Most people that hear Chia think about the iconic infomercial household plant of growing grass on terracotta sheep. However, they are endless health properties that these little seeds contain.
Chia seeds were a vital food for the Aztecs, Mayans, and Inca civilizations and were first harvested over 3,000 years ago. The seeds come from the flowering plant and is considered to be part of the mint family. Chia seeds can come in black, brown and white. Unlike flax seeds that have a hard husk that needs to be ground before eating, chia can be consumed raw and doesn’t need to be milled. It contains calcium, manganese, and phosphorus, and is a great source of healthy omega-3 fats.
So what do they taste like? Nothing really. They are a small little crunch that becomes gelatinous when wet. Being tasteless means you can add it to your food without altering the flavor. I personally add them to my cereal, yogurt, and salads. They are also good in smoothies, adding a great source of protein.
So what exactly are they doing for you?
Health Benefits:
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Great Source of Protein
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Fiber
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Omega 3
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Antioxidants
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Source of Stable Energy
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Calcium & Manganese
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Helps Lower Blood Pressure
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Improves Digestion
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Healthier Skin
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Speed Injury Recovery
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Lowers Risk of Heart Attack
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Reduces Inflammation
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Improved Sleep
What I recommend...
Viva Labs Organic Chia Seeds are 100% natural, GMO-free and a delicious way to increase the nutritional value of your food. With 4 grams of fiber and 2,440 milligrams of Omega-3s in every serving, this superfood hero helps support your overall health and well-being.
Viva Labs’ freshly picked raw and ready to eat chia seeds are sustainably grown and sourced directly from farmers in accordance with fair trade practices.
Serving Suggestions: Chia seeds are mild in flavor and can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. Instantly enjoy them right out of the bag by adding 1 to 2 tablespoons to your favorite foods and drinks.
Drink ‘em: Chia seeds pair wonderfully with smoothies, juices or water. Simply add to your beverages for a refreshing, filling and nutritious thirst quencher.
Mix ‘em: Lightly sprinkle chia seeds on fresh salads, oatmeal, toast, pastas, fruits and any other food for an instant energy boost and added crunch.
Bake ‘em: Chia seeds can be used as a gluten-free alternative to eggs and flour or as an additional hearty ingredient in any recipe.
Some Chia Recipes...
Chocolate Coconut Chia Balls
Ingredients:
10 medjool dates (about 1-1/4 cups)
2 tsp 100% unsweetened cacao
2 Tbsp chocolate chips
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1 Tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut
Directions:
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Soak dates in water for a couple minutes if at all dry.
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In a food processor or blender, blend dates and cacao until smooth and a paste-like consistency is formed. You may have to add a little water and pulse to get the right consistency.
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Push down all of the paste from the sides and transfer into a small bowl. Using a spoon, stir in chocolate chips and chia seeds.
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Measure out one, flat tablespoon and roll into a ball. Make 9 balls, place them on a plate.
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On a separate plate, spread the coconut sparsely. Roll each ball lightly in a few pieces of shredded coconut and place back on the plate without the coconut. Repeat with the remaining 8 balls.
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Place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to chill.
From Nutrition Twins
Vanilla Ginger Snack Bites
1 Hour 5 minutes
Ingredients
1½ C. Chopped Walnuts, plus an additional ⅓ C. for coating
¾ C. Pitted & Chopped Medjool Dates
¼ C. Chopped Candied Ginger (I used uncrystallized, but crystallized should work too)
1 Tbs. Chia Seeds
1 Tbs. Vanilla Bean Paste (or Pure Vanilla Extract)
1 Tsp. Ground Ginger
¼ Tsp. Sea Salt
Instructions
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
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Place the 1½ C. chopped walnuts, dates, and candied ginger in a food processor and pulse until ground.
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Add the chia seeds, vanilla, ground ginger, and salt and pulse until the mixture forms a ball.
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Using a cookie dough scoop or a tablespoon, portion the mixture into small balls, and roll them in the additional â…“ C. chopped walnuts to coat them. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet.
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Allow to harden in the fridge for an hour or the freezer for half an hour and enjoy!
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Can be stored in the fridge or freezer.
From Pickles & Honey
Yogurt & Chia Covered Frozen Grapes
Ingredients
80 grapes, washed and dried
5.3-ounce container vanilla Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons chia seeds
Directions
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Poke each grape with a toothpick, opposite the end with the hole that was attached to the stem.
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Open the container of yogurt, and stir until totally smooth and free of lumps.
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Pour the chia seeds into a cereal bowl.
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Place a medium-sized cutting board in the freezer, and line with a piece of parchment paper.
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Set up a little grape-making station on the counter next to your freezer. Dip the grape in the yogurt, then carefully twirl it in the chia seeds, and place it on the parchment paper with the toothpick pointing straight up. Freezing right away will prevent the yogurt from dripping down.
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Do all 80 grapes, and freeze for at least 90 minutes.
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Enjoy right out of the freezer.
From PopSugar
Chia Cherry Energy Bites
Ingredients:
1 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup cashews
1/2 cup whole raw almonds
1/2 cup dried cherries
1 tbsp chia seeds
Directions:
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Place all ingredients into a food processor.
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Process mixture until ingredients are chopped into tiny bits and the mixture starts to stick together. (At first the mixture will appear very dry. As you keep going, the mixture will become more sticky, though it won’t come together like a ball of dough). Start/stop and use the pulse as you go. Check it often if you’re unsure about consistency. Also, before you start forming discs, you can make a mini ball to test the mixture holds together ok. Ready after about 2 1/2 – 3 minutes worth of processing in 30 second intervals, stopping to check consistency each time.
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Carefully remove blade from food processor.
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Pick up about 1tbsp worth of mixture, press/squeeze firmly together into a ball and flatten slightly to a disc shape.
From Chic Life
Lemon Coconut Chia Seed Energy Bites
Ingredients
1 cup raw walnuts halves
1 cup raw cashews
10 large medjool dates
½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
zest of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon coconut extract
¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon chia seeds
additional coconut flakes finely processed in a food processor
Instructions
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Add the walnuts and cashews to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the nuts are finely chopped (but don’t go so far that they start to turn into a paste). Add in the dates, coconut, lemon zest, vanilla extract, coconut extract, salt and chia seeds. Continue to pulse until the dates are finely chopped and the mixture starts to come together in clumps.
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Press the mixture into small balls (about 1-inch in size). If desired, roll in additional coconut to coat the outside of the balls. Store in an airtight container (we prefer to keep these in the fridge but you can leave them at room temperature - whatever you prefer).
Notes
*For the dates – rip them in half and remove the pit before adding to the food processor. You should have about 1 heaping cup. You won’t need to remove the pit if you buy ones that already have them removed.
From Cookie Monster Cooking
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!
