Raw Wraps

2 cups flax seeds, ground in a coffee grinder not used for coffee
1 cup almonds, ground finely in a food processor
1 carrot, grated
2 zucchini, grated
1 tsp. garlic powder
Sea salt or Herbamare to taste
1 Tbsp. dried basil
1 green onion, chopped
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 cup sundried tomatoes, soaked for 1 hour or so
1/2 cup water

Place all ingredients in a food processor and mix until well combined.  Using a spatula or a spoon, spread the mixture onto a Teflex dehydrator sheets, making a 6-7 inch circles, 1/4 inch thick.  Dehydrate for 4-6 hours at 100 degrees or until they are able to be turned over.  Flip them over onto mesh dehydrator sheets and continue to dry until the are dry but still flexible.    Makes 8 wraps. 

Welcome to Pure Health & Wellness

A new University of Illinois study touts the benefits of soluble fiber – found in oats, apples, and nuts, for starters – saying that it reduces the inflammation associated with obesity-related diseases and strengthens the immune system.

“Soluble fiber changes the personality of immune cells – they go from being pro-inflammatory, angry cells to anti-inflammatory, healing cells that help us recover faster from infection,” said Gregory Freund, a professor in the U of I’s College of Medicine and a faculty member in the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences’ Division of Nutritional Sciences.

This happens because soluble fiber causes increased production of an anti-inflammatory protein called interleukin-4, he said.

The study will appear in the May 2010 issue of Brain, Behavior, and Immunity and is available online at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/08891591.