Contents
Guide
No one likes a know-it-all. Most of us realize theres no such thinghow could there be? The world is far too complicated for someone to understand everything there is to know. So when you come across a know-it-all, you smile to yourself as they ramble on because you know better.
You understand that the quest for knowledge is a never-ending one, and youre okay with that. You have no desire to know everything, just the next thing. You know what you dont know, youre confident enough to admit it, and youre motivated to do something about it.
At Idiots Guides, we, too, know what we dont know, and we make it our business to find out. We find really smart people who are experts in their fields and then we roll up our sleeves and get to work, asking lots of questions and thinking long and hard about how best to pass along their knowledge to you in the easiest, most-accessible way possible.
After all, thats our promiseto make whatever you want to learn As Easy as It Gets. That means giving you a well-organized design that seamlessly and effortlessly guides you from page to page, topic to topic. It means controlling the pace youre asked to absorb new informationnot too much at once but just what you need to know right now. It means giving you a clear progression from easy to more difficult. It means giving you more instructional steps wherever necessary to really explain the details. And it means giving you fewer words and more illustrations wherever its better to show rather than tell.
So here you are, at the start of something new. The next chapter in your quest. It can be an intimidating place to be, but youve been here before and so have we. Clear your mind and turn the page. By the end of this book, you wont be a know-it-all, but your world will be a little less complicated than it was before. And well be sure your journey is as easy as it gets.
Mike Sanders
Publisher, Idiots Guides
ALPHA BOOKS
Published by Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
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Copyright 2014 by Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors rights. Purchase only authorized editions. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein. For information, address Alpha Books, 800 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240.
IDIOTS GUIDES and Design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
International Standard Book Number: 978-1-61564-531-2
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2013948133
16 15 14 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Interpretation of the printing code: The rightmost number of the first series of numbers is the year of the books printing; the rightmost number of the second series of numbers is the number of the books printing. For example, a printing code of 14-1 shows that the first printing occurred in 2014.
Printed in the United States of America
Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its authors. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the authors and publisher are not engaged in rendering professional services in the book. If the reader requires personal assistance or advice, a competent professional should be consulted. The authors and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book.
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Publisher:Mike Sanders
Executive Managing Editor:Billy Fields
Executive Acquisitions Editor:Lori Cates Hand
Development Editor:Kayla Dugger
Production Editor:Jana M. Stefanciosa
Cover Designer:Laura Merriman
Book Designer:William Thomas
Indexer:Tonya Heard
Layout:Ayanna Lacey
Proofreader:Gene Redding
Introduction
Chia and chia seeds mean many things to many different people. A few might not even be aware that theyve ever heard of chia. Many others may think of Chia Pets, whether through the famous Ch-ch-ch-ch-chia! TV ads that launched them into public awareness or the novelty versions like Chia Smurfs, Chia President Obama, or Chia Governor Romney. But the way some people know about chiaand the one more in line with the purpose of this bookis as a superfood.
Chia is the single best and most effective food around to help you with your weight-loss and weight-management goals. Theres nothing like chia for helping you feel more full with less food and for avoiding the swings between hunger and feeling stuffed that are so much a part of life on a Western diet with lots of processed foods and fast food. Chia is also at or near the top for a whole host of other purposes, such as better nutrition, improved digestion, a healthier heart, and better endurance. This is the promise chia holds, and this book is built on that promise.
Theres nothing overhyped or woo-woo about this book. Chia wont automatically give you the strength of an Aztec warrior or the endurance of a Pueblo Indian message runner. Nor will it spiritually enlighten you. But chia will help you feel better and eat betterand perhaps give you a little boost toward gaining all those other good things as well.