The Miraculous Chia Seed, Revisited

I made an earlier post that mentioned chia seeds (you can find it by clicking here) but lately I am so impressed by them that I have to mention them again, this time in a post that is entirely their own.

The Facts
Chia seeds contain a form of protein that is very easy for your body to both digest and assimilate. It has also been said to be the richest vegetable source of omega-3 fatty acids (more commonly found in fish oils, these fats help decrease inflammation and make your skin and hair look lovely).  It is also incredibly rich in calcium and it contains boron, another mineral that helps the body absorb that calcium (great for all you people who want to build up strong, healthy bones).

But most importantly, chia seeds can do this:


Before:

After:

So, what's so great about the fact it becomes a gel in liquid? Chia is actually really really high in mucilage, a soluble fiber that is gel-like when combined with water.  This ability for fiber to trap water is fantastic because it allows it to pass through our body easily without sucking up water from our bodies to do so.  Basically, this form of fiber keeps you regular and hydrated.  If that doesn't impress you, perhaps this recipe will:

Vanilla Chai Chia:

1 part chia seeds (2 tbsp)
3 parts almond milk (6 tbsp)
about 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract (or more, depending how much milk and chia you use)
about 1/2 tsp cinnamon (or more, again depending on how much you use)

Beat all the ingredients together in a glass bowl so that none of the chia seeds are clumped together.  Cover with a lid and place in the fridge overnight, or leave on the counter for 30 minutes.  After waiting patiently, give the mixture one last stir to smooth things out and enjoy your Chia pudding.

Enjoy!

Acupuncture is A-OK!

Acupuncture points along the Conception Vessel meridian. Notice the thumbs up, indicating how A-Ok it is :)

I'm always a bit shocked when people say they are frightened of receiving acupuncture.  After a few inquiries, I discovered that most people are not frightened of the needles (they are, after all, very tiny--you can hardly see them in the above photograph!) but they are actually just not sure what to expect.  

Having received quite a few acupuncture treatments in my time, I have come up with some common sensations that should occur as well as some sensations that should not.

What you will feel:

Patients are divided on whether or not they feel the needle go into their skin--this depends on the area being treated as well as the person, but generally it is a light tap or a pinch that is felt for only a second.

Once the needle is in, most patients report feeling the following sensations either for the duration of the treatment or just at the beginning, when the needle is being inserted:

• aching
• pressure
• heaviness
• warmth

The above sensations are good and mean that the Qi is being stimulated and healing has commenced. 

Under no circumstances should you experience the following:

• intense pain
• radiating pain

After receiving an acupuncture treatment, it is advisable to rest/take it easy and forgo vigorous exercise, consumption of alcohol or drugs as well as any sexual activity.  To get the most out of your treatment, you should go home, relax and be sure to get a fantastic sleep so that treatment can be further enhanced.

So, look up some acupuncture schools in your community and stop into their Student Clinic to receive an effective and affordable treatment!

Enjoy!

Give me SOMA that: SOMA Chocolatemaker Rocks!

In Denmark, there is a special word to describe nearly everything cozy.  Hygge (pronounced "hoogga", if we try saying it while forming our mouth to say "ee" instead of "oo") originally meant "well-being" but it has since been used to describe anything comfortable and warm, from something literal like physically sitting by the fire to something more abstract, like a state of mind.  As you know, J was recently in Denmark and she taught me this lovely word when she was describing her new, oversized wool coat:

Very hygge, no?  

Keeping with the hygge theme, on Friday evening M took me somewhere special.  It started out as a little walk around the block but we got closer and closer to King Street West and soon we were peering into the most adorable little chocolate shop I've ever encountered.  SOMA Chocolatemaker just opened their King West location, and I couldn't be more thrilled!  We sat for hours on the bench, letting the glorious smell of fresh chocolate waft over us as we sipped our Mayan Hot Chocolates and shared silly secrets in hushed tones.  Totally hygge!

Mayan Hot Chocolate (veganize by asking for soymilk)

The hot chocolate here is the real deal, being made from a shot of molten dark chocolate that is then mixed with the milk and fresh spices (powder? puh-leez!).  Honestly the best hot chocolate I have had in my life (and I grew up in the mountains where hot chocolate is something of a staple).

But aren't they also a chocolate maker, you ask? SOMA has the most interesting flavour combinations I had ever heard of (8 year old balsamic vinegar, douglas fir, 'Pop rocks'--to name a few) but I have to go all Johnny Depp in Chocolat and claim that I'll take the hot chocolate any day.  

 Les chocolats

Close up of the various gems.  Quit drooling all over your keyboard.

Whether you go alone or with someone special, SOMA Chocolatemaker is a fantastically cozy place that you want to visit at least once, in the name of hygge.

SOMA Chocolatemaker

443 King Street West

Toronto, Ontario

(416) 599-7662

Bare Beauty: Going Makeup-less

Only just a year ago this was a frightening idea for me.  I had worn make up for the last 7 years and stepping out of the house without it left me feeling, well, naked.

What changed my mind was when I asked the most beautiful woman I know how she maintained skin that didn't look a day over 25 for the past 15 years (Nobody believes she's 40!).  What products did she use?  Turns out the answer is what products she didn't use.  She told me: "I have never worn face make up in my entire life, and I truly believe it has made all the difference."

For me, years of wearing pore-clogging makeup were not the easiest to reverse and I am still working on getting my skin back to its natural lustre but I can tell you that it has improved dramatically with these techniques that you may find helpful in easing your skin through the transition:

1. If you are a full coverage kind of girl, transition to a tinted moisturizer.  Once you see your natural beauty shine through your makeup, the step to bare skin will be easier.

2. Make sure your skin is squeaky clean but don't be too rough with it!  I make sure to clean my skin every night with a very mild soap and then I use an alcohol free toner with witch hazel and lavender to sooth any inflammation and further tighten my pores (witch hazel is an excellent astringent) without irritating or stripping my skin.

3. Use a mask to help remove any impurities that may have built up from makeup use.  I buy white clay from my health food store and make it into a paste with a bit of water and apply it to my face after a shower.  Wait until the clay is completely dry (about 20 minutes) and then remove it gently with a warm, damp facecloth.  I also use Moor Mud, but it is a bit more difficult to find.

4. Make sure to moisturize!  You want your skin to be able to breath (ie no makeup) but you also want it to be protected from the elements.  The best way is to use a natural moisturizer every morning before you leave the house.  I suggest the Pure + Simple line, but any natural product that is free of chemicals will do.  

5. Eat a clean diet.  The first signs of ill health appear on the skin, so be conscious of your diet as well as drinking enough water to further aid toxin elimination.  

I hope this helps you reveal the naturally beautiful you!

Have a wonderful day!

Seriously: The Most Amazing GF Bread

My amazing colleague is a phenomenal baker and shared with me her fantastic recipe for gluten-free bread that can be found on her blog by clicking here.

Here is a photo of my take on her recipe:

The only difference I made was to substitute sweet sorghum flour in place of the brown rice flour.  I previously made a loaf with the brown rice flour and although both are fantastic, M preferred the sweet sorghum version, so sweet sorghum flour it is!

This bread is truly amazing-not only is it pretty easy to make (if you have baked cookies before, chances are you can bake this too!) but it has a fantastic quality of moistness to it that is simply not present in store-bought brands like O'Doughs or Glutino.

Much cheaper than buying GF bread from the store and a thousand times tastier.  Making and freezing my own bread is a total no-brainer.

Enjoy!

Why I Applaude Edible Skincare...

One of my first jobs while I was in university was working as a Cosmetics Demonstrator for a very well-known, luxury cosmetics brand.  My job was to go to the various department stores in my city and demonstrate how to best use a new skincare line or how to best apply a new cosmetic product from this brand.  One of the cosmetic ladies I met told me an interesting story that I will never forget, to this day.  She had 2 daughters: one she carried while she worked in an office building and one she carried while she worked in the fragrance department.  Although both girls are healthy and happy, the one that was carried to term in the fragrance department has unexplained digestive disorders as a baby that no Pediatrician could quite figure out.  Her mom was convinced that it was from inhaling the various molecules present in perfume and I would be inclined to agree.

I found this video by Annie Leonard to teach you a little more about it.

So, what's all this about edible skincare?  Well, I was once told not to put anything on my skin that I wouldn't put in my mouth.  Your skin is the largest organ in your body and it absorbs everything you put on it.  We sometimes forget that, but just think about how the Nicotine patch works....

Just recently I heard about an amazing company called Pure + Simple that makes all natural skincare and I was able to find them at The Whole Life Expo.  I purchased their Cellular Repair Face Cream, after rave reviews, and I would encourage anyone looking to make the switch to healthier skincare products to check out their site.

Also, keep an eye on my blog for an upcoming lesson in edible skincare as I tell you how to make your own body lotion as well as how to convert coconut oil into shaving cream!

Enjoy your day!

Weekend Shopping: Cataloguing My Haul

I'm a self-professed foodie.  Some girls get excited about shopping at department stores; I get excited about shopping at Mark McEwan.  Here is some of my bounty acquired from this past weekend when I stopped at both Mark McEwan and The Whole Life Expo.  Perhaps it will inspire you to try some new (and amazing) products!

Coconut jam from a company called Cocovie. Tastes like nothing I've ever tasted before, and I mean that in a really, really good way.

An olive oil from Greece called Spartan Rolling Hills.  I met the farmer and tasted it for myself: buttery and delightful.  Just what I was looking for in an olive oil!

Hemp Hearts from Manitoba Harvest! Show special: 3 for $20. How could I say no?

Raw Honey with Royal Jelly! This is notoriously difficult to find in my health food store, so I stocked up. 

Yum, tastes good and good for you!

Have a wonderful day!