A note from Joy: While I’m travelling I asked my good friend and healthy-vegan-foodie Candice to blog for me. Candice has a wonderful blog and she is incredibly enthusiastic about all things yoga, health and nutrition related. And I’ve been lucky enough to sample many of her delicious vegan creations!
Enjoy!
By: Candice of The Real Dish
Good day Joyous Readers and fellow Nutritionistas! I am honored and privileged that Joyous Health asked me to guest post while she is away! Be sure to read about Joy’s adventures in her last blog post.
Joy has asked me to test out a product from Ruth’s Foods, one of hers, and mine, favorite brands of organic goodness. Ruth’s Foods is an incredible brand. Their products are GMO free, contain nothing synthetic, and they support sustainability [and family farms]. A lot of love goes into what they make. Ruth’s Food specializes in high quality Chia and Hemp products.
The product I had the pleasure of testing out was Ruth’s Foods Chocolate Chia Goodness. Joy is good; she knows how much I love chocolate! If you are an avid reader of the Joyous Blog I am sure you are familiar with Chia. If not, you may be asking yourself “why should I eat these crazy little seeds?”
So, what is so great about Chia Seeds? Well, Chia Seeds:
• Are and excellent source of Calcium. [This is good for people who are lactose intolerant or Vegan.]
• Also, they are an excellent plant based source of iron with one tablespoon containing 18% of your daily-recommended intake.
• Contain all nine essential amino acids and are therefore contain complete protien.
• Contain both essential fatty acids: Omega 6 and Omega 3. Essential fatty acids are an integral part of maintaining good health. They support the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, and nervous systems. In addition EFA’s repair cell membranes, enabling the cells to maintain optimum nutrition. A primary function of EFAs is the production of prostaglandins, which serve to regulate various bodily functions including regulation of inflammation. Chia seeds have an ideal omega 6:3 ratio. This is the ratio to Omega 6 fatty acids to Omega 3 fatty acids. Ideally you want more Omega 3’s than Omega 6’s as too many Omega 6’s can be pro-inflammatory. To give you an idea of what is recommended, an ideal 6:3 ratio is 1:1 or 4:1. Chia’s 6:3 Ratio is about 1:3.4 which is more than ideal!
• Are high in fiber. One serving of Chia Seeds contains ¼ of your daily intake of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps with regulation of the bowel and has been shown to lower cholesterol.
Also, Ruth’s Chocolate Chia Goodness contains Raw Cacao, which adds more health benefits to this already amazing product. If you want to learn more about raw chocolate and a chocolate trader right in Toronto, then check out this post: http://therealdishto.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/more-than-just-great-chocolate/
As you can see, Chia is a nutritional superstar! Now how to get Chia seeds into your diet? This is when Ruth’s Chia Goodness comes in handy. Ruth’s is super yummy and, as the name implies, full of Chia goodness. Be sure to grab a bag and get your Chia on!
Joyous says: Thanks for the review Candice!
If you would like to get some Chia Goodness, you can find it at most health food stores in Toronto or better yet, check Ruth’s Foods link for Chia Goodness
How to enjoy it? Here are some ideas on how to incorporate it into your diet: http://www.joyoushealth.ca/2010/09/09/8-health-benefits-of-chi-chi-chia-blood-sugar-belly-fat-more/ In fact, right now I’m in Venice, Italy and I brought a bag with me to mix with yogurt in the mornings. It keeps you “regular”, if you know what I mean (wink wink).
Thanks Candice! Great info about chia seeds. I see them in lots of vegan recipes and I’ve never really known what all the hype was about. Now I get it.
I’m guessing my local health food store in Toronto will have them. I’m going to pick up a bag.
Hi Sara, Essence of Life in Kensington sells Ruth’s Chia Goodness.
Of course! Now you know what all the hype is about
I learned some things myself writing this post!
Cheers!
Thanks guys! I’ll check that out.
These sound fantastic! I’m loing this whole website, and all the blogs…I’m learning so much! I am still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, but I think I may have found the path I want to take! Thanks for the inspiration! Now..to find a store that sells these tasty little treats;)
I absolutely LOVE Chia seeds. Try them for better health and wellness!
I love these cereals, but I wish there wasn’t added sugar in the three flavoured varieties. I’m sure it’s not a lot of sugar, but I don’t like to start my day with any sugar beyond what’s already in the fruit. Holy Crap cereal has the same ingredients as the Chia Goodness Apple & Cinnamon flavour, but without the sugar. That’s what I’ll stick with.
Hey Nancy! I wouldn’t worry about it because there are only about 3g in the cranberry one – very little. Unless you have an allergy to cane sugar.
Hi Joy:
I purchased some chia goodness and really like it, however, I seem to have reacted both times I had it. I seem to get chills and nausea that lasts for a few hours and then passes. I also has a similar reaction once from having hemp protein powder. Could I possibly be allergic to hemp seeds? The chia goodness hasn’t expired so I don’t think it’s because it has gone bad. Any thoughts?
Thanks, Jill
I would try chia just on it’s own and see what happens. Yes it’s possible that you have a food sensitivity or allergy to hemp, but it’s a very low allergen food (but doesn’t mean it’s not possible). Sorry to hear about this.