Food For Thought Friday: Coconut Oil

Late post tonight, but I'm lucky...  I'm actually posting over here today.

So, go, click the link and find out all about the wonders of coconut oil =)

http://modernalternativehealth.com/2012/09/21/the-wonders-of-coconut-oil/ 

Food for Thought Friday: Chia Seeds

 Yes, I know what you're thinking.

Chia Pet

Admit it; you started singing, didn't you?

But did you know these little seeds are a powerhouse of nutrition?

For centuries, ancient Indian cultures have used this seed for its nutritional and medicinal properties.  Supposedly 1 tablespoon of seeds would sustain an Aztec warrior for 24hrs.  The seeds were also used to alleviate joint pain and soothe skin conditions (most likely because of the high Omega- 3 content of the seeds).  

Chia seeds supply protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins (especially B vitamins), minerals (especially calcium and boron), essential fatty acids and antioxidants.  Preliminary studies are showing that chia seeds can help keep blood pressure and blood sugar in check.

Chia seeds can absorb up to 25 times their weight in water.  This resulting gelatin can help to keep you hydrated and feeling fuller longer.  For endurance athletes, the ability to hold water can decrease the risk of dehydration.  Since chia seeds are easily digested, they are also a good source of energy and electrolytes. 

So how can you take advantage of the nutritional benefits of chia seeds?

Chia seeds are easily added to many dishes without changing the flavor.  I like to add mine to smoothies, yogurt and salads.  You can also mix the seeds into any baked good recipe (muffins, pancakes, cookies...) or even sprinkle on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  

Two traditional ways to use chia seeds are in pinole and chia fresca.  Pinole can be eaten like an oatmeal, baked into a cookie- like texture or taken as a drink.  Chia fresca is a refreshing drink to start your day.

Pinole

½ cup ground cornmeal (as fine as possible)

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey

Chia seeds

water

Toast the cornmeal in a skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until light brown.  Transfer to a bowl and mix in the cinnamon, sweetener and chia seeds.  Add water to desired consistency.

Add a lot of water to make a drink.  A few tablespoons of water will give you an oatmeal- like dish.  You can then take the paste, spread it a pan and bake at 350* for 10-15 minutes to create a cookie. 

Experiment with adding fruits or nuts to create a mixture and flavor that you prefer.

Chia Fresca

About 10 oz water

2 teaspoons chia seeds

Lemon or lime juice to taste

Honey (or other sweetener) to taste

Stir the chia seeds into water, let sit for about 5 minutes and stir again.  The longer you let it sit, the more gel- like it becomes.  Add the juice and sweetener to taste.

What about adding chia seeds to your animals diets?

Adding chia seeds to your chicken feed can increase the Omega- 3 content of their eggs and of the meat.  Feeding it to your cows can increase the Omega- 3’s in their milk and in the meat.   

With all the nutritional benefits of this little seed, how are you going to add it to your diet?

Food for Thought Friday: Obesity Trends

According to the CDC, 35.7% (more than 73 million adults) of the US population is considered obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30).  In 2000, there weren't any states that had an obesity prevalence (percentage of the population) of  30%.  Today, twelve states have an obesity prevalence of greater than 30%, twenty- five states have an obesity prevalence between 25 and 29%.  No state in the nation was able to meet the Healthy People 2010 goal of 15%.

The statistics are even more grim for children.  Approximately 17% (12.5 million) children age 2-19 are obese.  This number has tripled since 1980. 

Obesity is a contributing factor in many health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke and some forms of cancer.  Obesity can also cause sleep apnea, breathing problems and can cause problems during pregnancy.  Many women find it difficult, if not impossible to get pregnant if they are obese.

The US Department of Labor reports that $1.5 trillion dollars of medical care is preventable and reversible without medical intervention. That's a lot of sickness and suffering - $1.5 trillion of it - which we have the tools to solve!

What are these tools?  

Very simply, the tools are education- about nutrition and physical activity- and then sharing and motivating others to take charge and change their lives.  

Need ideas on where to start?  How about switching out your daily soda for water?  Or getting up 30 minutes earlier to get out for a 20 minute walk?  It doesn't have to be huge.  Little steps add up to big gains!

Need even more ideas or motivation?  That's why I'm here.  I want to help you achieve your goals and enjoy a healthy, fulfilling life.  It's easier than you think.  All you have to do is take that first step.

What are you going to do to END THE TREND?