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This newsletter is about Chia gel. An Ellen update is included.
May 29, 2011
Fabulous Chia Gel
Hi ,
Chia seed, the super food of the Aztec Indian  civilization has been re-discovered in recent years because of its health benefits and superior food quality. Its cultivation all but disappeared after the Spanish conquest of Mexico because the Spanish did not understand what it was and forbade its cultivation in favor of maize (corn). This is  unfortunate because maize is deficient in two key amino acids (lysine and tryptophan). This makes it a poor food source. Chia on the other hand has an excellent amino acid balance, is high in protein, and high in both soluble and insoluble fibers. It is also a good source of omega 3 fats, which fight inflammation while corn is high in the omega 6 fats that cause inflammation.
A 1-ounce portion of Chia seed contains 4 grams of protein, 9 grams of healthy oils, and 11 grams of fiber. It is high in anti-oxidants, B vitamins, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium. But the most amazing thing about Chia is that it can absorb nine times its weight in water.  This gives it some really unique uses. Traditionally Chia seed was mixed in beverages where it formed a gel that would hold water in the intestine and release it slowly to keep you hydrated. Many beverages in Mexico today feature Chia seed gel in them. 
The gel slows down the absorption of sugars and carbohydrates in your diet when consumed with the meal. This is great for anyone with a blood sugar problem like diabetics, pre-diabetics, and hypoglycemics. The seeds can be added dry to salads and other foods much like you would sesame or poppy seeds. It can be ground into flour for addition to baked goods. It can be added as a gel into recipes to replace up to half the fat in a recipe producing a moist and tasty lower calorie end product. Chia gel has no taste and simply picks up the flavors of anything it is put into.
 The really high fiber content of Chia makes it wonderful for colon issues as well as for reducing cholesterol. One ounce of Chia has as much fiber as three cups of oatmeal - without all the fat promoting carbs.
Some folks try to sell organic Chia, but the truth is all Chia is grown organically as no pesticides are needed for its growth and it grows on soil that is too poor for most other crops without the addition of chemical fertilizers. Getting a field officially certified as organic is costly so it drives up the end price without any real benefit to the consumer.
 My favorite way to use Chia seed is as a gel that I add to my breakfast smoothie each morning. Sometimes I even add it to my homemade sugar free root beer that I sweeten with my Dr Dave SuperSweet liquid.
To make a batch of gel that will last me several days, I start with a quart Mason jar filled with filtered water. I make a very thin gel that is easy to pour so I add 3-4 tablespoons of Chia seeds to the Mason Jar of water, close it up and shake it up. If you use recipes from  on the internet they suggest 1/3 cup of Chia seed to 2 cups of water. This will produce a gel that has the consistency of jam. In fact you can make jam with Chia by mixing crushed fresh fruit with Chia seeds and then  adding a sweetener (preferably a no-sugar sweetener like the stevia drops I sell in the office.)
Initially some of the seeds will float and some will sink. Just  shake it up several times over about 10 to 15 minutes and the gel will form around each seed. As the gel forms, the seeds will disperse evenly throughout the jar. This will stay good in the fridge for at least a week if you seal the jar up after using.
If you have colon irritation or constipation I would use this gel in a drink 3 or 4 times a day. You can add any flavor you wish (lemon juice, vanilla, almond, etc...) or add it to juice or any cold beverage (even root beer.)
If you wish to use this as a weight loss product, you want to consume a good portion of Chia gel before meals or as a snack, as the high fiber will make you feel full so you eat less. As mentioned before, you can also replace up to half of the butter or oil in most recipes with Chia gel (the thick version). (To make the thick version add 1/3 cup of Chia seeds to 2 cups of water and whisk intermittently for 10 minutes while the gel sets up.)
For blood sugar concerns eat or drink the Chia with the meal or immediately before so that it will mix with the food you are eating to slow its absorption down.
For those of you that would like to try Chia seed and Chia gel I am putting some ½ pound bags of Chia seed in the office for only $6. Give it a try - it can benefit you in so many ways.
Good Journey,
David
Ellen Update:
Ellen is home recovering from this long
participation with the hospital system. She gets up and about for about
a half hour then has to lie down for a rest. We expect that she will
be back working part time in about another week.
We saw her surgeon a couple days ago and he
was dumfounded that Ellen was doing as well as she was. He has no
answer for where her bile is going now as the usual pattern is for it to
back up into the liver and cause swelling, inflammation, and
infection. She does not have any of these symptoms. The surgeons
response was that it appears that God has answered our prayers. That
was his best explanation. So, Thanks for all your prayers.
David
Regaining Lost Energy
by Ellen Flowers
5/25/11
Eighteen days in the hospital left me with no energy, and no desire or motivation to move or engage life in any way. I was told that to restore my normal and natural energy flow I had to force myself to move... good luck.
Working with others taught me that there are many aspects to restoring energy. I work with physical support (food/supplements) and consciousness (unblocking beliefs and feelings that keep our energy stuck). I was doing what I could do but I needed more... and found it in...
Jin Shin Jyutsu
Acupressure Therapy
Jin Shin Jyutsu is an ancient form of energy balancing. Using the hands, with gentle pressure on key points along the energy pathways of our body, energy is directed and pathways are cleared. These pathways are like rivers. When the rivers become obstructed, disruptions within a particular flow can manifest symptoms like loss of energy, tension, and pain. When these rivers are cleared of obstruction, energy moves freely, physical harmony is restored.
My first treatment restored 60% of my lost energy and eased 20% of the pain from my surgery. Let Jin Shin Jyutsu change your life.
Call for an appointment (916) 721-6157 / 966-4714
Catherine Cummings - Certified Practitioner
Experience Ellen's Life Coaching Process during her Free Health Exam
Discover your true health status
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Ouestions - if you have questions of a health or growth nature we could discuss in this newsletter, or if you have comments or ideas about a future newsletter focus please email me at:
david@fairoakshealth.com
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