The Gray Whales Have Returned To Point Reyes National Seashore

The rangers at Point Reyes are reporting that the Gray Whales are back and are at the peak of their annual migration south.  They are also reporting that the gigantic Bull Elephant Seals have made themselves at home and the first seal pups of the season have been born.

Point Reyes is one of the best areas to view the whales up close because of how the point extends about 10 miles out into the ocean. The Park Service is running shuttles on the weekends to take visitors out for an up close encounter.

Here are some facts about this annual migration event which is the longest migration of any mammal on earth:

• Summers are spent at the feeding grounds of the Chukchi and Bering seas.

• As winter approaches, signaled by the shortening days, they begin their migration to their winter home in Baja, California.

• Their migration will mean a total journey of about 10,000 miles.

• Their average swimming speed is about 5 mph but they can swim for 20 hours straight.

• Fully one third of their lives are spent migrating.

• They will once again be seen at Point Reyes on the return trip in March.

While the Gray Whales are the major draw for a watching experience, the Elephant Seals are another, fascinating creature that can be viewed at this time of year.  They descend on the beach in great numbers and the best viewing can be found at North Drakes Beach.  This is the time of year that they mate and fight so the scene can be quite dramatic (and loud) at times.

At Whale Tail Chips we hold a special place in our hearts for these gentle giants that share our planet.  We also feel pretty strongly about the snack products that we have to offer.  We take great pride in providing you with healthy, delicious and environmentally responsible snacks that are a great addition to your whale watching picnic basket.  If you get a chance to visit Point Reyes and want to show off a picture or two, please contact us and let's share!

6 Rumors You Could Totally Make Up About Pygmy Right Whales and No One Would Know the Difference

You probably know by now that scientists in New Zealand have just discovered a whale that everyone thought was extinct for 2 million years. Little is known about Pygmy Right Whales because they rarely come to shore. So, we imagined our own exclusive interview that never happened with one of these mysterious creatures and present these 6 rumors that have been subjected to absolutely no fact checking.
Question: How do you deal with the loneliness of being the last surviving family member?
Answer: It’s tough. I have to push myself to get out there and make new friends. I tired omegle, but every time I meet a nice stranger to chat with, they disconnect as soon as I mention I’m 21 feet long and have a distinctive snout.
Question: Is it true you’re going to be on the Dr. Phil Show soon?
Answer: Sure, my people are talking with his people. But if he tries to pitch me that weight loss book, he’ll be the one crying.
Question: Do you feel like the general public just doesn’t get you?
Answer: Tell me about it. We’re all just so tired of being known as the animal with a hole in it.
Question: What do see in store for the future?
Answer: Glad you asked. Now that we’re up to Twilight 5, I think the whole vampire thing has peaked. I predict whales will be the next big thing.
Question: I know I may be treading on sensitive ground here, but how is the lawsuit going?
Answer: Let’s just say this thing with Jonah has been dragging on so long it's Biblical. The guy stays three nights and skips out on his bill?
Question: What’s your favorite snack food?
Answer: Now that’s an easy one. I eat Whale Tails Tortilla Chips. I’m especially partial to the Organic Blue Corn infused with Chia, the ancient Mayan super seed. It’s the secret to my survival.
Seriously, of course all of us at Whale Tails are excited about this news. As Felix Marx, a paleontologist at the University of Otago, said "It's the last survivor of quite an ancient lineage that until now no one thought was around." Contact us for more whale news and chips.

The Keys to Healthy Vending Machine Snacking

Vending machines aren't the first thing that people think of when someone says health food, but just because you're headed to the breakroom for a mid-afternoon snack doesn't mean you can't beat the munchies and nourish your body at the same time.

The key to a healthy vending machine experience is forethought. Try to find something that is low (or moderate) in calorie count, but still filling.
Here are a few tips to keep your trip to the vending machine from being a diet disaster.

Fiber keeps you full, and can help to keep the glycemic index down to boot, so look for whole grain options.

Protein is another gut-pleaser. Like fiber, it will keep you full longer, so you can avoid additional trips to the vending machine, or worse, a quick stop at a fast food restaurant on the way home. Look for seeds and nuts for a quick protein boost in a low-cholesterol package.

Beware of empty calories. Sugar-laden candy and processed baked goods can leave you hungry for more even after you've consumed as much as 300 calories! No nutritional value here. Look for something that not only has some fiber to keep you full, but also a dose of the good stuff. How about our organic blue corn ships infused with chia? They're packed with omega-3, essential amino acits, and calcium. There's nothing empty about this snack!

Avoid sodium traps. Processed foods account for most o f our sodium consumption. Skip the salty potato chips and the leathery, sodium-riddled beef jerkey. Fortunately, the gourmet Hawaiian sea salt that we use on our chips is astonishingly low in sodium content.

Bottom line: take just a minute to consider your options when you're standing in front of the vending machine. With the right snack choice, the afternoon craving can be conquered!

Have a healthy vending machine story? Let us know all about it.

Five Things Shaped Like A Whale's Tail

Nature's beauty has often inspired mankind to imitate its shapes and colors.  Here are five things--natural and not--that are shaped like a whale's tail.

Which one's your favorite? Can you guess ours?
(Hint: It's Number Five!)

1. Thong underwear poking over low-rise jeans.  Popular since the early 2000s, this  "whale tail" is often seen at frat parties, celebrity dos and episodes of "What Not to Wear."
2. Some turbine blades for dynamic efficiency in aeolian power generation.  Just like a whale's huge tail and fins propel the animal efficiently, some wind turbine blades have ridges inspired by cetaceans in hopes that they'll produce more energy and less noise.
3. The reef in beautiful Uvita, Costa Rica. This sandbar leading to a tropical reef is shaped like an elegant, yet humongous, whale's tail, and is clearly visible from the air. This is a popular tourist destination for water sports--really, what better place to splish splash than by a reef that looks like a whale's tail?
4. It makes sense that the next invention took its inspiration from our whale friends--boaters are at the water more than most people (excepting surfers, of course). The "whale tail" attachment for outboard motors on boats is designed to help the vessel stay on plane easier.  
5. Saving the best for last, of course,  is our own Whale Tails Tortilla Chips, available in three flavors and made using natural, organic,  gluten-free, non-GMO ingredients. Bite into some of our chips for a whale of a snack! Be sure to contact us for more information about our yummy, nature-inspired chips.

What in the whale is biomimicry?

In the midst of talks about Earth-friendly technology and green initiatives for the planet's future, one term the scientific community has been buzzing about recently is "biomimicry." It sure sounds important, but what is it, exactly?

Well, what comes to mind when we think of mimicry in nature? How about the phasmid, better known by its nickname, the walking stick? Think also about the amazing leaf insect, whose foliage-inspired camouflage is so accurate, it has parts on its body that mimic bite marks--they even move just like real leaves, swaying in the breeze. Both of these critters got their disguises and behaviors from the environments they live in--basically, through evolution, they borrowed an idea from nature and made it work for them.

Biomimicry is basically the same thing, but for humans. It is, as Janine M. Beynus describes, "about looking to nature for inspiration for new inventions." As a science, it's grounded in neither nature nor technology exclusively; rather, it takes the two seemingly-opposing fields and aims to blend them together for mutual benefit.

There's already been plenty of well-documented examples of biomimicry in action in the scientific world, and the results are impressive, to say the least. For instance, take a look at this special adhesive inspired by the sticky pads on a gecko's feet, perfect for medical bandages, or a concept for self-cleaning surfaces based on the leaves of the sacred lotus, or (one of our favorites) this concept for boat rudders based on humpback whale flippers. More info on specific projects and ideas can be found at www.asknature.org--chances are, if there's a problem that needs solving, nature has the perfect answer!

Of course, Whale Tails Tortilla Chips are a great example of biomimicry in action, too! The whale's tail is perfectly made for powerful strokes through the deep blue sea; likewise, our chips swim through salsa like no other! As always, contact us for more info on the marvels of nature and their role in eco-friendly initiatives.

Whale Tails: Healthy Snacks for Healthy Eaters

Do you love snacking? Enjoy catching a quick bite between meals? Well congratulations, because recent research by the NPD group suggests that people with the healthiest eating habits are also the most frequent snackers.

According to the release from the NPD research group, "consumers with the healthiest diets consume 36 percent more snack meals a year than the average consumer." So if you're eating light, healthy snack foods in addition to your regular meals, you're actually helping your diet and your health. Pretty awesome, right?

And if you're going to be snacking on something, your best choice woudl be one of the healthy snacks from Whale Tails Tortilla Chips. Our chips are all made with natural, kosher, organic ingredients such as Alaea Hawaiian sea salts, sun-ripened mango, and heart-healthy chia seeds. You don't have to do much research to know that these snacks are both good-tasting and good for you.

For instance, our Blue Tor"Chia" Chips have only 130 calories in a 1-ounce serving, and also give your body healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. Bet you've never had a handful of cookies or bowl of ice cream that could say that on the package.

Everybody snacks sometimes - with a busy, active life, you're bound to get hungry before it's dinnertime every now and again. So why not choose the snack that's actually good for your diet and for your body? We promise, you're not going to regret it. After all, the research says we're right.

If you're curious about Whale Tails Tortilla chips or want to know more about healthy eating habits, contact us to see if we can help you out.

Fresh Fruit Smoothies And Other Healthy Snacks That Are Good For You

When it comes to healthy snacks nothing can beat the versatility of the classic smoothie.  They are easy and inexpensive to create with endless flavor combinations to try.  One suggestion, invest in a good blender because you will be using it, often.

Just close your eyes and imagine a tropical sunset on the beach with a cool drink close at hand.  Now imagine that drink is a smoothie made with fresh fruit like mangos, pineapple, kiwi, strawberries and bananas, all in a tall, cool glass.  Doesn't that sound healthy and delicious?  Just the thought of that ice cold smoothie will cool you off, even on the hottest summer day.

They can also be whipped up as a breakfast alternative, providing all the nutritional value you need in the morning.  The breakfast smoothie will fill you up and you will be less tempted to add calories before lunch.  In that way they can be part of a weight loss plan as well.  We suggest the Blueberry Banana Smoothie to jump start your day.

Another great thing about smoothies is how you can combine great nutrition with great taste.   To fortify a delicious fresh fruit smoothie, you can add whey or soy protein, ground flax seed, chia seeds, multi-vitamins and more.  Your choice, depending on your individual nutritional needs.

When you are looking for healthy choices in your snacking, be sure to check out our Original Flavor Yellow Organic Corn Tortilla Chips, with “Alaea” Red Gourmet Hawaiian Sea Salt or for a nutritional boost try our delicious Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips, infused with Chia.  You will find all of our products to be organically grown (no GMOs here), gluten-free and kosher.

We would love to hear about your favorite smoothie.  Contact us to share and also find out more about healthy snacking the Whale Tails way!