Chia Seeds: An Ancient American Super Food (Page 2)

Chia seeds absorb seven times their weight in water. It is best to moisten them before eating, or they can absorb water from the body, leading to dryness and constipation. When well moistened, they provide wonderful lubrication for the body. They are an excellent food for body builders, athletes and those wanting to lose weight as they enable one to feel full on small amounts of food.

Soak one forth cup chia seeds in 2 cups pure water overnight and stir well to prevent the seeds from clumping. Allow to stand overnight on the counter or refrigerator. Add more water if needed. The seeds do not need to be ground up in order to be digested, but if one suffers from diverticulitis, grind the amount you would consume in one day for even easier digestion. In the morning, add chopped apples, a handful of raisins, blueberries, chopped nuts, honey, as you wish, for a simple breakfast. I have even added chocolate and banana and nuts for a delicious sugar and dairy free pudding.

Any seeds not consumed can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. I even take chia seeds and mix with leftovers such as tomato sauce, basil pesto and spread the mixture thin on dehydrator seeds and dehydrate till crisp to make gluten free crackers. Chia has also been used successfully as a superfood for cats, dogs and chickens.

Chia seeds have a long shelf life and are slow to oxidize. Chia seeds have been used topically as a poultice, once moistened with water to draw out infection, and even to treat gunshot wounds in the Wild Southwest. Chia seed oil had been used in cosmetics and as a wood preservative.

Chia is an annual plan with a square stem and oval leaves that produces small blue flowers at the ends of the branches. It is often cultivated between rows of corn. It thrives at high altitudes.

Don’t be alarmed about the cost of chia seeds. (Last I looked was about 20 dollars a pound retail). One pound will supply a month’s worth of breakfasts. It takes about 800,000 seeds to make up a pound.

Chia. It’s not just for pets anymore.

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Nils Anders L.

1:20AM PDT on Apr 19, 2013

April 19
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Benjamin A.

9:15AM PDT on Apr 8, 2013

Very informative and valuable page out here. Never heard of this kind of seed before. To know more about germinating seeds? click here

http://farmingeek.org/farming-how-to/how-to-grow-plants-from-seeds/how-to-germinate-seeds

April 8
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Fred H.

6:21AM PST on Jan 9, 2013

Thank you Brigitte, for Sharing this!

January 9
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susan k.

5:23AM PST on Nov 22, 2012

Thanks great information .

November 22
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Donna H.

5:33AM PDT on Jun 13, 2012

Thanks for the info.

June 13
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KS G.

5:06AM PST on Nov 25, 2011

Thanks for the article.

November 25
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Mac C.

4:28PM PST on Nov 24, 2011

good information. I eat chia seeds, but didn't realize about soaking them. thank you.

November 24
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Jennifer C.

5:14PM PDT on Jul 4, 2011

A valuable piece of info. Thanks for sharing.

July 4
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Helen M.

11:35AM PDT on Apr 28, 2011

Patrick Holford was talking about these at an Organic food fair I went to recently but I can't find them in my local health food shop. Where can I get them please? I will definitely be recommending them to our 100 000 members on my website for depression sufferers, www.depressioncanbefun.com, given the proven success of omegas and particularly EPA in lifting mood. Thanks. Helen