nutrition 101: CHIA SEEDS

benefits of CHIA SEEDS

LOOK — 10 reasons to add chia seeds to your diet:

Combat Diabetes

Chia is being studied as a potential natural treatment for type-2 diabetes because of its ability to slow down digestion. The gelatinous coating chia seeds develops when exposed to liquids-can also prevent blood sugar spikes.

Get More Fibre

Just a 28-gram or one-ounce serving of chia has 11 grams of dietary fibre — about a third of the recommended daily intake for adults. Adding some chia to your diet is an easy way to make sure you're getting a good amount of fibre, which is important for digestive health.

Stock Up On Omega-3

Chia seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, with nearly five grams in a one-ounce serving. These fats are important for brain health. "There's better conversion of omega 3s into the plasma or into the food than with flax seed," said researcher Wayne Coates.

Stronger Teeth And Bones

A serving of chia seeds has 18 per cent of the recommended daily intake for calcium, which puts your well on your way to maintaining bone and oral health, and preventing osteoporosis.

Don't Forget Manganese

Manganese isn't a well-known nutrient, but it's important for our health: it's good for your bones and helps your body use other essential nutrients like biotin and thiamin. One serving of chia seeds, or 28 grams, has 30 per cent of your recommended intake of this mineral.

Plenty Of Phosphorus

With 27 per cent of your daily value for phosphorus, chia seeds also helps you maintain healthy bones and teeth. Phosphorus is also used by the body to synthesize protein for cell and tissue growth and repair.

Pack In The Protein

Chia seeds also make a great source of protein for vegetarians and don't have any cholesterol. One 28-gram serving of these super seeds has 4.4 grams of protein, nearly 10 per cent of the daily value.

Fight Belly Fat

Chia's stabilizing effect on blood sugar also fights insulin resistance which can be tied to an increase in belly fat, according to Live Strong. This type of resistance can also be harmful for your overall health.

Get Full. Faster

Tryptophan, an amino acid found in turkey, is also found in chia seeds. While tryptophan is responsible for that strong urge to nap after a big Thanksgiving dinner for example, it also helps regulate appetite, sleep and improve mood.

Improve Heart Health

According to the Cleveland Clinic, chia seeds have been shown to improve blood pressure in diabetics, and may also increase healthy cholesterol while lowering total, LDL, and triglyceride cholesterol. All good news for your ticker!

ok.. ready or not… HERE I COME…

Happy New Year… J

iCANDY : gym-spiration

#gym-spiration

the kids... are GROWING up

The kids we have come to love..., are RE-IMAGINED as young adults. Kudos to the artist. 

did i lose my way…

So, time has passed and somewhere along my journey – I lost my way.

I remember a time back in college, when I was annoyingly optimistic about life, and what material things and experiences were destined to be mine. Some would say I am still annoying optimistic. But in the stillness of my room, I know things have changed. I am older—and though I am not cynical, I have tempered my optimism a bit. For better or for worse, the colors in my rainbow aren’t Technicolor anymore.

There was a time, when I was hopeful about the job, that would lead me to the career, that would lead me to the prominence in the field. There was a time, when I was hopeful about the date, that would lead me to the ceremony, that would grant me some adorably alternative version of the Cosbys. #sigh That time, has passed.

Firmly planted in my mid-thirties, I sometimes wonder – where did I lose my yellow brick road?

Now, there are a few ways to approach being lost in the world. You can panic, frantically attempting to retrace your steps. You can give up, and solemnly continue to inch forward with no direction or motivation. Or you can take my approach. Grab something handy and start craving a new path.

Sounds easy right? Wrong. The hardest part of a ‘new path’ is ...NEW. Starting from scratch (and recognizing where that is), reformulating goals, and letting go of old expectations… it can all be tough. In fact, if it isn’t tough, then you’re probably not setting your sites far enough. (Sheesh, I have really committed to this whole ‘pathway’ analogy, right? J)    

rockCANDY

** no studios needed**