Benefits of Eating Chia Seeds

I recently discovered Chia seeds and I'm amazed at the many health benefits they offer. I'm surprised that it took me this long into my quest for optimal health to learn about these little miracle seeds and I thought I should pass along my new discovery. Since I haven't been using these seeds for very long, I can't yet make any claims, but according to my research, chia seeds can have the following benefits:

Reduces Hunger
When a chia seed is exposed to water, it forms a coating of gel, increasing its size and weight. It helps your body think it is full, without adding calories. This alone is worth trying them!

Balance Blood Sugar
The gelling action of the seed, and it’s unique combination of soluble and insoluble fiber combine to slow down your body’s conversion of starches into sugars. If you eat chia with a meal, it will help you turn your food into constant, steady energy rather than a series of ups and downs that wear you out.

Helps Maintain Regularity
With the abundance of over-processed foods and white flour on the market today, rich sources of fiber are harder to come by and irregularity is becoming a more common problem. To help ensure regularity, you need plenty of soluble and insoluble fiber in your diet. Chia seeds are coated with soluble fibers which aid its gelling action and  keep the colon hydrated to ensure the easy movement of food.

Adds Healthy Omega-3 Oils
Chia is the richest plant-source of this healthy oil. By weight, chia contains more omega 3 than salmon, but without fishy taste! Omega 3 oil is important in heart and cholesterol health. It’s also recently been targeted as a weight-loss helper.

Have More Energy All Day Long
Your energy levels have a lot to do with what you eat. Chia is one of nature’s highest plant-based sources of complete protein that will raise your energy levels. The combination of complete protein, vitamins, minerals and blood-sugar balancing gel all work together to make sure you have steady energy.

Add age-defying anti-oxidants
Chia seeds are extremely high in anti-oxidants which help prevent free-radical damage in your body. Free radicals lead to problematic conditions such as premature aging of the skin and inflammation of various tissues.

Makes Your Food Taste Even Better
I don't know how it works, but when the seeds hydrate, they magnify the taste of whatever they were added to. Your chocolate pudding can taste more chocolaty. Your smoothie can taste more fruity.

It's certainly worth trying these chia seeds out for yourself and see if you notice any healthy benefits. They can be found in your local health food store. Please look for a future blog posting with suggestions on how to easily incorporate them into your daily meals.

Whole Living Magazine Deal

Have you ever read Whole Living magazine? This magazine brings you the best in healthy living. Whole Living will teach you how to live a healthy, natural life. Learn how to relax, eat right, treat your body right, de-stress, exercise for your health and so much more. Each issue is filled with features, columns and departments that help readers explore natural, holistic health and wellness, personal growth, the environment, spirituality and social change. If you are looking for a healthier way of living, this magazine is just for you!

For today only, you can take advantage of a great deal on a new or renewal subscription. A one year subscription is normally $14.95, but today you can purchase it at 71% off, at just $4.29.

All you need to do to grab this deal is to CLICK HERE to be taken to the offer. You can purchase a brand new subscription or renew the one you already have, but here's the catch . . . the offer is only valid today – Monday, July 30th, so don't delay, click now to grab the deal.

Eating Well Magazine Deal

Who doesn’t want to try to improve their eating and nutrition? Seems like it’s a never ending quest. For today only, you can take advantage of a great deal on Eating Well magazine. A one year subscription is normally $19.97, but today you can purchase it at 52% off, at just $9.49.

Eating Well is an award-winning magazine that serves up a delicious balance of crisp, fresh cooking content and must-have nutrition features with a flavorful variety of tasty and healthy recipes. Every issue is packed with delicious recipes and color photographs illustrating what each recipe should look like, smart shopping tips, quick and healthy menus, fresh news from the world of food, nutrition science and news, and creative seasonal recipes that are tasty and easy to make, with ingredients readily available at your grocery store.

All you need to do to grab this deal is to CLICK HERE to be taken to the offer. You can purchase a brand new subscription or renew the one you already have, but here's the catch . . . the offer is only valid today – Thursday, July 26th, so don't delay, click now to grab the deal.

Free Yoga Music

Would you like to download a free yoga compilation? If so, just head on over to YogiTunes.  You are required to join their mailing list, but it's a small price to pay for the free Yoga Rocks the Park Sounds of Summer 2012 Compilation.

Healing the Healers

Second Annual Yoga Festival Offers Educational and Restorative Retreat for Healthcare Professionals, August 22-26

Copper Mountain Resort, in the Rockies of Colorado, presents the second annual Mountain Pose Yoga & Medicine Symposium as part of the 2012 summer event lineup. From Wednesday, August 22 through Sunday, August 26, Copper invites medical professionals, yoga enthusiasts and anyone who works in health care to enjoy a weekend of professional development and relaxation in a breathtaking mountain setting. With over 30+ workshops and lectures led by a talented cast of medical and yoga leaders, this educational program has been approved by the AAFP for up to 25 CME credits.  Mountain Pose Medicine & Yoga Symposium has been recognized by the Board of Certification, Inc. to offer continuing education for Certified Athletic Trainers.

The Symposium also runs concurrently with Copper's Genuine Jazz and Wine Festival, with Symposium passes granting attendees access to all Jazz and Wine events. If you live anywhere near the Rockies of Colorado you should check out this event. I sure wish I could go!

For more information please visit: www.mountainposesymposium.com.

Great Deal on Shape Magazine

Yesterday we offered you a great deal on a magazine to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and today we are offering you some fitness inspiration. If you would like to get yourself a one year subscription to Shape magazine for just $4.39, this is your lucky day. Shape magazine is for active contemporary women interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle with quality articles about fitness, nutrition, psychology, beauty, fashion, relationships, and inspiring success stories.

All you need to do to grab this deal is to CLICK HERE to be taken to the offer. You can purchase a brand new subscription or renew the one you already have, but here's the catch . . . the offer is only valid today – Wednesday, July 18th, so don't delay, click now to grab the deal.

Click here to grab the deal.

Natural Heath Magazine on the Cheap

Would you like to snag a one year subscription to Natural Health Magazine for just $4.39? Natural Health can be your guide to a healthy mind/body lifestyle, with information about alternative health, natural foods, cuisines, nutrition, crafts, sports, organic gardening and holistic health.

What a bargain for this ultimate guide to a healthy lifestyle!  This deal is valid for brand new subscriptions, as well as renewals. All you need to do is click here to be taken to the place where you can purchase the subscription. But here's the catch . . . this deal is only valid today – Tuesday, July 17th. Don't miss it. Just click on the link below.

Click here to grab this deal.

Keeping Fit After 40

I recently found the photo above on Pinterest with a caption that said, "She's 40!" It made me think that being in shape and keeping fit past 40 must be some sort of big accomplishment, especially after seeing some of the comments that women posted on the photo. There is no doubt that it made me feel proud to be over 40 and still be in good shape. So I am going to post the picture below on Pinterest with a caption that says, "She's 43, and she's me." I should also note that this picture was taken 2 months ago and that just happens to be 2 months before my 44th birthday.

So how do I do it? How did I keep fit in my 40s? Well, there really is no magically secret. It's all about self discipline, good nutrition, and working out. OK, maybe genes have something to do with it too, but I don't think that should be an excuse to give up and not try to strive for the best health you can achieve. Not everybody can be pencil thin, but many people can be strong and fit if they didn't use the crutch of having 'fat genes.'

I've spent most of my life trying to be as healthy as I can be. I'm always concerned about what I eat. This doesn't mean I sacrifice and never have sweets and fattening foods. In fact, I often do. But I'm always completely aware that 80% of what makes up my body composition is what I eat. Making good choices is key. And yes, I have a sweet tooth and love my dessert, but I've learned that a bite or two can be just as satisfying as eating the whole serving. When I do splurge on the dish of ice cream of chocolate bar it's often because I just competed a long bike ride or hike. I always feel the need to either earn the treat, or pay for it afterwards.

And it's not just avoiding sweets and fatty foods that is important. I think it's just as important, if not more important to strive to put as much good nutritional food into our bodies as possible. We are eating to fuel our bodies and just like at the gas pump, we have to decide upon the quality of that gas we are putting in. How our cars run and how are bodies run is a direct result of the fuel.

Avoiding candy and carbs is one thing, but going out of our way to eat the "super foods" is another. So much of the America diet is just empty calories, giving us no nutritional value. It is really a challenge in today's age to hunt down the foods that are actually good for us. It takes effort, and unfortunately it costs more, but it's a necessary step in keeping fit.

Eating right and routine exercise are essential in keeping fit. There is no doubt, it just keeps getting harder and harder to do as you get older and the trick is not to stop. It's all about priorities and habits. Build yourself some good ones and just don't quit.

July Desktop Calendar

It's time to bring a little beach to your computer. To make this image your desktop background calendar, just click on this link. A new window will appear with a much larger graphic. Once the bigger graphic appears, just right-click on it and "save as desktop."