Waiting for 4:20

Aydan Corkern asked:


Some people might wonder how big a difference there is in smoking tobacco as opposed to smoking marijuana. There really is not a difference as far as your lungs are concerned. One is probably about as bad as the other. The one big difference is the effect that happens to the brain. While smoking tobacco products is addictive and harmful to your health, a tobacco smoker does not really feel much change in his outlook or behavior during or after smoking. That is, until they can not have any tobacco when they want it.

Tobacco addiction does not impair your vision or judgment in the same way that marijuana will. However, when a tobacco user must go longer than they like to without a fix, so to speak, they can become nervous, irritable, and even depressed. This is because the brain looks forward to the chemicals that are released on a regular basis when a person smokes and when they stop smoking abruptly it can cause these symptoms. This is why it is so hard for people to quit because after a while your body craves the feel good reaction smoking causes.

We all know by now that smoking can cause lung cancer. Long before lung cancer has developed smoking can still cause breathing problems such as coughing, wheezing, and excessive amounts of phlegm. This is where the real similarities between smoking tobacco and smoking marijuana occur. Marijuana smokers will experience these same negative reactions in the lungs. While you might not receive the same kind of high with tobacco as you do marijuana, you will receive the same kind of lung damage.

Marijuana produces a euphoric feeling that is far more noticeable than with tobacco. It can make you feel relaxed and removed from normal feelings. This is one of the big attractions of smoking marijuana. Many people love that feeling they get when they have smoked marijuana. While some people believe that marijuana, like tobacco, is not really physically addictive in the same sense as other stronger drugs, those who use tobacco and marijuana might tell you different.

Whether you believe that smoking tobacco or marijuana either one is physically addictive or not, they do produce physical withdrawal symptoms in a sense. Even though much of the withdrawal is in the mind, it is still a very unpleasant task to try and kick either one of these nasty habits and sometimes it is necessary to seek help before a user can stop using these particular drugs.

Charles Stewart Richey asked:


We’ve all seen those funny little clay animals that sprout hair when watered. They are covered in chia seed. They have been around for years and have become an American tradition. Who would have thought that those same tiny seeds would now be considered an important source of nutrition?

Chia comes from the Aztec word, “chian”, which means oily. It is high in omega-3 fatty acid; in fact it has more than any other grain – even more than flax seed. It has the perfect omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. This unsaturated fatty acid is essential for most successful functions of the body.

Since 2,500 B.C. chia seed have been used as human food. Known as “the running food”, these seeds were cultivated by the ancient Mayans and Aztecs. We are just now beginning to discover the importance of this grain.

Chia is loaded with calcium, boron and other necessary minerals; antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. It is a complete source of protein, with all the amino acids in perfect balance. It is indeed the perfect food. The ancient Aztecs valued chia to the extent that it was traded as currency. In those times anything which could increase endurance and control the appetite, was considered invaluable. It enabled them to sustain themselves on long hunting expeditions and war raids.

Chia seed has the ability to absorb approximately 12 times its weight in liquid. Because of this factor, it is a dieter’s dream come true. If made into what is called “chia gel”, it becomes a nutritious drink that fills you up, thus decreasing the appetite. To make this gel, simply add 1/3 cup chia seed to two cups of water. Stir well, breaking up any clumps and store in the refrigerator for twelve hours before drinking. You can store it there for at least two weeks. I make mine in a glass bottle with a tight fitting lid.

Drinking a third cup of chia gel at the onset of acid reflux can eliminate it for many people. Try drinking that much three times a day. It might prevent acid reflux from occurring at all. I know of people who swallow a teaspoon of raw seeds if they experience acid reflux. The seeds absorb the acid just as they do water. Of course you wouldn’t want to ingest too much raw seed at a time unless you have a tremendous amount of acid… it might absorb your stomach. It is best to be conservative and find out what is effective for you.

Chia has other beneficial qualities, as well. It has a neutral taste. It is very easily digested and assimilated. It is soothing to the stomach and esophagus and it has healing properties. Like slippery elm, it is rich in mucilloid soluble fiber, thus allowing it to quell the burning pain of acid reflux in the esophagus and stomach. In ancient times the Indians used it to prevent infection and accelerate healing time, by packing the seed into open wounds.

Chia gel can be incorporated into many other foods without diluting flavor, while displacing fat and calories. It works brilliantly to enhance flavor while replacing fat. For these reasons, chia gel should be an important, if not vital, part of the acid reflux diet.

For breakfast it can be mixed with hot oatmeal, pancakes, and biscuits dough. It’s delicious mixed into scrambled eggs. Ground chia seed can be used in baking bread or as a simple topping on many dishes. Use chia seed gel in yogurt, jams and jellies. Its great mixed into polenta, grits, smoothies and milk shakes. Try it in you favorite blended health mix drink.

Chia gel can be added to soups, salad dressings and even the stuffing that you put in a chicken. The possibilities are practically endless. Try introducing ¼ cup of chia gel into your favorite potato salad recipe, reducing the mayonnaise, in like. It can be used in many baking recipes as a substitution for fat.

Put it the kid’s food. They will never know the difference, as it actually enhances the flavor of food. They will love it! Feed it to your dogs. I put it in my fourteen year old Jack Russell Terrier’s food every day. Not only does he have better digestion and energy, he has better bowel movements. By the way, the F.D.A considers chia a food with an established history of safe consumption.

Chia gel slows the release of carbohydrates and their conversion to glucose (blood sugar). So, besides controlling acid reflux, loosing weight, increasing endurance, chia has the added benefit of reducing blood sugar and hypertension. Because of its high unsaturated fatty acid content, it can even help with prostate problems. I do not think anyone could go wrong by making chia seed a part of their every day life. Because of its incredible health-giving aspects, chia seed is the perfect food for everyone. It is certainly a Godsend for the acid reflux sufferer, in so many ways.

So try chia seed now. You have nothing to loose but a little weight. You could improve your digestion and overall health. It’s certainly worth a try.

© Wind Publishing

For free recipes, articles and information on acid reflux, please visit:

Reflux Gone Forever

Denzing Jones asked:


Depression is at an all time rise in the whole of the world. Recent reports say that the depression patients are drastically increasing in the hospitals in all the parts of the world. Because of the increasing rates of depression, the doctors and the researchers are in the constant attempt to invent better and newer depression cures for the people.

Depression can be of various types. And it may arise out of varied reasons. But the end result is always the same. It brings complete disturbance and instability in the life of its victim. The worst part is that depression is not a disease that is exclusive to any age group or any gender. It can come upon anybody and everybody and it spares none, not even children in the current scheme of things. Every year a considerable number of people lose their lives to this fateful disease. A lot of others make their life a living hell. All thanks to depression.

The life of the modern man is also a lot more complex than the earlier times. He has to deal with a lot of things other than just arranging for the three basic needs- food, clothing, and shelter. This complicated way of life is also very much responsible for pushing man into the dark well of depression. Survival has become a matter of challenge in the modern times. Survival in the modern context of things doesn’t just mean leading a life with the bare minimum of three basic needs. Survival means making a life for oneself in this world that is filled with cut throat competition. It means making a mark for oneself in this over populated world. It means leaving behind a secure future for ones children and the coming generation in general. It means arranging for all the luxuries of life and as such searching the avenues for earning money. Earning money in itself, as you might all be well aware of, is quite a back breaking task, though it may sound simple. So with the amalgamation of all these causes and a lot of other causes too, the human breed is now an easy prey to depression.

However, today medical world is trying to make inventions in the field of depression treatment. Recently, a very unique treatment has been worked upon by the doctors. Marijuana, which is often involved in the cases of drug abuse, has been dubbed by doctors as a mood elevator in the patients of depression. Marijuana has a compound named Anandamide that works as a mood elevator. It is even named after the Sanskrit word ‘ananda’ which means mental peace and happiness. So there are attempts to utilize this property of marijuana to its fullest in the objective of treating depression. There are chances therefore that marijuana will be prescribed in the future as a depression treatment.

Till that time arrives you can do with the established depression drugs like Xanax which can be administered to patients of all degrees of depression but only on medical prescription. You can easily buy xanax as it is available even online. If you buy xanax online the medical prescription can be availed free of cost and the drug is also offered sometimes at a discounted rate. So, don’t let depression tighten its grip around your life. Tackle it today and live a Happy life!

Christin Shire asked:


Marijuana is addictive and there is a syndrome of withdrawal that will occur whenever a dependent person attempts to quit their habit.

Marijuana is not terribly dangerous over the short run, but the consequences of long term use and addiction are a greater risk for certain cancers, some cognitive and learning deficits, and certain social deficits. People using marijuana heavily are not as able to realize their full potential, and heavy marijuana usage can detract from quality of life ( The problems of marijuana addiction ).

Marijuana withdrawal symptoms

The withdrawal symptoms of marijuana cessation can include irritability, insomnia, anxiety, headaches, nausea, depression, a loss of appetite and others. The withdrawal is not dangerous, is not as severe as for some other drugs, but is very unpleasant; and during the initial few days the cravings back to marijuana can be very strong.

Too many people trying to quit their habit are unable to resist these cravings back to use of a drug that they know will take away all of these very unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal.

Try exercise…really, it works!

Because marijuana detox is not medically dangerous, there is no current pharmacological intervention to ease the pains of withdrawal, and only time will truly better the discomfort. After 3 or 4 days the intensity of withdrawal symptoms should subside considerably; and if you can make it past the first few days, you’ve got a much better chance of making it for the long term.

One very effective, free and completely safe way to reduce the intensity of the symptoms of withdrawal is through long and enjoyable exercise. To lessen the symptoms of withdrawal, and take your mind off of the constant cravings, you need to get off of the couch, and get out and get your heart pumping.

Exercise helps on a number of levels. Through sustained and vigorous activity you release endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are a “natural” way of feeling high, and a bit of exercise and the corresponding release of endorphins can do a lot to lessen feelings of anxiety, lethargy and depressions.

Sustained and vigorous exercise can also fatigue the body, and hopefully lessen characteristic insomnia that can so often trigger a relapse back to use. With exercise and vigorous perspiration, you can also cleanse the body of toxins and drug metabolites; toxins that some maintain have an influence on the continuation of detox symptoms.

Getting past the first few days

Exercise is free, it will make you feel better, it keeps you busy and keeps your mind off of use; and it may even help you to sleep at night. Nothing will eliminate all of the symptoms of withdrawal but time, but by spending a few days engaged in sustained exercise, you should make those days more bearable, and you should have a much better chance at resisting temptation.

Go for a hike in the mountains, ride your bike across town, play basketball…do whatever you enjoy. It can help a lot!

If you find that you are simply unable to resist the temptations and find yourself using again, you may want to consider professional help. Getting some therapy and getting away from access to marijuana for a period may help those people unable to do it on their own.

Information Bible asked:


Eat All You Want & Still Lose Weight… (and they couldn’t say it in print if it wasn’t true!)

Fact: The secret is the formula. Do not mistake Akavar 20/50 for any weight-loss product you have ever seen advertised before. Akavar 20/50 reduces caloric intake… automatically! There is absolutely no need to count calories, no need to consciously lower your caloric intake, no need for expensive, premeasured meals… and no need to give up your favorite foods!

Fact: A major medical breakthrough has shattered the weight-loss barrier and a new generation of fast-acting caloric restrictors has been born… Akavar™ 20/50.

Akavar™ 20/50 is an entirely new generation of powerful, foolproof, bio-active weight-loss compounds that automatically reduce caloric intake… eliminating traditional dieting, calorie counting, strenuous exercise, fad diets, supermarket “miracle” pills, Japanese wonder diets, rubber suits, belts, creams or anything else you have ever tried before.

Fact: Tests prove success! That’s right. While no diet pill can possibly work for everybody (that’s why there’s a money-back guarantee), scientific documentation has confirmed that virtually everyone in the study who used Akavar™ 20/50 active compound (23 out of 24 participants, to be exact) lost weight. The research results are staggering. In a controlled, randomized clinical trial ( the only type of proof accepted by both the scientific and medical communities), doctors tested a group of overweight patients. And among those that took the active, patented Akavar™ 20/50 compound, every single participant lost a substantial amount of weight except one. That’s right, 23 out of 24 people lost weight… Amazing!

This is not marketing fantasy, this is scientific fact, documented by published medical findings. But there’s more! In recent months, thousands and thousands of men and women around this country who have been overweight for years… have used the Akavar™20/50 formulation and have experienced a fantastic and incredible loss of weight without ever “dieting”… not even for one day. Finally, automatic caloric restriction is a reality.

Note: While the published clinical trial using the active Akavar™20/50 compound resulted in significant weight loss without diet and exercise, adding a sensible diet and exercise program to your weight-loss regimen should only enhance Akavar™ 20/50’s incredible weight-loss power. Individual results will vary.

Warnings

This product contains a significantly potent xanthine (i.e. caffeine and caffeine like stimulant) mixture of about 195 mg per regular 2-capsule serving. Consult you physician before use if you are sensitive to stimulants. Do not exceed suggested daily serving.

Ingredients

May Include: Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate, Cellulose, Silicone Dioxide, FD&C Red 3, FD&C Yellow 6, Titanium Dioxide, Gelatin.

Notes

For persons sensitive to the effects of xanthines (i.e. caffeine and caffeine-like stimulants), start by taking only 1 capsule and do not exceed a total of 2 capsules per day. Limit the use of caffeine-containing medications, foods or beverages while taking this product because too much caffeine may cause nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness and occasionally, rapid heartbeat.

Recommended Use

Take 2 capsules with a full glass of water 15 minutes before main meals. Do not exceed 4 capsules per day.

Greg Haehl asked:


What Is The Flax Plant?

The flax plant, an ancient crop, yields the fiber from which linen is woven, as well as seeds and oil. The flax seed oil, also called linseed oil, has many industrial uses, it is an important ingredient in paints, varnishes, and linoleum, for example. Flaxseed oil also comes in an edible form, sold mostly at health-food stores. We urge you to check out the many flax seed oil available in the market these days.

What Are Flax Seed Health Benefits?

There are many health threats that appear to be helped with the consumption of flaxseed. Among them are cardiovascular health and digestion, the inhibiting of tumor formation, a decrease in the symptoms of menopause, and increase in stamina, the reduction of the inflammation of arthritis and even the production of silky smooth skin and shiny hair. And these are just for starters. There are so many more that researches has confirmed on. That is why we urge you to find out more about how flaxseed can benefit your health today!

Flax Seed And Your Stomach

Flax seeds contain 12% mucilage, which makes it a gentle, natural laxative. Flax seeds are perfect for individuals who has a sensitive stomach. Do see below for a few of what flaxseed can do for you today.

1. Flax seed oil acts as a buffer for excess stomach acids

2. Flax seed oil soothes ulcers and irritable bowel disorders

3. Flax seed oil lubricates and absorbs toxins

4. Prevents toxic build up in the bowel

Flax seed Benefit For Your Brain

Doctors generally believe that the best way to treat mood, thought, and memory disorders is with pharmaceutical medicines that directly influence levels of brain chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine. Although drugs have very important clinical uses, they are only part of the solution. A comprehensive approach to treating cognitive disorders should include foods and supplements that benefit the overall health of brain cells. These include omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseed and fish. However, it has been proven that Flax Seed contains substantially more Omega 3 oil that fist alone!

How Flax Seed Influences The Brain?

One way to influence brain health through diet is to consume the right fats and oils. About 60 percent of the brain consists of lipids (fats) which make up the lining, or cell membrane, of every brain cell. The types of fats present in the brain influence its structure and function. How well your mind works depends, in the long run, on what you eat. So, what are you waiting for? Do try to incorporate Flaxseed into your daily diet today and you will live a healthier life. Flax Seed Lowers Cholesterol too!

Flax Seed Recipe: Oatmeal Flax Pancakes

Ingredients:

1-cup quick cooking or old fashioned rolled oats

1-2 cups dry whole-wheat pancake mix

1/4 cup ground flaxseed

2 cups milk, soy or rice milk

1 1/2 egg or egg substitute equivalent

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Directions:

In mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add milk, egg and vanilla and stir until all dry ingredients are moistened. Allow mixture to stand 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat lightly oiled griddle over medium heat. Pour pancakes using scant ¼ cup for each. Turn when edges of pancakes begin to look dry and surface has bubbles. Cook until second side has browned. Serve warm with syrup, applesauce or apple butter. Recipe makes about 14 pancakes. Our body is like an automated machine that needs to be taken well off!

There you have it, a delicious Flax Seed pancake recipe for you and your entire family! With so many health benefits associated with Flax seed, we do urge you to find out more about Flax Seed and how Flax Seed can make your life healthier! More Flax Seed Benefit at http://www.flaxseedfitness.com

Kerry Ng asked:


Omega 3 is a fatty acid found in flax seed, fish oil and some other types of healthy oils. Nutritional experts have long been talking about the various benefits of flax seed and Omega 3. The essential fatty acid Omega 3 found in flax seed has the ability to promote good heart health, reduce the occurrences of some common mental ailments and reduce pain and inflammations in individuals suffering from arthritis. This article will review these benefits and enlighten the reader as to why including flax seed in your diet may be critical for a healthy lifestyle.

Heart Health

The Omega 3 found in flax seed has been studied by nutritionists and found to promote heart health. Omega 3 lowers the bad cholesterol in the body while positively effecting, if not necessarily increasing, the levels of good cholesterol. Flax seed has also been shown to lower blood pressure in individual who consume it and may prevent plaque from building along the artery walls. Along with the physical health that is boosted by the consumption of flax seed and Omega 3, some exciting mental health benefits also exist.

Mental Health

Since the foods that contain Omega 3 are not common in the diets of people today, a deficiency of this vital fatty acid is common. Some experts believe that it is this deficiency that has cause the rise in mental disorders including ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Often the additional of flax seed with Omega 3 fatty acids to the diet of mental disturbed patients can ease their symptoms and alleviate their suffering. Not only does Omega 3 from flax seed lessen the instances of mental disorders but it can also increase the mood, mental acuity and visual sharpness of those who include it in their daily diets. People who eat flax seed with Omega 3 have also reported fewer instances of pain and inflammation.

Reduced Pain and Inflammation

Arthritis sufferers can be limited in what activities they can take part in. Flax seed and essential Omega 3 helps ease the pain and swelling in the joints that is associated with osteoarthritis. Studies have also shown that omega 3 from flax seed can slow the breakdown of cartilage that causes arthritis to be so painful and disabling. Since omega 3 promotes cell growth, it is possible that eating flax seed on a daily basis can alleviate many common aches and pains, such as eyestrain, headaches, lower back and leg pain. But how easy is it to add flax seed to your daily eating menu?

Incorporating Flax Seed And Omega 3 Into Your Diet

Flax seeds have a delightful nutty-type flavor that goes well with any food that you would be likely to add nuts to. First it is important to mention that flax seeds should be grinded before use to enable easier digestion and richer flavor. Once they are properly processed, sprinkle them over salads or cereals to add a crunch. This also works well with yogurt. For a healthy burst of nutty flavor, add flax seeds to your muffins instead of walnuts. You could also consider sprinkling a handful of omega 3 rich flax seeds over your breakfast pancakes

Diana Walker asked:


Hemp Seeds for Nutrition

Hemp seeds pack a nutritional punch, especially for their size. These tiny seeds are chock full of protein and other essential vitamins and nutrients. Adding hemp seeds to your diet can help your energy levels and your waistline.

Hemp Seeds and Amino Acids

Unlike the leaves of the cannabis plant, hemp seeds have no psychoactive properties whatsoever. The tiny seeds of a hemp plant can offer more protein than eggs, dairy or even some meat products. They contain all of the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids necessary for healthy human life.

Nearly three-quarters of your body is made up of protein. Your bodily protein is maintained and repaired by amino acid subunits. Although your body produces most necessary amino acids, there are nine that your body just can’t make. Arginine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenlalanine, thereonine, tryptophan, valine and taurine have to be supplemented through your diet. You could eat a whole combination of foods to get your essential amino acids…or you could just eat hemp seeds.

Hemp seeds provide all of the amino acids that you’ll need.

Benefits of Amino Acids and Essential Fatty Acids

Amino acids reduce inflammation and carry toxins to the surface of the skin, intestinal tract, kidneys and lungs where they can be expelled by your body. They also lower cholesterol and blood pressure. In addition to containing all of amino acids, they have essential fatty acids as well.

Essential fatty acids boost the immune system, stabilize blood sugar levels and balance your mood.

Hemp Seeds are Perfect Protein

Hemp seeds are perfect protein. Ounce for ounce, hemp seeds have two times as much protein as eggs and four times as much protein as cow’s milk. Most people think that protein can only come from meats, soy, dairy products or nuts. The problem is a lot of people have allergies to common protein sources. Soy, dairy and peanut allergies are all dangerous, and cause many people to avoid these forms of protein. Hemp seeds are the least allergenic of all protein sources and are safe for everyone to eat.

Hemp Seeds are Digestible Protein

The protein in hemp seeds is the most digestible form of protein, called edestine. Hemp seed protein is over 65% edestine, which means your body can digest it quickly and easily. Each serving of hemp seeds has almost 25% of your daily-recommended intake of protein. With just a handful of hemp seeds, you’re set for your protein intake for the day.

Curb Cravings with Hemp Seeds

Getting protein through hemp seeds is a great way to stave off hunger, curb your cravings for sweets and increase your energy level. All of the nutrients in the seeds help your body stay balanced and full nourished. You can eat hemp seeds by the handful, sprinkle them on salads or soups or use hemp seed oil for cooking.

Hemp seeds also make terrific additions to baked goods. Substitute hemp seeds for almonds, walnuts or pecans in breads, cookies and cakes. A basic poppy seed cake recipe will be even more beneficial to your health if you substitute hemp seeds. There are lots of different ways you can incorporate this versatile food into your diet.

Jana K asked:


What are Psyillium Seed Husks?

Is Psyllium good for your health?

Can Psyllium help you lose weight?

Here are some answers….

What is Psyillium?

Psyllium or Plantago ovata Forsk is a plant that is grown mainly in India, United States and Southern Europe.

Psyllium is grown for use as a dietary fiber ingredient in foods like cereals.

Psyllium stalks contain tiny seeds, also called psyllium. The seeds are covered by husks, which is the part of the plant used in foods.

The term psyllium is used interchangeably for the seed husk, the seed and the plant.

The psyllium seed husk is a great source of water-soluble fiber. The fiber from psyllium is akin to the fiber found in oat grains and barley. However the amount of soluble fiber in psyllium is as much as 10 times more what you get from oat bran.

How is it good for your health?

The FDA allows a health claim for psyllium that, in combination with a low-fat diet, it may lessen the possibility of heart disease if used in sufficient amounts. Many studies have shown that psyllium is effectual in reducing total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels.

Psyllium is also helpful in some people that suffer with constipation and psyllium may also have some benefit in helping with diabetes.

How can you use Psyllium in your diet? There are two forms of psyllium that you can use.

1-You can get loose psyllium seed husks in a container that makes it very simple to add spoonfuls of psyllium that you mix into your food and drinks. Every day I add Psyllium Seed Husks to my smoothies, my soups, my drinks, etc.

or

2-You can also get psyllium seed husks in capsules. In this case you would not add them to your smoothies and blend them. You would simply take psyllium like you take a vitamin. The capsules are easy to swallow.

Psylliums seed husk capsules are a really simple and convenient way to add psyllium to your daily diet. I keep psyllium seed husk capsules handy and take some every day in addition to the psyllium I add to my smoothies and soups.

How does psyllium make you feel?

For me, my favorite side effect that I felt right away is that psyllium helps me feel full so I am less likely to want to munch on unhealthy snacks. Feeling full keeps me from overeating and keeps my mind OFF of food. Psyllium has been a great help in losing weight.

Another side effect were normal healthy daily bowel movements with NO pain or gassy side effects.

Note: I have been told that everyone is different, so when you first begin to use psyllium start with a small amount and then increase so you can monitor how it affects YOUR particular body type.

So far the side effect of psyllium have all been positive.

- I feel full so I don’t snack - this helps me lose weight or maintain a healthy weight

- I am reducing my bad cholesterol

- I am keeping my colon healthy with healthy fiber every day

The ease of adding psyllium husks to my food or popping a couple psylliu capsules each day have made this effective form of fiber a part of my daily life.

Everyone needs fiber in their diet. Psyllium may or may not be the right fiber for you - but it has become a daily staple for me. Check with your doctor if you have any health issues and then get some psyllium and improve your health.

Bruce Maul asked:


Many people still don’t realize the nutritional power of flax seed, and that’s unfortunate. However, there are still plenty of people out there that do understand the importance of the nutrients packed in the little seed, but day in and day out they choose not to consume it. Why? I’ll tell you why, but first let me remind you of what the big deal is over this tiny seed.

There are two significant nutritional components in flax seed that are detrimental to our health, Omega-3 and fiber. These two components are major disease fighters including some of the big killers such as cancer, strokes, and heart disease. There is no job too large for this little seed. Some of the health benefits that Omega-3 and fiber may offer are: enhancing our immune system; eases inflammatory tissue conditions, including arthritis; great natural laxative because of its high fiber content; studies show that flax seed lowers blood cholesterol levels; reduces threat of blood clots; and helps with weight loss by suppressing the appetite and speeding up the metabolism. And there are more benefits where these came from.

However, the point of this article isn’t to listen to a tiny seed boast of how healthy it is for us, but instead to answer the prevailing question: Why? If flax seed has so many health benefits and has so much to offer our bodies, why do people choose not to eat it? It’s one thing if you are just learning about the benefits of flax seed, or Omega-3, or fiber, or just plain old eating healthy, but for those who hold the knowledge and do nothing with it, there’s no excuse. Ok, I admit, there is the common, and well-accepted complaint that preparing flax seed for consumption is too much work and is inconvenient. But those days have long passed by.

It’s simple really! Just put the seed into a grinder, a bean grinder like you would use for your coffee beans, and grind it for about 30-45 seconds. The less you grind it the grittier it will be and the longer you grind it the more powdery it becomes. Then just sprinkle it or mix it in with some of your favorite foods. Some people like to put it into shakes, sport drinks, yogurt, and cereal, while others put their flax seed into more conventional foods like pizza, burgers, salad, and soups.

If you’re the kind of person that pushing a button on a grinder takes too much time out of your busy day, there’s still good news. You can purchase flax seed that has been ground up; it’s just sitting in the package patiently waiting for you. You should look for Cold Milled because that means it was ground under conditions that won’t harm the Omega-3 oils (it was ground using no heat and is vacuum sealed to preserve the nutrients). You can also purchase flax seed sprinkles that come in a shaker so it’s readily available to put on your favorite foods without any hassle.

I hope you get the picture! Adding flax seed to your diet is no more of an inconvenience than adding more salt, sugar, or pepper would be. Just shake it on! For a healthier diet you can have your cake and eat it to - just add a little flax to it.