Photo by Vanessa Ronksley

I am gluten free, dairy free and egg free due to allergies and intolerances. I also follow a paleo/vegan diet in that I eat some organic meats, but mostly concentrate on lots of leafy green, vegetables, healthy oils, nuts and seed.

Some days I miss bread, but mostly I make lunch wraps with romaine lettuce leaves and or flax crackers.

Many people have asked me for my flax cracker recipe and so here it is. I have only ever made this recipe in my Excalibur dehydrator so I do not know if they will work being cooked in a low heated oven or not. Having a dehydrator in your kitchen in an added bonus and something you might like to think about buying if you are looking for alternatives to bread. We make flax crackers and kale chips weekly in our dehydrator. The four tray Excalibur dehydrator is not overly expensive and can be purchased online. Also check online for a second hand dehydrator. Many people opt to buy one and then never use it so often times you can snag one for a great price.

I prefer the square shape dehydrators with the fan at the back. I originally had a round dehydrator, but found it difficult to spread things with the fan in the middle. There are many options out there so take your time and shop around for what best suits your needs.

Benefits of eating flax crackers- use flax crackers in place of bread. Layer healthy meats, avocado and sprouts and you have a healthy alternative to a sandwich, or spread mashed avocado or hummus on top of flax crackers.

Flaxseed also called linseeds are a rich source of micronutrients, dietary fibre, manganese, vitamin B1, and essential fatty acids known as ALA or Omega-3. The North American diet is often times high in Omega-6 ( inflammatory foods) and low in Omega- 3 ( anti- inflammatory foods) so flaxseed is a super food to add into your daily menu planning.

Pumpkin seeds offer a wide variety of nutrients ranging from magnesium, copper, protein and zinc. They also contain plant compounds called phytosterols and antioxidants, which are good for your overall health

Original Recipe by Shirley Plant