JANUARY 10, 2011 THE PURPOSE OF CHIA SEEDS

" THE PURPOSE OF LIFE, IS A LIFE OF PURPOSE." - Robert Byrne

I recall one day writing about purpose. A song was featured in the Tony Award winning play, ' Avenue Q' What is your purpose in life ? The answer now is simply put, ' A life of purpose' I have a life of purpose. My Higher Power purpose is to assist individuals in healing themselves physically, mentally and spiritually. I try to the best of my ability to that everyday of my life. I am not perfect. Lately I feel not 'pinpoint' on. I think it is the winter. I am not fond of the cold weather. I love the added sweaters, but that is all. I feel slower in the winter. Also it is important to remember that a 'life of purpose' is also to help yourself. One hand to help others, and the other hand to help yourself. I help myself by doing things or hobbies that I enjoy.
Evaluate if you have a life of purpose !



I patient recently asked me about chia seeds. This young gentleman is a non insulin dependent diabetic, but I could not find anything on chia seeds specific use for diabetes. However as the story unfolds you will see how chia seeds can meet his protein and fat demands, without increasing blood sugar. There is a suggestion that chia seeds help with balancing of sugar, but no trials have been conducted at this point.
Salvia hispanica, commonly known as Chia, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. The mint family contains my favorite plants, not only the mints but Lemon Balm. Folklore attests Cia seeds were cultivated by the Aztec in pre-Columbian times, and was so valued that it was given as an annual tribute by the people to the rulers. It is still used in Mexico and Guatemala, with the seeds sometimes ground, while whole seed is used for nutritious drinks and as a food source.

Chia is grown commercially for its seed, a food that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, since the seeds yield 25-30% extractable oil, including α-linolenic acid (ALA). Chia seeds are typically small ovals with a diameter of about 1 mm (0.039 in). They are mottle-colored with brown, gray, black and white.

In a one ounce (28 g) sample, chia seeds contain 9% of the Daily Value for protein, 13% oil (57% of which is ALA), 42% dietary fiber, and phytochemicals, including chlorogenic and caffeic acids, myricetin, and quercetin Chia seeds contain high amounts of the essential minerals, phosphorus and manganese, moderate calcium content, and trace levels of potassium and sodium

Culinary uses of chia seeds are categorized as whole seeds, seed flour, seed mucilage, and seed oil. Chia was very important in pre-Columbian foods and beverages in Mexico. The seeds were roasted, ground into flour, and incorporated into tortillas, tamales, and beverages. Chia seeds and maize were often processed together. I tasted many beverages with Chia whiel studying in Arizona. I am sure New Mexico also has beverages of Chia seeds. The world is full of seeds with purpose. The pomegranite seeds are useful for the prostate, while the grape seeds are an excellent anti-oxidant for the body.

Chia had a limited number of artistic uses. The oil was used as a lacquer base for painting clay or gourd vessels and formed the basic component of Aztec body paint. In modern times, the oil is also used in lacquers and paints and as an emollient in cosmetics

In 2007, The American Botanical Council published a review of Chia seeds.' More than 200 herbarium specimens were examined and 18 wild populations of chia were identified. The author visited several communities in Guatemala and Mexico to collect specimens and interview residents. The primary uses of wild types varied significantly among populations and cultures. In several communities, none of the residents interviewed could name the chia plant and none collected the seeds for any use. However, residents of the Nayarit region of Mexico described the preparation of an atole beverage made from maize and chia flour. This beverage is consumed during the Mitote festival held in late November or early December. In this region, mixtures of whole or ground chia seeds and water are used medicinally to treat stomach ailments and diarrhea. In contrast, residents of communities in Michoacan, Mexico described the use of seeds to help remove obstructions of the eye but they could not describe any food uses for the plant. The author concludes that the general use of cultivated varieties of chia has not changed significantly over time. While chia remains primarily a medicinal seed plant, religious and cultural uses of chia flour survive in some communities in Mexico. The general decline in ethnobotanical knowledge, associated with wild populations and coupled with loss of habitat in some locations, has degraded important resources for a species with great economic potential.' http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/269/review44017.html [12.611 KB]

I love stones. I have collected stones made in the shape of a heart. After a time , how many hearts can you have. I was given a special heart from a patient this year. It was so beautiful. It was genuine alabaster by Ducceschi. It was also made in Italy.