THE AMAZING CHIA SEED
White & Black Chia Seeds
"Chia Seed O Chia Seed, wherefore art thou my Chia Seed"
uh...taking over the number 1 spot over flax seed.
Salvia hispanica L, commonly known as chia seed is being touted as the #1 super food. Chia seeds appears to be the richest plant source of Omega 3 fatty acids, making this one heart healthy seed. Chia seeds are the perfect balance of omega 3 to omega 6 at a 3:1 ration.
Chia also claims to have more antioxidants than blueberries, more calcium than milk, and more iron than spinach. High in protein, high in fiber and very hydrating as it absorbs 10 times its weight in water.
Chia seeds are versatile in that you can eat it raw or use it in cooked foods. You don't have to grind it to be able to utilize the nutrient content of the seed as in flax seed. It also has a much milder taste than flax making it's versatility limitless.
In raw foods, chia can be used in green smoothies, raw soups, raw pudding, salads or just sprinkled on any food source to obtain additional nutrition and fiber.
In cooked foods, chia can be added to soups, breads and baking recipes of all kinds. Add to ground meats to lighten the texture and increase their nutritional value. Chia gel can be used as an egg substitute in some recipes.
My sister takes her chia seeds into restaurants and when she is served something 'runny' that should have more thickness, as in runny grits, she adds some chia seeds to thicken it up and makes it exactly to her liking, not to mention adding nutrition to her meal. Now that's smart thinking and shows the versatility of chia seeds on the go.
WHAT IS CHIA GEL AND HOW DO I USE IT?
Chia gel is chia seeds soaked in water. Plain and simple as that. To make chia gel, put 2 cups water in jar (I use a sealable pint mason jar). Add 2 tablespoons to the water and whisk or stir with a fork. If you put your seeds in first and then add water, you seeds will ball up and it will be extremely hard to break it apart. Stir, stir, stir. Wait approx 5 minutes and stir again. Repeat until the gel fills the jar without them all sinking or floating and store in refrigerator no longer than 2 weeks.
You can add a tablespoon of gel to your yogurt, cereal, jam, sauces or anything you wish. The gel acts like an extender and adds volume without diluting flavor.
uh...taking over the number 1 spot over flax seed.
Salvia hispanica L, commonly known as chia seed is being touted as the #1 super food. Chia seeds appears to be the richest plant source of Omega 3 fatty acids, making this one heart healthy seed. Chia seeds are the perfect balance of omega 3 to omega 6 at a 3:1 ration.
Chia also claims to have more antioxidants than blueberries, more calcium than milk, and more iron than spinach. High in protein, high in fiber and very hydrating as it absorbs 10 times its weight in water.
Chia seeds are versatile in that you can eat it raw or use it in cooked foods. You don't have to grind it to be able to utilize the nutrient content of the seed as in flax seed. It also has a much milder taste than flax making it's versatility limitless.
In raw foods, chia can be used in green smoothies, raw soups, raw pudding, salads or just sprinkled on any food source to obtain additional nutrition and fiber.
In cooked foods, chia can be added to soups, breads and baking recipes of all kinds. Add to ground meats to lighten the texture and increase their nutritional value. Chia gel can be used as an egg substitute in some recipes.
My sister takes her chia seeds into restaurants and when she is served something 'runny' that should have more thickness, as in runny grits, she adds some chia seeds to thicken it up and makes it exactly to her liking, not to mention adding nutrition to her meal. Now that's smart thinking and shows the versatility of chia seeds on the go.
WHAT IS CHIA GEL AND HOW DO I USE IT?
Chia gel is chia seeds soaked in water. Plain and simple as that. To make chia gel, put 2 cups water in jar (I use a sealable pint mason jar). Add 2 tablespoons to the water and whisk or stir with a fork. If you put your seeds in first and then add water, you seeds will ball up and it will be extremely hard to break it apart. Stir, stir, stir. Wait approx 5 minutes and stir again. Repeat until the gel fills the jar without them all sinking or floating and store in refrigerator no longer than 2 weeks.
You can add a tablespoon of gel to your yogurt, cereal, jam, sauces or anything you wish. The gel acts like an extender and adds volume without diluting flavor.
Favorite ways to eat chia: Green Smoothies - Chia Porridge - Chia Pudding
Chia Porridge w/lots of yummys added.
I make my chia porridge by putting approximately 2/3 cup hot water in bowl. Add 2 tablespoons chia seed and stir using the same technique for the gel. Hot water will gel faster than cold. Add a pinch of himalayan salt and let it gel. Then I add some cinnamon and either a hint of stevia, maple syrup or honey. (Here is where you can be as creative as you wish) I add some hemp seeds, some dehydrated sprouted buckwheat groats, sprouted and dehydrated almonds, raisins, prunes or some cranberries. And then I top it off with a banana or apple. I mean, come on, this is hardy, yummy and seriously healthy.
Then there is my chia pudding. Using 1 cup hot water, pinch of himalayan salt and 2 tablespoons chia seeds, let it gel right in the Vita-mix blender. Add a banana, some cocoa powder a pinch of stevia and/or a couple of dates. Blend and Wala...chocolate banana pudding. It can't get any better than that...well, until I added some peppermint extract and made chocolate mint pudding.
Pets love chia gel. My animals are 'raw foodist' and I add a tablespoon of the gel to their dish for extra nutrition in the morning and evening and mix with their food. I have a dog and a cat and they both scarf it down. OK, to be honest, my dog is a scarfer and my cat is much to prissy to be a scarfer. Nevertheless, they both will eat it and their coats stay soft and shiny. They both weigh about 9 lbs, so if you have a larger dog, you may want to increase the amount you give them.