Janie Hoffman - Chia Vitality: 30 Days to Better Health, Greater Vibrancy, and a More Meaningful and Purposeful Life

Copyright 2014 by Janie Hoffman

All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Harmony Books, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company, New York.

www.crownpublishing.com

Harmony Books is a registered trademark, and the Circle colophon is a trademark of Random House LLC.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hoffman, Janie.
Chia vitality : 30 days to better health, greater vibrancy, and a more meaningful and purposeful life / by Janie Hoffman.
pages cm
1. Hatha yoga. 2. Vitality. I. Title.
RA781.7.H64 2014
613.7046dc23 2014000741

ISBN 978-0-8041-3978-6
eBook ISBN 978-0-8041-3979-3

Print book design by Lauren Dong
Illustrations by Nicole Kaufman
Cover design by Jess Morphew
Cover photography: Gainey/Alamy

v3.1

This book is intended to provide helpful and inspirational information with the understanding that the author and publisher are not rendering medical, nutritional, or physical fitness services. Before starting on this (or any other) meal plan and exercise program, check with your physician to make sure that they will be right for you.

To Lance, my beautiful friend and delightful husband

vitality nounplural vitalities

1. exuberant physical strength and mental vigor

2. capacity for the continuation of a meaningful and purposeful existence

3. power to live and grow

4. vital force

I s there anyone who doesnt hunger for every single thing on that list? Physical strength, mental vigor, a meaningful and purposeful existence, the power to live and grow, vital force Wow! Thats a roster of just about everything sorely missing in most of our busy modern lives. Yet vitality and all that defines it isnt as elusive as it might seem. Even if you feel lacking in vitality right now, believe me, theres a vibrant, joyous person living inside you! You just need the right tools to bring it outand chia is here to help.

When some people think about vitality, they think about having the energy to do more, and thats certainly a part of it. But when I think about vitality, I think about how it doesnt allow you to just do moreit allows you to be more. People with vitality are enthusiastic, passionate, and authentic. Theyre resilient in the face of lifes ups and downs and filled with gratitude for the things, both big and small, that enrich their lives. Perhaps most notably, people with vitality are aligned with their souls purpose. Theyve discovered what really matters to them and are living life accordingly. No wonder they feel so alive!

But can I get all that from a seed smaller than a freckle? Youd be right to be skeptical; when I first heard about the magic of chia, I was, too. It wasnt long, though, before I realized how well chia delivers on its promiseits so much more than a nutrient-dense superfood. Seed by seed, this little powerhouse leads you down the path to vitality, giving you the energy and strength to lead a more beautiful and more dynamic life. Some foods simply feed the body, but chia also feeds the soul.

When you look at all thats packed into a single tablespoon of chia seeds, its not hard to understand why theres a chia renaissance going on. Omega-3s! Fiber! Protein! Calcium! Iron! Antioxidants! And thats just a partial list. Gram for gram, there really isnt anything like chia: 70 percent more protein than soybeans, 25 percent more fiber than flaxseed, 600 percent more calcium than milk, and 30 percent more antioxidants than blueberries. Chias omega-3 content alonethe highest of any vegetarian sourceprovides reason to celebrate. These essential fatty acids are known to protect the heart, help prevent cancer, reduce inflammation, diminish the symptoms of autoimmune disorders, and possibly even guard against Alzheimers disease and depression. And you get all that for a mere 60 to 68 calories per tablespoon (calories vary depending on whos doing the calculations, but this is the general range). Its as if nature decided to develop its own wellness supplementall the nutrients known to help fight disease and boost vigor conveniently packed into a small package, there for the taking.