Health Benefits of Romerillo {eat your weeds #2}

 

Bidens alba - also known as Romerillo, Butterfly Needles and Shepherd's Needles - is a weedy plant found abundantly in the Sunshine State. However, it can also be found worldwide. There are more than 40 native species in the United States alone and over 230 across the globe.

 

At first glance, this plant doesn't look like anything special. In fact, most people see it as a nuisance! A pest to get rid of!

 

For one thing, it has these little clusters of sticker-burs that instantly cling onto anything they brush against. Your clothes and dogs' fur especially. I'm sure many of us can happily recall those wonderful times when we brushed against a Romerillo and got covered in the annoying little things - and had to spend 20 minutes just picking them all out.

 

So yeah. At first glance, this seems like just another troublesome 'weed'.

 

Well, guess what. I have news for you.

 

This is more than just a weed.

 

You're looking at me skeptically. Don't try to hide it. I see you over there on your side of the computer, in your little corner of planet earth. You're squinting at the screen right now in major doubt of what I'm about to say.

 

"How on earth could such a cumbersome plant be beneficial to me?"

 

Did you know that for centuries, people have been using this weed for both food and medicine?

 

You didn't? Well, neither did I until several weeks ago when my family visited a local gardener's place and learned quite a bit from him on the topic of wild edibles.

 

 The flowers and tender young leaves and of Bidens alba can be added to salads, and the more mature leaves can be boiled or steamed as a pot herb. A mild tea can be made from the flowers. Some folks have even made wine from them, I hear.

 

It has a good amount of protein, fiber and beta-carotene. Also possesses a good deal of anti-bacterial and anti-cancer compounds and activity.

It's said to boost the immune system and anti-malarial. It's also antileukemic among other things.

 

Here are some of the ailments Romerillo has been used to treat medicinally:

 

• Colds
• Flu
• Snake bites
• Colon cancer
• Blood clots
• Cuts
• Hepatitis
• Bacterial infections
• Inflammation
• Urinary tract infections
• Worms
• Sore throats
• Headaches
• Diarrhea
• High fever

Native American Seminoles would chew on Romerillo leaves if a sore throat was present. I'm guessing for the other issues one would make a tea from the leaves and flowers and drink it throughout the day. Or, dry it and make it into a powder to consume with other food/drink items. Think adding it to your smoothies, that sort of thing.

 

"Antineoplasics phytotherapeutical composition based on Bidens alba, has properties that inhibit the growth of neoplasia.The presence of those properties in the extract and also in the fractions of plant have extreme importance in cancer treatment, with the possibility to obtain drugs with less collateral effects and less resistance development of the carcinogenic cells."

 - BitterrootRestoration.com

 

 

Here's a very helpful video from Green Deane at EatTheWeeds.com.

If you want to really get informed on this particular plant you should watch it. Everything you need to know about identifying Romerillo, cautions to take when harvesting, and all the other topics can be found here!

 

Hope y'all are having a blessed week!

Health Benefits of Plantain {eat your weeds! #1}

 

People stress the importance of storing food for the coming apocalypse or an unforeseen emergency, but many don't consider the abundance of already food available to them in their own backyards.

 

And not only food, but medicine, as well.  

 

People can steal your food supplies but they can't take your knowledge. Ignorance is not bliss! Especially when you have a growling stomach and other mouths to feed, and the grocery stores are wiped clean.

 

Not that we should live in fear, because if you have Christ in your heart there is no reason to worry over anything that threatens to happen in this world.

 

However, wouldn't you rather have knowledge that could potentially save your life?

 

If you live where there is any amount of green, then you can learn which plants you can eat and which ones you can't. Even the 'lowliest' of weeds have much more value than you might think! And not just for survival purposes, either.

 

So, over the next several weeks I'm going to do a series of posts about Florida's wild edibles.  Some of these plants are also found in other states in the US, but since I live in Florida it makes the most sense for me to learn what plants are growing here.

 

Today, we're going to take a look at plantain. (plantago major)

 

It's a very common 'weed' which can be found in just about any field, garden or place where things grow naturally. It is similar vaguely in appearance to the dandelion plant, and it's most distinguishing element is the long, slender shoots that pop up from the plant's center. Look at the picture collage above for examples.

 

Now, I have a story to share concerning my experiences with plantain.

 

When I was around ten or eleven, I reached under a towel outside and got stung by a wasp on my finger. Complaining to Mom about it, I watched in fascination as she picked a plantain leaf and chewed it up quickly. She spit the chewed-up leaf back into her hand and pressed the pulpy stuff on my sore, inflamed finger.

 

Within ten seconds, all pain was gone. Boom. Just like that.

 

Ever since then, plantain has been my go-to for bites, rashes etc.

 

But then I was doing some more reading on the plant today, and I was shocked to discover that the health benefits of plantain expanded far greater than I originally surmised.

 

 

Here's some of the amazing things plantain is used as a remedy for!

• Wounds, bites, burns and most injuries.
• Poison.
• Blood purifier. Cleanses the system of toxins, heat and congestion.
• Fevers, infections and skin diseases.
• Calming of asthma, stomach aches and colic.
• Coughs and sore throats.
• Excessive menstrual bleeding.
• Tuberculosis.
• Blood vomiting, diarrhea, inflammation of the colon.
• Hemorrhage in the stomach and bowels.
• Discourages the discharge of mucous, especially in the respiratory system.
• Allergic conditions such as hay fever.
• Ear infections.
• Prostatic swellings.
• Tonsillitis.
• Urinary infections.
• Dysentery.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
• Fatigue.
• Eczema.

 

That's quite a lot, isn't it? And to think we overlook this homely little plant, thinking it's just a troublesome 'weed'.

 

You can utilize it in many forms. Raw, as a poultice, tincture, or even by juicing the leaves.

You can make a gargle or infusion from it, as well as cough syrup and ointments.

 

For example, here's a recipe which looks very promising.

Revitalizing green juice

3 cups (180 g) fresh plantain leaves

1 cup (250 ml) pure liquid honey

1 opaque glass bottle

 

***

Crush the leaves in a food processor, drain and squeeze in cheesecloth. Combine 1 cup (250 ml) of the green juice with the honey and simmer for 10 minutes at low heat, stirring regularly. Let cool and pour into the opaque bottle.
Take this nectar 1 spoonful at a time like a syrup to treat a cough; also use it to treat a sore throat, anemia, fatigue and eczema: 1 T (15 ml), 3 times daily.

***

 

Next time somebody in your house gets a sore throat, why not give it a try? If one of the kids runs in crying from a bee sting or burn, chew up a couple leaves and have them hold the mash over their sore spot and the pain will subside.

 

I recommend reading this page for yourself if you'd like more information. This is where I got the recipe and a bit of the other info. Very fascinating!

 

Well, hope y'all are having a blessed week! I am!

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Cowgirl Dirt Natural Cosmetics {review}

 

I didn't use to wear make-up.

 

 In fact, the concept is really still very new to me.

I first started wearing some light concealer and foundation last year, to help with covering the acne when I was out in public. Truth is, that's really all I will do most days when I go out.

 

I've always believed that God has given us gals natural beauty that doesn't require make-up to enhance it. We were made in His image, after all! And His design of the human body/face is certainly nothing to be ashamed of/want to cover over with excessive amounts of cosmetic products.

 

That being said, I have indeed come to enjoy using light amounts of make-up for special occasions and such. Notice I said *light* amounts. I can't stand to see when women and girls pile on the stuff like it's sunscreen!

 

So I just wanted to clarify that, for anyone who wondered.

 

Anyway, today I'm reviewing some NATURAL cosmetic items from Cowgirl Dirt. As most of y'all know, I'm a huge supporter of anything natural, homemade or organic. So I was pretty excited to find this company. So many big cosmetics companies today use ingredients which are harmful and even toxic.

 

The samples came in a cute burlap-sack style pouch.

 

I was sent samples of these products:

• Wild West Blush, in "Ponderosa" and "Buckle"
• Dusty Bronzer in "Arena"
• Eye Shadow in "Rhinestone", "Alfalfa", "Barnwood", "High Ho Silver"
• Southern Belle Cream Foundation "Warm, 4"
• Silverado Cream Eye Shadow in "Milk Jar"

 

Both blushes were nice. I personally don't know much about application of blush as I've only just started using it. I like it because it can give a somewhat vintage/retro look. "Ponderosa" is slightly darker than "Buckle" in hue. Both are lovely, relatively mild blush colors. They're easy to apply, also.

 

The "Arena" bronzer is a nice shade as well. It takes some practice to blend it just write, but that's what foundation is for...at least, as far as I know anyway!

 

My favorite of the eyeshadows is "Rhinestone". It's a very light, shimmery powder/sky blue and I think it's a great color for eyeshadow. It doesn't make you look overly dramatic or vampire-like, as some shadows tend to do.

It's more of just a fun, mild hue for when you want to add a little shimmer but not go overboard on the color.

 

The cream foundation is very easy to apply. Cowgirl Dirt offers it in multiple shades, to match each person's skin best. I got in it "Warm, 4" and it seems to match my somewhat-tan/sunkissed skin.  

 

Overall, it looks like Cowgirl Dirt makes some great, high quality products. And they're made in the USA! Love to support home-country based businesses.

I'm glad to know that when I put on this makeup, it's not riddled with junk and chemicals.

 

I definitely recommend checking out the shop for yourself. You can get samples of your own for just 99 cents each! And if you're already a make-up user, why not support a locally owned business?

 

Note: I was sent these products from Cowgirl Dirt in exchange for my honest review.

Natural Cosmetics Haul {review}

(Photo courtesy of LynBDesigns)

 

Howdy y'all! Today I thought I'd do something a little different and put together a dual-review post... kind of like a make-up haul.

 

So. What are we looking at for today? Firstly, a bottle of Oobleck nail polish from LynBDesigns.

I was sent this several weeks ago, and practically as soon as it arrived in the mail I tried it on. You can get a small picture of what my nails looked like, in the pictures below. (And of course, a much better example is included above, from the Etsy listing itself.)

 

 

 

I really fell in love with this color. It's such a fun, bright shade and almost a cross between a mint and very light green.

 

 

These photos sadly do not capture the true color of this polish - which is why I included that picture from LynBDesigns to begin with. It's really the only one that fully gives you the accurate color.

 

 

So, this is a pretty decent sized bottle. Lots of polish! I know it will last me a really long while.

 

Now, as much as I adore the color(it even has some flecks of glitter in it!), and as much as I love the fact that this was homemade, I do unfortunately have a few negatives with this polish.

 

The main detail is, that it's very hard to apply. At least, for me it was, anyway. I spent a good 45 minutes trying to get it applied just right without looking sloppy. This was easier said than done, because for some reason the polish had a tendency to clump up on my nail very quickly.

 

 It also took a long time to dry, which hindered the entire process further.

 

I'm certainly no expert at manicures but I also can recognize a nail polish that's difficult to use. Sadly, this is one of those.

 

However, once I got it on without it clumping and looking dreadful, I did like it, and enjoyed wearing it. As previously stated, I just love the color - it's very me.

 

Conclusion: If this stuff was easier to apply, it'd be perfection in a bottle. But sadly, it's not. I'll still use it, but probably not as often as I would had it been less hard to use.

 

 

 

Next up we have two natural, handmade eye shadows from WillowTreeMinerals.

 

I was sent a sample in Iced Latte and Soft Wildflower.

Now, as I always say, I really like to use cosmetic products which are made with natural chemical-free ingredients. These eye shadows certainly fit that bill, which made me happy. Also, I like how these were packaged. Their containers are unique looking, I think.

 

 

I didn't actually choose these colors, they were selected on the basis of being two of the artisans' favorites.

If I'd chosen the colors myself, I probably wouldn't have picked these personally, being a fan of more noticeable, colorful shades. However, I am not against them either.

 

(Photo courtesy of Willow Tree Minerals)

 

The Soft Wildflower is a nice, subtle shadow which is very light and barely noticeable on the skin. It mainly just adds a little sparkle and sheen, so if you want to go very natural and light I can definitely see how this would be a good option.

 

 

Once again my photos today just aren't giving you the picture, sadly.

 

 

The Iced Latte shadow is considerably more noticeable. I wore it Sunday, to lunch, but Mom said I looked like I had dark circles under my eyes. So. This shade was just not for me. I'm sure it would look better on someone else, but I guess my complexion and face just didn't match with this one.

 

 

The verdict on both these shadows? They aren't phenomenal, but they're not terrible either. I liked using the Soft Wildflower and would recommend that one for a light, natural look. I can't honestly recommend Iced Latte though since, well, it just didn't look good on me.

 

Both shadows were a tad hard to apply. I've used powder eye shadow before, so I can say that not all powder shadows are inherently messy.

 

Let me just tell you guys, I hate to give reviews that are anything short of rave sessions. It's...hard to willfully write something negative. Especially when you appreciate the generosity of the business that sent you the item to review!

 

So, a shout out to LynBDesigns and Willow Tree Minerals for letting me be honest about your products, and for providing the products, to begin with!

 

Why I Adore Green Tea So Much {FabHealthFriday}

 

 

For those of you new to this blog, you might be curious about the obvious obsession with green tea.

 

Well, I started drinking this fabulous beverage several years ago, and ever since then it's been just about my favorite thing to drink, besides water, of course! (Speaking of which, I can never understand why some folks don't like water...I mean, it's practically the basis of all life, people, how can you not like it?)

 

Why do I like it so much? And why does green tea even get all this emphasis here on Apassionata?

 

I'll let this little graphic below do the health benefits explaining for me, in simplified form, anyway.

 

 

(Besides all these reasons being true, isn't the little illustration just darling?!)

 

So, yeah.

This covers the basics of why green tea is so good for you, physically. There are plenty of other reasons why green tea is beneficial to your health - such as, the fact that green tea contains antibacterial agents that help to prevent tooth decay.

 

 And, green tea is good for you in that the antibacterial agents it contains also helps to prevent certain forms of food poisoning, which would otherwise have been caused by a build up of harmful bacteria on food. 

 

Green tea is a stress reliever and can cause your body to feel more relaxed and calm. It helps control blood cholesterol levels; and if you have rheumatoid arthritis, it has an amazing ability to help relieve inflammation and therefore bring relief.

 

 

One last thing I'll note about its benefits: Green tea is a terrific cancer fighter. It contains powerful antioxidants, which are known to fight against free radicals connected with cancer.

You can slice your chances of getting cancer in any various form, just by drinking a cup of this fabulous tea daily!

 

So, by now, if you just read all this stuff, you should have no reason not to want to drink green tea. Well, okay, maybe you don't care for the taste. (But, have you even tried it yet, before you say you don't care for its taste? Oh come now. Just try it before you start nay-saying, please!)

BUT. Stop right there. How long have you been drinking it? Because let me tell ya, when I first started on green tea I care for the taste either. In fact, I didn't like it at all.

 

However, one of the beauties in repetition is the ability of our bodies (and taste buds, for this matter!) to develop habits, tastes for things we mayn't have even liked beforehand. With repetition, many things happen. We memorize things, like music, factual information. We begin to enjoy tastes that were disgusting to us at one point.

 

This, my friends, is exactly what happened with me and green tea.

Over time, I began to love the drink and even crave it. Now, it's a staple in my everyday routine and I have to keep from drinking too much!

I think it's a great energy booster, and honestly, I feel as healthy as ever, and the strongest/fittest I've ever been. Maybe the green tea has assisted in this, and I'm sure it has, to a degree.

 

So there's why I adore green tea so much. An why you should, too.

 

Have a blessed day, y'all!

Health Benefits of Running {FabHealthFriday}

 

 

So, in the past, I wrote on the importance of getting enough exercise, and also, runners' highs.

 

Today, I wanted to expound on why exactly running is so beneficial as a means of exercise.

First of all. I know I'm not the only runner here...surely somebody reading this blog also likes to run, be it sprinting or long distance? (By the way, this post relates primarily to distance running just for clarification)

Running has become a very popular way to work out, especially in the last two decades. Really, I think it is the most efficient way to burn calories and maintain fitness and endurance. Not to mention, it's fun (for the most part anyways, haha!) and satisfying, with visible signs of progress along the way.

 

 

According to The Runners' Guide,

 

"There are a number of different benefits which an individual can gain from running on a regular basis. There are some runners who run simply for the joy of running but there are others who run because they realize there are a great deal of benefits which can be gained from rigorous such as running. Some of these benefits may include weight loss, improved cardiovascular health, improved bone health, improved mood and better coordination. 

Those who are looking to lose a few pounds often find running to be one of the most effective forms of exercise for helping them to achieve their ideal body weight. Running is an excellent form of exercise for losing weight because it requires a great deal of energy. This energy requirement means the body burns a large number of calories while running. The number of calories burned while running is typically significantly more than would be burned during less taxing forms of exercise such as walking or doing yoga. The simplest formula for weight loss includes burning off more calories than the individual consumes. When this type of calorie deficit is created, the body begins to shed excess weight in the form of fat. In order to lose one pound of body weight, the body must create a calorie deficit of 3500 calories. This is equal to burning 500 calories per day. Most runners can easily burn off this many calories in less than one hour of exercise. The number of calories burned while running depends on a number of factors including the individual’s weight, the intensity of the workout and the efficiency of the runner."

 

 Another of the health benefits of running is: much improved sleep. Millions of people suffer from insomnia, sleep apnea and various other sleep related problems and disorders. Several studies have been able to successfully link a positive relationship between running and getting a better nights sleep. (source)

As I wrote about in the my runners' highs post, another great benefit of running is the awesome chemicals which are released into your brain after a good-sized run. What are these chemicals? Endorphins, of course! And, in case you didn't know, they are the very thing which runners' highs come from.

So, not only does running help in assisting in physical health, but also with mental health, by causing you to feel more energetic, happier and overall, in a much better mood. When I run, most of the time I end up feeling like a superhero. Yes, endorphins are that epic.

 

 

Oh, and this little graphic above? It totally relates to me on days when I don't get a chance to run. I'm serious! Once you start running, you literally can't stop. And if you happen to miss a day...you're miserable. Isn't that crazy?

 

One last benefit before I sign off - Running is said to slow the body's aging process.

 

"Running benefits your health by giving you strong bones and muscles, which means you'll be able to retain your youthful grace and your figure, and with that, your enthusiasm for life and continued endurance and stamina for many years to come." Taken from Health Stories.

 

This is just a vague covering of the many great things about running. Hopefully, however, it will spur you to either a., preferably start running, so you can experience the awesomeness of it yourself! Or, b., research it further, to gain more knowledge on your own.

 

I hope this post was beneficial to you and that you learned something new!

 

Have a blessed day!

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

 

Natural Deodorants {FabHealthFriday}

 

 

 

Hola amigos! After a much delayed gap in posting for FabHealthFriday.....I have returned. *muahahah*

 

After receiving a question about what natural deodorants I used/recommended, I 

decided to focus on that for today's post.

 

In case you may not have thought of this before, most deodorants available in your grocery store or shopping center are terribly bad for you. What are some of the killer ingredients found in the leading deodorant brands these days? For starters, aluminum and parabens.

 

"Aluminum is the most abundant metal and the third most abundant element, after oxygen and silicon, in the earth's crust. It is widely distributed and constitutes approximately 8 percent of the earth's surface layer. However, aluminum is a very reactive element and is never found as the free metal in nature. It is found combined with other elements, most commonly with oxygen, silicon, and fluorine. These "chemical compounds" are commonly found in soil, minerals (e.g., sapphires, rubies, turquoise), rocks (especially igneous rocks), and clays. These are the natural forms of aluminum, rather than the silvery metal. The metal is obtained from aluminum-containing minerals, primarily bauxite. Small amounts of aluminum are even found in water in dissolved or ionic form. Ions are atoms, collections of atoms, or molecules possessing either a positive or a negative electric charge. The most commonly found ionic forms of aluminum are complexes formed with hydroxy (hydrogen attached to oxygen) ions."  (Source)

 

Sooo, doesn't sound horrible, right? Well, just because aluminum may be a natural compound found here on earth doesn't mean it's good for us humans.

 

Aluminum was first recognized as a human neurotoxin in 1886, before being used as an antiperspirant. A neurotoxin is a substance that causes damage to nerves or nerve tissue.

 

Post-mortem analysis of Alzheimer’s infected brains has shown increased levels of aluminum compared to people that did not die from Alzheimer’s.

 

Breast cancer in women has been linked to the aluminum and parabens found in a lot of deodorants.

 

I could go on about aluminum but then I wouldn't have enough time to tell you about the actual natural deodorants which was after all the point of today's post. If you want to learn more about aluminum, google "health effects of aluminum." It's always best to do your own research. 

 

So. Moving on.

 

I don't know about you, but I tend to perspire VERY easily. I also tend to get very stinky very fast, even with deodorant on. This is the straight up truth concerning my under arms. :P

 

I've always envied the girls who didn't have to check every 20 minutes to see if they smelled or not. But envying doesn't get anything done, does it?

 

So,I have tried a longgg list of different natural deodorants. Since I need something with a lot of gumption and heavy strength/durability, it hasn't been easy to find the right product which actually works for me.

 

Here are a few natural deodorants I have used and recommend.

 

Tom's of Maine: I usually need to get a scented one because unscented just doesn't seem to be strong enough for me personally. These are very gentle on the skin and the scents aren't too horrible smelling. My favorites are lavender, and apricot.

 

Personally, I have to REALLY slather this on for it to work. But it does work. And that's all that matters. You can find Tom's deodorants at Wal-mart.

 

 

Jason: I think this one is a little more expensive than Tom's but it is my favorite at the moment. Like with Tom's, I have to really slather it on, but it works decently and I don't mind the smell. Actually I think I like the smell better than Tom's. My favorite scent of Jason's is Aloe Vera. You can find this line in Sweetbay supermarkets and probably at the health food store too.

 

 

 

Crystal: Now, while I don't personally recommend this one if you are like me and need something heavy duty, I thought I'd mention it for you lucky ladies who may be able to get off with something more mild. Crystal deodorants are roll on, and a clear liquid. The main negative I think, besides the fact it doesn't work for me, is how messy it can be. It makes your underarms feel VERY wet. I doubt most people like this kind of feeling, I certainly don't!

 

You can find Crystals at Wal-mart if you want to give them a try.

 

 

Go the home-made route! At one point, I got reallyyyyy desperate and looked up how to make your own natural deodorant, online. I found a simple recipe which only required baking soda and eucalyptus oil, as I recall. It was MESSSSSSSY. Messy, messy, messy. It kinda sorta worked, but the main problem was not getting white powder all over myself and my surroundings, in the process.

Also, it didn't keep very well and got kinda...icky, after a week or so.

 

This was just my personal experience with making home-made deodorants, I know there are other recipes out there which might work better. I just detest powder deodorants in general.

 

Do you have a favorite natural deodorant? Let me know in the comments!

 

Happy Friday y'all!

Ch-ch-ch-Chia Seeds! {FabHealthFriday}

 

"Long ago, before the Spanish conquest of Latin America – and well before the Ch-ch-ch-chia Pet was born – chia seeds were a staple food, like corn and beans, in the diets of the Aztecs and Mayans. Chia actually got its name from the Mayan word for “strength.”

 Aztecs and Mayans consumed chia seeds regularly, grinding them into flour, pressing them for oil and drinking them mixed with water. At this time in history, chia seeds were considered to be almost 'magical' because of their ability to increase stamina and energy over long periods of time.

After the Spanish conquest of Latin America, chia seeds and their benefits became somewhat eclipsed, as the Spanish introduced their own foods and prohibited the farming of chia. Now, as modern scientists and nutritionists are recognizing the extreme lack of certain nutrients in the standard American diet, they are looking to history for natural solutions, including chia. Because of this, it is regaining popularity and its benefits are becoming known to modern America.

The chia seeds are “super” because, like a superfruit, they deliver the maximum amount of nutrients with minimum calories. They have several of the same benefits as the more well-known “super seed” flax, but unlike flax seed, you don’t need to grind them to reap the health benefits. The nutritional benefits of chia include fiber, omega fatty acids, calcium, antioxidants and much more – even protein! Chia absorbs up to 12 times its own weight and expands to curb your appetite, so adding just an ounce or so of chia seeds to your diet can reduce caloric intake and help lower the energy density (or calories) of foods, plus double the amount of fiber you receive."  (Information source)

 

 

 

If you haven't guessed by now what we're going to talk about today, it's the fabulous little chia seed.

 

Part of the Bulk Herb Store order we got recently (read about it here), I have just started adding it to my diet. My favorite way to have it is to throw a teaspoon of the tiny seeds in a salad, with almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and fresh greens from the garden; topped with my homemade Italian vinaigrette.

They are hardly noticeable in the salad because they are just so teeny! So it's not trouble at all getting them in my body.

 

 

 

Here are some of the many, abounding health benefits of chia seeds:

 

1. Helps with weight loss/maintaining a healthy weight.

2. Boosts metabolism and stamina.

3. Is a good source of calcium.

4. EXCELLENT source of essential omega 3 fatty-acids. In fact, chia seeds have more of this than salmon which is famous for high omega 3 fatty-acid content.

5. Great source of potassium.

 

If you are an athlete or distance runner you will definitely want to add chia seeds to your diet. Many marathon runners now swear by them. They’ve been known to provide surges of energy during and after a workout.  Being a distance runner myself, I can say I certainly am interested in getting extra energy during my runs!

 

You can eat chia seeds both raw (like I do in my salads) or in cooked items like breads and just about any other food product.  You can eat them by themselves, or mix them into  yogurt and even ice cream or pudding! The possibilities are endless.

 

If you're convinced you need to try some of these amazing little seeds, the Bulk Herb Store has some for sale for a pretty reasonable price.

 

Happy Friday!

Box O' Herbs!

 

 

We got home yesterday to discover that our Bulk Herb Store order had arrived! The dogs had started to tear into the box, (If they had been successful in ruining the herbs, I swear I'd have shot them. -_-) but thankfully everything inside was fine.

 

After watching a number of the BHS's health videos and reading a number of articles I convinced Mom get us stocked up on more Berry Herbal Brew, Brain Booster tea and a variety of other healthful herbs. This shipment was very much anticipated.

 

Is it strange for a girl to get all excited over a box of herbs, bentonite clay and diatamaceous earth?

And is it even stranger that the girl couldn't resist getting photos, to boot?

 

In case you didn't already know, I am obsessed with the world of herbs, plants and natural healing. I'd say it is a healthy (haha, pardon the pun!) obsession though since I am training to be an herbalist and naturopath. The knowledge of how to use these ingredients can save lives, if not save a lot of pain and sweat.

 

I am still debating whether or not to do a WriterlyWednesday post tomorrow, or to instead post a movie review. What do you think? Maybe I'm just being lazy, but with running APOC (Hey, have you checked it out yet? Click here to do so!) and also contributing to Randomosity Writers on Wednesdays, I just haven't been as eager to do WW posts lately. Not to mention the eons of work I have to do with my own personal writing projects. I love writing, y'all, but I guess I just feel kinda overloaded with it right now.  Still pondering how my MMC Griffin's (from my screenplay) recurring nightmares should happen, and what goes on in his mind during their progressions.

Don't you just love plotting how your characters' nightmare should go?  O_O

 

Bah. Oh well. It'll come to me. And I guess that was totally off-topic as usual.

 

Just forget I even said anything about writing. Yes. Forget. Think instead about how amazing fenugreek seeds are. ^_^ (Spellchecker hates that word! It's trying to get me to replace it with phonograph and encourager. XP)