Super Chia to the Rescue!

I know you've heard the commercials for years about the chia pets where a person hydrates these seeds and spreads them on a clay figurine and then watches them grow into fluff. Cha-cha-cha-chia! Well...now you have reason to hydrate them and add them to your life! My first exposure to these little wonders happened when my brother in law, the mortuary guy, came home from a funeral. He said there was a bishop at the chapel who had lost eighty pounds by adding chia seed to his diet. He was not the guy who died. He was the guy who decided to take his own health into his own hands...When I bring this up with the chia, I'm not talking about a gimmick diet plan here, just sensible use of a wonderful grain. Imagine my joy at finding the Chia Seeds in a 1 lb bag at a really low price (just around  8$) at our local Preparing Wisely store. I wanted to try it out. Well...the owner Troy was kind enough to show me how to use them.

According to Troy Chia was cultivated by the ancient Aztecs, and was honored as a super food. Chia is one of the best plant sources of beneficial Omega-3 oils, especially a-linolenic acid (ALA). Scientific Research on Omega-3 and other essential fatty acids (EFA) continues to prove that EFAs support cardiovascular health, comfortable joint mobility, immune system function and overall cellular energy. Chia is often stored for long periods of time as a Survival Food, since it does not quickly turn rancid like other sources of Essential Fatty Acids. Chia is high in vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, potassium and phosphorous. It contains many antioxidants, including significant levels of caffeic acids, quercetin and flavonols. Chia is an excellent source of high molecular weight soluble fiber, which supports healthy bowel function.

When Chia is mixed into a liquid, it forms a thick mass due to its high content of beneficial mucilages. This slows the digestion of carbohydrates in the digestive system, leading to a feeling of fullness, and reduces the spike in blood sugar that often accompanies the ingestion of carbohydrates.

Looking at the Nutrition Facts and Analysis for chia seeds revealed a glycemic index of 1. That's amazing for a grain!

So, I decided to give it a try as a drink. 2T mixed into 2 cups of cool distilled water.

The seeds make this crazy suspension that made my little boys say I was drinking frog eggs. I don't care. I was now sucked into the new world of chia.

I drop one or two droppers of stevia natural sweetener into the chia and water mixture and drink it like a thin pudding. I've had it everyday for breakfast for the last two weeks. I've lost six pounds. So...I'm going to keep taking chia shots. They're all natural and a wonderful way to add fiber and wholesome goodness to my life. Thanks most especially to at Preparing Wisely for having these bags in the store! I'm also down to my last few tablespoons...and that means I'm going to see them soon. Hooray for chia! Try them out. I love them!

Chia Seed Via Troy

Chia Seeds are a nutritional power house that we have been missing out on for a number of years!

For years, most of us associated Chia Seeds (Salvia Hispanica) with the cute little pets that children loved to grow through sprouting.  Little did we know that the cute little sprouting seeds we were using were really an ancient super food utilized by the Aztec people.  At first glance, Chia Seeds look like a dark or black seed.  However, on closer examination one will find that the seed is a beautiful mottled seed of black, grey, brown and white.

Many nutritionists point out that Chia Seeds are a super food.  Chia Seeds are often compared to the nutritional value of Flax Seeds.  Chia Seeds are high in essential fatty acids and Omega 3's,  and represent a soluble fiber.   Some of the advantages that Chia Seeds have over Flax Seeds is that they do not need to be cracked or ground.  Chia Seeds can be used raw, soaked or sprouted.  Chia Seeds have natural antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that help aid in nutrition, digestion and absorption.  Chia Seeds help aid the body in its digestion of other foods and help maximize the nutritional value of other foods, and is thus seen as a great dietary support.

Chia Seeds are highly hydrophilic, which means that they are able to soak up relativly large amounts of water.  The seeds will soak up about 9-10 times their own weight in water.  After soaking for about an hour, the seeds become a nutritious gel.  An easy way to do this is place 1 Tablespoon of Chia Seeds in 1/4 Cup water and allow to soak overnight.  Then you are ready to  add them in to a delicious smoothie, soups, casseroles or other meals.

Chia Seeds store well as they do not have oils or other agents that cause them to go rancid.  They store will in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight in glass jars or PETE Containers.

We typically add raw chia seeds into our smoothies in the morning.  Immediately the seeds go to work soaking up liquid and becoming gelatinous.   For a great Breakfast Smoothie try mixing the following in a VitaMix or other blender:

Super-Charged Breakfast Smoothie with Chia Seeds

2-3 Tablespoons Chia Seeds

Handful of greens (Spinach or Kale or Beet Greens)

2 or 3 fruit servings (Bananas, Pineapple, Strawberries, other berries, etc.)

Orange Juice or Pineapple Juice

6 Cubes of Ice

Blend until smooth and enjoy.  This is a great smoothie packed with vitamins and without the addition of white refined sugar.   We add two additional items to help our children enjoy the smoothie even more.  You can add a slice of beet to make the smoothie come out a nice red color.  You can also add 1-2 Tablespoons of honey to sweeten it even more.

This smoothie makes a great breakfast by itself or a wonderful support to other breakfast items.  We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!