Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia

Do you remember the commercials for Chia pets when you were younger?

I do! I loved them and always wanted a Chia pet of my own.

However, today I'm not going to share about how we all need Chia pets, but I am going to share about the benefits of Chia seeds for our bodies.

Did you know that Chia seeds have the highest amount of omega-3s then any other plant? Chia has even more then flax seed and actually salmon too! They are also easier to digest then flax seeds, because they do not need to be ground up to get their full benefit and have a longer shelf life. They are also self sustaining, so that means no GMOs, pesticides, etc. All organic! There are many more benefits to the seeds; protein, fiber, great for diabetics, energy, hydrating etc. I am amazed at all I have read about the chia seed.

When using chia, soak the seeds in a liquid for a minimum of 10 minutes. The seeds will absorb the water and become like tapioca pudding. However, you can grind them up and put it in bake goods or eat them whole without liquid. Another thing I like about chia seeds - you can just sprinkle them on top of food you are already eating, since it has no real taste, you won't really notice the difference except for texture. So simple and yummy!

For the last week I have been trying to have my daily amount of it (I read 3 Tablespoons a day but I'm sure it varies). I have felt great and feel like I have more motivation to get things done. I even have a stronger desire to eat right. Since I'm almost 6 months pregnant, that is an accomplishment!

Here are 2 ways that I have been enjoying this yummy super food! Enjoy!

FYI, don't go get a Chia pet and use their seeds for your next meal time. Go online to a reliable source and buy them. Mountain Rose Herbs has an okay price for them, but take a look online there are a lot of sources. I'm not sure if Whole Foods has them, but I do know many herbal stores do carry them.

Raw Tapioca Pudding2 cups of Almond Milk (or whatever type of milk you drink)

5-6 Tablespoons of Chia Seeds

Sweeten to taste with Agave

Splash of Vanilla Extract (optional)

Whisk together ingredients for a couple of minutes and then let set in the refrigerator for one to 2 hours. You can wait longer if it is still watery. You may want to check it and stir it some more if the seeds have flooded to the top. We have also enjoyed it with added fruit to it.

Chia Lemonade

1 pint Your favorite homemade lemonade

3 Tablespoons of Chia

Whisk together ingredient and let set overnight for a yummy morning drink. You only really need to let the Chia set for 10 minutes, but I like the texture more the longer it sets. It becomes more like the Bobo drinks, only I like this better, because the bubbles are smaller. You can do this with any fresh juice.

To learn more about Chia: The magic of Chia Dr. Weil Intergrated Health I create Wisdom

Powdered Greens Recipe

For a long time, too long in my mind, my family and I would buy our powdered greens from what ever supplier we liked at the time of purchasing. The cost per pound would, on average, end up being in the $40-$50 range. Mind you this is an average. Yes, there were times when we would buy it for close to $25. Still, way to much money. Well, what would be the price if you made your own powdered greens?

Wait . . .

I should back up a bit and explain for those who may not know - what powdered greens are. Basically, they are vitamins in a more natural state. They are the next best thing to your fresh greens. They are not to replace eating fresh greens in your diet but to increase your nutrient intake. I use mine in lieu of a multi-vitamin. Even our wonderful fresh foods are deficient in nutrients due to growing conditions, so it is essential to 'beef' up our nutrient intake everyday.

Powdered greens usually consist of grasses and herbs that have been dehydrated and processed into a powder form for use. Be careful because quality does matter here. When looking to buy powdered grasses and herbs look for high quality organic and very little heat use. Make sure you go with a supplier that sells herbs that are considered 'raw' where the temperature did not exceed 115 degrees. If they are heated more, the herb's nutrients can be destroyed.

After taking some local herb classes a couple of years ago, I gained the knowledge and confidence to make my own greens at home. The first time I made it the cost ended up being $18 for two pounds. Now, because I created an herbal co-op I can get my cost down to about $8 per pound and sometimes less. For my family and I it has been a great money saver and we get to customize our powdered greens formula to our needs.

Customizing our greens has been so nice. For example, I have a friend, who likes to put eyebright (herb) in her powdered greens because she has eye sight problems and feels that including it will be beneficial to her. I like to put hibiscus in my own recipe because it has been known to be helpful to the body regarding the heart and hydration. This is where customization becomes very cool.

Below you will find a very basic powdered greens recipe. Feel free to add small parts to this basic recipe to customize it to your needs and wants. Try to stay away from strong tasting herbs like kelp or goldenseal for obvious reasons.

Some of my favorite places to get my bulk herbs and supplies are Frontier and Mountain Rose Herbs. What are your favorites suppliers?

Any questions? Leave a comment or email me!

Powdered Greens (all herbs/seaweeds/etc. are in powder form)

Mix 1 teaspoon in 8 oz. water. Can take 3-6 times a day. I like to take a tablespoon in a small amount of water twice daily ( I like my water clear most of the time).

2 parts Alfalfa Leaf

2 parts Barley Grass

2 parts Wheatgrass

2 parts Spinach

1 part Chlorella (with cracked outer cell wall)

1 part Spirulina

1/2 part Beet

1/2 part Rosehips

1/4 part Peppermint

1/8 part Green Stevia

Thoroughly incorporate all powders together. When done put mixed powdered greens in an airtight glass container if possible and store in a dark cool place (pantry/closet etc.). Can last up to 5 years if stored properly.

Ethical Eating Link

I was made aware of Masters in Health Care's article titled, "40 Easy Ways to Eat More Ethically".

It's a great easy read and something I thought might be good for others to browse through. I'm a huge believer of 'thinking for yourself' and being a smart consumer. Enjoy the insight.

Have a great weekend!