A new year brings a fresh start, big dreams, and sometimes lofty resolutions. “This will be my year,” you proclaim as you scribble across the pages of your new planner. New hobbies, new habits, and new goals have you feeling…stressed and overwhelmed. 

Sure, this is the perfect time to try new things and challenge yourself, but not everything you do this year has to be quite so involved. We are being kind to ourselves this year by sprucing up habits and routines that are already second nature. 

You won’t be too surprised to know that for us, that means even more flax! Keep reading to find out how we are supporting our wellness this year by integrating flax into all the things. 

Boost Baked Goods

Bread…with flaxseed? Yes exactly. Our flaxseed is so finely milled and tender that the texture virtually disappears into baked goods. You get all the wonderful fiber and vitamins from the flaxseed with the taste of your favorite recipes. 

Need some inspiration? Try one of these delicious bakes for your next snack or dessert:

• Gluten-Free Lemon Pudding Cake 
• Vegan Gluten-Free Brownies 
• Espresso Banana Bread with Dark Chocolate 
• Peanut Butter Cookies 
• Strawberry Rhubarb Galette with Flax Crust 
• Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread 
• Vanilla Lemon Cupcakes 

Supercharge Your Smoothies

Dare we say one of the easiest ways to add flaxseed to your lifestyle: smoothies. Toss in a serving of Manitoba Milling Company Whole-Milled Flaxseed or use flax beverage to make your smoothie extra creamy and nutritious. 

Need more ideas on how to build a healthy smoothie? Check out these tips!

Recipes to try:

• Chocolate Cherry Smoothie 
• Strawberry Beet Smoothie 
• Apple Pie Smoothie 
• Ginger Peach Smoothie 
• Blueberry Smoothie 
• Anti-Inflammatory PB&J Smoothie 
• Green Smoothie 

Make Quick Energy Bites

Are you always finding yourself in a hurry — racing from one thing to the next with virtually no time to eat? Energy bites will be your new best friend! Tasty little pockets of fibrous, delicious, filling goodness to keep your blood sugar stable and your hangry-ness at bay!

Try out these Easy Peanut Butter Balls or read more about whether you are getting enough fiber here!

SpRuce Up Your Cereal

Remember how we said you didn’t have to turn your life upside down to support your health this year? Exhibit A: Cereal with flaxseed. You can make your own cereal, swap out milk for flax beverage, or sprinkle whole-milled flaxseed right on top of your bowl of cereal!

This is also a great way to help kids eat more flaxseed. If you need more tips, check out this post.

Recipe to try: Flaxseed Cereal 

Mix Up Hot Drinks With Flax Beverage

What could be better in chilly weather than a nice hot drink cradled in your hands? With our newly re-packaged flax beverage, it’s easier than ever to supercharge your morning coffee or fireside hot chocolate. Just substitute water or milk for flax beverage and enjoy!

Try it for yourself with these recipes:

• Mocha Latte
• Creamy Flax Cold Brew Blended Latte 
• Low Sugar Hot Chocolate 
• Gingerbread Latte 

Recover From Your Workout

If your new year’s resolutions involve adding in more forms of movement, you may be looking for pre and post workout snacks to boost your recovery. Incorporate an extra dose of Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) by adding a scoop of ground flaxseed to a protein shake or by using flax beverage instead of water!

Read more about BCAAs and flaxseed here!

Use the Binding Power of Flax “Eggs”

Make a flax egg by combining 1 Tablespoon Manitoba Milling Co. Smooth Whole-Milled Flaxseed with 3 Tablespoons of water. Mix together and use this as you would use one egg. You can bind together veggie burgers, salmon patties, and black bean burgers to support your plant based or pescatarian lifestyle.

Other recipes to try:

• Homemade Gluten- Free Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce 
• Flaxseed Quinoa and White Bean Burgers with Pesto 

Boost Your Salad Dressing with Omega-3s

We are well beyond sad, limp salads without toppings or dressing. Salads can be a great way to enjoy the fresh tastes of the season — and the perfect dressing brings everything together. Flaxseed is a great source of omega-3s, so why not make your bowl of veggies, fruits, and nuts even better with a dressing featuring flaxseed?

Try one of our homemade dressing recipes:

• Creamy Ranch Dressing with Flaxseed 
• Creamy Lemon Herb Flaxseed Dressing 
• Dijon Flax Salad Dressing 
• Creamy Balsamic Dressing 

Dip Into New Flavors

Sauces and dips are the real champions of meals and snacks because they have the power to completely change the flavor and feel of a whole dish — that’s why they are one of our favorite meal prep hacks. You can batch cook grains, meat, and veggies for the week and mix up the sauces to have different meals for your family each night of the week!

We’ve got you covered in the sauce and dip department with these recipes:

• Easy Marinara Sauce 
• Beer Cheese Dip 
• Homemade Spicy Ketchup 
• Flaxseed Pesto 
• Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce 

Snack Your Way to a Stronger Immune System

This year — more than ever — many of us have our immune systems on the brain. Incorporating flaxseed into your meals and snacks can support your immune system, especially combined with vitamin rich fruits and vegetables! Enjoy the benefits of flax with minimal prep required by using flaxseed in your favorite snacks or incorporated into a crunchy topping for your favorite veggie.

Recipes to try:

• Quick Candied Nuts 
• Asparagus with Crunchy Flax Almond Topping 
• Strawberry Flax Spread 

10 ways to boost your new year without any lofty goals that turn your world upside down! Be gentle with yourself this new year and consider what your new year’s resolutions are asking of you. You only have so much time and energy to devote to ~all of the things~, so be kind if it takes some time to form new habits. Start small and take good care of yourself this year!