Chia Seeds lad. k "Salvia hispanica"

Once in the forests of Texas in United States I found myself eating the most astonishing jelly kind of a thing. Later i found out that it was Chia seeds soaked in the water. The taste was silky, light and the energy was flowing around. The connection was made.

TS of stem of chia, Salvia hispanica, showing region of cortical parenchyma, phloem fibres, xylem and pith parenchyma. Cycling images of Calcofluor staining, red wavelength autofluorescence, LM10-FITC labelling of xylan in secondary cell walls and in scattered parenchyma cell walls The source

So I would like to share some backround info of these seeds and its history and story.

It might be still hard to find Chia in Europe, but who knows, maybe the doors are opened for this warrior food by now.

What is Chia Seed?

An Article from www.rawreform.com
by Angela Stokes
Chia seed is an ancient superfood that is currently experiencing a glorious renaissance ;) It is a member of the sage family (Salvia Hispanica). The little black and white seeds were once a staple of the Incan, Mayan and Aztec cultures, along with the Native Americans of the southwest.
"Chia" is actually the Mayan word for strength. The seeds were used by these ancient cultures as mega-energy food, especially for their running messengers, who would carry a small pouch of it with them. Chia has been called 'Indian Running Food' and gives an incredibly 'sustaining' surge of energy. I've definitely noticed for myself the 'running energy' that chia seems to impart. If I eat chia, then run later that day, my endurance and ability to run further is greatly enhanced - pretty impressive stuff... ;)
The chia we sell in our online store is imported from Mexico and is certified organic. In Mexico they say that one tablespoon of chia seeds can sustain a person for 24 hours. Chia also happens to TASTE great, looks cute (like tiny dinosaur eggs) and is ready to eat really quickly - besides which it has an off-the-scale nutritional profile...

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Why would you want to eat Chia?

Chia seeds are said to have:

2 times the protein of any other seed or grain, 5 times the calcium of milk, plus boron which is a trace mineral that helps transfer calcium into your bones, 2 times the amount of potassium as bananas, 3 times the reported antioxidant strength of blueberries 3 times more iron than spinach copious amounts of omega 3 and omega 6, which are essential fatty acids... They are a complete source of protein, providing all the essential amino acids in an easily digestible form. They are also a fabulous source of soluble fibre. Like flax, chia is highly 'hydrophilic' - the seeds absorb water and create a mucilaginous gel. They can hold 9-12 times their weight in water and they absorb it very rapidly - in under 10 minutes. Antioxidants One advantage of chia is that because it has such a high antioxidant content, the seeds stay stable for much longer, whereas flax, for example, may turn rancid. Chia seeds can easily be stored dry for 4-5 years without deterioration in flavour, odour or nutritional value. You can substitute chia in any recipe that calls for flax. Mild Taste The taste of chia is very mild and pleasant. That means you can easily combine it with other foods without changing the taste dramatically. People add chia to their sauces, bread batters, puddings, smoothies and more. The flavour is retained, plus masses more nutrition is added ;) The 'Dieter's Dream Food' Chia has been called a dieter's dream food because when added to foods, it bulks them up, displacing calories and fat without diluting the flavour. Thus, someone can eat a typical serving, yet only consume about half the calories they might have eaten, because the food has been bulked up with chia. PLUS, the eater gets a bellyful of nutrient-rich superfood goodness, which hydrates and sustains them - magic ;) --------------- What are some other benefits of eating Chia? Provides energy Boosts strength Bolsters endurance Levels blood sugar Induces weight loss Aids intestinal regularity Sugar Absorption Chia slows the impact of sugars on the system, if eaten together. Chia gel creates a physical barrier between carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down, which slows the conversion of carbs into sugar. That means the energy from the food is released steadily, resulting in more endurance. This is clearly of great benefit to diabetics in particular. It also means that I can combine chia with super-sweet tastes like apple juice and not get super-spiked ;) Absorb and Retain Water Due to the exceptional water-absorption quality of chia, it can help you prolong hydration and retain electrolytes, especially during exertion. Easy to Digest Whole, water-soaked chia seeds are easily digested and absorbed. Their tiny dinosaur-egg-like shells break down quickly. They feel light in the body, yet energising. Their nutrients can be quickly assimilated into the body. Intestinal Broom Chia seeds bulk up, then work like an incredible digestive broom, sweeping through your intestinal tract, helping to dislodge and eliminate old accumulated waste in the intestines. Many people find their stools also become more regular once they eat chia. Inexpensive Chia is a very reasonably priced, concentrated food. Our 1lb bags cost $8. 1/3 cup of dry chia seeds (2 ounces) makes about 17 ounces of chia gel. This costs about $1. Depending on how much gel you use, those 17oz will likely last, on average, about four days. That is about 25cents a day. Versatile Chia can be used in so many kinds of recipes - savoury, sweet - it works with anything. You might want to try them in salad dressings, cookie mixtures, smoothies, crackers, ice creams, juices and so on. Gluten-Free Chia seed protein contains no gluten. This makes it ideal for anyone with a gluten sensitivity or simply wanting to find a replacement for gluten-containing grains like wheat, barley, rye and oats. ---------------

Ten Raw Chia Recipes

WARNING - these are 'hardcore' raw foodist recipes, developed and used by long-term raw food eaters. Some may seem quite peculiar or unfamiliar to those who are not accustomed to eating raw. We encourage you to try them out though and to perhaps use them as a 'spring-board' for creating and enjoying your own chia recipes...
All of these recipes are based on one person eating.


Basic Chia Gel
Chia
Water

Mix 1/3-cup chia seeds to 2 cups water. Stir. This is the 'basic gel' recipe that can be stored in your fridge and used as required.


Sweet Shortbread Chia
4-5 tbsps chia seeds
2 cups fresh apple juice
2 tbsp lucuma powder
1/2 cup dried mulberries
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

Soak the chia seeds in the apple juice. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Leave to soak for at least 10 minutes before consuming.


'Chia Fresca'
2 tsp chia seeds
10oz pure water
juice of one lemon or lime
agave syrup or raw honey to taste

This is still a popular drink in modern-day Mexico. Simply stir the ingredients together and enjoy.


Fruity Chia
3 small or 2 big apples
8 dates, pits removed
4-5 tbsp chia seeds
1/4 cup dried mulberries

Blend the apples and six of the dates together. Transfer that mixture into a bowl and stir in the chia seeds and mulberries. Chop down the remaining 2 dates into pieces and stir those in too. Leave to soak for at least 10 minutes before consuming.


Bana-paya Chia
1 banana
1 cup papaya flesh
6 dried Turkish figs
4-5 tbsp chia, ground

Blend the banana and papaya flesh together. Put the figs in this mixture and leave it to soak overnight. Blend the whole mixture, including the figs, the next day. Stir in the ground chia seed. Serve.


Chia Gel 'Muesli'
1 cup of basic chia gel
2 bananas, mashed with a fork
1 tbsp lucuma powder
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

Mix together the ingredients in a bowl with a fork and eat.


Green Chia
8 dried prunes, soaked in 1 pint pure water
1 tbsp spirulina powder
1/3-cup chia seeds

Drain off most of the prune soak water and put the chia seeds to soak in the prune soak water. Blend together the prunes with the spirulina and a small amount of the soak water. Stir the spirulina/prune mixture into the soaked chia seeds. Leave the chia to soak for at least 10 minutes before consuming.

Persi-nana Chia

4-5 tbsp chia seeds
1-2 bananas
1-2 persimmons
1tsp maca
1 tsp cinnamon
handful of goji berries
handful of pumpkin seeds

Blend together the bananas and persimmons. Pour out the mixture into a bowl. Stir in the chia seeds, maca, cinnamon, gojis and pumpkin seeds. Leave the chia to soak for at least 10 minutes before consuming.


Raw 'Rice Pudding'
4-5 tbsp chia seed
2 cups almond milk
raw honey or agave syrup to taste

Combine the ingredients to your taste. Leave the chia to soak for at least 10 minutes before consuming. You can also add other flavours like vanilla, cinnamon or cardamom.


Banana-nut Bread
2 cups vegetable juice pulp (preferably at least half carrot)
8 tbsp ground chia
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins
5 bananas
Mix together the veggie juice pulp and bananas in a food processor. Add in the ground chia and let the food processor run until the seeds are completely mixed in.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl with the walnuts and raisins and mix them in thoroughly by hand. Shape into a loaf. For major yumminess, top with ?Cream Cheese? (see below).


Cream Cheese
Flesh of three avocados
9 dates
juice of 1 or 2 lemons

big handful of dulse seaweed

Blend.






|||We are what we eat|||
at least 10% from our well being is dependent on our diet
another 10% is physical activity
and the last third of a third is breathing.
So it will make 30% in total.

So now you are thinking what makes the rest from the whole???

The answer is in you head.
Thinking :D

Wisdom written down by Gunnar Aarma <>