Chia Seeds: The Old and New Super-Food

Ch ch ch chia! Can you name a food that was so important to a society that is was used for monetary purposes? The answer would be the chia seed. These tiny white and black seeds have been used for centuries for energy, medicinal uses, and for all around health. The Indians called them their "running food" and were said to have ingested only a teaspoon in a 24 hour period for their battles and long journeys.

The Chia seed can hold between nine and twelve times its weight in fluid. The most common way to digest them is to soak them; one part seeds to nine parts distilled water, and let them sit for at least 15 minutes. The seeds will turn into a thick gel. This is the reason they are commonly used for weight loss. You may ingest two tablespoons three times a day. When the gel sits in the stomach, it is believed this same "gelling" process happens, slowing down carbohydrate consumption and curving hunger.

Chia seeds can be used in any dish, being it has no taste and takes on the flavor of whatever juice it absorbs. When in their gelatin form, they may also be used as a thickener, which is great for smoothies or soups. There are many recipes that the chia seed is the star of. Below you will see just a few, but the possibilities are endless.

EASY CHIA PUDDING

3/4 cup chia seeds
2 cups nut milk (I prefer almond milk)
dash of sea salt
vanilla extract to taste

Fruit of your choice for topper

Let seeds soak in milk for at least 15 minutes. (I have found a little longer is better) Add the rest of the ingredients and you are good to go! Simple!

CHIA FRUIT SALAD

2 tablespoons chia seed gel
2-3 cups fresh fruit
3 tablespoons sunflower seeds

Mix all ingredients and chow down!

CHIA BANANA MANGO SMOOTHIE

2-4 tablespoons chia seeds
1 banana
1 mango
½-1 cup almond milk
Dash of nutmeg

Mix all ingredients in blender. Let sit for at least 15 minutes for chia seeds to form gel and thicken. Enjoy!

For those of you that are wondering why the chia seed is such a "super-food", here are some nutritional facts. They contain six times more calcium that milk and is absorbed easier in the body. Chia seeds have more iron than spinach more magnesium than broccoli.

These seeds are pretty easy on the pocket book and great on the body!

http://www.living-foods.com/articles/chia.html

http://www.chia4life.com.au/info/nutrition.php