The Wonders Of Chia

I was first introduced to chia when I was a little girl and I watched

the commercial about the chia seed plant.  The song chi-chi-chi-Chia

stayed with me for years and I even bought a Chia Pet and watched

and sat amazed at how my pottery plant grew right in front of my eyes.

Still then I didn’t know about the wonders of chia.

Then I was re-introduced to chia seeds again when I started my restaurant

Taste of the Goddess in Los Angeles and a guest of my restaurant

asked if we made any recipes with chia in it.

At the time, we didn’t, but I started to experiment with chia seeds at home

in my smoothies and my desserts.

Chia seeds are one of those superfoods that just keeps on giving.

Besides its protein, soluble fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids content,

chia seeds also contains age-defying antioxidants and significant

amounts of iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, niacin, and

zinc.  It will also balance your sugar, aid in weight loss, and energize you.

Even our famous doctor, Dr. Oz that is endorses the wonders of Chia.

Chia seeds are similar to flax seeds in that they have omega-3 fatty acids, however

you do not have to grind chia seeds like you do flax seeds to get its

full nutrients out of the seed.  Chia seeds also do not deteriorate and can be stored for longer periods of time.

It has been reported that one tablespoon of chia seeds can sustain an individual for at least 24 hours.  Go figure.

I eat this chia seed berry porridge for breakfast before I go to my bikram

yoga class or before I go for a hike.

Its filling, high in protein, tastes really good and children love it!

8 oz water

1/2 cup soaked goji berries (soak them overnight)

1 T coconut oil

I blend the water, goji berries, and coconut oil in a blender.  Then

I add about 3-4 T chia seeds and let them soak up in the mixture.

I then add strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, oranges and apples

to the mixture and stir thoroughly.

You can also add chia seeds to smoothies, yogurts, and if you bake or

don’t bake, you can add them to cookies, pies, and cakes.

Before I make a smoothie, I soak my chia seeds in coconut water and them

add them to the fruit and blend.  When chia seeds are soaked for at least

30 minutes they produce a gel that I use in my hair as a conditioner.

As you can see chia seeds is a wonderful all-purpose superfood for the body.