Friday, October 21, 2011

Chia Seeds







Now that I've discovered how to use my DVR I've been recording the Dr. Oz show everyday.

A while back he was talking about how amazing chia seeds are so I've added them to my diet. I've been on a super anti-cancer diet for a few months now and have lost 15 lbs. too.

I found this on http://www.sharecare.com/


What an amazing seed with an amazingly long history of delivering on taste, health and performance for humans dating back to the Aztec Warriors! Chia seeds are truly nature's most powerful and delicious grain and besides really enjoying their taste, I found them to be a critical source of nutrients and energy during my day to day routine in the clinic or hospital or while out on missions as an Army physician. The seeds are perfect mixed into a smoothie, yogurt, on cereal or part of a bar. When I am in a hurry, I also mix several tablespoons of the seeds together in water, let sit for 5 minutes, add a touch of agave nectar or honey, and then grab a spoon and dig in! I call this “chia-meal” and it replaces my over the counter fiber supplements and I love it. The seeds are jam-packed with an array of disease-fighting and health-promoting nutrients. Chia is loaded with protein, very high in fiber, antioxidant content (they contain similar antioxidant power as blueberries!), and lots of water molecules which helps you stay hydrated when needing to perform your best and aids in digestion. They are also very high in an Omega-3 called ALA. Sources rich in ALA have been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. Note: Omega-3 ALA does not appear as powerful however as the other two dietary Omega-3s, EPA and DHA). To me, the Omega-3 ALA in chia though is just a small bonus on top of a ton of other nutrients. Chia seeds are also high in important minerals including calcium, phosphorous, and manganese that further help improve bone mineral density. There is something else interesting about chia seeds --the seeds dissolve inside your stomach and intestine to form a smooth, soft, gel-like substance that helps your body digest carbohydrates more efficiently before the glucose enters your bloodstream. This means a slower blood glucose and insulin rise, leading to better glucose stability and energy. This makes chia a “low glycemic index” food. Studies show that diabetics, who especially need to control their blood sugar, really benefit from adding chia to their diet. The unique combination of nutrients, great taste, energy profile, and physical properties of the chia seed make this a true (and proven) winner for endurance, bone mass, heart health, gastrointestinal health, and general wellness. As the Aztecs Warrior believed, chia seeds are part of my essential "nutritional armor" for internal cellular health and performance--Daniel T. Johnston.

Last night I put some in my blueberry smoothie but it made the smoothie too thick so I think I'll start adding them to oatmeal. I was able to find them at Whole Foods, raw and organic.


If you don't want to eat them you can always use them for this cute pug costume. Rosie would not be happy.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Ginger





I almost became onedogmom this weekend when my sweet little Ginger ate a leaf from an oleander plant at my apt. complex. She has been at the vets office since yesterday morning and will probably have to stay at least another day. They have run lots of tests and it looks like she'll be ok but when I visited her yesterday she sure didn't look ok. I'm not even sure she knew I was there. Oleander is one of the most deadly plants for dogs and is often fatal. She threw up the leaf which may have saved her life.

Friday 10/21: Ginger came home Wednesday night. I stayed home yesterday to make sure she was ok. So far so good. This morning she was back to her old self. She has 3 medications she has to take 1 hour apart so we started at 5 am with the first, then one at 6 and the last at 7. The bill from my vet was over $1300 but well worth it. So glad I sold my house and have some money from that to cover dog emergencies.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Not So Feral Anymore

Now that the weather is a little cooler I've started leaving the patio door open in the afternoons. The cats who were once very feral are getting friendlier and coming in. They all love Ginger and the male Siamese walks with us when we go on our evening walks. He also purrs when I feed and pet him. He is in the first picture and Cinza is in the second. I really need a name for him. Right now I just call him "Pretty Boy"

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Family

Bon Anniversaire Erin!





The cute little girl in this picture is my niece Erin who is all grown up now and living in Madagascar.