Benefits of Chia Seeds: Five Reasons to Incorporate them Into Your Diet

Chia seeds are a super food that can provide many benefits to those who consume them on a regular basis. In fact, the peoples of South America (where chia seeds originate) have known the benefits of consuming chia seeds for hundreds of years, and they were even a staple in Mayan and Aztec diets. Today, they draw the attention of many health food junkies due to the benefits they can provide, as well as the various ways in which they can be used in cooking. While there are numerous benefits of consuming chia seeds, here are the top five reasons to eat them.

1. Great Source of Fiber: Consuming the proper amount of fiber is vital to one’s health, as fiber is associated with lowering cholesterol and regulating bowel function. Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, containing 10 grams in only 2 tablespoons, which is about one-third of the recommended daily fiber intake. Eating chia is thusly an easy way to incorporate more fiber into your diet.
2. Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Chia seeds are rich in unsaturated fats, especially omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, chia seeds are one of the richest plant based sources of omega-3s. Why is consuming omega-3 fatty acids important? Consuming these unsaturated fats can help to reduce cholesterol and can even help to enhance cognitive function.
3. Chia Seeds are Filling: Eating chia seeds helps one to feel full and satisfied after a meal. This helps to cut down on cravings and snacking in between meals. This can help with weight management, and can help to improve one’s overall health as it helps to prevent overindulging in unnecessary food.
4. They are Full of Minerals and Nutrients: Two tablespoons of chia seeds contains roughly 18 percent of the daily recommended intake of calcium, 24 percent for magnesium, and roughly fifty percent of the daily recommended intake of manganese. These nutrients can help to prevent high blood pressure (hypertension), and can help you to maintain a healthy weight by improving your metabolism.
5. Chia Seeds Help with Blood Sugar Regulation: Chia seeds can help those with diabetes by helping to regulate the insulin levels in their body. They do this by helping to decrease abnormally high levels of insulin in the blood.

Chia seeds truly are a super food that can provide many benefits to those who incorporate them into their diet. Contact us to find out about more of the amazing benefits of consuming chia seeds, as well as to find out ways you can incorporate them into your diet.

Energize Your Little Athlete With Whale Tails Tortilla Chips

The school year is in full swing and that means fall sports are here for your youngsters and, as much as you hate to hear it, spring sports will be right around the corner. We know every kid, no matter the age, needs to keep their energy up to fully participate in their favorite sports. It's a lot to balance with a full school schedule-for you and them so let us make it a little simpler by recommending a healthy snack for you to keep your athlete energized and snacking at practice and throughout the day.

Whale Tails Tortilla Chips come in individual packs perfect for snacking. The packs come with 24 bags so there's plenty to go around!

These chips aren't just tasty but they are healthy gourmet snacks as well! You have a lot to balance with sports and school so let us take care of watching your children's' diet. These chips are non gmo project verified, gluten free, full of chia seeds, organic and environmentally friendly. Much better than the other stuff you could be packing for that special athlete.

When it comes to sports this year, keep that athlete eating healthy and snacking with delicious Whale Tails Tortilla Chips which come in flavors like Blue Corn, Alaea gourmet Hawaiian sea salt, and Hawaiian Barbeque. They're as tasty as the other treats you would've packed, but a little healthier.

And if you're just sitting on the sidelines watching your favorite athlete and student perform then Whale Tails Tortilla Chips are perfect for you too. You can snack on healthy chips shaped like a whale's tail while watching the only game you really care about this season and what's better than that? Contact us today.

Healthy Snacks to Avoid the Freshman 15

The Fall means that many of you youngsters are entering adulthood by starting your freshman year of college. It can be a stressful time due to the transitioning and new surroundings and new found responsibility. You may even be worried about whether you will succumb to the famous "freshman fifteen." College freshman don't have the same time they had before to exercise or to worry about what they are eating on the go. Nobody wants to gain fifteen pounds or any amount of weight when they have so much else to worry about. Here's a back to school healthy snack to help you avoid that freshman fifteen.
Whale Tails Tortilla Chips are gluten free, non gmo project verified, full of chia seeds, organic and environmentally friendly. What else can you ask for? Instead of snacking on the fast food while completing last minute homework, why not get some our individual packs of Tortilla Chips? There are great flavors like Hawaiian Barbeque to replace the stale taste of snacks from vending machines and fast food.
Replace the quick junk food you will be consuming this busy semester with a healthy snack that tastes delicious with Whale Tails Tortilla Chips. And if you're a parent with a kid starting college then send them some chips! Make sure they're snacking on some delicious treats in a healthy way so you don't have a child return home twice the size as when they left! We exaggerate, but still everyone wants their kids to eat healthy.
With Whale Tails Tortilla Chips it's possible to avoid that supposedly "unavoidable" freshman fifteen everyone talks about. Make your first semester of college a little less stressful and a little more tasty with Whale Tails Tortilla Chips. Contact us today.

Bringing the Hip Back to Chips n Dips

If there is one thing tortilla chips lack, its style. Plain, white, triangle. Sure, you have your round tortilla chips, or your bowl shaped tortilla chips, or tortilla chips made of wheat, or sprinkled with lemon, but where is the fun? Lets face it, tortilla chips are simply a transportation device for salsa.

But there is still hope for the tortilla chip and its devoted fans. On the west coast of the country in a land inspired by sunsets and ocean mist, we find the collision of creativity and the tortilla chip. Here is a chip for the painters, for the mid-afternoon surfers, for the thinkers, for the dreamers...and well, for the those of us that find ourselves with the munchies.Whale Tail Chips brings something new to snack table. It brings boldness in shape, and also in flavor. To start things off, they are shaped like the tail of a whale ( If you didn't catch that already). Now, you can perform acrobatic dives in your sea of salsa like you always wanted to. Bring on the waves! With three unique, mouthwatering choices on the front lines, your palate wont get bored.

One of those flavors is Hawaiian Barbeque. This chip brings a party of flavors together for a taste bud pleasing experience. Mango and Lime are the all-stars of the show. Together, with other ingredients, they bring you a tropical barbeque flavor that is tasty alone, or with your favorite salsa.

Now, you may ask, " Where do I buy such an amazing chip?" And the answer....Well, you can find them all over the great state of California, in Washington, and Oregon, in Hawaii, and in select stores in the states of Texas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Utah and Idaho. ( Check Website for more details)

They can also be ordered in packs of 1.5 oz and 9 oz bags online and shipped to your location. So now you know about Whale Tail Chips. Go buy them, try them, eat them, dip them, scoop them, lick them, bite them, and munch them! C'mon, haven't you ever wondered what a tortilla chip shaped like the tail of a whale might taste like?

Just click here to vote for my business: http://intuit.me/18Bl1DE

Exploring the Many Benefits of Chia Seeds for your Health

Here in America, people tend to think of Chia seeds as something that are used to grow plants that resemble furry animals. The fact is that they have been included in Mayan and Aztec diets for centuries, not only because they have health benefits, but because they taste delicious as well. When you learn of some of the benefits of chia seeds, you may just want to try them for yourself.
Improves Heart Health-Chia seeds are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce bad levels of cholesterol in the body. These seeds are also high in dietary fiber, and may help to reduce fat stores around the heart, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Antioxidants-Chia seeds help eliminate toxins from the body, and also help support healthy elimination
Rich in nutrients-In addition to high levels of protein, chia seeds also contain approximately 18% of your daily-recommended allowance of calcium, 35% of phosphorus, 50% for manganese, and 24% for magnesium.
Promotes weight loss-Consuming chia seeds on a daily basis is thought to help speed your metabolism, thereby enhancing your weight loss efforts. They also help to suppress the appetite, and the fact that they contain high levels of protein means that you are more likely to lose fat rather than muscle while you slim down.
Helps manage diabetes-A person’s insulin levels are easier to control whenever chia seeds are added to the diet. Regular consumption of chia seeds helps to reduce insulin resistance while also decreasing high blood glucose levels.
Eases arthritis suffering-Since chia seeds have anti-inflammatory properties, they are also beneficial to those who are suffering from arthritis. There is some evidence that they might help relieve some of the pain associated with this condition as well.
Increases energy-Chia seeds help boost energy levels naturally without leaving you feeling jittering or experiencing a “crash” some time later.
How to Eat Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are virtually tasteless; however, they do add texture to food, and are ideal for baking bread with. Other uses for them including sprinkling on cereal, ice cream, salads, vegetables or putting in smoothies.
If you’re looking for a fun way to include chia seeds in your diet, try our blue corn chips that are sprinkled lightly with them. To find out where to buy blue corn chips or any of our other flavors, contact us today.

WHALE TAILS TORTILLA CHIPS RECEIVES NON-GMO PROJECT VERIFICATION FOR ENTIRE WHALE TAILS CHIPS® PRODUCT LINE

Aug 1, 2013

August 1, 2013: Whale Tails Tortilla Chips, LLC. received official verification from the Non-GMO Project on July 19, 2013 for its entire line of Whale Tails Chips®  tortilla chips: Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt, Deep Blue Corn with Chia Seeds, and their savory Hawaiian Barbeque flavor sweetened with tropical sun-ripened mango.

“We are proud that our product line has met the high standard required to become Non-GMO Project Verified. Whale Tails Chips® believes that food choices matter to our water resources and consumers have a right to know what is in their foods." stated Ric Kraszewski,Co Founder of Whale Tails Tortilla Chips®.

The company shares the concerns surrounding GMOs, their relationship to food allergies, the unknown health implications of introducing GMO ingredients into our food supply, and the effects of commercial herbicides and pestcides on our waterways. When Kraszewski and his wife, Terry, launched the updated Whale Tails Tortilla Chip product line in 2011 they wanted to promote their giving back to ocean conservation approach and believed that using simple, un-compromised Non-GMO ingredients was important. The company had already earned the reputation as the top mission driven healthy snack company in Southern California. In 2012 the company gave back over $14,000 to the Non Profit Wyland Foundation. Terry Kraszewski, Co Founder and CEO, said that their updated bags were a collaboration with the world-renowned marine artist and environmentalist, Wyland of Laguna Beach. Wyland has done more than any other artist to raise awareness of the beauty of life on our blue planet. The non profit Wyland Foundation is actively engaged in teaching millions of students around the country about the importance of conserving our oceans, river, lakes, streams, and wetlands. Both Whale Tails and Wyland hold fast to a simple goal of promoting, protecting, and preserving the world’s ocean, waterways, and marine life. This commitment to ocean life has been integral to both the product and the mission of Whale Tails Tortilla Chips since their inception. In order to pursue this shared aim, Whale Tails Tortilla Chips donates 10 percent from their bags of chips to the Wyland Foundation. "That’s the key to making a difference." says Steve Creech, the vice president of Wyland Worldwide "the revenue raised from the chips sales will go towards our clean water mobile learning center. This program travels to schools across the nation to educate children about urban runoff, habitat destruction and the importance of collaboratively managing water as a shared resource.”

Whale Tails Chips® incorporates organic blue and yellow corn, gourmet sea salts, chia seeds, and mango for a more nutritious snack food alternative. The product line has received an enthusiast reception in the food industry because of its high-quality ingredients and their Non-GMO Project verification.

In addition to being Non-GMO Project Verified, the product line is also Gluten Free, Certified  Kosher, Low Sodium and does not contain any artificial ingredients.

About the Non-GMO Project: The Non-GMO Project is committed to preserving and building sources of non-GMO products, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO choices. The Non-GMO Project offers North America’s only third-party verification and labeling for non-GMO food and products. Find out more at www.nongmoproject.org.

About Whale Tails Tortilla Chips, LLC:

A pioneer in the organic tortilla chip industry, Whale Tails Tortilla Chips produces snacks under the Whale Tails brand. We are guided by a simple premise: to make products that people can enjoy while playing the most active and important role in the sustainability loop. The economy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the environment. With every drop of water you drink, every breath you take, you're connected to the sea. No matter where on Earth you live. Most of the oxygen in the atmosphere is generated by the sea. The ocean drives climate and weather, stabilizes temperature, shapes Earth's chemistry. Water from the sea forms clouds that return to the land and the seas as rain, sleet and snow, and provides home for about 97 percent of life in the world. Supporters of Whale Tails Tortilla Chips know their food choices are essential. Their choices will either complete the process or allow it to break down into what becomes just another marketing spin. Let’s make sure the Earth is the only thing spinning at the end of the day and we leave our children a home that they can enjoy for many generations to come.

Today, Whale Tails Chips are available at Whole Foods Markets and other fine retailers.For more information about our products visit: http://www.WhaleTailsChips.com or contact Ric Kraszewski at whaletailchips@gmail.com

Just Ask The Aztecs About The Benefits Of Chia Seeds

Just Ask The Aztecs About The Benefits Of Chia Seeds

Have you heard the stories about the "running people" of the Copper Canyons in Mexico?  It has been said that they are perhaps the finest long distance runners on earth.  The stories tell of 100 to 300 mile runs that the people do with ease.  You can just imagine the intense physical conditioning that must take place to be able to run like that!

The Tarahumara people of Mexico begin that conditioning at a very young age with the goal to be becoming runners for life, and along with a simple diet, the people have been known to live to 100 years old.  They also rarely suffer from disease and illnesses like we do in the western world.  Main staples of their diet were chia seeds and pinole.  Pinole was actually a type of roasted corn, often mixed with sugar, which is an excellent food for staving off hunger. Super concentrated and super nutritious, it is a food that will sustain you for weeks.

The mighty chia seed comes from a member of the mint family that thrives in the desert.  These seeds, along with the pinole are true "super foods" and chia offers twice the protein of any other seeds, like flax seeds for instance. They are also a rich source of antioxidants. 

Dr. Andrew Weil's website tells us that: 

"Chia is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, even more so than flax seeds. And it has another advantage over flax: chia is so rich in antioxidants that the seeds don't deteriorate and can be stored for long periods without becoming rancid. And, unlike flax, they do not have to be ground to make their nutrients available to the body. Chia seeds also provide fiber (25 grams give you 6.9 grams of fiber) as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin, and zinc."

The Aztec peoples of Mexico ate chia seeds as a staple of their diets as the plant was grown all over Mexico as far back as 1500 BC.  The chia seed helped maintain their powerful military and was known as the ultimate survival food.  They also used chia for medicine and it was included in religious ceremonies as an offering to the gods.  When the Spanish Conquistadors arrived they made note of the importance of this food in the people's diets and they promptly decided to do whatever they could to remove it from the people's lives.

Today, we know that the mighty chia is one of the most nutritious foods on the planet.  We also know that it can help us reduce our risk of heart disease and even help us avoid the onset of Type 2 Diabetes. Studies have shown that eating chia "improves major and emerging cardiovascular risk factors".

When we learned about all the health benefits of eating chia seeds, we just had to find a way to include them in our snacks.  Along came the Organic, Blue Corn Tor"chia" chip which has been infused with the mighty chia seed.

Contact us and we will let you know where you can grab a bag today!

No Whales Were Harmed During the Making of This Chip!

These days you can never be too sure about what’s in the food you’re eating or where it came from.  Many companies go to great lengths to hide and disguise this information, because the facts are typically horrifying. Whale Tails Tortilla Chips is proud of the ingredients they put in each and every chip and is happy to share with their customers where those ingredients came from.

The word ‘chip’ has a bad rap.  It is often associated with grease, fat, and high levels of sodium. But people continue to eat chips because of the great taste.  Whale Tails Tortilla chips transforms what we thought we knew about chips by making it a healthy snack and still maintaining that same delicious taste every chip eater wants.

• The Original Flavor Yellow Organic Corn with “Alaea” Red Gourmet Hawaiian chip contains Alaea, a salt that is a product of the Hawaiian Islands.  Alaea is unique because of its low sodium content and is an essential mineral that our body requires on a daily basis.

• The Hawaiian Barbeque tortilla chips take a new spin on the long standing concept of the barbeque chip.  It contains a savory island barbeque flavor with a light trace of mango and a splash of lime for zest.

• We can’t forget about the Organic Blue Corn Infused with Chia tortilla chips.  This flavor contains the super seed chia.  This small seed packs a punch.  It contains high amounts of omega-3, more than any other vegetable.  The seed has essential amino acids, and five times more calcium than milk.

All Whales Tails tortilla chips are made with organic corn grown in the USA.  These chips are gluten free and contain zero transfat. Chip eaters will be thrilled to know Whale Tails Tortilla chips contain no GMO’s and are kosher.  Enjoy this guilt free snack and relax knowing no whales were injured in the making of this chip!
Visit our website for more delicious info and see if you can spot our whale shaped chip! http://www.whaletailschips.com
Or contact us direcly.  We look forward to hearing from you. http://www.whaletailschips.com/products/contact-us

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!

The Benefits of Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are not just for chia pets anymore. This ancient Mayan seed is the new super food, and a key ingredient in our Blue Tor"chia" Chips. So what are the benefits of chia seeds? These tiny seeds pack a big nutritional punch. Here are some of the ways they work their health magic:

Add healthy Omega-3 oil to your diet

Chia seeds are the richest plant-source of this healthy oil. We love the ocean, and everything that lives in it. Chia seeds are a way to get this essential oil without harming any of the ocean's residents. In fact, chia seeds contain even more Omega-3 than salmon. This oil is important in maintaining heart and cholesterol health, and has even been targeted as a weight-loss helper.

Feel more energized all day long

Chia is also one of nature's highest plant-based sources of complete protein. Usually protein from other plant-based sources is incomplete, meaning you have to balance it with protein from other sources to get the full effect. But with chia seeds, it's protein is complete enough to give you steady energy all day long.

Get the calcium and fiber your body needs

Many Americans do not get enough calcium. Chia seeds deliver up to five times more calcium than milk! Snacking on a chip with chia seeds can actually contribute to keeping your bones strong and healthy. Bonus! Chia seeds also deliver 42% of your daily recommended dose of fiber per ounce. Fiber is vital for all aspects of health, and is especially key for weight loss and digestion. And it's another one of those things that we just don't get enough of. 

And do you know what's really incredible about chia seeds? You get all of these health benefits and great flavor. Chia seeds actually enhance the natural flavors of whatever item they are used in. So they give our organic blue chips an extra nutty and delicious flavor.

To find out more about how you can snack your way to health, please feel free to contact us.

Nuts and Seeds Can Be Great Healthy Snacks And Give You An Energy Boost Too

We were reading about the health benefits of snacking on nuts and seeds recently and what caught our attention was how nuts and seeds can provide a long-lasting energy boost which can help you maintain stamina and focus.

The website of the esteemed Mayo Clinic tells us that:

"Eating nuts as part of a healthy diet can be good for your heart. Nuts, which contain unsaturated fatty acids and other nutrients, are a great snack food, too. They're inexpensive, easy to store and easy to take with you to work or school."

They also write that:

"People who eat nuts as part of a heart-healthy diet can lower the LDL, low-density lipoprotein or "bad," cholesterol level in their blood. High LDL is one of the primary causes of heart disease." 

Did you know that Magnesium, which is abundant in most nuts, can be very beneficial in the reduction of inflammation?  When Inflammation may be responsible for so many health problems, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes, we were pleased to learn that consuming nuts when snacking can be a effective way to reduce that inflammation. Nuts have always been know as a great source of energy.

One of our favorite seeds to eat is the amazing Chia Seed.  Did you know that they are helpful with weight loss by keeping calories from being absorbed into your system?  They are also high in Omega 3s and have shown to be beneficial additions to the diabetic diet.  They are very helpful in controlling blood sugars.

When it comes to healthy snacks, Whale Tails Chips totally fits your "good for you" requirements.  Contact us today to find out all about our organic, non-gmo, kosher and gluten-free snacking options.

Aloha and get the guacamole!

Dude! I thought the tortilla chip innovation nation was over a long time ago.  I mean how can genius be duplicated in the 21St Century?  I didn't know I was tired of almost munching on my fingers every time we go to that one chick's house for parties, until I saw these chips.  Makes me want to go down to the Mavericks and party hearty.  And eat chips.

Now just talking about it makes me want to grub on some of those babys! Anyway, can you believe that now I have to watch my cholesterol! These are different, made with chia seeds, full of Omega 3"s whatever that is,  and your bro Irving can eat them because they are kosher.

Hawaiian salt, for sure does that even really exist?  Organic (like me!!), ya called Alaea salt. Well whatever, it's still really great with Pabst!  Dude, what day is it, hey wanna go surfing? So you have to watch your gluten? Why? You're only 40!  Don't old people have to quit gluten?  Anyway what IS gluten?  And why can't you eat it?

That old lady that works in the corner store told me this Alaea salt is good for ya.  She said she read in www.whaletaleschips.comThat..."Alaea is unique to the Hawaiian Islands and legendary for being low in sodium content , 3% to be exact , and high in essential trace minerals that our bodies require. Alaea is sun dried, never processed, and imparts the rich earthy taste of corn that has been roasted “Island Style” over an open flame."

Roasted over an open flame? Sounds like a Luau to me, Jack.  I can get so much dip on these chips it's crazy. Shaped like the back end of your surf board, no lie!  If Toddzilla wants some for his surf shop he should contac t us.  Aloha and get the guacamole!

The Many Benefits of Chia Seeds

You might have seen our Organic Blue Corn chips, which advertise that they are infused with chia seeds and you may have found yourself wondering, "So?"  If that's gone through your head, allow us to take a minute to talk about the benefits of chia seeds.  Yes, we're dedicating a whole blog to chia seeds, because they are just that cool.

Chia seeds are considered a superfood, which is to say it is a food that contains a high amount of nutrition per bite.  Chia seeds are taken from a desert plant, Salvia hispanica, which is a member of the mint family.  Mainly grown in southern Mexico, it is said that Indians used the seed for energy and substance.  They are flavorless on their own and magnify the flavors they are mixed with, which means you get the benefit without any weird tastes.

So what can the seed do for you?  

• Help you lose weight.  If you were to take some chia seeds and put them in a glass of water and return in about an hour, the water would become gelatinous because of all the soluble fiber in the seed.  This gelatin property helps you feel fuller longer.  In addition, it prevents calories from being absorbed since the gel provides a coating and prevents caloric absorption.
• Chia seeds are high in calcium.  In fact, they have more calcium than whole milk.
• Chia seeds have tons of anti-oxidant properties.  The same thing you find in blueberries and exotic fruits.  Anti-oxidants help you stay younger longer.  That's why chia seeds are capable of staying fresh for so long at room temperature without preservatives.  You can leave them on the counter for two years and they'll still remain fresh and ready to eat.
• Chia seeds have omega-3.  They have more omega-3 than salmon!  Omega-3 helps heart disease and other inflammatory causing problems, like arthritis.  In addition, they help to reduce blood pressure.
• Chia seeds give you energy.  Because they contain complete protein, and balance that with other vitamins and minerals, you'll have more energy that is long lasting.

There is an abundance of ways to include chia seeds in your diet; we've found just one tasty way by including it in our Organic Blue Corn Whale Tails!

For more health benefits of our unique tortilla chips, please contact us today!

3 Healthy Lunch Ideas for Gluten Free Kids

Coming up with new ideas for lunch every day while trying to maintain a gluten free diet for your child can be a daunting task; just when you think you’ve cracked the code, they get bored. Their tastes change, or they discover “Lunchables” in the grocery store and refuse to discuss a rice cracker and vegan cheese option.
Here are 3 complete lunch plans that will spark your kid’s appetite for healthy, gluten free food.

1. Oceans of Lunch; Hawaiian BBQ Whale tail chips with a build it yourself wrap. Try putting a favorite lunchmeat, small slices of cheese, a gluten free wrap cut in half, and raw vegetables sliced thin in a container so your child can build their own lunch. Include a small container of slices of starfruit.
2. Dip It; Many kids will try a new vegetable if it’s accompanied by a favorite dip. Try broccoli cut up so it looks like little trees and washed and peeled carrots cut in half lengthwise so they are still very long. Cut an apple off of the core, and then carefully reassemble it. Hold it together with one hand and wrap a rubber band around the thickest part of the apple. It looks whole, now. But the cut sides of the apple won’t turn brown. Include a small container of fruit dip. Don’t forget the Blue Corn Whale tail chips and a small container of salsa!
3. Fiesta on Friday; A soft gluten free taco shell, Mexican rice, your meat of choice (or omit the meat for a vegetarian  option), a small container of shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa are all you need to provide a fun Friday lunch. Add Original Whale Tail chips and expect an empty lunchbox at the end of the day!  

For extra credit, slip a joke in your child’s lunch. Here’s a freebie:
What time is it when a whale runs into your boat?
Time to get a new boat!
If you have questions about our gluten free products, please contact us.