cha-cha-cha-chia

Chia seeds. 

Like Chia Pet?

yes.

 

So what are they?

"A chia seed is an ancient superfood. The little black and white seeds were once a staple of the Incan, Mayan and Aztec cultures, along with the Native Americans of the southwest. "Chia" is actually the Mayan word for strength. The seeds were used by these ancient cultures as mega-energy food, especially for their running messengers, who would carry a small pouch of it with them. Chia has been called 'Indian Running Food' and gives an incredibly 'sustaining' surge of energy". (source)

Interested? Me too.

Chia seeds are rich in fiber, antioxidants, full of minerals like iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and manganese. No other grain has more protein than a chia seed. They are also loaded with omega-6 and have the most omega-3 out of any other seed.

 

Where do you get them? 

Check with any health food store. You can find them in the bulk bins or packaged.

(speaking of health food stores......locals, did you hear the AMAZING news?! Trader Joes is coming!!!)

What can you do with chia seeds? 

This is the best part......you can do anything! 

They are so tiny and mild flavored, you really can add them to anything.......

for example:

-Granola

-Yogurt

-Oatmeal (whether raw or cooked)

-Smoothies

-We've been taking peanut butter, honey, and chia seed (whole wheat) tortillas (rolled up) on our hikes

-My pre-run meal lately has been whole wheat toast or english muffin with peanut butter, honey, and chia seeds. (with a glass of frosty o.j.)

If you have read Born to Run (a book you really need to read!!) you are probably familiar with the drink Chia Fresca or Iskiate. When chia seeds are soaked in water, they turn into a gel. While they don't need to be soaked to eat them, soaking does aid in digestion. Add your seeds to water with a little lime juice and some honey. (recipe here, scroll to the bottom). I have been mixing this up for the past few weeks a little here and there, and while I don't LOVE the texture of the gel, it's not too bad. I've also added the gel to my smoothie.

Speaking of smoothies....

Get Up and Go Smoothie

this smoothie is loaded with a little bit of everything you need to get your day going

serves 1-2

BLEND:

1 small banana

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt

1/2 cup vanilla almond milk

heaping spoon of peanut butter

small handful of raw oats

small handful of almonds

small handful of blueberries (you don't taste the berries--I just threw them in for some extra antioxidants)

spoonful of chia seeds

spoonful of ground flax

large drizzle of raw honey (more or less as you like)

spoonful of coconut oil, in liquid form

spoonful of cocoa powder (optional....sometimes I add it, sometimes I don't....I like to mix it up)

a few ice cubes

enjoy!

Do you eat chia seeds? 

I'd love to hear how YOU use them!