Chia Seeds

You know what they say - good things come in small packages.  The tiny chia seed may be small, but it is mighty indeed! 

A real live super-hero of all superfoods, chia seeds boast the most protein in any seed and can be added whole to a variety of recipies to add texture, flavor, protein, fiber, omega-3s, essential minerals, and essential fatty acids.  They don't have to be ground to be digested like flax seeds, so you can just add whole seeds to smoothies, on top of fruit or yogurt, in salads, or mix them into stir frys and let your mouth savor their unique texture.   They absorb liquids, so you can soak them in a bit of water to form a jelly substance that can be eaten with a spoon.  I use whole chia seeds to thicken my smoothies, I grind them to thicken sauces or soups.  The desired texture is a factor on whether I choose whole or ground chia for baking.

Although chia is being touted as the newest, greatest, latest power food, this is no passing trend:  Chia has been a food staple of the Aztecs, Mexicans, and Native Americans.  On a recent interpretive wildlife hike, Boyfriend and I discovered that in grows wild in the hills above Santa Barbara, and was harvested and highly valued by the local Chumash people.  At the right time of year we can leave the granola bars at home and "get our chia on" when we hike!

So skip the protein powders and ground flax seeds - the chia seed is the best "supplement" available for the money, not to mention volume!  Go on, and get your chia on!

Where?

The best bang for your buck would be to head to your local natural food grocer and buy raw chia seeds it in bulk.  Clean out that coffee grinder and grind it yourself if you need to.  If your local health food store doesn't have it, show him this article and request that he get it in!

If you need to find it elsewhere, Whole Foods should carry packaged seeds or even ground chia where you would find flaxseeds.

If those two options are drawing a blank, you'll have to ask the All-Knowing Google, because he knows how to find anything!

I'm warning you, though, stick to organic, whole and raw chia seeds when buying online.  Remember quality is the key to healthy eating and supplementing, and you always get what you pay for!