cinnamon zucchini flax crackers

kids love crackers.

#ScientificFact

sadly the ingredients in store bought crackers are not only hard to digest, they're pretty damaging to our bodies too. even the gluten free ones!! i'm so sorry friend. consider this:

*the grains are so highly processed they are stripped of all nutrients.

to make the product "healthy," synthetic vitamins are added and our bodies do not recognize how to break them down.*

*sugar in all of its evil forms (any word ending in "ose"…fructose, sucrose, glucose, dextrose, ect. and even sneaky terms like "fruit juice concentrate") is added in large amounts. even savory crackers!*

*chemicals. 'nough said right? a host of man made chemicals from "flavor factories" are responsible for giving the crackers their texture, shelf stability (what a creepy term) and even flavor. yes even though that cracker says that its flavored with something simple like tomato and basil, these flavors are actually derived from reactions of chemicals to create that flavor. a chemist formulated those crackers, not a chef.*

*gmos. incase you've been living under a rock for the last decade that stands for "genetically modified organism." a gmo vegetable has had its genes altered to create a more "favorable" outcome. for instances gmo corn has been so severely altered that is actually its very own insecticide, poisoning bugs all around it with it's new toxic chemical makeup. and thanks to laws in favor of the grain and snack food industries, companies are not required to label if their crops are from gmo sources.*

real food to the rescue

with all that horrible mess up there, i *highly* limit our intake of store bought crackers. they're pretty much reserved for emergency situations, like when there are limited real food choices at a party. or when you pour me a glass of red wine and there's a cheese platter in eye sight……

#CabernetMadeMeDoIt

so my children have a sense of belonging when their snacking next to the cracker-eating kids, i make a nourishing snack i can always feel happy about feeding them. and always remind them that these crackers are so much more special than goldfish! 

cinnamon zucchini flax crackers

4 c spring water

2 c whole flax seeds, soaked

1 1/2 c ground flax seeds

1/2 c honey

1/2 c dates, soaked

1 zucchini, shredded

1 banana

3 tbs cinnamon

2 tbs chia seeds, soaked

1 tbs pure vanilla extract

2 tsp coconut oil

1 tsp sea salt

15 drops trace minerals (optional for added nutrients)

the flax seeds and chia seeds at the beginning of their soak time

after just two hours, the seeds create this super cool gel

*place whole flax seeds, chia seeds and water in a big bowl. stir well and leave to soak for at least two hours. pit dates and place in a separate bowl of water to soak and soften. if you plan to leave it for longer than that, be sure to store it in the fridge.

*when ready to prepare the rest of the recipe, blend dates and banana together until smooth, using just enough of the date soak water to keep the blender moving.

*when the seed and water mixture have formed a gel, stir in all ingredients except coconut oil and ground flax seed.

*next, slowly fold in the ground flax seed, adding more if the mixture is too wet. 

*grease a large baking sheet with the coconut oil (or prepare your dehydrator) and spread the "dough" in an even layer. turn the oven on 170 degrees F (or the lowest setting your oven has) and leave in the oven for 24 hours or until crackers are fully dry. after 12 hours i flip the dough upside down onto another pan. the bottom is still pretty wet at this point. return them to the oven and a few hours later the top will be dry enough to score with a pizza cutter. place them back in the oven for a few more hours. once crackers are fully dry, break into pieces using the pizza cutter scoring as your guideline. store in an air tight container.

**note: i know 24 hours is a long time to use up valuable real estate in the oven, but i don't let it stop me from cooking other things while my crackers are drying out. if i need to use the oven, ill just set the cracker pan on the counter, preheat, and cook other food. then i reset the oven and toss the crackers back in.**

Nourish Yo Self