Little super seeds like chia and flax are mightier than they look: while they may be tiny, they’re actually full of essential nutrients. The chia seed contains three times more calcium than skim milk, and is a great source of both omega-3 essential fatty acids and dietary fiber. Ground flaxseed is also a great source of fiber, as well as omega-3 alpha-linoleic acid, which supports normal cardiovascular function and helps maintain healthy hair, skin and nails.

Chia Seeds

Flax Seeds

Super Seed Tips:

Add chia or ground flax seeds to almost anything
Sprinkle over hot or cold cereal
Stir into yogurt or applesauce
Add to smoothies and beverages

More Tips:

Add to baked goods
Stir into nut butter or sprinkle inside a PB & J
Sprinkle over toast
Add to homemade nut/seed butter bars

Super Easy Recipe with Chia:

Chia Pudding
Makes 3 Servings

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups coconut milk, unsweetened
• 1/3 cup chia seeds
• 2-4 Tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Toppings:

• Toasted almonds or cashews
• Grated, unsweetened coconut
• Berries
• Sliced Bananas

Directions:

In a bowl, mix all ingredients. Stir until well-blended. Cover bowl and place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Once pudding has set, sprinkle with your favorite toppings and enjoy! The result is thick and luxurious, with loads of healthy side effects.

Chia Pudding

Here are a few reasons to add chia to your daily routine:

1. DIGESTION: Chia is being studied as a potential treatment for type 2 diabetes because of its ability to slow down digestion and prevent blood sugar spikes. (Sources: Harvard Health Publications and Diabetes Care, 2007)
2. FIBER: A 28-gram or one-ounce serving of chia has 11 grams of dietary fiber, which is important for digestive health.
3. GOOD FAT: Nearly five grams of Omega-3 (important for brain health) in a one-ounce serving.
4. MINERALS: A serving of chia seeds has 18 percent of the recommended daily intake for calcium, important for bone and oral health. It also has 30% of your recommended intake of manganese, another important nutrient/mineral for bone health (it helps your body use other essential nutrients like biotin and thiamin). And then, there is phosphorus. Chia seeds have 27% of your daily need. Phosphorus also helps with bone and teeth health by synthesizing protein for cell and tissue growth/repair.
5. PROTEIN: One 28-gram serving has 4.4 grams of protein, nearly 10 per cent of the daily value.
6. APPETITE, SLEEP AND MOOD: Chia seeds also have tryptophan which helps regulate appetite, sleep and improve mood.
7. HEART HEALTH: Chia seeds may lower total, LDL, and triglyceride cholesterol, and raise good HDL cholesterol. All good things for a happy, healthy heart.

* *ADVISORY* *
Chia seeds can interact with the medication warfarin/coumadin. Patients on blood pressure medication should take chia seeds cautiously. Patients on blood thinners should not take chia seeds. – From the Cleveland Clinic http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/Features/Pages/Chia-Seeds.aspx

Organic farming, Fair Trade practices and impeccable artisan care all contribute to the outstanding quality of Finca San Antonio. Their use of a rare varietals of cacao such as Criollo also makes them stand out from the competition.

Criollo was the predominant cacao of central and northern South America for ages. Because of its low productivity and susceptibility to disease it now represents between 0.1% and 5% of the world’s crop. Finca San Antonio still cultivates this varietal of cacao in the northern region of San Martín. Their bars contain between 55% and 70% cacao, all of which is grown organically.

Sunday, May 21st | 2-5pm

Taste 30 wines | Tickets $10

You may pre-purchase your tickets or buy them at the event. To purchase now click > here.

Many of our wines are organic or biodynamically farmed.

We are also having a 20% off Price Crush SALE (12 or more bottles, mix & match ok)!

If you buy a case that day (5/21), we’ll refund your tasting fee*!

The 20% off wine case sale lasts all week: May 21st – 29th!

* The eventbrite service charge is non-refundable

May 13^th is World Fair Trade Day. The purpose of this international celebration is to showcase the small-scale farmers and artisans at the heart of the fair trade movement and the contributions they make to healthy and sustainable communities around the world.

This year we’re highlighting small-scale farmers who bring together traditional farming methods with innovative organic practices, creating truly regenerative agriculture. Brands like Alaffia, Alter Eco, Dr. Bronner’s, Equal Exchange, Guayaki Yerba Mate, and Maggie’s Organics are building these supply chains that make a difference—and bringing you products that you can feel good about putting in your shopping cart.

Each brand’s products and its producers tell a different story: Alaffia’s deodorant helps support reforestation projects in rural Togo, increasing food security and helping to slow erosion. Alter Eco’s chocolate partners are reintroducing heirloom cacao varietals as part of an agroforestry project in Ecuador. In India, Dr. Bronner’s is partnering with a project that is revitalizing land into a rich, regenerative ecosystem to grow mint oil that puts the tingle in your soap—and a wealth of food and cash crops. Equal Exchange’s coffee helps power deep organic practices, and farmer-led workshops that pass the wisdom on to the next generation of Honduran farmers. And in Paraguay, Guayaki works with the indigenous Aché Guayaki who cultivate your yerba mate boost in the understory, earning a living in harmony with the rainforest instead of depleting it.

Small-scale producers are growing food and farming systems that give back to their communities and regenerate our planet. When you support the fair trade brands that support them, you’re helping grow that future too.

Look for special in-store deals throughout May, and let your purchases be Fair for Farmers every day!

Learn more at FairWorldProject.org

1. Tummy troubles. Dilute a tablespoon of Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar with water or tea and drink it before a meal for optimal digestion.
2. Combat dandruff. Mix ¼ cup Bragg Vinegar with ¼ cup water in a spray bottle. Spray it onto your hair after you wash, let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse.
3. Teeth brightening. Rub apple cider vinegar directly on your teeth and then rinse with water. Careful not to do this too often, it can break down enamel just like any acid! For a less abrasive approach, mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water, swish and spit.
4. Soothe a soar throat. Mix one teaspoon apple cider vinegar, one teaspoon cayenne pepper and three teaspoons of honey in a glass of warm water.
5. Foot odor! Pour one cup of apple cider vinegar over baby wipes, or thick paper towels. Store them in the fridge. Use as needed.
6. Use it topically on your skin (apply with a cider soaked washcloth) to make your skin feel softer, absorb excess oil and reduce fine lines by restoring optimal pH levels.
7. Scorched by the sun! Add a cup or two to the bath to help restore your skin’s pH.