Chia Seeds - Miracle Food of the Aztecs

[Penni]

Nothing compares to the chia seed when talking about hydration and endurance. Once soaked, these tiny seeds open up and absorb 9 times their volume in water. The seeds, once fully hydrated, form a gel that is phenomenal at helping to keep your body hydrated. This gel is also 90% soluble fiber, which is beneficial for your digestive track and helps to lower cholesterol even more effectively than oatmeal. And talk about an impressive nutritional profile....the seeds have twice the protein of any other seed or grain, five times the calcium of milk, copious amounts of omega 3 and omega 6 which are essential oils for the body. There are boast a long list of valuable nutrients. Because of the soluble fiber in the gel, incorporating chia into one's diet is very helpful for people with diabetes, as the gel forms a wall around ingested carbohydrates in the body, causing their release to be more slow and steady into one's system. Savvy dieters love the seeds because the addition of the gel incorporated into food or drink has no taste and helps to provide the feeling of being full and satisfied. Using the hydrated seeds is an excellent way to control one's appetite. Although these seeds have super star status, they are very affordable and are carried at most health food stores or you can find them here.

One word of warning....don't use chia seeds unless you have soaked them for at least 10 minutes. If you eat them dry, they will actually use your bodily fluid to expand and that can cause digestive issues and dehydration for some.

We have some great recipes that call for chia seeds in our Kitchen and in the Liquid Lounge. Here is one of my favorites: Chocolate Chia Crackers

Have you used chia seeds before? Any recipes or ideas you'd like to share?

[Susan : )]

Cha Cha Cha Chia!! Come sing with me!!
I throw chia seeds in my Green Smoothies sometimes!

[Stephanie Brown]

I love chia seeds! I soak them and then mix in dried fruit & nuts, or fresh fruit
I sprouting them once and that was kind of fun, and then I put them into salad. No, I don't have a chia pet, although I looked it up and they still sell them...cha cha cha chia :)

[Penni]

I loved the ChiaHead and check out this Chia CAR:

[T]

whats the ratio of water to chia seed to soak? and what's a good amount to use in like smoothies etc?

[bitt]

I use chia all the time! If I am really starved or need something to sustain me for awhile, I mix up a big batch of chia pudding (4 tablespoons chia and 1 cup nutmilk).

the one thing I've noticed is that chia seeds (or sometimes called salba which is a white version) are often very expensive in health food stores. don't let this prevent you from enjoying them! there are a lot of really cheap places to bulk order them online. our favorite place is raw food world's amazon site. yes, i ordered 17 pounds. we WILL eat it all. :-)

[Debra Garner]

Yay, I just ordered some from my co-op! yum!

[Jodi is Purely Nourished]

I just stared getting into Chia seeds. Debbie Dise had recommended putting 1/3 cup chia seeds in a jar with 2 cups of water and let soak covered in the fridge during the week. I use 1/3 cup of this gel in daily smoothies for hydration and better elimination. Trying to get up to 2 doses a day.

[Jodi is Purely Nourished]

Yum! Can't wait to try those crackers too!

[Suzanne]

I love Chia seeds! I mix it with young coconut water for a cold refreshing snack and with almond milk with cocoa power and stevia for a pudding. It's yummy and very filling.

[Stephanie Brown]

I soak 1/8 cup of chia with 1 cup of water

T said:

whats the ratio of water to chia seed to soak? and what's a good amount to use in like smoothies etc?

[Penni]

(this totally delicious drink is posted in the Liquid Lounge under Smoothie Break)

Chia Coconut Custard Shake

1 thai coconut, meat & water
1 TBSP chia seeds
1/2 cup crushed ice
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 TBSP raw honey or agave nectar
a generous pinch each of cinnamon & freshly grated nutmeg

Put all ingredients into a high speed blender and combine until smooth and creamy.

[Deborah Blank]

I like to make the "chia gel" ahead of time and it keeps in the refrigerator for almost a week. That way I can just spoon it and eat immediately. I also love to make the puddings ahead of time for the morning breakfast or mid day treat. I also like to put dehydrated buckwheat, hemp seeds and chia seeds in a bowl, slice a banana on top and add about a cup of almond milk. Let it sit for 20 minutes and it is a marvelously filling, banana infused concoction that stays with us ALL morning. Yum!

I personally am not in love with the chocolate chia crackers. No matter how long I dehydrated them they were still too pliable ... lol lol. Anyone else have better success?

I do have one question ... has anyone found them energizing? Energizing to the point where you have trouble falling asleep? I can't pinpoint it to chia, but it has been coincidental at times.