yeah, i gave up too kevin. thanks for the advice nancy LC. is rice bran at all similar in consistency to wheat bran? if it is close, maybe i could give that a try for baking. ever since i got a batch of fishy tasting chips from trader joes, i've totally lost my taste for most flax foods, like my favorite flax muffins even. i can still eat the chips, but not much else that's been a major bummer and i'd love to find a substitution. maybe this is the solution.

on the other side of the coin though, i saw somewhere to combine fine shred coconut and almond flour in equal amounts, then season and dip whatever for frying. it is an excellent coating for frying, so simple and good, the only one i use now. it works great because the almond flour and coconut balance each other out in texture and moisture.

thanks guys