Bi-Weekly Tarot Reading: 1-25-15 through 2-7-15
AND
Blog #35: What's So Great About Chia Seeds?
LEGACY OF THE DIVINE TAROT
PAGE OF WANDS: During this bi-weekly, allow yourself to feel enthusiasm and excitement for something. It does not have to be anything big--it can be just a sense of joy for the beginning of each day. This outlook will help you enjoy your day more, which in turn will help you move forward and accomplish what you intend.
2 OF COINS: Do not overburden yourself with worry and anxiety. Instead, stay on an even keel by just letting things be, without trying to force things to turn out a certain way. What we want is not always in our best interest in the long run. It is more important to have a carefree approach that will pay dividends as we maintain balance.
ACE OF CUPS: Let go of negative ways of thinking regarding the difficult relationships in your life. You may not get along with everyone, but you can at least recognize that each person is dealing with challenges that you may not be aware of. Try to forgive past transgressions and see each person in a loving light. You may find yourself feeling that burdens are being lifted.
BI-WEEKLY THEME: Find joy in the little things each day, and see how this makes accomplishing tasks and goals easier. Be grateful for all that you have, and set an intention each morning that the day will be wonderful for you in some way. Release worries and fears so you can stay balanced and focused, and then allow yourself to just go with the flow. Change your thinking about difficult relationships by remembering that we cannot know everything that another is going through. Show compassion and understanding for everyone.
Blog #35: What’s So Great About
Chia Seeds?
Retrieved from blog.fooducate.com
You may remember chia seeds from the “chia pets” that were
so popular years ago. There is a resurging
interest in the seeds, because more people are finding out about their
amazing health benefits.
The chia plant is Salvia
hispanica (related to the mint) and is native to Mexico and Guatemala. The seeds were an important food source for
the ancient Mayans and Aztecs. They were valued for their ability to provide lots
of energy, hence the meaning of the word “chia”--“strength”. In 1991, a
researcher named Wayne Coates began examining chia as an alternative crop for
Argentine farmers. Since then, the many health benefits have begun capturing the attention of the public.
So, what is so great about chia seeds? Here is just a partial list of how they can
help you stay healthy and strong.
Ø
They help us get more fiber. Just one ounce (28 grams or 2 tablespoons) of
chia has 11 grams of dietary fiber, which is about one-third of the recommended
adult daily intake. They are 40% fiber
by weight, and this helps them absorb up to 10-12 times their weight in
water. This causes them to become
gel-like and expand after being eaten.
Ø
They are packed with omega-3 fatty acids—almost
5 grams in a one-ounce serving. However,
they contain the fatty acid ALA, which our bodies are not good at converting
into DHA, the most important omega-3 fatty acid. This is why it is recommended that we get most of our omega-3 from other sources, such as eating fish or taking fish oil as a supplement.
Ø
They have calcium—18% of recommended daily
intake--which is good for strong bones and teeth, thus aiding in prevention of
osteoporosis. Gram for gram, this amount is higher than for most dairy
products.
Ø
They contain manganese (30% of
recommended intake), which is also good for bones and helps our bodies use
other nutrients such as biotin and thiamin.
Ø
They are a good source of protein and contain
no cholesterol. They have 4.4
grams of protein (10% of daily value), which can help reduce appetite.
Ø
They stabilize blood sugar and fight
insulin resistance, which can be harmful to overall health.
Ø
They have been shown to improve diabetics’ blood
pressure, according to a Cleveland Clinic study.
Ø
They have a large amount of antioxidants, which
fight the production of free radicals that can contribute to aging and
cancer. Also, the antioxidants protect
the fats in the seeds from going rancid, which means that they have a long
shelf-life (almost two years without refrigeration).
Ø
They include other minerals such as
phosphorus, zinc, potassium, and magnesium and vitamins B3 (niacin) and
B1 (thiamin).
Ø
They contain no gluten nor grains and can be digested
whole—no need to grind them to get the full benefits (unlike
flaxseed, which does have to be ground).
What are some other good things about chia seeds?
Ø
They are easy to eat—they can be sprinkled on
cereal, sauces, vegetables, yogurt, or rice dishes. They can also be added to
drinks and baked goods.
Ø
A small amount—2 tablespoons—goes a long way by
providing all of the above benefits, so we get “more bang for the buck”.
Ø
Because they contain both soluble and insoluble
fiber, they expand in liquids without losing any of the fiber content.
Ø
They have a neutral flavor so can be added to
just about anything.
Ø
They are generally
grown organically, are gluten-free, and are non-GMO.
Although they have been touted by some as good for weight-loss and an appetite suppressant, the studies on this are inconclusive. (See http://authoritynutrition.com/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds/ and resihttp://www.webmd.com/diet/features/truth-about-chiastance).
Nevertheless, there are many positive reasons to start including chia seeds as part of your regular diet. What could be better or easier than to just sprinkle some seeds on various foods and get such an abundance of health benefits?
Sources
http://authoritynutrition.com/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds/
resihttp://www.webmd.com/diet/features/truth-about-chiastance
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7928/the-amazing-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds.html
