- Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia

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Chia Pet Redemption

Now that you have that annoying Chia Pet jingle stuck in your head let me make it worth your while!

While searching for nutrient dense food storage items that are healthful for a broad spectrum of people I discovered the mighty chia seed; truly a powerhouse. Here are just some of its notable attributes:

• more protein than any other seed, bean or grain
• more calcium than milk, plus boron which is a trace mineral that helps transfer calcium into your bones
• more potassium than bananas
• more antioxidants than blueberries
• more iron than spinach
• rich in omega-3 and omega-6, which are essential fatty acids
• a complete source of protein, providing all the essential amino acids in an easily digestible form
• chia is low in sodium: salmon has 78 times as much, tuna 237 times as much
• a great source of soluble fiber
• easily digested and absorbed
• celiac-friendly, it's gluten free
• diabetic-friendly, doesn't spike blood sugar
• chia exhibits no evidence of allergic response, even in individuals with peanut and tree-nut allergies
• contains no cholesterol or trans-fat
• may be eaten raw
• seeds store well for years

Chia was one of the four main Aztec crops at the time of Columbus’s arrival in the New World. History tells of Aztec warriors and messengers who would travel with nothing more than a pouch of chia seeds and a gourd of water. Using the equivalent of just a tablespoon of seeds they could sustain themselves for a day.

Chia is hydrophilic and can absorb 9 - 12 times its weight in water. This makes it helpful in maintaining body hydration, something that is especially beneficial for athletes who need to remain hydrated during races and endurance activities.

The seeds, which can be black or white, are oval and measure about 1 mm across. Nutritionally there is no difference between them.

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Chia seeds - So valued they were once used as currency

Add Chia Seeds To:

• Cereal - hot or cold
  
• Yogurt
• Salad
• Dressings
• Fresh Fruit
  
• Muffin, Cookie, & Pancake Recipes
• Rice
  
• Cottage Cheese
• Ground Meats
• Eggs
  
• Sauces
  
• Soup
• Sandwiches
• Salsa & Dips
• Smoothies
• Whatever your little heart desires!

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Recipes

Here are a few ideas just to get you started, the following recipes, plus many more, can be found at http://www.eatchia.com/FreebieRecipes.pdf -

Agua Fresca de chía
(Chia water)

Best prepared just before serving. The longer the chia seeds are in the water, the thicker and more gel-like the beverage becomes.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup lime juice
1 cup sugar OR 1/4 to 1/3 cup Agave Nectar
10 cups water
1/3 – 1/2 cup chia seeds
several sprigs fresh sage for garnish

Directions:

Pour lime juice and sugar into the water and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the chia seeds to the above ingredients. Shake or stir vigorously. Garnish with the sage sprigs. Serve in tall glasses over ice.

Chia Lemonade

Ingredients:

1 T chia seed
1 cup natural apple juice
2 t lemon juice Ice

Directions:

Combine chia seeds and apple juice and let soak 30 minutes until it thickens like jelly. Add lemon and ice for a refreshing slushy drink.

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If you want to learn more you can read about chia seeds at the following links:

Self-Health Systems
Ask Dr. Weil
Chia for Health
Chia Seeds by David Mendosa

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Genesis 1:29

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

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