Chia (chee-uh)
a plant (Salvia hispanica) of the mint family, native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, having mostly basal, oblong leaves and small blue flowers; the seeds are primarily used as food.
Oprah Magazine Features Chia Seeds
4 Exotic Grains That Can Improve Your Health. These ancient superfoods from all corners of the world are worth rediscovering
***********************************************
Aztec Seed of Strength
A long, long time ago – long before the era of terracotta “chia pets” -- the chia seed was cultivated and eaten by the ancient Aztecs, Incans, and Mayans and was considered a staple food alongside corn and beans. “Chia” is the Mayan word for “strength”, and though these cultures may not have had the medical research to back up their health claims, chia is enjoying an escalating renaissance by today’s medical community as well as everyday consumers. Also full of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals (especially calcium and iron) with the distinct advantage that its natural antioxidants make its delicate healthy fats more nutritionally stable.
The Power of Chia
Chia seeds are an excellent source of dense nutrition with their healthy omega oils, easily digestible protein, and antioxidants. In fact, chia is so high in essential fatty acids that it contains eight times more omega-3s than salmon, gram for gram. Also full of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals (especially calcium and iron), chia has much in common with flaxseed, with the distinct advantage that its natural antioxidants make it’s delicate healthy fats more nutritionally stable. Research has linked this valuable food as a being beneficial for many health issues, including diabetes, hypoglycemia, celiac disease, and lowering cholesterol.
Have a Chia Boost
Chia Power has a mild nutty flavor, and develops slightly sweet notes when sprouted. It may be used much like flax powder in creating a power breakfast: just sprinkle a spoonful into oatmeal, granola, cereal, or yogurt. It also works very well as a flour substitute and can be used to make hearty breads, crackers, and more. Additionally, chia is considered highly hydrophilic – meaning the seeds have a unique ability to absorb liquid and form a gel. This makes chia especially good to use as a thickening agent in recipes like soup, smoothies, or enjoyed as a pudding with a touch of sweetener.
SUGGESTED USES
- OATMEAL
- GRANOLA
- FLOUR SUBSTITUTE
- SMOOTHIES
- BREAD
Ten Raw Chia Recipes
WARNING – these are 'hardcore' raw foodist recipes, developed and used by long-term raw food eaters. Some may seem quite peculiar or unfamiliar to those who are not accustomed to eating raw. We encourage you to try them out though and to perhaps use them as a 'spring-board' for creating and enjoying your own chia recipes. All of these recipes are based on one person eating.
Basic Chia 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 seeds
2 cups fresh apple juice
2 tbsp maca powder
1/4 cup dried berries
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 seeds
10oz 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 seeds
1/4 cup dried berries
Blend the apples and six of the dates together. Transfer that mixture into a bowl and stir in the chia seeds and berries. 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 figs
4-5 tbsp chia, 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 seed. Serve.
Chia Gel 'Muesli'
1 cup of basic chia gel
2 bananas, mashed with a fork
1 tbsp maca powder
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
Mix together the ingredients in a bowl with a fork and eat.
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.
Mango-Sago/Chia
4-5 tbsp chia seeds
1-2 mango
1tsp maca
1 tsp cinnamon
handful of goji berries
handful of pumpkin seeds
Blend the mango. 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 seed
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.
Banana-nut Bread
2 cups vegetable juice pulp (preferably at least half carrot)
8 tbsp ground chia
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup raisins
5 bananas
Mix together the veggie juice pulp and bananas in a food processor. Add in the ground chia and let the food processor run until the seeds are completely mixed in. Transfer the mixture to a bowl with the walnuts and raisins and mix them in thoroughly by hand. Shape into a loaf. For major yumminess, top with 'Cream Cheese' (see below).
Cream Cheese
Flesh of three avocadoes
9 dates
juice of 1 or 2 lemons
big handful of dulse seaweed
Blend.
Chia pudding
Serves 2, or 1 for a very filling meal
This pudding is my favorite way to eat the SUPER nutritious chia seed, which is a complete protein, and an excellent source of calcium. The Aztec messengers, running from place to place constantly, could subsist on just a handful a day!
Ingredients:
4 tablespoon chia seeds
1 banana
1 teaspoon mixed cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice
1 1/2 cups water
2 piece dates
Preparation:
Blend banana with the spices with 1 cup water to make a thin smoothie. Pour the mixture over the chia seeds. Stir a couple of times so it won't clump. Leave to soak for at least 15 minutes inside the fridge.
To serve, top it with your favorite fruits and nuts.
No comments:
Post a Comment