Chi chi CHIA!!!

http://www.herbco.com/p-928-chia-seed-whole.aspx

The chia seed is one of my favorite "super foods" I try to add it to just about anything I can think of.  It is just that, a seed!!!, and thus is a power house of nutrition. They are about the size of poppy seeds and can be found at just about any health food store (including bulk at Bulk barn).  However I originally bought it because I learned that it could decrease the glycymic index of anything I added it too, because it slows the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar. (which is a bonus when you are trying to lose weight!) Now, however, I use it more for its protein, oil and fiber content.  It is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which I am always looking for ways to get into my kids (to promote healthy brain development).

Here is a list of vitamins and minerals this seed contrain: A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B15, B17, C, D, E, K, choline, folic acid, inositol, boron, calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorous, potassium, silicon, sodium, strontium, sulphur, zinc, amylose (a slow-burning starch helpful in treating hypoglycemia), and electrolytes. (It is also a source of antioxidants)

Chia has a very good ratio of omega-3 oil to omega-6 oil; with 20-30% protein, 35% oil, 25% fiber.

Here are a list of "raw" recipe's I found on a chia website:  Check them out and if you fancy any- give it a try and let me know what you think.  I've made a few of these in the past.  However I tend to use chia as a "sprinkle" on foods.  The kids add it to their oatmeal and cereal every morning and I always add it to my smoothies! 

Basic Chia Seeds Gel

Chia
Water
Mix 1/3-cup chia seeds to 2 cups water. Stir. This is the 'basic gel' recipe that can be stored in your fridge and used as required.

Sweet Shortbread Chia

4-5 tbsps chia seeds2 cups fresh apple juice
2 tbsp lucuma powder
1/4 cup dried mulberries
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
Soak the chia seeds in the apple juice. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Leave to soak for at least 10 minutes before consuming.

'Chia Fresca'

2 tsp chia seeds10oz pure water
juice of one lemon or lime
agave syrup or raw honey to taste
This is still a popular drink in modern-day Mexico. Simply stir the ingredients together and enjoy.

Fruity Chia

3 small or 2 big apples
8 dates, pits removed
4-5 tbsp chia seeds1/4 cup dried mulberries
Blend the apples and six of the dates together. Transfer that mixture into a bowl and stir in the chia seeds and mulberries. Chop down the remaining 2 dates into pieces and stir those in too. Leave to soak for at least 10 minutes before consuming.

Bana-paya Chia

1 banana
3/4 cup papaya flesh
6 dried Turkish figs
4-5 tbsp chia seeds, ground
Blend the banana and papaya flesh together. Put the figs in this mixture and leave it to soak overnight. Blend the whole mixture, including the figs, the next day. Stir in the ground chia seeds. Serve.



Green Chia
8 dried prunes, soaked in 1 pint pure water
1 tbsp spirulina powder
1/3 cup chia seeds
Drain off most of the prune soak water and put the chia seeds to soak in the prune soak water. Blend together the prunes with the spirulina and a small amount of the soak water. Stir the spirulina/prune mixture into the soaked chia seeds. Leave the chia to soak for at least 10 minutes before consuming.



Chia Gel 'Muesli'
1 cup of basic chia gel
2 bananas, mashed with a fork
1 tbsp lucuma powder
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
Mix together the ingredients in a bowl with a fork and eat.

Persi-nana Chia

4-5 tbsp chia seeds
1-2 bananas
1-2 persimmons
1tsp maca
1 tsp cinnamon
handful of goji berries
handful of pumpkin seeds
Blend together the bananas and persimmons. Pour out the mixture into a bowl. Stir in the chia seeds, maca, cinnamon, gojis and pumpkin seeds. Leave the chia to soak for at least 10 minutes before consuming.

Raw 'Rice Pudding'

4-5 tbsp chia seeds
2 cups almond milk
raw honey or agave syrup to taste
Combine the ingredients to your taste. Leave the chia to soak for at least 10 minutes before consuming. You can also add other flavours like vanilla, cinnamon or cardamom.



Cream Cheese
Flesh of three avocadoes
9 dates
juice of 1 or 2 lemons
big handful of dulse seaweed
Blend.



Banana-nut Bread
2 cups vegetable juice pulp (preferably at least half carrot)
8 tbsp ground chia seeds
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup raisins
5 bananas
Mix together