Essential Fatty Acid - Recipe Ideas

As seen on the Sonoran Living program.

These essential fatty acids, particularly omega 3 and omega 6, are critical, “essential”, to our health. Every living cell in our body needs these fats. Our brains are 60% fat and requires fat to be nourished and healthy. We need to give good fats to our bodies, our bodies can not manufacture them on it’s own. Did you know that many vitamins are fat soluble, so unless you are getting fat in your diet, many of your vitamins will not get to be used by your body – they will be flushed down the toilet.

Another piece of the equation is that the fats need to be in good proportion to each other. Isn’t the answer to life always to stay in balance? Too much of a bad thing and too much of a good thing is not going to be good in the long run.

Yet another important thing to remember is that these oils can not be cooked with. DO NOT COOK WITH ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS! That turns them into unhealthy fats. This is why the refined oils on your grocery store shelves are not healthful. Refining subjects them to heat (and chemicals). Also, they are stored in clear, often plastic bottles that are not helping them keep their integrity either. Think about it this way…these oils are made for SHELF LIFE, not your life! The same thing that keeps these oils stable on the shelf is the same thing that keeps these oils stable in your body – nice and strong, clogging up your arteries. It is hard to break them down!

The best quality essential fatty acids will be found in refrigerated cases in preferably dark glass bottles because heat and light break down these oils. Also, look for organic when ever possible because toxins are stored in fats. Have you ever noticed that pesticides are usually in a slightly oily base? And where does the plant store it? You’ve got it, in it’s oils. So, this is why buying organic oil is really important.

Our pets also need essential fats. Blend a little into their food every day as well! You will notice a shinier coat and a healthier pet.

Health concerns such as ADD, ADHD, other mental instabilities and general lack of focus, skin disorders/rashes, auto immune diseases and cardiovascular diseases can all possibly be helped with putting healthy fats into your diet. It is very important that pregnant and nursing women get plenty of EFA’s. They are needed for brain development of the baby. Also, it would be good to supplement your children from early on if you are not breastfeeding to help them get the EFA’s they need for healthy brain development. In general, our Standard American Diet (SAD) is sad. Among other things, it is greatly lacking in EFA’S. So let’s look at some easy ways to start adding them into our foods we eat!

Babies (up to 1 tsp. per day) and Children over 30 –45 pounds (use up to 2 tsp. per day)
Older children and adults, use approx. 1 TBL per 50-65 pounds per day. Start with a fourth of the amount and then work up to the full amount. As you can see, it would be hard to get this much oil in only with food, but try! Any that you eat will be appreciated by your body and over time will add up to better health. You can always just take it by the spoon! Follow it with a juice to cleanse palate.

Ways to incorporate EFA’s into our daily diet:

REMEMBER: DO NOT COOK THESE FATS - ADD AFTER COOKING!

Mix it in baby food, formula, juice, applesauce, mac and cheese, buttered noodles, spaghetti, oatmeal, grits (yes, I’m a Texan), toss into salad with garlic salt and wine vinegar, even blend into a smoothie…..for pets, mix it into their wet food – they will love it!

Keep butter mixed with EFA oil to spread on toast, pancakes, waffles, crackers, steamed veggies, grilled meats (try garlic EFA butter), baked potato with all the other fixings as desired, stir into mashed potatoes or rice, toss garlic EFA butter onto steamed veggies, hint: water sauté your veggies, drain and drizzle with EFA butter

Make these to keep on hand:
Blend 1 stick softened butter with 5 TBL EFA oil
   (also add minced fresh garlic for garlic butter)
Salad Dressing made with EFA oil (substitute some of the usual oil/liquid with EFA oil)
Cream Cheese blended with EFA oil

My favorite oils:
UDO’s Blend is my favorite because it is a nice balance of several healthy oils, it is organic and is packaged in dark glass bottles. He also other nice oils including Flax and Walnut.
I like all UDO’s products in general, because I trust the research and the company values. Check out the Beyond Greens and Wholesome Fast Food Blend products as well.

You can find UDO’s products at better health food stores such as Wild Oats, Whole Foods, Arizona Health Foods and Sprouts. To receive more information on the UDO products and a free audio tape called The Perfect Health Plan, call 1-800-446-2110 in the US.

Books to check out for further info:

Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill, by Udo Erasmus
Smart Fats, by Michael Schmidt
ADD Nutrition Solution, by Marcia Zimmerman
Omega 3 Oils, A Practical Guide, by Donald O. Rudin and Clara Felix