate it.  thanks for the muffin recipe.  

I love to make crackers with the seeds. It's a healthy subsititute for grain crackers. Flax helps keep things "moving"...   Here's a good cracker recipe!

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/snacks/r/flaxcrackers.htm

Thank you for the link.  They sound great and get awesome reviews.  I am going to make some today.  Thanks again!

Amy