Chia Seeds have been called 'The Ancient Super Food of the Aztecs. The grain is useful both ground and unground.  Chia seed is all natural, free of trans fats and it is naturally gluten-free. Grown without pesticides or GMO, Chia is the richest plant source of Omega-3 and fiber that nature can provide. Chia seeds offer six times more calcium than whole milk, three times more iron than spinach and fifteen times more magnesium than broccoli...now that is what I call a superfood!

What Can Chia Do for You?

• Chia is an excellent source of fiber - one serving can provide 30% of the daily requirement.
• It has more protein, lipids, energy, and fiber - but fewer carbs - than rice, barley, oats, wheat, or corn - and its protein is 100% gluten-free.
• Chia seeds contain Cinnamic acids that guard the omega-3 oils from oxidation.
• Chia seeds contain boron, which helps transfer calcium to the bones.
• It is a healthy gluten-free grain loaded with Omega-3 which improves regularity and slows the body's intake of sugar.

Traditional Native American Foods for Better Health

Many Oklahoma citizens enjoy studying the history of native American peoples.  In addition to learning more about their family genealogies, many are interested in recapturing the best elements of the ancient American Indian life styles.

The modern Native American diet is high in fat, refined starches and sugars.

In an effort to combat diabetes and childhood obesity among Native Americans, many researchers are advocating a return to older ways and more traditional Native American dietary items. Chia seeds appear to be one of the Aztec Empire's best secrets for good health.

The Health Benefits of Eating Chia Seeds

You can eat chia seeds straight from the bag, mix them with a favorite drink, add them to cereal or salad, and just about anything else. Chia seeds have a very long shelf life without the need of refrigeration.

Eating chia seeds gives you a boost of energy that lasts, and it increases your stamina and endurance. A single tablespoon of chia seeds could sustain an Aztec warrior for an entire day!

What About My Chia Pet®?

Chia seeds are too sticky for conventional sprouting jars, but the seeds do sprout very easily when spread out on earthenware jars. Using earthenware to sprout chia seeds like on the Chia Pets started in Mexico in the Chiapas region.  In fact,  Chiapas was named after the chia seed and means "Water of Chia". The Mexicans have long enjoyed eating the sprouts of the Chia. They taste like watercress and are full of vitamins and minerals, just like the seeds.

It is NOT recommended that people eat the seeds that arrive with their Chia Pets as they are not necessarily food grade seeds. However, the sprouts that grow on your chia pet make excellent micro-greens for sandwiches, snacks and meals.

Using Chia Seeds and Chia Greens in Modern Diets

You can enhance the flavor and nutrition of many foods by adding chia seeds, chia gel or ground chia seeds. Try adding either black or white Chia Seeds to: cereal, yogurt, salad, muffin, cookies, pancakes, cottage cheese, soup, sandwiches, oatmeal, salsas, smoothies and more! Grab yourself a book on chia to learn more!  My favorite chia seed mixture is to mix a scoop of chia seeds in with some Activia Peach Yogurt and a sprinkle of Groovy Granola. I find it keeps me more regular than the fiber pills I was taking, with none of the upset tummy side effects.  
 

Here is a Quick & Easy Chia Seed Recipe

Chia Seed Recipe for Salad Dressing:

1 tspn of raw Chia Seeds
2 tbsps of water
1 tbsp of chopped cilantro
2 tbsps of lime juice
1 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 tspn of salt
1 pinch black pepper

Put 1 tspn of chia seeds into 2 tablespoons of water. Let sit for several hours until it forms a gel, then combine this chia gel with the cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.

You Can Benefit from Adding Chia Seed to Your Diet

The Chia plant is a member of the plant genus called Salvia (sage). With over 700 different species of salvia identified, it is easy to get confused. This page is about Chia Seeds, used for improving health through adding the whole gain, low carb, gluten-free, seeds to a wide variety of foods. Salvia Hispanica, or chia, is grown commercially for its seed, a food that is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and a variety of amino acids.

If you are looking for information about Salvia divinorum (aka: Diviner's sage), I can offer this: people who abuse Salvia divinorum generally experience hallucinations or delusional episodes that mimic psychosis. Leave it alone.

Chia seed are often eaten raw as a dietary fiber and omega-3 supplement. Grinding chia seeds produces Pinole Meal, which is used in cakes and hot cereal dishes.

Drink Your Chia Seeds

Soaking your chia seeds in water or fruit juice makes a drink called Chia Fresca. YouTube offers a helpful video on making your own Chia Fresca at home: YouTube - How to make Chia Fresca. Drinking Chia Fresca has been hugely popular in Mexico and Central America for centuries.

Chia sprouts are used in a similar manner as alfalfa sprouts in salads, sandwiches and other dishes. Chia sprouts were traditionally sprouted on porous clay figurines which led to the popular U.S. cultural icon of the Chia Pet. As the late Paul Harvey would have said: 'now you know the REST of the story'.