When I was in BC visiting Annie, her mom also came for a visit and had brought Chia Seeds with her. I had only even heard of chia in those informercials about Chia pets around the holidays when I was young… I still remember the jingle vividly..

Annie’s mom mentioned that Chia was a great super-food, high in Omega-3’s… So when I got home I and found some at my grocery store I decided to try them and look for more info. I was amazed at what I found. It seems that Chia has been a big craze in the last few years but I guess we are really behind in crazes because it was all new to me.

Chia seeds

Chia seeds are in the Mint family and were once considered a staple food for the Aztec. Not only is Chia said to be higher in Omega 3 fatty acids, it also contains higher amounts of protein, dietary fibre and antioxidants. Unlike Flax seed, it doesn’t have to be ground and it does not go rancid either so it can be stored indefinitely.

Chia gel

Again like flax, when you add water to Chia seeds a gel is formed. Chia can absorb 10X its weight in water. What is different however with Chia is that the gel isn’t oily or sticky as the flax gel gets but instead each seed is enveloped. When you touch it you fingers are just slightly damp and it doesn’t stick at all and instead the seeds are like like pearls of tapioca.

Chia Gel

You can either use Chia by sprinkling it on your food, or adding it to recipes, but my favourite way to use it is to make “Chia Fresca”…

This drink not only helps rehydrate, but also gives a healthy dose of Omega-3’s, protein, fibre and antioxidents. And because the Chia seeds hold so much water themselves by making the chia gel before hand, you are also getting more water in your water… 🙂

Make the Chia gel by mixing any amount of chia seeds with 10X the amount of water… stir a few tines so that is doesn’t clump and then let sit to form the gel for about 10 min…

You can make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge…

Squeeze some lemon into your water, add a few spoonfuls of Chia gel and that’s it! (some may add sugar but I like it as is)

(the true and natural energy drink)

Chia Fresca