Chia Seeds

So apparently the new "it" thing or things are Chia Seeds  the ancient super-seed.


Dr. Oz talked them up I believe.  Yes, Chia seeds are the same thing that grows this:  

I hope I don't start looking like this....EEEK...so far no grew sprouts....YET

You can mix them in with pretty much everything. I've mixed them into my cereal into my Naked juice which PS I LOVE, the juice, but the seeds don't really affect it, maybe thicken it a little and add a little texture. I've added them to soup, I tend to stick with liquids, otherwise they are kinda crunchy.  However, people have also added them to salads and pastas, etc...

I just made the chia gel, now I have a texture problem so big globs of gel/goo make me gag. The recipe calls for 1/3 cups of the chia seeds to 2 cups water, mix for 15 sec, than let sit for 1 min than mix again.  Refrigerate and mix into other items.  I don't understand what the difference between just adding the gel and just adding plan seeds.  

Chia seeds are high in omega-6 and have more omega-3 fatty acids than salmon...this tiny little seed has TONS of nutrition. 

I got these at the Whole Foods, they have organic and not organic. Since organic was twice as much and I'm not fully sold on the whole organic thing, I bought the cheaper as this was my first time.  

Here are some chia seed websites:

Top 10 Benefits of Eating Chia Seeds

The Chia Seed

Chia Seed Recipes

Shape

Ten Raw Chia Recipes

I decided to try chia seeds for 1) weight loss and 2) for running

Ray Rice is doing it, leading rusher for the Baltimore Ravens.... Check it out

It is supposed to help with ultra running, however I am NOT an ultra runner.  But I am hoping it increases my stamina/endurance as well as helping to help me feel more full without losing nutrients.  


Mixed it all the time with one of my favorite juices, next up to blend chia gel into......smoothies!

New Years Resolutions

Hobby of the day: Losing Weight, Working Out, Cooking Healthy

The NOT so Best Friend

As the New Year strikes, many people make resolutions.  Essentially promises as to what we would like to see achieved...resolutions seem to be repeated year after year.  I haven't made a resolution in a long time.  But this year Gary and I decided to set goals.  One of course is weight loss and eating healthier (As you can see from New Years Eve Post, we splurged on waaay yummy food).  We weighed ourselves on Jan 1 and then wrote down what weight we would like to be by the end of March, April 1st begins Spring Break.  A cruel joke I think.  Thankfully Gary and I are training for a half marathon, so we have to force ourselves to work out. We have 91 days to achieve our first target weight, then we have another 91 days until the last day of school to lose to our second goal weight. 


Gary and I also took pictures of ourselves, much to his disapproval in clothing we would like to be better in.  We took front, side and back photos.  I of course took pictures of myself in a bathing suit. The picture below is my motivation.  I will NOT be posting my muffin tops here, disappointed though you may be.  

The Motivation: being in a bathing suit in front of FRIENDS!!!

Why is it so much easier for guys to drop weight than girls?!


Apparently the East Coast has finally decided that it was winter and cold it is, not as cold as Quebec, where I long to visit, but cold enough nevertheless.  I wish that some snow would come too.... Yesterday was frigid and windy, thus no running outside.   Today is also quite cold and currently 59 degrees in the house.  I HATE heat! Heat gives me headaches, dry skin, itchy skin, nosebleeds and makes my eyes dry. Therefore we very RARELY use heat, thankfully we have a gas fireplace.  We prefer to sleep cold anyway.  


I was recently introduced to a website full of lower calories meals.  Thanks to Skinnytaste I have a new variety of tasty recipes.  It is quite a shame that Gary hates fish or rather seafood.  I love it and would love to make some of those recipes, but don't want to cook just for myself.  Last night I made Low Fat Baked Ziti with Spinach, you can find the recipe here.  It was delicious.  The recipe made waaay to much for G and I. Next time I'll try halfing the recipe.  Thankfully I can take some for lunch too.  

Sauce and Spinach blend: pre-cheese

Whole Wheat Ziti

Plenty for All

De-lic-ious!!