chia seeds

Monica

Huge Benefits in Using Soaked Chia Seeds Before Bed

The use of chia seeds has been rising and their health benefits are undeniable. It’s very worthwhile to incorporate them in your daily diet. They’ve been used in yogurt and breakfasts, snacks like granola and cookies to smoothies, but there’s one easy way to use them that is sure to help in a huge way when it comes to our health. Let’s jump right into these and explain why:

Number 1 Boosts Immune System

It’s a powerful immune system booster. Due to it’s Omega 3 content, antioxidant properties and high fiber content, they strengthen the immune system by decreasing inflammation and support the health of the gut. We’ve all heard the phrase “You are what you eat” and this is most definitely true when we consider that a large part of the immune system has to do with our gut health and what we feed our body.

Number 2 Improves Sleep Cycle

Since Chia Seeds have a significant content of Magnesium, it acts as a relaxant and aids in the body and brain get in a sleep ready state. There are also influences on neurotransmitters in the brain that aid in sleep readiness.

Number 3 Very Hydrating

The primary advantage of enjoying chia seeds water is the remarkable hydration it provides. Chia seeds can soak up to twelve times their weight in water, making them an outstanding hydration source. When you soak these seeds, they turn into a gel-like texture that not only quenches your thirst but also helps you feel full. This is especially helpful in the morning after a long night’s rest, as your body craves rehydration to kick off the day.

Number 4 Helps in Weight Loss and Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Foods packed with fiber like chia seeds will help to decrease cravings for snacking because they make us feel full. Also fiber feeds our healthy bacteria in the gut, thus changing our taste and desire for some of the unhealthy foods. It is definitely a super food!

Number 5 Chia Seeds Are Heart Healthy

Let these little power packed seeds work while you are sleeping. Studies have proven that the heart diseases can turn fatal after 10 pm at night (when you are resting); thus, drinking chia seeds after dinner regularly can help to manage high cholesterol levels.

How to Make Chia Seeds Water Correctly?

It is important to understand how to make this drink correctly before consumption in order to enjoy the full health benefits of this drink. Follow these easy steps to make chia seeds water for maximum benefit: Take 1-2 tablespoons of chia seeds and about a cup of water. Next, soak the seeds in the cup of water for about 10-15 minutes. This will allow the seeds to absorb the water and swell. If you would like to make the drink more flavorful, you can add a squirt or two of lemon juice, a small amount of honey, or even your favorite flavor tea. In addition, drink your chia seed water about 30-60 minutes before you sleep to receive the best benefits.

Before we finish check out these amazing recipes by Joanna Soh

Last tip⚠️: never eat chia seeds without hydrating them first with some form of liquid or yogurt, pudding, etc. Caution must be taken to make sure they are allowed to swell before consuming.

As always, why not SHARE IT💗 , LIKE👍🏿,  REPOST♻️ , COMMENT💭 and YES, SUBSCRIBE✔️ by clicking Follow……

Thanks so much for visiting and let’s get healthy!!!🙏🏿

Monica

A Little Goes a Long Way

Recently there are some foods that have been shown to have been overlooked as powerful and potent sources of not only nutrition, but also for their healing properties and protection from disease. Some are even being proven to help to prolong life, preventing ailments from heart attack and stroke risk to promoting brain health and diabetes. They are relatively inexpensive and so easy to incorporate into our daily lives. Let’s take a look at 10 amazing seeds that demonstrate great benefits for our health in a video by Dr. Gus.

Here is just one way in which to use these amazing seeds😋🥞 More recipe posts to come!

My recipe for Flaxseed Pancakes

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons of Flaxseeds (a substitute for eggs)
  • About 1&1/2-2 cups of a plant based drink (coconut milk, almond milk, whatever your choice)
  • A sweetener such as unsweetened applesauce (1/2 cup)
  • A few tablespoons of brown sugar (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil (or optional cooking oil of your choosing)
  • 1 tablespoon of baking powder
  • 1 pinch of baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon of liquid vanilla flavoring
  • About 2-2&1/2 cups of flour (healthy options: spelt mixed with whole wheat and can even mix in a bit of self-rising flour for baking in equal parts). Note that spelt flour will make for very light pancakes and will take more in the recipe. Whole wheat flour will make the pancake heavier so use sparingly.
  • Generally makes about 8-9 pancakes

Directions:

  • Start by grinding up your flaxseeds in a blender (generally takes about 30 seconds).
  • Place them into a medium mixing bowl and add your plant based drink. Allow a few minutes to soak a bit.
  • Add in brown sugar and applesauce and whisk in until consistent mixture (if you don’t have a whisk a fork works just fine)
  • Add your cooking oil, vanilla, baking soda and baking powder and whisk in as well.
  • Begin to add your flour (if you can sift it in to prevent lumping it’s better)……adding little by little as you whisk in or with your hand mixer until you have a consistent mixture. Shouldn’t be too runny so you may add flour as needed to reach a pancake batter consistency. Hint: It should pour slowly from a spoon/ladle.
  • At this point if you would like to add some fruit such as blueberries or strawberries, feel free to do so.
  • Heat your large frying pan on medium heat and add a few tablespoons of your choice of cooking oil. After a few minutes the pan should be heated enough to begin cooking your pancakes. When you see bubbles forming around the outer edges and a bit towards the middle it’s time to flip them. Generally after a minute or two on the second side they are ready to retrieve, cooking 1-2 at a time.
  • Serve as above with preserves, honey, or if you so desire maple syrup but in order to keep it more healthy the first two options are best.

Comment back if you tried the recipe and how you enjoyed it (or not 😉), or if you have a spin that you put on it that we can all benefit from. The point is, enjoy exploring healthy ways of cooking and share this with others.

As always, why not SHARE IT💖 , LIKE👍🏿, REPOST♻️, COMMENT💭 and YES, SUBSCRIBE✔️ by clicking Follow……Thanks so much for visiting, and please be a blessing and be blessed everyone!

Monica

Powerful Fiber Source for Weight Loss

You all probably remember the famous “Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia”.  How many of us grew those chia plants back in the day and had no idea what it was?  Well, I have just become a user of these cool little seeds.  Top 8 reasons why to incorporate Chia Seeds into your daily diet:

  • One big reason is you get a lot for doing so little.  Chia seeds are packed with so many nutrients and very few calories.  They contain 11 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, 5 grams of Omega-3s out of the 9 grams of fat, 18% of the recommended daily allowance of Calcium (RDA), 30% of the RDA of Manganese, 27% of the RDA of Phosphorus, a generous amount of Zinc, Vitamin B3/Niacin, Potassium, Vitamin B1/Thiamine and Vitamin B2.
    • In just 1 ounce, you get a power-packed 137 calories (this is just 2 tablespoons).  Since a lot of these calories are fiber and may not be used by the body, these ends up being about 101 calories per ounce.  Chia seeds are usually grown organically and considered a “whole grain” food.  They are non-GMO and also gluten free without any manipulation.
  • Chia seeds have been found to have a high amount of anti-oxidants
  • As mentioned earlier, almost all of the calories are from fiber.  Since fiber won’t raise your blood sugar level, eating chia seeds doesn’t require so much usage of insulin because only a small percentage is actual carbs.  Fiber absorbs a lot of water and eating these seeds in other foods and drinks will “fill you up” so to speak.  This may lead to you eating fewer calories, thus, it may help in weight loss.
  • Chia seeds are high in protein which helps to keep you full and suppress apetite!
  • They are high in Omega-3-Fatty acids
  • May reduce your risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes
  • They contain nutrients that are healthy for bones.  This is important to me since I made a decision not to drink or give cow milk to my family.  I wanted another source of calcium and phosphorus.  These nutrients also include magnesium and protein in which Chia seeds contain a great amount.
  • These little seeds may cause improvement in Type 2 Diabetes patients due to their ability to significantly lower blood pressure and a marker for inflammation.

I hope you will give these little seeds a try, but before doing so, just consider that it is best taken in small amounts like an ounce or so mixed in with other food and drink.  Also, please consult your healthcare provider before introducing anything new.  This just keeps them in the loop and helps you to be safer!

Also check out this video that summarizes the above post. There are so many recipes making use of this small seed. Have fun exploring all the ways you can use it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StLFoSEkgxg

As always, why not SHARE IT👍🏿 , LIKE❤️,  REPOST♻️, COMMENT😊 and YES, SUBSCRIBE by clicking Follow……Thanks so much for visiting and please let’s get healthy everyone!

Monica

All About Chia Seeds

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You all probably remember the famous “Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia”.  How many of us grew those chia plants back in the day and had no idea what it was?  Well, I have just become a user of these cool little seeds.  Top 8 reasons why to incorporate Chia Seeds into your daily diet:

  • One big reason is you get a lot for doing so little.  Chia seeds are packed with so many nutrients and very few calories.  They contain 11 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, 5 grams of Omega-3s out of the 9 grams of fat, 18% of the recommended daily allowance of Calcium (RDA), 30% of the RDA of Manganese, 27% of the RDA of Phosphorus, a generous amount of Zinc, Vitamin B3/Niacin, Potassium, Vitamin B1/Thiamine and Vitamin B2.
    • In just 1 ounce, you get a power-packed 137 calories (this is just 2 tablespoons).  Since a lot of these calories are fiber and may not be used by the body, these ends up being about 101 calories per ounce.  Chia seeds are usually grown organically and considered a “whole grain” food.  They are non-GMO and also gluten free without any manipulation.
  • Chia seeds have been found to have a high amount of anti-oxidants
  • As mentioned earlier, almost all of the calories are from fiber.  Since fiber won’t raise your blood sugar level, eating chia seeds doesn’t require so much usage of insulin because only a small percentage is actual carbs.  Fiber absorbs a lot of water and eating these seeds in other foods and drinks will “fill you up” so to speak.  This may lead to you eating fewer calories, thus, it may help in weight loss.
  • Chia seeds are high in protein which helps to keep you full and suppress apetite!
  • They are high in Omega-3-Fatty acids
  • May reduce your risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes
  • They contain nutrients that are healthy for bones.  This is important to me since I made a decision not to drink or give cow milk to my family.  I wanted another source of calcium and phosphorus.  These nutrients also include magnesium and protein in which Chia seeds contain a great amount.
  • These little seeds may cause improvement in Type 2 Diabetes patients due to their ability to significantly lower blood pressure and a marker for inflammation.

I hope you will give these little seeds a try, but before doing so, just consider that it is best taken in small amounts like an ounce or so mixed in with other food and drink.  Also, please consult your healthcare provider before introducing anything new.  This just keeps them in the loop and helps you to be safer!

References:

  1. https://authoritynutrition.com/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds/
  2. https://www.nutrition.org/asn-blog/2012/03/the-real-scoop-on-chia-seeds/