Photo Credit: Nosha via Flickr

A lot of people probably remember seeing commercials for Chia Pets – American styled terracotta figurines used to sprout Chia, where the Chia sprouts grow to resemble the figurine’s “fur” or “hair”. Chia Pets were particularly popular in the 1990s and have included such famous faces as Homer Simpson and Scooby Doo; but, who knew Chia seed was actually good for you?

The Chia seed that is used as a food source may not be the same product that was made famous by the Chia pets over a decade ago, but its popularity has never been more significant than it is right now. Chia seed has become the hottest superfood on the market thanks to the huge nutritional punch it packs in just two tablespoons.

Chia is a whole, raw food that is a great source of Omega-3s as well as soluble and insoluble fiber leading to better digestion and regularity, and Chia is also a complete vegetarian protein. It has a mild flavor so you can add it to any meal or drink without the worry that your taste buds will know the difference, which makes it even easier to consume.

One really interesting fact about this nifty little seed is that Chia can absorb ten times its weight in any liquid that surrounds it. When the seeds interact with liquids like water or juice, they quickly form a gel-like substance. This  “chia gel” can then help hydrate the body for hours on end. Add Chia to your favorite bottled water or sports drink before a workout or take it with you when hiking on a hot, summer’s day to stay refreshed. Another great side effect of the “chia gel” is that it can help bulk up foods and give the feeling of fullness, which can potentially aid in weight loss.

The “chia gel” can add a great nutritional punch to gruels, porridges, puddings and liquids of any kind while the chia seeds are great for baked goods including breads, cakes and biscuits. They can also serve as an egg substitute thanks to its water-absorbent qualities, which can be helpful when baking. You can find Chia seed at your local health food store or on the web at www.barleans.com.

What are some of the recipes you will use Chia seed in?

Photo Credit: Lori Greg's via Flickr

At the end of February this year, Barlean’s hosted a contest in celebration of reaching our 5,000^th “like” on Facebook. We asked our community to post their top-five favorite health tips as part of their entry into the contest. The results were amazing! Many of the tips were repeated, like take your Barlean’s every day, drink tons of water, exercise, and avoid processed foods. There were so many great tips offered that we thought it would be great to showcase them in a blog post for the world to see.

So, without further ado, here are 99  health tips submitted by Barlean’s Facebook community:

• Don’t allow stress to bog you down.
• Prioritize what’s important to you.
• Love and value yourself.
• Set 90-day goals.
• Challenge yourself.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Disconnect from electronics before bed.
• Have a positive attitude in all circumstances.
• Laugh, smile and have fun.
• Be happy.
• Be kind to others.
• Appreciate all that you have.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff and you will reduce your stress, which will make you healthier.
• Hug someone!
• Hug a dog!
• Smile!
• Laugh a LOT.
• Be positive! + > -
• Get some fresh air every day.
• Laugh with someone as often as you can.
• Do something that scares you every day – challenging yourself keeps you young at heart and makes you feel good about yourself!
• Have a great attitude and appreciate your life and health every day.
• Read! Read books, newspapers, anything – it’s good for the brain!
• Do something nice for at least one person every day – it will make you feel good knowing you did something for someone else.
• Take as many vacations as possible and relax.
• Breathe deeply…
• Reduce stress and practice handling life stressors with an eternal perspective – life is short.
• Be sustainable. Not environmentally sustainable (well, yes do that too) but personally sustainable. Don’t commit yourself to things you cannot or will not do.
• When you find yourself really angry or frustrated or really upset, stop what you’re doing and don’t go back to it until you can give a good, honest smile.
• Be your own personal best daily – don’t compare yourself to others.
• Make exercise fun – go with a friend or listen to something positive and inspiring.
• Walk a mile every day.
• Exercise 3x per week.
• Exercise or move ½ an hour every day.
• Workout at least 4 days a week at two hours or more each workout.
• Walk, walk, walk.
• Do something physical every day.
• Move more.
• Always choose the stairs over the elevator.
• Get outside every single day.
• Be out in the fresh air every day with at least a 20 minute walk.
• Do yoga.
• Surround meals by movement. Go for a walk before or after (or preferably both) you eat meals. Don’t go from stagnation to digestion.
• Hike, bike or walk with the dog outside 3 times a day.
• Drink lots of water.
• Drink clean water – ½ body weight in ounces.
• READ LABELS.
• Eat 5 small meals a day with no more than 3 oz. of meat and lots of veggies and fruits.
• Use ground flax seed in smoothies.
• Eat clean, health-promoting foods.
• Eat organic as much as possible – the less processed the better.
• Eat fresh vegetables and fruits.
• Include Omega-3s, herbs and spices in your diet daily.
• Wake up every morning with a cup of green tea and a tablespoon of Barlean’s 3-6-9 Total Omega, two tablespoons of Chia seed, and three tablespoons of ground flax seed.
• Drink Coconut Water for a refreshing and hydrated snack.
• Avoid artificial sweeteners.
• Take your supplements (especially Barlean’s) every day.
• Eat a clean, organic (raw if desired) diet.
• Cook with coconut and olive oil.
• Try gluten-free.
• Try dairy-free.
• Eat double-fiber English muffins.
• Eat less.
• Eat low-fat turkey taco meat.
• Eat as many fresh foods as you can and stay away from processed foods – more fruits, veggies, nuts, fish and eggs!
• Avoid processed food.
• Eat in moderation.
• Eat local.
• Stay away from non-organic foods that don’t have a thick skin/rind to protect themselves.
• Don’t eat anything that contains refined sugars.
• Eat plant foods only.
• Avoid GMOs.
• Try reducing your intake of simple grains, especially if you’re not athletic by nature.
• Red Rice Yeast.
• Eat salads and a lot of fresh caught Alaskan Salmon when possible.
• Don’t drink your calories.
• Eat healthy; healthy eating isn’t as hard as you might think. Portion control is a huge factor here as healthy eating has more to do with how much you eat at one sitting that what you eat.
• Eat to live, not live to eat.
• Spice it up. Be sure to stock some red pepper flakes in your pantry. When eating earlier in the day, Dr. Oz says that red pepper can reduce the amount of food you consume later.
• Never eat out of the box or carton. Sure, buying in bulk saves money, but it doesn’t do anything for your waistline when your portions get out of whack with the enormous packaging. Instead of eating straight out of the box, pre-portion your snacks into individual baggies. They’re perfect portion control for on the go!
• Have a puree party! Who said healthy foods have to be boring? Puree peaches, pears and berries and spread them on wheat pita for a healthy and delish treat that’s perfect for spring and summer.
• Choose free-ranging, grass-fed or pasture-produced, hormone-free lean meats whenever possible.
• Eat more fiber.
• Make sure your sodium intake is low.
• Get plenty of sunlight/supplement with Vitamin D when needed.
• Make sure you’re not lacking in your B Vitamins.
• Take whole food supplements, probiotics and get plenty of Essential Fatty Acids.
• Floss your teeth.
• Keep the toilet seat down.
• Chew your food.
• Take a hot bath for 30-minutes with Epsom salts to relax.
• Regular Check-ups from the neck up.
• Use Lysol wipes on your cell phone and t.v. remote at least once a week – cuts down on unwanted germs.
• Treat yourself once a week – this can be whatever you want as long as you have been good the rest of the week.
• Create Balance.
• Live your dreams.
• Take time during the day for meditation.
• Take time for yourself and do whatever it is that will allow you to step outside your busy day and just “be”.
• Take (more) Barleans!

As you can see, Barlean’s Facebook community members have some great recommendations on how to get and stay healthy! It goes without saying that Barlean’s Organic Oils has the best “fans” on the planet, and we thank everyone who participated in this contest!

Do you have any health tips you’d like to add to this list? Please share as a comment below!

Valentine’s Day is less than 24 hours away…What are you going to do to impress your special person this year? Wouldn’t it be nice to create something sweet and delicious for your Valentine that is also heart healthy? We’re here to help you with that! Introducing Barlean’s Valentine’s Day Black Bean Fudge recipe, just in time. You’re welcome!

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked black beans or 1 15-ounce canned black beans, rinsed and drained
¾ cup carob or cocoa powder
6 Tbs melted Barlean’s 100% Organic Coconut Oil
4-6 Tbs maple syrup or agave nectar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract or almond extract
½ cup Essential Woman Chocolate Raspberry Omega Swirl
1 tsp cinnamon (optional) or nutmeg
½ tsp Himalaya or sea salt
4 Tbs chocolate chips
½ cup walnuts or hazelnuts (optional)
Directions:
Place all ingredients in food processor fitted with an “S” blade and blend until totally smooth. Mixture will be thick. Line an 8 x 4 loaf pan or square pan with plastic wrap, transfer fudge to pan, spreading mixture to edges.
Refrigerate until totally firm. Use plastic wrap to lift fudge from pan. Cut into squares and store in refrigerator.

Created by: Patti Tveit Milligan, MS RD CNS

We at Barlean’s Organic Oils realize that sugars are definitely a concern for a variety of health conditions and for those that just want to simply avoid it. This is why we chose to use a natural sweetener called xylitol in our entire line of delicious Omega Swirls. Here are some benefits that xylitol has to offer:

1. Prevention of Cavities and Tooth Protection!

Photo Credit: Sappymoosetree via Flickr

When you use xylitol, the acid attack on your teeth is stopped. Because the bacteria in the mouth are unable to ferment xylitol in their metabolism, their growth is reduced. The number of acid-producing bacteria may fall as much as 90%. Since no acid is formed, the pH of saliva does not fall.

Saliva containing xylitol is more alkaline than saliva which contains other sugar products. After taking xylitol products, the concentration of basic amino acids in saliva may rise. When pH is above 7, calcium and phosphate salts in saliva start to precipitate into those parts of enamel where they are lacking—helping to take care of your tooth’s exterior!

2. Great Alternative Sweetener for Blood Sugar Control!

Photo Credit: Caro Wallis via Flickr

This lovely little sweetener tastes delightful but it does not highly impact insulin levels, which makes it a safe alternative for diabetics and others who need to watch their intake or regular sugars.

Classified on labels as a carbohydrate, it has been used in foods since the 1960s and is approved in the U.S. as a food additive in unlimited quantity for foods with special dietary purposes and is safe for use in any sugar-controlled diet. It has been widely used in Europe for several decades.

3. Fights Bacteria and Fungus!

Photo Credit: kennymatic via Flickr

Xylitol contains agents that help address yeast overgrowth in the body and even bacteria that cause infections. You can find it used in many health supplements for both oral and topical use—many people use products such as toothpaste and even sinus washes that contain xylitol as an active agent to aid their daily health regimen.

So if you have ever found yourself wondering what makes your Omega Swirl “taste like a dessert” you have the answer! Please feel free to contact us regarding any further questions at 1-800-445-3529 or email us questions to info@barleans.com.

By the way—Barleans proudly uses xylitol sourced from the Xlear company that makes the wonderful Spry products!

(What are your thoughts about xylitol? Please leave your comments below or share them on our Facebook and Twitter pages.)

One simple and effective way to attain some of the vital nutrients your body needs is to make a great-tasting fruit smoothie, packed with vitamins and nutrients from natural superfoods. Below you will find the recipe for a delicious Berry Blast Smoothie, rich in essential vitamins, nutrients and Omega-3’s. With the sweet taste of a milkshake, children will love it too!

Ingredients:

2 Bananas

1Cup Fresh Raspberries

2 tbsp Barlean’s Omega Swirl (Strawberry Banana flavor)

1 ½ Cup Coconut Milk

2 tbsp Chia Seeds

Directions:

Pour all ingredients into blender.

Mix until desired texture.

Drink.

Feel good!

So what exactly are the health benefits you will be getting from this smoothie? Raspberries are a great source of Vitamin C, which helps to boost your immune system and fight illness. Bananas are rich in potassium – essential to muscle strength and reinforcement. Barlean’s great-tasting Omega Swirl gives you a delicious dose of healthy fats and brain-boosting Omega-3’s.

Coconut milk is a rich source of probiotics, or ‘friendly bacteria’, which promote good digestive health. Finally, the tasteless Chia seeds are high in protein, antioxidants, fiber and magnesium.  With a balanced variety of essential nutrients, this delicious super-smoothie packs a healthy punch for both children and adults alike!

According to a research study conducted by Finnish market research firm Invenire Market Intelligence, consumers demonstrate a preference for back-to-basics natural products when it comes to Omega-3 supplements.

The report found that consumers want their Omega-3 products to be fresh, natural, and minimally processed.  The consumers in this study also reported that they would reject products with a bad smell or taste – which is common for many fish oil supplements – or which contain toxic substances.

Omega-3 supplements are often supplied as a softgel capsule, however some consumers dislike or have difficulties swallowing them.  New formats include chews, gummies, and enhanced liquid products that mask the often-unpleasant taste of these natural supplements.

One company that has remained a front-runner for innovative and consumer-driven Omega-3 supplements is Barlean’s Organic Oils. Their line of natural organic oils and supplements includes Omega Swirl – an all-natural supplement loaded with essential Omega-3s, with the delicious taste and pleasant texture of a fruit smoothie in a variety of flavors. Omega Swirls are prepared as emulsifications, so in addition to tasting delicious, they are highly absorbable to the body – making them a good choice for every family member.

Reports indicate that consumers also show an increased interest in the source of Omega-3s, with a desire to know exactly where they are coming from, and how they are produced.  Barlean’s Organic Oils is committed to providing consumers with the absolute finest and freshest organic oils nature has to offer.  To ensure this, their products are stringently tested and 100% guaranteed to be both all-organic and non-genetically modified.

When looking for Omega-3 supplements, be sure to research on a brand’s quality control and manufacturing practices to ensure you are getting the highest nutritional benefit from the most natural products.

Photo credit: Muffet via Flickr

Recently, a young girl named Elise conducted an experiment that shows us why buying local and organic food is a better choice. She created a video explaining her experiment and uploaded it to YouTube (see the video below). Her experiment was to see how long it would take for a sweet potato to grow vines. She purchased the sweet potato from her local grocery store and placed it in water with toothpicks to suspend it. She waited three weeks with no results. Elise tried again with a second sweet potato for three additional weeks with no results.

Elise returned to the grocery store and was told that the sweet potatoes she purchased would not produce vines because they are sprayed with Bud Nip to keep them from sprouting. She then purchased an “organic” sweet potato from the same grocery store. The sweet potato finally sprouted a few small vines after four weeks. Elise finally purchased a sweet potato from a local farmer’s market. The sweet potato practically sprouted a tree after only just one week! Elise then researched what Bud Nip is and reveals that it is Chlorpropham.

According to Cornell University, “Chlorpropham is a plant growth regulator used for pre-emergence control of grass weeds in alfalfa, lima and snap beans, blueberries, cane berries, carrots, cranberries, ladino clover, garlic, seed grass, onions, spinach, sugar beets, tomatoes, safflower, soybeans, gladioli and woody nursery stock. It is also used to inhibit potato sprouting and for sucker control in tobacco”. It is moderately toxic by ingestion, but chronic exposure of laboratory animals has caused “retarded growth, increased liver, kidney and spleen weights, congestion of the spleen and death”. Long-term exposure may cause tumors, and in one experiment the chemical initiated skin cancer in mice. Chlorpropham has the potential to contaminate groundwater, and is strongly absorbed by organic matter. With so many negatives, it makes one wonder why a chemical like this is used at all?

The answer…Bud Nip keeps produce from sprouting during transport and while it sits on the shelves of a grocery store, thereby enabling the grocer to sell older produce without anyone being the wiser. Less waste equals more profit.

Now that we know just what we’re getting when we don’t buy local, let’s look at a few benefits of what we get when we do. Local foods have the widely known benefit of being fresher and tasting better, but they also usually have less environmental impact and support your local economy. They don’t need to be shipped from across the country, and therefore leave a far smaller carbon footprint. Buying local also means you know who and where your food comes from, which means you know a lot more about the food you’re buying.

So, the next time you have a choice to buy local and organic or to save money, hopefully you’ll look for ways to save money elsewhere and visit your local farmer’s market. In this case, you really do get what you pay for. Buy local. Buy organic!

What do you think about Elise’s experiment? We’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below or on our Facebook or Twitter pages.

Source: (http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/extoxnet/carbaryl-dicrotophos/chlorpropham-ext.html)

Photo Credit: alanagkelly via Flickr

The holidays are upon us, and for those of you looking for an interesting and flavorful alternative for your dinner table this Fall, Heather Short has an outstanding recipe utilizing Barlean’s Forti-Flax in her Turkey Meatballs recipe on YouTube!

Heather added Barlean’s Forti-Flax, a nutritional powerhouse on its own, with delicious local vegetables and spices to the ground turkey. Heather’s recipe makes two dozen succulent meatballs work well as a side dish or with your favorite spaghetti recipe!

Barlean’s Forti-Flax, our highest-quality milled flaxseed, gives that extra nutty pop of flavor to the ground turkey. Forti-Flax is a rich source of Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids, dietary fiber, protein, amino acids, and trace minerals; it is 100% certified organic, Kosher certified, GMO-free, and free of pesticides and herbicides. There is no doubt when using it in this Turkey recipe or a new creation of your own,  you are getting the very best as Nature intended it!

Heather’s recipe is quick and easy, but more importantly, it is a HEALTHY choice. You’re getting a great source of “what you need” from the turkey and vegetables, but the Forti-Flax really takes it to a new level. This recipe comes just in time to fight the holiday “bulge”, and trying healthy alternatives like this might be the kick in the pants that some of us need this year.  Change doesn’t often happen overnight, but it CAN happen, one meal at a time.

Thank you Heather for such a delectable recipe!

If you found this video helpful, please let us know what you think in the comments below.  You can also contact us on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.

Other Barlean’s Forti-Flax ideas:

• On top of your Oatmeal in the morning, for a healthy cholesterol high fiber start to your day

• Rolled in sliced up banana wheels, for an easy potassium rich natural energy snack for lunch or after school.

Check out www.barleans.com for Barlean’s Organic Oils complete product selection, and to find your closest store location.   

Happy cooking!!!

By Herb Joiner-Bey, ND

As school bells ring in a new academic year, parents want to give their children a learning edge to increase chances for future success. To nurture developing young brains and inquisitive minds, parents need look no further than the essential omega-3 fatty acids – building blocks for brain cells (neurons). Neurons use the omega-3s ALA (as in flaxseed oil), as well as EPA and DHA (as in fish oil), to build new tissue and nerve fibers to communicate with each other. Moreover, a special group of brain hormones called neuroprotectins, synthesized from DHA, is critical to maintaining the structure and function of brain tissue. Researches have also concluded that omega-3s can improve learning ability and behavior in children. The only question is — how do we get kids to take omega-3s? The answer is now easy – Barlean’s Omega Swirls. A proprietary process turns award-winning Barlean’s Organic Flaxseed Oil and / or Fish Oils into acclaimed, pre-emulsified Omega Swirls with the delicious taste and texture of fruit smoothies that kids love. Because the oils are pre-emulsified, their absorption into the blood stream has proven to be nine times that of non-emulsified oils. That means that a small amount of tasty Omega Swirl can have an enormous positive impact on your child’s brain development. Adjust the dose according to your child’s body weight. This school year, let Barlean’s Omega Swirls give your child a nutritional brain boost and a step up for future success.

For more information on Barlean’s great tasting Omega Swirl products, please visit our website: www.barleans.com, call us at 800-445-3529, or send an email to info@barleans.com

Best of health!

Most of us want to figure out ways to live longer. Obviously, this starts with your health. And while many look for a magic pill to make everything better, life just does not work that way. There are certain pills, such as omega-3 supplements, that will certainly help you on your journey, but those alone will not keep you healthy for very long.

First, eat a proper diet. Get plenty of fruits and vegetables every day, first and foremost. Your body needs to be running on proper fuel. Next, get plenty of exercise as well. Keeping your heart in great shape will help keep the rest of you in good shape too. Even exercising lightly for a few times a week can pay off big dividends in the health of your body, as well as your energy levels. Keep your stress levels under control. Even emotional and psychological fatigue can cause problems with your body and your health. Find a proper outlet for dealing with your stress. Finally, take daily vitamins and omega-3 supplements to keep your body properly nourished with nutrients.

With a multivitamin combined with the wonderful benefits of omega-3 supplements, you can give yourself the best chance to avoid sickness and keep yourself in top shape. Make your health a priority in your  life and you will see the quality of your life change dramatically for the better. Omega-3 supplements, in particular, are great for your heart and they combat the bad side effects of other, poor quality foods.