Contributors
Posted by admin on May 5th, 2012
What is Chia?
Chia is an edible seed that comes from the Salvia hispanica plant, which commonly grows in southern Mexico. Anthropological evidence shows that chia seeds were a staple crop of the Aztec and Mayan empires as long ago as 3500 B.C. The Spanish conquistadors outlawed the cultivation of chia due to its connection to Aztec religion, and the grain faded into obscurity. In recent years, chia has enjoyed a popular resurgence as scientists have discovered amazing health benefits associated with it.
What are the Chia Seeds Nutrition Facts?
Chia is one of the ultimate superfoods. A single ounce of chia contains 42 percent of your daily recommended fiber, and more omega-3 fatty acids than salmon. It also contains very healthy doses of electrolytes, antioxidants, and even protein. In fact, chia is a complete protein source, containing all of the essential amino acids, and it contains 3 times more calcium than skim milk.
What are the Benefits of Chia Seeds?
Thanks to its myriad nutrients, chia offers a wide variety of health benefits. Chia consumption can help you to meet many of your daily nutrient requirements, and the fiber can help you to keep your appetite under control. The ancient Aztec warriors consumed chia for the energy and endurance that it provides, and you can experience the same energy boost by consuming chia seeds yourself. The ample calcium can help prevent bone disorders like osteoporosis. Chia also promotes heart health and beautiful skin, hair and nails.
How Do I Consume Chia Seeds?
You have many options when it comes to chia. You can eat the seeds by themselves or add them to your food or drink, and still derive all of the nutritional benefits. There are chia seed foods, chia seed drinks, chia seed oils and even chia seed bars. Other superfoods, like flax seeds, must be ground up, but chia seeds are beneficial no matter how you consume them. You can even consume chia as a gel, which offers many benefits of its own. Researchers have also found that chia seeds gel has the ability to slow the breakdown of carbohydrates into sugar. Vitalyte’s Chia Surge energy gel is a great example of an effective use of chia.
What are the Benefits of Chia Seeds vs. Flax Seeds?
Flax seeds are very nutritious as well, but they do not hold a candle to chia seeds. For instance, flax seeds must be ground up in order for their nutrients to be digestible. By contrast, you do not need to grind up chia seeds in order to obtain the nutritional benefits. Also, chia has much higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants than flax does, and is more nutrient-dense.
What are Chia Seeds’ Side Effects?
Chia has many nutritional benefits and very few side effects. If you are taking blood thinners, you may want to speak with your doctor before adding chia to your diet, simply because omega-3 fatty acids can thin the blood. Also, the high fiber content may leave some people feeling slightly bloated. You will find though, that the benefits far outweigh the side effects.
Posted by admin on April 29th, 2012
Yes you are.
At Vitalyte we wholeheartedly believe in empowering any and everyone to feel great, be amazing, and live an extraordinary life. As such we came up with the concept of the Modern Athlete. This athlete is a soccer mom, a marathon runner, a yogi, a volleyball player, a walker, you name it. This athlete is anyone who strives to be healthy and does their best to live an active life and here’s where we come in. We’ve spend many a moon in the lab to craft products that empower you to live the life you want to live and that has resulted in, you guessed it, the Ultimate Athlete Package.
Complete with our original electrolyte replacement formula, tri phase endurance - or pre workout fuel, chia surge gel - the only whole seed chia gel on the market complete with palatanose and beta alanine, and complete recovery - our amazing recovery drink - you’ve never experienced a workout strategy like this. This system will make you better - plain and simple as that. Feel free to read up on or ask more questions about any of the products in this revolutionary cornucopia of endurance, hydration, stamina and strength but know this: the products in this system are awesome… so if you’re not ready to be awesome, steer clear. Jus’ saying.
In love, being awesome, and annihilating competition of any sort,
Captain Vitalyte
Posted by admin on April 26th, 2012
You’ve done it. You are committed. Your race entry has been confirmed. You have your new pair of running shoes and you’re ready to sport your entire LuLu Lemon ensemble on the running trail. But what you really need to know is where do you begin when you are a beginner runner and you are training for your first 5k. Well, here are my Top 5 things to do when you are looking to get fit for that first race. With some preparation and a logical approach, you will be fast on your way to that starting line. So here goes…
My top tip for running your first race by far is…
1. Train steady and slow - The build up is key. You are new to running so you need to take time to acclimate to the sport and give your body time to adapt to its new training. My rule of thumb is to allow yourself twelve weeks to train for your first 5k. There are a lot of great resources to help you with your journey. Try joining a local track club or visit a local running store for information on training groups. Make sure they know you are a beginner. Ideally, your running at first should consist of both running and walking and be sure to lace up those shoes 3-4 days a week.
2. Meet but don’t compete - I highly encourage that you join a running club or group in the initial stages of your running. You can ask the coach a lot of questions and get great information from more experienced runners. Plus, it’s a great way to meet training buddies. Take note though, my big rule here is: “Meet but DON’T compete.” You are there to meet new people and learn about running. You are not there to compete. Be careful not to be pulled into how much someone else is running or how fast. No comparisons. Remember, this is about your goals and there is only one of you so respect where you are in your fitness and know that eventually, with some steady training, you will be running with the pack.
3. Hydration and nutrition are key - If you forget these two elements, your training is for not. Yep, I know you have heard this a thousand times over, but keeping properly hydrated and following a healthy, balanced diet, are critical components to keeping you healthy while you train. A healthy body can train and tow the line. An injured body usually stays at home and tries to rationalize that the potato portion in the chocolate covered potato chip counts as one of the five fruit and vegetable servings per day. Open that bag of decadent treats at the end of your first race to celebrate, not while you are depressed on the couch, nursing an achilles strain. So, you ask, how do you hydrate? Make sure to consume enough electrolytes to power yourself through your training. In terms of nutrition, keep it simple and real. That means, reduce sugar and high fat foods. Replace the white flour with nutrient-rich grains such as brown rice, quinoa and amaranth. Keep the gluten to a minimum to help reduce inflammation. Make sure your diet contains lots of veggies and a moderate amount of fruit. Buy local and organic whenever possible to make sure the nutrient yield of the food you are consuming is as rich as can be. Protein should be lean and be about 35% of your total caloric intake. Basically that means, about a third of your plate should be protein. Ummm, and no it doesn’t count if two-thirds of your plate includes an apple pie and the remaining section is a grilled chicken breast.
4. Don’t be intimidated - This is meant to be fun and empowering. I know whenever you are learning something new it can be overwhelming and a bit intimidating. All those pro-looking runners at the Monday evening run, clad in the latest “minima” shoes and wrists adorned with GPS units galore, yes even they were beginners at some point and had to learn. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s the only way you learn.
5. Give yourself some credit - A lot of people forget to stop and tell themselves “good job” when they are picking up something new. Whether it’s a new job, relationship or skill, we tend to be overly critical instead of supportive of ourselves. Realize you’re doing this because you want to life a healthy life. Yes- this is a lifestyle choice, so be happy that you are giving yourself that gift. The rewards will flow over into all aspects of your life. I guarantee it.
Good luck with your first 5k and look for my next blog in this series for beginner runners.
Posted by admin on April 24th, 2012
Learning to be an endurance athlete with diabetes has always been tough.
Constantly checking blood sugar has always made me think of an appropriate sports cliché: “NEVER GETTING TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW” will help you be successful. Well, I really have to live that lifestyle.
Over the past year since I started my journey in this sport, I have been constantly looking for easy hydration and in race products to keep my training strong and races stronger. Since I started using Vitalyte products, I really have seen an increase in my ability to push my own limits… and I’m not just saying that.
I’m currently training for 2 major races in May. The ITU triathlon in San Diego May 12 and The Paratriathlon National Championships in Austin Texas MAY 29. I have been using Tri-phase endurance, which has totally amped up my energy levels over all. I’ve been training in Escondido, CA in an attempt to replicate the heat I may encounter in some of my races. On my longer runs, I’ve been loving Chia-Surge to keep my calories up without feeling full at all. Beyond that, the electrolyte replacement sticks have kept me hydrated and cool on some of the hotter (90+) days, allowing me to go for over an hour on hilly terrain! I’m more than excited to be a Vitalyte Brand Ambassador so keep an eye out for my blog posts in the months to come! Thank you to Vitalyte for your amazing products!!
Posted by admin on April 23rd, 2012
So you want to get the skinny on Chia Surge eh? I don’t blame you. When I first heard about the newest Vitalye product, I was skeptical to say the least. Why would I want to consume an awkwardly grassy 90s house-pet trend, I asked myself. The answer proved quite a bit less trendy than I expected.
Chia seeds are a super food that have been around for, well, forever. Chia was considered as important as maize by the Aztecs in the 16th century - see? -right away the 90s pop jams start to dissipate. You may have heard of chia usage from Born to Run, a wildly popular book about the Mexican Barefoot Runners, otherwise known as the Tarahumara, who consumed Chia seeds as fuel for their distance runs. Anyway, Vitalyte saw the value in this superfood and decided to do something about it.
The science behind this seeded gel is unlike anything else on the market…. but seriously, it’s the world’s first and only whole seed chia gel. Complete with Chia seeds and Palatinose for prolonged energy and muscle fuel along with Beta Alanine and BCAA’s to buffer lactic acid and improve muscle performance, this gel is not at all like the others.
Most chia surge converts, we’re finding, are one of two types: Chia Nuts or Gel Addicts. Since this is a no brainer for the chia nuts, we’ll focus on the later: the gel obsessors. Why Chia Surge you ask? You know that feeling when someone hands you a coffee or chocolate flavored gel or Gu at mile 8 of your half? Mile 20 of your century? That awkward, gag-inducing choke down of literal gu that you do because you have to? Because there’s no other option? You know that crash that drops you down to the point of no return a mere 45 minutes after taking it.. and then you have to take another in order to function and finish? Yea… we were over that.
Chia Surge is a light, textured formula that’s not too sweet and much smoother than other gels on the market. It kicks into your system 8-10 minutes after consumption and gradually builds you up for two hours - sans crash- thereby keeping you energized and loving life throughout your workout.
The long and the short of it is that Chia Surge is one of a kind, comes in two flavors: Raspberry and Pineapple Orange- and is worth your while. So turn up those throw back jams, put on those moon shoes and suck in a Chia Surge - you’ll be dancing, running, jumping, and rocking out till the break of dawn.
In love and Chia
Captain Vitalyte
Want to learn more? Take a look at nutrition information and/or buy online.
