The Power of Chia Seeds

(No, not these chia seeds)

This past summer when I went to the supermarket to look for Chia seeds, I asked an employee if they sold them, and her response was "If we have them, they should be in the gardening section."  I was confused at first, because why would chia seeds be in the gardening section?  Then, I realized that she thought I meant Chia seeds, the ones that grow into Chia pets.

The Chia seeds I was looking for are the edible kind.  They come from the Salvia Hispanica plant, and although they are relatively unknown now, they are one of the best Superfoods that you can possibly eat.  Chia seeds are very small (around the same size as a sesame seed), have a dark color, and an oval shape.  

Chia seeds are full of inflammation fighting antioxidants and heart-healthful omega 3 fats.  They are also high in fiber, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.  In fact, they have about 6X the calcium found in milk!

[Yogurt sprinkled with Chia Seeds]

Another thing about Chia Seeds is that they absorb a lot of water, which causes them to increase in size.  This causes you to feel full, so if you are feeling an afternoon craving for some chips, instead have a yogurt sprinkled with chia seeds.  Because they absorb a lot of water, you might be feeling thirsty afterwards, so it is recommended to drink some water after eating chia seeds.

In addition to eating chia seeds by themselves, they can be sprinkled on yogurt, mixed with oatmeal, and blended with a smoothie.  Overall, chia seeds are one of the most versatile Superfoods available!

Source: Vegetarian Healing Foods cookbook 

Aloe-Ha! The Benefits of Aloe Vera.

Aloe Vera Plant

You may have used aloe before to treat a sunburn.  However, the benefits of this medicinal plant go more than skin deep.  Aloe's healing properties extend to internal ailments as well.  Aloe juice, derived form the fleshy pulp inside aloe vera leaves, may aid people with digestive disorders and type 2 diabetes, and may help boost the immune system.

Aloe contains digestive enzymes such as amylase and lipase,Vitamins C and E, and all eight essential amino acids.

Note: Aloe seems to increase the absorption of what you consume with it, so be careful when taking aloe with medications.

Unsweetened Aloe juice has a sour, slightly unripe flavor.  Adding a small amount of fruit juice can help dilute the taste of the aloe.

Calorie Burning Drinks: Legit, or Fake?

You have seen them on supermarket shelves: Skinny Water, Fuze Healthy Infusions Slenderize, Enviga.  These beverages claim to help curb your appetite, boost your metabolism, and burn fat.  "Wow, this is such a great deal!" you may think to yourself.  "Not only do I get to drink something that tastes good, I also get to burn fat, and lose weight!"  Not so fast.

The key ingredient in many of these beverages is green tea extract or caffeine.  Short-term studies have shown that these additions can give your metabolism a small boost (about 3.5% average), and burn an average of 78 calories.

But in a 2006 issue of Obesity Reviews, researchers noted that additional studies were needed to determine whether the products actually help you lose in the real world, over the long haul.  Some products included ingredients that you find in over-the-counter weight loss supplements (ex: Citrus aurantium, chromium picolinate).

Bottom line: Do not expect to lose weight just by drinking these beverages.  The best way to lose weight is to combine exercise with a healthy diet, not by drinking "Skinny Water" and hoping the pounds will come off.

Source: Drop 5: The Small Changes, Big Results Diet

Carbohydrate Myth Buster

Hey guys, sorry for not posting in a month.  I have been very busy with school the past few weeks, with midterms and all that.  Also, I have been a bit lazy in terms of updating this blog, so I apologize.  

People might ask if I will stop updating this blog all together.  The answer is: No.  I will continue to update this blog, just not as often.  It may be once a week, once every two weeks, who knows.  If I come across something interesting, I will try to share it with you.  (Today's post will be a short one about carbohydrates)

This past week, Hurricane Sandy came through my area.  I was fortunate to not be hit hard, I only lost power for a few hours overall.  My hometown, however, was hit pretty hard.  The folks there are going on 5 days now without power.  Hopefully they will get their power back soon.

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Many people on diets are limiting or even avoiding carbohydrates because they think carbs are bad for their weight loss plan.  Well, that is a myth.  Carbohydrates are actually an important source of energy.  Even so, that doesn't mean there's nothing to learn from low-carb diets.  Carbs are not all created equal, and to help you lose weight you want to limit processed carbs such as white bread and croissants.

Instead, enjoy beans and whole grains such as brown rice and whole-wheat bread.  Of course, don't forget fruits and vegetables, which provide a host of nutrients and fiber, are low in calories, and can help reduce the risk of obesity and heart disease.  The body also uses carbs as fuel during exercise to burn body fat, which is another reason to keep bread and pasta on the menu.

Source: Drop 5: The Small Changes, Big Results Diet

Taste Test Awards: Yogurt, Chocolate Ice Cream, and More!

In the October 2012 issue of Cooking Light magazine, there is a section on Taste Test Winners.  Basically, they served 200 foods to a panel of taste testers.  Foods varied from rice chips to chocolate ice-cream bars to yogurt, and more.  This can be useful if you are comparing different brands and wondering which one to buy when it comes to a certain food.

Here are some of the winners:

Gluten-free rice chips: Lundberg Rice Chips

Description: The company offers these super-thick chips in nine flavors.  The sea salt variety (110mg sodium per serving) complemented the toasty rice flavor of the chip.  Crunchy, hearty-a true snack.

Chocolate Ice-Cream Bars: Blue Bell Fudge Bars

Description: These bars instantly evoke childhood ice-cream truck memories with a refreshing ice-milk quality.  Best for those who prefer milk chocolate over dark, but slight bitter-sweet undertones keep this bar from being boring.

Fat-Free Strawberry Greek Yogurt: Chobani

Description: Superdense texture, almost cheesecake-like.  Tart edge with a hint of sweetness.  Chunks of strawberries (and a seedy crunch) keep the flavor real.

Mixed Nuts: Planters Select Macadamias, Cashews, and Almonds

Description: Plenty of freshness, light on salt (95mg per serving).  Macadamias bring a sweet, buttery quality, while cashews and almonds contribute nice crunch.

Freozen Veggie Burgers: Morningstar Farms Grillers Original

Description: Beef-like texture and taste with a moist interior.  Seasoning gives the all-veggie base an almost sausage-like quality without any overpowering liquid smoke presence.

Source: Cooking Light Magazine October 2012