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Chia seeds derive from the plant Salvia hispanica that originated in Mexico and South America. The word "chia" comes from the Aztec word "chian" which means oily. These seeds are full of beneficial fats and oils. The seeds are becoming a popular dietary "super food" in the United States. Eating chia seeds can be beneficial to your health as well as help with weight loss.

1. Significance

   • With the growing popularity of organic foods and natural health remedies, chia seeds are being recognized as a super food. With Dr. Mehmet Oz touting the benefits of chia seeds on "Oprah" and Dr. Andrew Weil discussing their benefits in "Prevention Magazine," their popularity is growing daily (see link in Resources).

   History

   • Chia seeds were grown in Mexico and South America in Pre-Columbian times. The seeds were a staple of the Aztec diet and were also given as tribute to the rulers and priesthood.

   Geography

   • Chia seeds are currently grown and harvested commercially in Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina, Guatemala and Australia. They are consumed primarily in Mexico, South America and the Southwestern United States.

   Benefits

   • Chia seeds are full of Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, dietary fiber and oil. Chia seeds are also high in anti-oxidants and have been found to be beneficial to diabetics due to their ability to inhibit the speed of carbohydrates being turned into sugars. The seeds are also being used as a diet aid because they help a person feel fuller and, therefore, curb hunger.

   Preparations

   • Chia seeds can be eaten raw in salads or cereals. They can also be added to breads or muffins and cooked. Ground chia seeds can be added to foods as well. Chia seeds, whether added to drinks or eaten as puddings or gruels, are popular in Mexico.

   Fun Fact

   • Chia seeds are the same seeds that are used on the ever-popular Chia Pets. Chia Pets appeared in the United States in the 1980s and remained a fairly popular item over the next few decades.

Resources

• The Magic of Chia Seeds
• What are Chia Seeds?
• Chis Seeds in Prevention Magazine
• Dr. Oz on the New Superfood

• Photo Credit sxc.hu/Cyanocorax/Gabriela Ruellan

Chia seeds derive from the plant Salvia hispanica that originated in Mexico and South America. The word "chia" comes from the Aztec word "chian" which means oily. These seeds are full of beneficial fats and oils. The seeds are becoming a popular dietary "super food" in the United States. Eating chia seeds can be beneficial to your health as well as help with weight loss.

1. Significance

   • With the growing popularity of organic foods and natural health remedies, chia seeds are being recognized as a super food. With Dr. Mehmet Oz touting the benefits of chia seeds on "Oprah" and Dr. Andrew Weil discussing their benefits in "Prevention Magazine," their popularity is growing daily (see link in Resources).

   History

   • Chia seeds were grown in Mexico and South America in Pre-Columbian times. The seeds were a staple of the Aztec diet and were also given as tribute to the rulers and priesthood.

   Geography

   • Chia seeds are currently grown and harvested commercially in Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina, Guatemala and Australia. They are consumed primarily in Mexico, South America and the Southwestern United States.

   Benefits

   • Chia seeds are full of Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, dietary fiber and oil. Chia seeds are also high in anti-oxidants and have been found to be beneficial to diabetics due to their ability to inhibit the speed of carbohydrates being turned into sugars. The seeds are also being used as a diet aid because they help a person feel fuller and, therefore, curb hunger.

   Preparations

   • Chia seeds can be eaten raw in salads or cereals. They can also be added to breads or muffins and cooked. Ground chia seeds can be added to foods as well. Chia seeds, whether added to drinks or eaten as puddings or gruels, are popular in Mexico.

   Fun Fact

   • Chia seeds are the same seeds that are used on the ever-popular Chia Pets. Chia Pets appeared in the United States in the 1980s and remained a fairly popular item over the next few decades.

Resources

• The Magic of Chia Seeds
• What are Chia Seeds?
• Chis Seeds in Prevention Magazine
• Dr. Oz on the New Superfood

• Photo Credit sxc.hu/Cyanocorax/Gabriela Ruellan

Stubbing your toe is a common injury, and one that's easily inflicted when you're in a domestic or otherwise everyday setting. When you stub your toe, there's a brief flash of pain, but then you tend to forget you've even done it. Stubbing a toe can lead to more long-term injury however, since a knock to the toe can damage the tendons around the toe joint or potentially even break a bone.

1. Avoid Darkened Rooms

   • When the lights are dim or off in a room, you're likely to lose track of your surroundings as your spatial awareness is reduced. Household objects as well as larger pieces of furniture are suddenly hazards just waiting for you to crash into them and cause yourself a toe-based injury. So if you're aware that you're entering a room filled with obstacles and clutter, or an unknown area, turn the light switch on or at least employ a flashlight to guide your way.

   Wear Shoes

   • Wearing shoes won't prevent you from crashing your foot into objects and walls, but it will cushion the blow somewhat, thanks to the protective layer of material between your skin and the obstacle. This means that while you might feel a stab of pain upon a particularly hard impact, the chance of breaking your skin or causing more serious damage is lower than if you walk around barefoot.

   Furniture Positioning

   • Even when you've got the lights on, you're still faced with the possibility that you'll stub your toe on an object or item of furniture that you just didn't see. After all, if a room is strewn with discarded equipment, chairs and tables, for example, you're going to have a tough job maneuvering through the furniture without an accident. So clear junk away, remove items after use and ensure that you position furniture so that you have a safe path through it all.

   Running Shoes

   • When you're wearing shoes, you're mostly protected against outside obstacles, but the shoe itself can be a threat to your toes, especially when you're running. As you run, your toes can collide with the front of the shoe, leading to bruising in some cases; this is particularly a problem when you're running down a hill. The solution to this is either to run especially slowly or, more sensibly, to buy shoes that are professionally fitted or at least half a size bigger than your foot. This gives your toes more room within the shoe. Try to keep downhill sprints to a minimum, too.

1. • Show a vegan friend how much you care with a dairy-free chocolate treat. chocolate wafers image by gmlynek from Fotolia.com

     If you have a friend or loved one who is vegan and doesn't eat meat or animal products such as dairy and eggs, treat her to edible gifts that celebrate her cruelty-free lifestyle. Check food package labels to ensure the product is vegan prior to purchasing it. Buy gourmet vegan goodies at specialty health food stores or make them yourself as a thoughtful touch.

   Specialty Gift Basket

   • Surprise a vegan friend with a basket filled with delicious treats. Create a themed basket full of everything the recipient needs to throw a dinner party, make baked goods or entertain guests. Create a vegan snack basket filled with an assortment of nuts, dried fruit, hummus, pita bread, tortilla chips and salsa. Treat a sweets lover with a variety of dairy-free chocolate bars made with soy ingredients, organic hard candies and handmade vegan peanut butter cookies. An Italian dinner-inspired basket can contain pasta, tomato sauce, flavored breadsticks and wine or sparkling grape juice.

   Customized Cupcakes

   • Celebrate a vegan's birthday, graduation or other special event by treating him to charming cupcakes. Make the treats yourself or purchase them from a vegan bakery. Make taste-tempting, moist cupcakes using applesauce, cinnamon, vanilla and other dairy-free ingredients; top the mini cakes with vanilla frosting. Other cupcake ideas include carrot cake, chocolate peanut butter cupcakes made with dairy-free chocolate chips, and black forest cupcakes created with cherry pie filling, vegan cream cheese and soy yogurt. Personalize the baked goods with colored icing, cake toppers, candy pieces, coconut flakes or chopped nuts.

   Gourmet Coffee

   • Treat an eco-conscious, coffee-loving vegan friend to a gift featuring his favorite beverage. Choose organic and fair-trade gourmet coffees to cater to the recipient's lifestyle and beliefs. Fill a basket or decorative box with a sampling of dark, French roast and flavored coffee for a well-rounded gift. Include a variety of regular and caffeine-free blends if you don't know what the recipient prefers. Round out the gift with a selection of vegan cookies, chocolates, muffins and biscotti. As a thoughtful touch, include a personalized ceramic mug featuring a name or favorite quote or saying.

Cosmetic dentistry can be a drain on your bank account and coming up with the cash to pay for brand new pearly whites can be downright impossible. Even having dental insurance is no guarantee since many cosmetic procedures aren't covered, such as veneers, bonding, implants, orthodontic braces, and dentures. Follow these steps to help you finance a perfect smile!

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Your Social Security Number
• Your Driver's License Number
• Other Personal Information

1. • 1

     Establish which services your dental insurance will cover (if you have a dental policy), and how much of those you will be expected to pay out of your pocket. Prior to performing the procedure, your dental provider should give you a print-out of your treatment plan that outlines each step of the procedure process and an estimate for those procedures. Your treatment plan may include x-rays, cleanings, and other services that may be covered under your dental plan. Subtract any insurance-covered costs from the total estimate. This will be the amount you need to finance.

   • 2

     Ask your dental provider if they offer in-house financing. Most offices have a financial manager who will explain their terms. Be aware that even though a down-payment may not be required using this method, sometimes the loan bears a high interest rate, larger monthly payments than a finance company would charge, or both. Of course this is not always the case but be prepared to ask questions about anything you are unsure of.

   • 3

     Apply directly to a health care finance company. This can be done by going to their website and applying on line or calling the company and requesting a credit application. Application to these lenders can usually be made right from your dentist's office as well. You will be required to show identification and sign relevant forms by both the finance company and your provider.

   • 4

     Be prepared. The application for cosmetic dentistry is very similar to a credit card application, so be sure you have access to any personal information you will need. This includes your social security number, references, account numbers, employment information, and earnings. If you have less than perfect credit, you may need a co-signer to ensure the loan approval.

   • 5

     Apply with a second lender if the first one doesn't cover the full cost of the services you need. It may be necessary to obtain two or three small loans to cover with the full amount.

   • 6

     Read the fine print. Interest rates can vary depending on your credit and other factors. Know the total amount you will be repaying and if the lender offers ways for you to save money, such as no interest payment plans. Also, be sure you know how long you have to repay the loan. Lenders usually offer 3, 6, and 12 month payment plans, and some even offer extended payment plans that allow you to repay the money under a longer payment plan.

Tips & Warnings

• If possible, pay part of the procedure costs in cash and then finance the rest to avoid paying excess interest.

• Make your down payment as large as you can afford to lower your payments.

• There are many companies that will finance your cosmetic dentistry and your dental provider may not be in their network. Find out which company your dentist, orthodontist, or prosthodontist uses.

Resources

• Find a Dentist: American Dental Association

• Photo Credit irum http://www.sxc.hu