Posts Tagged ‘chia’

As you all know, I am obsessed with the bulk bins at any grocery store. Buying in bulk reduced unnecessary packaging, ensures that you pay for what you get, saves resources, and gives you the choice of buying as little or as much as you want! Here is a quick peak of the items in my pantry that I buy in bulk:

Oatmeal, Granola (this is my new local Milk & Honey Granola), and Rice

Whole Wheat Flour, White Flour (clearly I need more of that, I’ve been baking a lot of bread lately!), Trail Mix, Quinoa, Coffee, Wild Rice, and Chia Seeds

If you haven’t noticed I have a love for Oxo Good Grips Food Storage Pop containers (the clear containers with the white lids). They have a fun pop-top, air-tight lid that I totally adore. I bought mine at Bed Bath and Beyond; they are kind of pricey so I only buy one every now and then to add to my collection!

Do you buy in bulk? Do you have a favorite way to store things like me?

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I came across this recipe for Raw Chocolate Chia Energy Bars in the January issue of Vegetarian Times magazine. It sounded very similar to Lärabars, which are one of my favorite on-the-go snacks!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup pitted dates
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup whole chia seeds
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 1 cup slivered almonds

Puree dates in food processor until a thick sticky paste forms.

Add cocoa powder, chia seeds, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Process until well combined.

Add almonds and blend until well chopped and distributed. Transfer mixture to wax paper and mold into a rectangle or press into a loaf pan to easily create a rectangular shape. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate overnight. Remove from fridge and cut into bars. Wrap bars individually for storage.

This recipe was extremely simple and the results were great, if not better than store-bought bars! They are sweet, crunchy, and nutrient dense – the perfect snack!

Check out this and other delicious recipes at vegetariantimes.com.

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How your skin looks on the outside is a reflection of what you put inside your body. The foods you eat can actually increase skin health and enhance the appearance of your skin. However, you have to choose the right foods. Therefore, Eat Chic has composed a list of foods for healthier and better looking skin! Try to incorporate any of these nutritious foods into your daily diet and see if you notice a difference in how your skin glows!

1. Avocado: avocados contain a unique blend of essential oils and B vitamins. One in particular, vitamin B3 (niacin) has anti-inflammatory characteristics which help soothe irritated skin and decrease skin redness. The oils in avocados are what make them a well-known ingredient in facial masks because they help rid of dry skin.
2. Flaxseed: foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like flaxseed hyrdate the skin and help to unclog pores. Try salmon, walnuts, or even chia seeds for other sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
3. Mangoes: mangoes are a good source of vitamin A (July’s Vitamin of the Month!). Vitamin A helps to maintain skin cells and repair them should they be damaged from free radicals such as ultraviolet rays from the sun.
4. Berries: berries such as blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries all contain high amounts of antioxidants which protect skin against sun damage and skin cancer by fighting off free radials that may damage the skin.
5. Almonds: almonds are an excellent source of vitamin E which protects skin from premature aging. Almonds also contain natural oils that moisturize the skin.

What should you drink for healthy skin? Green tea has natural anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the risk of skin cancer. Water is also important to maintaining natural glowing skin. Keeping yourself well hydrated will prevent dry skin and also flush out any harmful toxins in the body.

Add these foods to your diet and let your natural beauty shine through!Enjoy this post? Share it with your Facebook friends!

Chia is back! But not in the form of a sprouting green clay animal. Believe it or not, the seeds used to grow such plants  are a great dietary supplement! Chia seeds are extremely high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, antioxidants, calcium, and a number of vitamin and minerals!

The Chia plant is native to Mexico and is grown commerically for its seeds. Chia seeds are a nutty-tasting, gluten-free whole grain and can be eaten a number of ways. You can eat chia seeds raw by tossing them into anything from salad and soups to yougurt, oatmeal, and smoothies. They can also be ground up and used in baking recipes or soaked in water to give them a gelatinous texture.

By adding just 2 tablespoons of chia seeds to your daily diet you can reap its numerous health benefits; 2 tablespoons provides you with 7g of fiber, 4g of protein, and 5g of omega-3 fatty acids.

Chia seeds are similar to flaxseed but they do not require grinding for digestion and they do not go rancid as quickly as flaxseed. These little seeds are full of healthy fat, protein, and fiber, and are considered a superfood! They have been found to lower blood pressure, help regulate blood sugar, and even give you energy!

Chia seeds can be purchased either online or at your local health food store so give them a try and let Eat Chic know what you think!Enjoy this post? Share it with your Facebook friends!