Chia Fresca: The All Natural Revitalizing Energy Drink (Recipe)

Chia Fresca: The All Natural Revitalizing Energy Drink (Recipe) | Third Monk image 2

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Chia Fresca (or iskiate as it is known in Central America) is an all natural revitalizing energy drink whose effects last all day, yet only takes seconds to prepare.

How Do I Make It?

Luckily, Chia Fresca requires few ingredients and is super simple to prepare.

Yield: 2 cups

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups water or coconut water
  • 1.5 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice, or to taste
  • Sweetener, to taste (1/2 tbsp maple syrup is good)

Preparation:

1. Add the chia and water into a jar or glass and stir well. Let sit for 10 minutes to allow the chia seeds to swell up. I like to use a jar with a lid so I can shake it up really well and break up the chia clumps.

2. Add lime or lemon juice and sweetener to taste. Stir well and enjoy!

For nutritional info, click here.

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It Looks Weird! Do I Have to?

Great Question! Here are a heap of reasons to make Chia seeds part of your routine:

1. Chia seeds are gluten free.

2. They are high in dietary fiber, making it great for digestion.

3. They contain 20% Omega 3 ALA, making it a super food for the brain and heart. Chia seeds have eight times more Omega 3 than salmon!

4. They boast 20% protein. The protein is a complete protein with all 8 essential amino acids.

5. They are high in antioxidants.

6. Chia seeds contain five times more calcium than milk.

7. They contain seven times more vitamin C than oranges.

8. Chia seeds contain three times more iron than spinach.

9. They contain twice the potassium content of a banana.

10. They have a positive impact balancing blood glucose levels (making it awesome for diabetics).

*Nutritionists recommend that 15g/0.53oz (one tablespoon) of Chia consumption each day. Make sure to drink plenty of water, as Chia is high in fiber.

Enjoy!

the-seeds

> A Natural Energy Drink | Oh She Glows

> Reasons to Eat Chia Seeds | The Wellness Warrior

Essential Oils – Basic Usage and Benefits (Guide)

Essential Oils - Basic Usage and Benefits (Guide) | Third Monk image 1

Essential Oil

The many uses and benefits of essential oils range from skin care, muscle relaxant, aromatherapy, first aid and stress relief.

Let’s take a moment to acquaint ourselves with the basic knowledge and uses of essential oils.

Essential Oils: The Basics

Essential oils are not really oils. They do not contain the fatty acids that constitute what we would consider an actual oil.

Most essential oils are high in antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties: This makes them an excellent addition to your homemade cleaning preparations. Oils that are best for cleaning are: Lemon, grapefruit, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, lavender, and rosemary.

Essential oils are minuscule in molecular size, which means they are absorbed well by the skin – making them perfect ingredients in personal care items intended to heal, soften, and nourish. However, they do not accumulate in the body over time – they simply offer up their healing properties and then pass on through.

Scientific studies have shown that rosemary essential oil helps your brain perform. Specifically, smelling rosemary essential oil helps memory recall and performance on tests. Interestingly, this study also showed that groups that inhaled either rosemary or lavender essential oil felt much more relaxed than those who inhaled no odor at all.

Essential Oils UsesFragrance oils and essential oils are NOT the same thing. As a rule of thumb, if you see the word “fragrance” or “fragrance oil” or even “perfume” on anything, you can assume this is synthetic and NOT natural. (Even if it says natural fragrance.)

Essential oils are wholly natural and cannot be patented; which means that you’ll never see an essential oil in a pharmaceutical drug. Because essential oils cannot be patented, drug companies will not waste money studying them. This limits our scientific knowledge of essential oils greatly, and the majority of what we know about them are things that have been passed down through thousands of years of personal use and experimentation.

Most essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin. Instead, they should be combined with “real” oils (called carrier oils), waxes, butters, alcohols, or other diluting measures. If you don’t dilute, you may end up with an unfortunate reaction (and unhappy skin).

There are a few essential oils that are generally recognized as safe to use undiluted. The only essential oils that are widely acknowledged as safe to use undiluted (sparingly) are: lavender, German chamomile, tea tree, sandalwood, and rose geranium.

Never use an undiluted essential oil on a baby or child. Children have much thinner, more delicate skin than adults have, and tend to be very sensitive to the potency of essential oils. In fact, even if you do use essential oil in a recipe for children, only use half of the essential oil recommended in the recipe.

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)*

Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)**

Chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum nobile)

Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lemon (Citrus limon)*

Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)*

Marjoram (Origanum majorana)

Melaleuca-Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Orange (Citrus aurantium)*

Rose Otto (Rosa damascena)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)**

Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora)

Sandalwood (Santalum album)

Thyme (Thumus vulgaris CT linalol)

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)

*These oils are photosensative; always dilute. To prevent a rash or pigmentation of the skin, do not use citrus oils when exposed to direct sunlight.

**These oils should never be used undiluted on babies and children.

Essential Oil Uses

Almond – bitter -Toxic

Aniseed – Anethole rich

Angelica – Emmenagogue

Basil – Possible irritant

Birch – Possible irritant

Black pepper – Skin sensitization

Boldo leaf – Toxic

Buchu – Liver hazardous

Calamus – Toxic

Camphor – Toxic

Cassia – Skin sensitization

Cedarwood – Emmenagogue

Chamomile – Emmenagogue

Cinnamon – Skin sensitization and emmenagogue

Clary sage – Emmenagogue

Clove – Skin sensitization

Elecampane – Skin sensitization

Fennel – Anethole rich

Fir – Possible irritant

Ginger – Emmenagogue

Horseradish – Toxic

Hyssop – Could cause toxicity

Jaborandi leaf – Toxic

Jasmine – Emmenagogue

Juniper – Emmenagogue

Lemon -Possible irritant

Lemongrass – Possible irritant

Marjoram – Emmenagogue

Melissa – Possible irritant

Mugwort – Toxic

Mustard – Toxic

Myrrh – Emmenagogue

Nightshade – Toxic

Nutmeg – Skin sensitization

Oregano – Skin sensitization

Parsley seed – Apiol rich

Pennyroyal – Toxic

Peppermint – Emmenagogue

Pine – Skin sensitization

Rose – Emmenagogue

Rosemary – Emmenagogue

Rue – Toxic

Sage – High thujone content

Sassafras – Toxic

Savin – Toxic

Savory – Could cause toxicity

Southernwood – Toxic

Stinging nettle – Toxic

Tansy – Toxic

Thuja – Toxic

Thyme both Red and Linalol) – Possible irritant

Wintergreen – Toxic

Wormseed – Toxic

Wormwood – Toxic.

 (and skip Essential Oils completely in your first trimester):

To test if you’re sensitive to an essential oil combine one drop of essential oil with 1/2 tsp carrier oil (like olive, jojoba, or sweet almond). Rub this on the inside, upper portion of your arm and wait a few hours. If no redness or itching develops, you’re most likely not sensitive to that essential oil.

Keep all essential oils out of the reach of children – and avoid contact with your eyes. This is just standard safety precautions, but must be mentioned.

Do not take essential oils internally, especially oils like wintergreen and eucalyptus. While some essential oils may be used well-diluted in something like toothpaste with safety, it’s generally recognized that there’s no need to take essential oils internally. In fact, there are several toxic essential oils that should be avoided even through skin contact. Luckily, these are NOT common essential oils, and most of them you’ll never find in the store.

To test your essential oil to see how “pure” it is, put a single drop of it on a piece of construction paper. If it evaporates quickly and leaves no noticeable ring, it is pure. If you have a ring left, then it is likely diluted by the manufacturer with an oil of some sort (this test will not work for myrrh, patchouli, and absolutes).

Essential oils will last for at least 5 years (if not 10), so one bottle could literally last you a decade. The only exception to this rule is citrus oils, which will see a reduction in potency after a year or two.

Store your essential oils in dark glass bottles out of direct sunlight. This is simply to help preserve their potency.

Remember that what you’re allergic to in food, you will be allergic to in essential oils. So if, for some reason, you can’t eat sage without breaking out in a rash, steer clear of sage essential oil (or any product containing it).

Use essential oils to help your mood. Lavender, peppermint, grapefruit, chamomile, lemon, ylang-ylang all help produce happy, joyous moods. Clary sage helps with PMS (although there have been reports that overuse of clary sage can lead to intoxication). Rosemary increases focus and concentration.

Essential-Oils-MicroGraph

21 Things You Should Know About Essential Oils | Crunchy Betty

Exports of Poison, U.S. Foods Banned in Other Countries

Exports of Poison, U.S. Foods Banned in Other Countries | Third Monk image 14

us-foods-banned-other-countries

U.S. Foods banned in other countries are a result of the FDA’s corrupt actions. Profit and bottom lines are the focus and it is costing us all in the long run. Other countries around the world are correct in banning many American products or forcing them into natural alternatives in order to sell them in their stores. No population anywhere in the world should have to sift through poisonous products in search of safe and natural sustenance.

U.S. Foods Banned in Other Countries

Arsenic-Laced Chicken

U.S. Foods Banned in Other Countries Arsenic Laced Chicken

The European Union has never approved using arsenic in animal feed; US environmental groups have sued the FDA to remove them.

Banned by The European Union

Dairy Products Containing rBGH

U.S. Foods Banned in other countries rBGH Dairy

In 1999, the United Nations Safety Agency ruled unanimously not to endorse rBGH milk, resulting in an international ban on US milk.

Banned by Australia, New Zealand, Israel, The European Union and Canada

Preservatives BHA and BHT

U.S. Foods Banned in other countries Products that Contain BHT-and-BHA-

The National Toxicology Program’s 2011 Report on Carcinogens says BHA may trigger allergic reactions and hyperactivity and is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.

Banned by Japan and in parts of The European Union

Flame Retardant Drinks

U.S. Foods Banned in other countries Flame Retardant Drinks

BVO bio-accumulates in human tissue and breast milk; animal studies report reproductive and behavioral problems. Bromine alters the central nervous and endocrine systems and promotes iodine deficiency, causing skin rashes, acne, loss of appetite, fatigue and cardiac arrhythmia.

Banned by Europe and Japan

Ractopoamine-Tainted Meat

ractopamine-meat

About 45 percent of US pigs, 30 percent of cattle and an unknown percentage of turkeys are plumped with the asthma drug ractopamine before slaughter. Up to 20 percent of ractopamine is still there when you buy it.

Banned by Mainland China, Republic of China (Taiwan), Russia and 160 countries across Europe

Genetically Engineered Papaya

Papaya

Most Hawaiian papaya is genetically engineered to be ringspot virus-resistant.

Banned by The European Union

Olestra/Olean

Olean Products

Olestra, or Olean, created by Procter & Gamble, is a calorie- and cholesterol-free fat substitute in fat-free snacks like chips and french fries. Three years ago, Time Magazine named it one of the worst 50 inventions ever.

Banned by The UK and Canada

Bread Containing Potassium Bromate

Bread Containing Potassium Bromate

Bread, hamburger and hotdog buns are “enriched” with potassium bromate, or bromide, linked to kidney and nervous system damage, thyroid problems, gastrointestinal discomfort and cancer.

Banned by Canada, China and The European Union

Processed Foods and Artificial Food Dyes

TO HS ADDITIVES PERNA

 

In countries where these food dyes are banned, companies like Kraft employ natural colorants like paprika extract and beetroot.

Banned by Norway and Austria.

Britain advised companies against using food dyes by the end of 2009. The European Union requires a warning notice on most foods containing dyes.

Farm-Raised Salmon

U.S. Foods Banned in Other CountriesWild Salmon (Left) Farm-Raised Salmon (Right)

fish chart

Avoid “Atlantic Salmon.” Look for “Alaskan” or “sockeye,” which is illegal to farm and has very high astaxanthin concentrations.

Banned by Australia and New Zealand

There are various health risks, observed in labs, that may come about from ingesting the above products. People are aware and make better choices everyday. Stake your claim by choosing the products you prefer.

How and where do you get your fresh and natural products? Share in the comments below and help out fellow humans that are looking to make a change in their own lives.

10 Foods Sold in the U.S. That Are Banned Elsewhere | Oracle Talk

The Truth About Sunscreen and Sunlight Exposure

The Truth About Sunscreen and Sunlight Exposure | Third Monk

Ask somebody about sunscreen and you’re likely to receive an earful of disinformation from a person who has been repeatedly misinformed by health authorities and the mainstream media. Here’s a quick guide to the 5 most important things you need to know about sunscreen, sunlight and vitamin D:

 

#1) The FDA refuses to allow natural sunscreen ingredients to be used in sunblock, sunscreen products

If you create a truly natural sunscreen product using exotic botanicals with powerful sunscreen properties, you will never be able to market it as a “sunscreen” product. That’s because the FDA decides what can be used as sunscreen and what can’t, regardless of what really works in the real world.

This whole monopoly over sunscreen chemicals is designed to protect the profits of the chemical companies while marginalizing the natural product companies which could easily formulate far better solutions.

 

#2) Nearly all conventional sunscreen products contain cancer-causing chemicals

Read the ingredients of any sunscreen product sold at any mainstream store and you will not be able to pronounce most of the chemicals found in the ingredients list. That’s because most sunscreen products are formulated with cancer-causing fragrance chemicals, parabens, harsh alcohols, toxic chemical solvents and petroleum oils. A typical sunscreen product is actually a chemical assault on your body. That’s why research shows that using sunscreen actually causes more cancer than it prevents

 

#3) You can boost your internal sun resistance by changing what you eat

You can boost your internal sunscreen by eating antioxidant-rich foods and superfoods. The supplement astaxanthin, for example, is very well known for boosting your skin’s natural resistance to sunburn. Its fat-soluble carotenoids are actually transported to skin cells where they protect those cells from UV exposure.

Nearly everyone mistakenly believes that a person’s sunlight burn response is purely a genetic factor. They’re wrong. You can radically improve your resistance to UV exposure through dietary changes.

 

#4) UV exposure alone does not cause skin cancer

It is a complete medical myth that “UV exposure causes skin cancer.” This false idea is a total fabrication by the medical community (dermatologists) and the profit-driven sunscreen companies.

Skin cancer can only be caused when UV exposure is combined with chronic nutritional deficiencies that create skin vulnerabilities.

To create skin cancer, in other words, you have to eat a junk food diet, avoid protective antioxidants, and then also experience excessive UV exposure. All three of those elements are required. Conventional medicine completely ignores the dietary influences and focuses entirely on just one factor: Sunscreen vs. no sunscreen.

 

#5) Not all “natural” sunscreen products are really natural

Be careful when shopping for so-called “natural” sunscreen products. While there are some good ones out there, many are just examples of greenwashing, where they use terms like “natural” or “organic” but still contain loads of synthetic chemicals anyway.

A good guide for checking on sunscreen products is the Environmental Working Group guide

Some of the products that are truly natural include Loving Naturals sunscreen and Badger All Natural Sunscreen. Don’t use any sunscreen product containing ingredients that sound like chemicals: Methyl,  Propyl, Ethyl, etc.

Always buy unscented sunscreen, a typical sunscreen product is made with over a dozen cancer-causing fragrance chemicals, and they’re absorbed right through your skin.

> Surprising Things You’re Not Supposed To Know About Sunscreen | Natural News