#12 Chia Seeds

History Proven Power Punch Secret Weapon #2 -- Chia Seeds
Chia seed is an ancient superfood that is currently experiencing a glorious renaissance. It is a member of the sage family (Salvia Hispanica). The mild little black and white seeds were once was a staple of the Incan, Mayan and Aztec cultures. "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.

This seed as a gummy fiber known as mucilage. Research shows these seeds has a gel-forming phenomenon when it hit the stomach. The gel creates a physical barrier between carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down, thus slowing the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar.

Using Chia seeds is easy.
Just plop 1 T into you smoothie and drink.
Or......Making Chia Gel (9 to1 ratio): Put water in a sealable plastic container and slowly pour seed into water while briskly mixing with a wire whisk. This process will avoid any clumping of the seed. Wait a couple of minutes, whisk again and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Whisk again before using or storing in refrigerator (Gel will keep up to 2 weeks). You can add this mix to jams, jellies, hot or cold cereals, yogurts, mustard, catsup, tarter sauce, BBQ sauce, etc.. Add the gel, between 50% to 75% by volume, to any of the non-bake mentioned foods, mix well and taste. You will notice a very smooth texture with the integrity of the flavour intact.

So will I eat less?
In addition to adding up to 50% to 75% more volume to the foods used, you have displaced calories and fat by incorporating an ingredient that is 90% water. Use this seed as a fat replacer, for energy and endurance. The seed’s hydrophilic (water absorbing) saturated cells hold the water, so when it is mixed with foods, it displaces calories and fat without diluting flavor. In fact, I have found that because Chia gel displaces rather than dilutes, it creates more surface area and can actually enhance the flavor rather than dilute it. Chia gel also works as a fat replacer for many recipes. Plus, the high antioxidant content of the seeds means they can stored in your pantry for up to five years without going bad—or losing their flavor.

Live foods are so powerful for the body because they have life force energy and enzymes. Life force energy gives you things vitamins, minerals, and amino acids can not. Instead of the satisfying cooked oatmeal and fruit for breakfast, try the chia seed breakfast, with any kind of fruit you like. Chia seeds will swell with water creating an oatmeal like experience. Add strawberries, apples, raisins, or whatever fruit you choose to sweeten it.

In addition to the obvious benefits for diabetics, this slowing in the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar offers the ability for creating endurance. Prolonging their conversion into sugar stabilizes metabolic changes, diminishing the surges of highs and lows creating a longer duration in their fueling effects.

Chia seeds ALSO contain beneficial long-chain triglycerides (LCT) in the right proportion to reduce cholesterol on arterial walls. This is great news! If you have high cholesterol have the chia seed breakfast in the morning several days a week to lower cholesterol!

Other Health reasons to eat Chia
2 times the protein of any other seed or grain,
2.5 time more dietary fiber than flax seeds
8 times more omega 3's than Salmon
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
6 times more calcium than milk
15 times more magnesium than broccoli

How much money does Chia cost $$ , a pound and a half of the dry seeds is about $20
Your only going to be using 1 T a day. I buy about $3/month.

Chia seeds have done wonders for my dog's health (and for my own health too!). I mix a good amount of chia seeds with raw eggs or raw meat and keep it refrigerated for 48 hours before feeding it to my dog to increase its nutritional content. When Chia seeds, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids are included in your dog's diet, your can expect to see your dog's overall health to improve with the energy of a puppy and its coat to become shiny and healthy. Soaking raw chia seeds in water, broth, or juice for 24 to 48 hours greatly increase its nutritional content. Omega-3 oils are essential nutrients, deficient in most dogs' diets. Omega-3 fatty acids are fundamental molecules in the structure and activity of the membranes of all cells throughout your dog's body. They also have highly- specialized functions in neurological tissues, especially the brain and retina and play an important role in cell membranes and the formation of new tissue, therefore important for development and growth. You will love the ease of using Chia seeds and dogs love the nutty taste! I also enjoy eating chia seeds soaked in natural raw fruit juice or mixed with a fruit salad.

Your homework is to go to the health food store and buy several dollars of Chia and some yogurt. Then in the morning try out 1 teaspoon with some yogurt. Check your hunger level all morning. Did you feel full on less than the normal amount of yogurt?