Sunday, January 22, 2012

Small but Mighty: The Chia Seed

 The Chia Pet dominated the stocking stuffer and gag gift markets of the 90s.
Did you ever own one?

Turns out, the chia seeds of these sweet little ceramic critters are considered superfoods because of their complex nutritional profile. 
Chia seeds are said to have 2x the protein of any other seed or grain.
3x more iron than spinach.
5x the calcium of milk.
They are also a fantastic source of fiber.
*5 times the calcium of milk, plus boron which is a trace mineral that helps transfer calcium into your bones,

*2 times the amount of potassium as bananas,

*3 times the reported antioxidant strength of blueberries

*3 times more iron than spinach

*copious amounts of omega-3 and omega-6, which are essential fatty acids


Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/022468.html#ixzz1k835Njfu

Chia seeds can be easily incorporated into a lot of dishes. They have a mild and pleasant flavor. 

You can add them to smoothies, bake them into your favorite cookie recipes or sprinkle them into oatmeal. 

Organic chia seeds are very reasonably priced, and a little goes a long way.
We get ours in bulk at the local co-op, but good deals can easily be found online.
So be liberal in your chia sprinkling. Go nuts!


 
Chia Seed Maple Pudding 
Makes 6 dessert size portions.

A great sweet treet for any time of day, chia seed pudding is similar to tapioca pudding in consistency but it is packed with all of the nutritional value chia seeds have to offer.

4 cups of almond milk (I used vanilla, but plain is probably good too)
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1/4 cup of maple syrup (you may want to add a bit more if you have a sweeter tooth)
3/4 cup of chia seeds
bananas, blueberries, strawberries (optional)

In a large bowl, mix together the almond milk, vanilla extract and maple syrup until combined. Gently stir in the chia seeds. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, to allow the chia seeds to gel and firm up. Spoon into individual dishes, top with fresh fruit and serve!

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