Little Ocean: HEALTH // WELLBEING

Bella Hadid's Guide to L.A.

12:54

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Health Benefits of... Chia Seeds

13:55

Chia seeds seem to be everywhere nowadays, what are these wonderful little seeds and why are they beneficial to our insides? Let's have a look at why they should be part of our everyday diet.

Chia seed has been used in Mayan and Aztec diets for a long time and is traditionally consumed in South America. Although the rest of the world does not know of them as much, they nowadays draw interest towards themselves because of their health benefits and uses in cooking. Chia seeds are a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants.

1. Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

The Chia seed is a superfood that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, with almost 5grms in a 1oz. serving. These fats are important for the health of our brain. Chia seeds are composed of 60% omega-3s, making them one of the richest plant-based sources of these fatty acids. The omega-3s in chia seeds can help reduce inflammation, enhance cognitive performance and reduce high cholesterol.

2. Regulates Blood Pressure and prevents Bad Cholesterol

Chia seeds have been known to lower blood pressure as well as lower LDL (bad) Cholesterol and increase the HDL (good) Cholesterol. A study also found that when substituting chia seeds for other fat sources, such as corn oil, the alpha-linolenic acid was able to prevent high triglyceride levels and reduce obesity which leads us to...

3. Satiety and Weight Loss

Chia seeds help give the feeling of being full, which helps lower food cravings between meals. The combination of protein, fiber and the gelling action of chia seeds when mixed with liquids (absorbing 10 times their weight) all contribute to their satiating effects. On the other hand, Tryptophan, an amino acid found in turkey, is also found in chia seeds and it helps regulate appetite, sleep and improve mood, in turn also aiding weight loss.

4. Decreases the risk of Diabetes

Because chia seeds slow down how fast our bodies convert carbohydrates into simple sugars, studies indicate they can control blood sugar. This leads scientists to believe chia seeds may have great benefits for diabetics. Chia is being studied as a potential natural treatment for type-2 diabetes because of its ability to slow down digestion. The gelatinous coating chia seeds develops when exposed to liquids-can also prevent blood sugar spikes. Chia seeds can play an important role in regulating insulin levels. They can reduce insulin resistance and decrease abnormally high levels of insulin in the blood.

5. Get More Fibre and other Nutrients

Just a 1oz. serving of chia has 11g of dietary fibre. Adding some chia to your diet is an easy way to make sure you're getting a good amount of fibre, which is important for digestive health. Fiber is associated with reducing inflammation, lowering cholesterol and regulating bowel function. Nearly all carbohydrates in Chia Seeds are Fibre, which makes this a low-carb food. They are also an excellent protein source helping our body to repair cells and make new ones, as well as, calcium (which is important for bone and oral health), phosphorus (cell and tissue growth and repair) and magnesium (energy production).

EXTRAS

- “Chia” is the ancient Mayan word for “strength.”

- Chia seeds are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet in comparison to their size. To top things off, chia seeds are a “whole grain” food, are usually grown organically, are non-GMO and naturally free of gluten.

- The outer layer of chia seeds swells when mixed with liquids to form a gel. This can used in place of eggs to lower cholesterol and increase the nutrient content of foods and baked goods.

Want to know more about how to introduce Chia Seeds into your diet? Just let me know, and I will make a post with all the interesting ways I incorporate this superfood to my everyday meals :)

CREDITS:

http://authoritynutrition.com/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds/

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/06/03/chia-seed-benefits-_n_3379831.html

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/top-10-health-benefits-chia-seeds-6962.html

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HEALTH // WELLBEING

Health benefits of ... Green tea

12:55

Green tea. This magical green potion has been around all over Asia for centuries but it has also recently been increasing in popularity in the Western world - everybody wants to know what this traditional Chinese tea is and what it does. There have been many researches about the benefits and/or disadvantages of green tea and much has been found to be good!

I began to drink green tea when I was around 16 years old and felt the first conscious decision to be healthy, inside and out. I had heard that green tea had many antioxidants which would fasten up my metabolism while having a fat-burning effect and it also lowered the risk of cancer, it seemed like a miracle drink and in reality it really isn't far off from that statement, so here are the top 3 benefits of green tea that you should know about if you want to make the switch to become a green tea drinker (and you should)!

1. Green tea is a fat burner and improves metabolism

Low Metabolism? Green tea will help. Digestion problems? Green tea to the rescue. Want lower fat percentage in your body? Green tea will be right by your side. Green tea will even help against obesity since it decreases body fat, especially in the abdominal region. Drink a cup, go and exercise, it will have double the effect.

2. Green tea is an antioxidant

Antioxidants make the body slow down any damaging processes in the body and to remove any unwanted objects/chemicals/etc., therefore drinking green tea (which includes a lot of antioxidants) decreases the chance of certain cancers and lets your body cleanse itself from any unhealthy chemicals in your body, making you overall a much healthier person, even to the extreme cases in decreasing the risk of people getting Type II Diabetes. The tea also has bioactive compounds which protect the brain in young age as well as old, this in turn may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease.

Research has proven that Green tea can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol by protecting the LDL cholesterol particle from being oxidized (since it's an antioxidant), therefore decreasing the increase in bad fats clogging up any arteries in the body. Green tea drinkers have been shown to have a 31% lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Yay!

3. Green tea makes you smarter!

Although green tea does contain caffeine, it does not have as much as coffee. What this does is help you stay alert yet not 'shakey', it helps you to concentrate and memorize easier and have a good mood overall. Who wouldn't want that?!

So make the switch, and love it.

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HEALTH // WELLBEING

We're living in a world down under

16:29

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EVENTS

B-BICHE, the end of MFWA and my terrible sunburn

23:05

Back I am after a crazy hectic weekend! I've been featured on Bibiche's blog recently for the photoshoot I did with her, Pavli and Sarinah! Check it out here. Also, Malta Fashion Week has come to an end and I feel like I have left something of myself behind too after meeting some great people day after day for the events. The awards on Saturday were beautiful. The layout, setting, shows, lighting, audience, everything was fantastic! Congratulations to all the nominees and award winners as well as all the people who have worked really hard within this year. It was an amazing year, and now is the start of another fashion year, so let's make this one to remember!

I must admit I've completely tired myself out. By the time the Afterparty of MFWA came along and the Closing Party at Medasia Playa, I was so tired I just wanted to sleep and could not even finish the editing of my photos to publish. So that being said, everyone wondering where I was at both events - that's my explanation - I needed sleep, a lot of it AKA home. Luckily enough by the end of the week, all the photos WILL be up, I'm starting to work on the editing tomorrow so you can definitely count on me for that.

Besides MFWA I have also been acting as an extra in a Russian commercial for Baltika's new beer - KULER. On Saturday, I spent the whole day at Ghajn Tuffieha in the blazing sun shooting for this along with many other people and I got burnt out of my might. I'm here in bed, writing in pain from the sunburn, this is another reason as to why I could not stay at the afterparty nor go to the closing on sunday afternoon - even my bum hurts to sit down! I'm slowly healing as I lay here covered in Sudocrem from head to toe, probably going for a second shooting at Ghajn Tuffieha today was not the best option, but I was going to stay at home anyway so I thought, "Why not?!". A little extra money for looking gorgeous on the beach never hurts ;) X

Quote of the day : "I will survive!" - Gloria Gaynor

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EVENTS

Sarto, Fun and Avocados

11:56

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EVENTS

Disclosure, Naked Venue and UNICEF

22:41

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EVENTS

Fitness, Fushia and Gugar

23:52

Buonasera everyone ! I have recently been crazy about the idea of summer and that I need to get fit again. Probably most people are starting to realize that Summer is just a few months away and you can already see many of them running along the Sliema front! That's where I come in - I don't do that and at the moment I am doing absolutely no exercise at all unfortunately. I feel so guilty BUT I have made a new resolution and that is to start jogging on the front for at least 3 times a week. Hopefully, I will be joining a gym very soon and that way I could start joining the classes as well, which I personally really enjoy. I had tried yoga around two years ago because I am quite flexible from the gymnastics and dance I have done throughout my childhood, and it actually gave me a lot of body pains instead of "relaxing" my body! I don't know if perhaps I was doing it wrong? The pains were in my lower back at the time, and my neck. If anyone reading this has some information regarding why I was getting the pains, I would love to know! Needless to say, I stopped because the pain really demotivated me. I want to give it another go though, and hopefully I won't experience pain of any kind this time around :)

As promised, I had a shoot for FUSHIA on Tuesday and these are three bags I really liked out of the whole stock! There are some lovely clutch bags and pretty pale pink handbags too - the colours are all Spring-inspired, which makes it perfect for this season, of course! Many earthy tones as well as there being a couple of bold colours such as bright coral, royal blue and red, so if any of you are looking for bags for Summer - look no further! Most bags are around €29.99, however other smaller bags and clutches are around €15.00 which I would say is definitely worth it and within budget for most people. I haven't bought any myself yet, but I will be going back this weekend, so I might get myself a little treat!

FUSHIA Facebook

Since Monday, I have discovered a little cafe' in Valletta called Gugar! I went yesterday with a friend I had known years ago from higher secondary, Fran, before Fred and Dan joined us for yummy food, herbal teas, some beer and of course, a game of competitive Ludo. Today has been a day of full-on editing and this weekend I am pretty busy meeting clients, and having a pre-planned good time. On Friday I am meant to be going to a friend's birthday party, on Saturday night I have a rave, and on Sunday a BBQ! On Monday I will be having a photoshoot inspired by dancing/movement which I haven't done before, so it will be exciting to see what the model, Amy, and I, can come up with :) I love the balance between work and play, and unfortunately I do need to have a rest because I am falling asleep with the long hours I have been in front of this computer. Hi5 for sleep, though, I love that too.

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HEALTH // WELLBEING

A review of Chocolate District in Valletta

17:13

My first time entering Chocolate District was last Tuesday. The exterior of the store attracted me right away with its dark wood and bold logo and the first thing I said before taking a step in was: "Dan, we can go in, but I am not buying anything!". Yeah, right, of course. I walked in and could not look away from all their products! I won't go into detail about everything they have, however I did spend a little cash on two of my favourite teas - china jasmin (green tea infused with jasmin flavour) and earl grey which came in triangles, as well as a bar of chocolate which was perfection. It was by Cafe Tasse, so you can research it if you're a chocoholic of any sort! All Hail To Belgian Chocolate!

On the other hand, let's talk business. I just bought a new stand and a couple of backdrops today for Monday's carnival themed shoot and I honestly did not realise they would be quite so pricey. I went to a couple of different stores and most of the prices were very similar so it was probably me just underestimating photography equipment. I have previously used plain walls, bed sheets and cardboard for home-based studio backgrounds, however, although it is low cost and relatively easy to use, I was slightly annoyed by the fact that cloth would be creased in the background, and even if I ironed it, it would reflect and some shadows would still show up on it... and that is the reason I upgraded my backdrops to purposely made cloth for photography studios with a non-reflective spray covering, that are also washable and iron-able. It really can't get any simpler than that! I'm excited to see how well they work as backgrounds and hopefully they will surpass my expectations (If not - you'll be hearing about it).

I am also looking for an assistant for this coming Monday evening, so if you or anyone else is interested, please contact me! What I mostly need is someone to help me with moving lights/reflectors, overall assisting me, and if you are studying to be a photographer or would just like some experience in that sort of environment, you are more than welcome to join as well as take a couple of photos here and there whenever there is time in between shots. Looking forward to hearing back!

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Bella Hadid's Guide to L.A.

Health Benefits of... Chia Seeds

1. Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

2. Regulates Blood Pressure and prevents Bad Cholesterol

3. Satiety and Weight Loss

4. Decreases the risk of Diabetes

5. Get More Fibre and other Nutrients

Health benefits of ... Green tea

1. Green tea is a fat burner and improves metabolism

2. Green tea is an antioxidant

3. Green tea makes you smarter!

We're living in a world down under

B-BICHE, the end of MFWA and my terrible sunburn

Sarto, Fun and Avocados

Disclosure, Naked Venue and UNICEF

Fitness, Fushia and Gugar

A review of Chocolate District in Valletta

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