3 Reasons Why Chia Seeds Are The Superfood Of the Month.
- Shama Jenell
- Jan 25, 2018
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 17, 2023
My Chia Story
When I was younger the only thing that I knew about chia seeds was that it was a plant that they were selling called a chia pet. Cha Cha Cha Chia lol...was the little tagline that they use to use to get the attention of children when the commercial came on. I might be dating myself with the intro to this post. I am sure some of you have no idea what a chia pet is. The chia pet on the commercial was like this little clay animal with a packet of seeds that came with it. The directions was to mix the seeds up with water and spread the seeds on the clay animals and the seeds would sprout up like fur. The only thing that you had to do was pour water in the whole on the top of the little clay animal. I wanted one so bad. However, when I got it, it did not grow like I expected it to. Let's just say that I was not born with a green thumb. I am great with people, horrible with plants. I guess I was just too busy to really take the time out to get it to grow. I either over water plants on not give them enough water. My little chia pet did not look like the one in the picture. It had a few sprout but that was about it.
These days chia seeds are so well know for the benefits that they provide. I have to admit when I first heard of people eating chia seeds I was shook. They just did not look appealing to me. I thought that they were going to be slimy and disgusting. I did my research to see what the benefits were and to my surprise there was a nice list of benefits. I was so surprise to see that this little toy plant packed so much punch in the nutrition area. At this point I still did not want to try them. But, I kept on hearing about them and one day, I got up enough courage to try it just to see what all the rave was about. I remember it was at Whole Foods and it was mixed with Kombucha, which is a health drink and a topic for another day. Research it, the benefit of Kombucha is amazing as well. Now Back to Chia. When I tried it I realized that it was not bad. I was actually impressed by how much I really liked it. So then I proceeded to make the drink on my own, with some regular juice and it was a huge success. Soon after that I began making Chia Pudding and the rest after that, well you know what they say, it was no longer a mystery it was history.
A lot of health nuts believe that Chia Seeds give you energy, this has been researched and statistically proven to be untrue. But, don't put these little guys down just yet. They are an excellent source of fiber and therefore might help assist you with any weight loss goals you may have and much more.
Chia Seed Benefits
1.) Antioxidants Chia seeds contain antioxidants. Antioxidants keeps you body from oxidizing through fighting off the free radicals in you body. That means that they not only keep you looking young but, in a nutshell they also help in the prevention of cancer. Free radicals are carcinogens, cancer causing agents that causes your body to go haywire.
2.) Protein Chia Seeds also carry 9 proteins in proper ratios which makes them a complete protein. This is great new if you are or you are thinking about becoming a vegetarian or a vegan. Proteins are the building block of your DNA and also provide the energy for your cells to perform their daily duties.
3.) Heart Disease Studies have shown that Chia Seeds help lower bad cholesterol. They are high in fiber, protein and omega fatty acids. These 3 elements work together to rid the body of those bad fats that cause plaque build up in the arteries.
Chia Pudding
This Recipe is a two day process because seeds have to soak over night for best results.
8 oz Jar With A Lid
1/4 cup Coconut Milk Or Juice
3/4 cup Water
2 Tbsp Chia Seeds
2.5 oz Yogurt
1-3Strawberries
1/4 cup Granola
(Garnish)Toasted Coconut Shavings
This Recipe Is Vegan
1.) The first thing you are going to do is combine your liquids together (The water and what ever drink mixer you prefer). Most people use coconut milk or juice but I Like to use Lakewood Pineapple Juice and coconut milk mix. Remember that all the ingredients that I actually use are in the picture above. This recipe is easy to do once you got the first batch out of the way.
2.) Use Your 8oz jar and place 2 table spoons of Chia Seeds at the bottom of the jar
3.) Pour 1/2 of the drink mixture from step (1) Into the Jar with the chia seeds in it, screw on the cap and shake. This is to make sure that the chia seeds don't stick together. After you give it a couple of shakes pour the rest of the mixture from step one into the jar and shake again. (I personally like to shake it up a few times throughout the day, but that is just me.) Refrigerate overnight.When It Is Done or ready to be mixed, It Should Look Like The Picture On The Right.
*Side Note You can make more than what you need because the chia seeds store pretty well in the refrigerator. I wouldn't Keep it for more than a week though - 2 weeks tops depending on the liquid you use. Just remember that chia seeds swell 10 times the original size. The key is to put in a 10th of chia seeds per the liquid you use. There are 2 Tablespoons in every oz. So, If you have 10 oz of liquid you would use 2 Tablespoons of chia seeds. 20 oz of liquid use 4 Tablespoons.
4.)Next You Want to take half of your chia drink mixture because you can actually drink it like this, A lot of people do Including me. But, we are not making a chia drink we are making chia pudding. So, Take half of the chia drink mixture and place it in a bowl. Then add 2.5 oz of yogurt to the chia drink mixture in the bowl, It can be flavored. Blueberry and strawberry are the ones I use the most. Stir them together and Voila' There You Have It Chia Pudding. Now Lets Garnish This Lovely Treat.
5.) I add these last ingredients for texture purposes. I feel It Makes it all Taste better ;-) As You can see I displayed two different variations of the chia pudding one is made with strawberry yogurt topped with granola, toasted coconuts and strawberries. The other is made with blueberry yogurt topped with granola, toasted coconuts, strawberries and blackberries. If you haven't guessed it yet you place the granola, toasted coconuts and fruit on top. Last but not least get a spoon dig in an d enjoy!!!
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