Unless they are broken up, the flax seeds are good for keeping the bowel cleaned out.
In order to get the good omega oils and other nutritional benefits they need to be chewed or ground up.....and it is much better to grind them just before using.

I have a feeling that it's a good idea to clean the blender soon after use, as I let it sit for some time uncleaned after an earlier use that included some oily product, I think it was some flax ...

... and it ruined the gasket at the bottom of the bowl.

Cost me about six bucks for a new one (but ... there were two in the package).

The ruined one had been around for a long time.

ole joyful

OJ, you are correct.....we don't reap the high fiber benefits of flax unless it's ground up. It's a good idea to buy whole flax, because it can be stored for long periods of time. Then, simply grind up small amounts at a time....not any more than you'll use in a few days.

A blender is not the right utensil for this job. We purchased a very inexpensive coffee bean grinder just for flax seeds. I don't have a blender...perhaps they come equipped with seed grinders. My new Nitribullet has a separate blade just for seeds and hard nuts.

So, that tough little hull is useful for keeping these this 'super food ' fresh......but unless we break into it, we don't get the nutritional (which are huge) or cleansing benefits.

Does that answer your questions?

As I recall, wr didn't spend much more than $10 to $15 bucks at Wal-Mart for the grinder a few years ago. If you happen to have a Braun hand blender with the attachments, you can grind them up easily.

Please don't eat whole flaxseeds if you have diverticulosis or you could be in for a huge problem.

I too have an electric coffee grinder I only use to grind flax seeds! Best way to go.

Then, store the ground flax seed in the fridge. I just clean my grinder with a pastry brush... with other words, I don't wash it out all the time. No problems occurred with this method, over the last ten years.

Moni

Ditto on everything you said, Moni.

It seems to me that my blender, after some stirring and shaking, chops 'em up pretty thoroughly.

I don't make a lot at a time, but have stored the can outside the fridge, so guess I'd better change that plan.

o j

Does everyone agree ...

... that the benefits are few ...

... if they're whole on the way through?

ole joyful

That is correct. Flax pretty much goes out in the same condition it went in if allowed to remain whole.

About the storage issue....if whole, the seeds can remain fresh for long periods of time, if air tight. Once ground up, store in the fridge and use fairly promptly.

I got some free, last time I visited retired brother's farm in the west, from his friend who rents his land - that was when I was talking about visiting some people in MN, and they set up a meeting ... but I had to be elsewhere.

That was 3 years ago last summer, I think.

The flax seeds, stored mainly in peanut butter jars or ice cream tubs, seem to be maintaining their integrity.

o j