Chia Seeds

[lauramangano]

I just purchased some of these little seeds. Yes, ch-ch-ch-chia seeds! Only these are not from the kit, they are okay to eat and you can get them from health food stores. I added them to my smothie today, and they were awesome. My question is: Does anyone here eat them, and if you do, do you have any good recipes?
Thanks, Laura

 

[cockateils]

Been using them for about a year and all I do is add to Chobani Greek Yogurt with some flax powder, gogi berries and sometimes a banana. Great dessert.
maryann

 

[kathryn]

I eat them.
I make chia gel (soak the seeds in about 4-5 times the amount of water). You can add it to smoothies or soups or dressings as a thickener. It doesn't have much of a flavor itself (and soaking it in the water makes certain that you don't get dehydrated from it. It absorbs so much liquid that if you eat it dry it can be dehydrating).

 

[jonahnah]

I just purchased some of these little seeds. Yes, ch-ch-ch-chia seeds!

This made me LOL!

So, if I eat the kit ones, I'll turn into a topiary of myself in a matter of days? Assuming, I water myself regularly...

 

[mgm1]

You can also add them when you bake

 

[RapidBreath]

if you are what you eat

This made me LOL!

So, if I eat the kit ones, I'll turn into a topiary of myself in a matter of days? Assuming, I water myself regularly...

It must make you a Chia pet!

 

[ripley33]

Hey in the latest Clean Eating Magazine, they talk about these and have some receipes! Funny that you mention them. Tells you about how great they are for you too.

Laura

 

[kathryn]

So, if I eat the kit ones, I'll turn into a topiary of myself in a matter of days? Assuming, I water myself regularly...

I know you're joking, but just in case: DON"T EAT THE CHIA PET seeds! They are treated with toxic chemicals to prevent insect infestation.

(You could, however, wet your head and put them on there if there are some bald spots you want to cover.

 

[lauramangano]

Ohhh, thanks! I get Clean Eating but I must have missed those recipes. I will go back and check it out. I like the way that they have been keeping me fuller longer, so I will have to experiment with adding them to soups and yougurt too.

 

[kathryn]

Here's some more info on chia seeds (from "Transitioning to Living Cuisine" by René Oswald---a great book if you're interested in raw foods):

chia seeds absorb up to 9 times their volume in water

chia gel helps to keep your body hydrated and provides 90% soluble fiber

When chia gel is eaten with carbs, it causes a slower release of those carbohydrates in the body, which is helpful i controlling blood sugar levels, and also acts as a natural appetite suppressant.

Chia gel can be added to any food or drink, as it has no distinct flavor on its own

To make chia gel, place 2 cups of water in a quart jar. Slowly add 1/4 cup chia seeds while stirring briskly--otherwise they can clump. Let sit for 4 minutes--some say 15 miinutes--then whisk again. Let sit an additional 10 minutes, then use or refrigerate. Chia gel will last for 2 weeks in the fridge.


And one more comment on chia pets: you COULD use the chia pets to grow chia sprouts. Just buy edible chia seeds (not the ones that come with the pet) and use them as instructed on the chia pet. When they have formed sprouts, harvest them to eat, or give them to your pets. The chia pets would also be a good way of sprouting flax or other gelatinous seeds (fenugreek, I think?), which are often hard to grow because they require special treatment. (Hmmm....I think I might be picking myself up some chia pets!)

ETA: I just checked out the chia pets on Amazon, and they have an Obama chia pet!

 

[syzygy314]

Hey in the latest Clean Eating Magazine, they talk about these and have some receipes! Funny that you mention them. Tells you about how great they are for you too.

Laura

Which issue is that? I subscribed a few weeks ago,but have not yet received my first issue.

Tricia

 

[lainiefig]

One of my favorite fitness bloggers is a big fan of chia and writes about it often. Here's a big post about them: http://mizfitonline.com/2009/02/20/ch-ch-ch-chia/ You can also just do a search for 'chia' on her blog and find more.

 

[nancy324]

Just bumping. Don't mind me.

 

[fit_fairy]

Cha cha cha chia! Sorry, couldn't resist

 

[burnmarie]

Can you eat too many of these in a day?

 

[kathryn]

Can you eat too many of these in a day?

You could eat too much of any food.

The problem with chia is eating them without being sufficiently hydrated, which can cause dehydration. I usually use chia gel (2 Tbsp of chia seeds stirred in 2 cups of water then kept in the fridge) rather than chia seeds as-is.

Chia would be hard to overdo if you take it as gel, or if you mix it with liquids, as it's very filling (my standard pre-race/pre-workout drink for speed walking contains chia seeds, because they are excellent for stamina).

A yummy cereal can be made my combining chia seeds with hemp seeds and germinated buckwheat groats. Add 2x as much water or milk (I like homemade almond/Brazil-nut milk) as cereal (about 2 Tbsp of cereal---no kidding, it's very filling!), stir, let sit 10 minutes, stir again, then eat in about 10 minutes. The chia absorbs the fluid and makes a texture somewhat like oatmeal.

 

[shelsmaha]

Kathryn I like the idea of using the chai pet froms to sprout chia!! I think I will do that also!!!