Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!

[unregistered29228]

Remember those chia pets? It turns out that the chia seeds and sprouts are good for you! Who knew? I haven't actually tried chia, but I thought this was interesting.

http://www.eatchia.com/englishfacts.htm

* Chia is the richest plant source of omega-3 fatty acids and contains natural antioxidants

* Chia, when added to animal diets, results in a dramatic reduction (up 30.6%) in the saturated fatty acid content of the products produced.

* Chia has no cholesterol. This is different than fish meat, fish oil, & fish meal all of which contain significant amounts.

* Chia can be stored for years without deterioration in flavor, odor or nutritional value.

* Chia has a long history as a human food, starting with its domestication by ancient Mexicans in 2,600 B.C.

* Chia is a sustainable and environmentally friendly product.

[AngieM2]

Well, who'd have thought. I thought they were just useless money catchers.

Angie

[ailsaek]

I dunno. I'm inclined to distrust information from someone who feels the need to point out to me that a plant has no cholesterol.

[spiffydave]

Two good articles here:

http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/i...9.shtml?page=1

http://www.prevention.com/cda/articl...ndrew.weil.md/

I'm going to give it a try in place of the flax I normally use.

[Cyngbaeld]

I have a pound of seed. I will plant it first opportunity. It does well in drought, BTW.

[unregistered29228]

Where would one find chia seeds? I'd grow some just to try....

[Cyngbaeld]

I bought mine at www.HidalgoFoods.com I think Native seeds has them too. It is in the Salvia family and is a pretty flower, BTW.

[Freeholder]

Cyngbaeld, do you know how long of a growing season it needs?

Kathleen

[AngieM2]

Welll - this gets more interesting as it goes along.

So, Cyn - you've been using this? And do you sprout them, or just sprinkle them in other foods?

Angie

[unregistered29228]

Originally Posted by Cyngbaeld

I bought mine at www.HidalgoFoods.com I think Native seeds has them too. It is in the Salvia family and is a pretty flower, BTW.

Hmmm, a little research shows that one form of salvia is used in LSD. But mainly Salvia is the family of many kinds of sage and mint. I didn't know....

[Cyngbaeld]

This salvia is not the one that makes you high. Here is another website with good info. Chia is something diabetics or celiacs can eat that is healthy.

https://www.chiaseedandoil.com/faqs.htm

Kathleen, it is a subtropical and wouldn't seed well in your climate. It has a long growing season.

Angie, you can sprout them, but you need something like a piece of porous clay to do it because they will turn into a gel. You can add the seed to bread or other baked goods without grinding or mix with juice. The seeds are tiny.

[Freeholder]

Thanks, Cyng -- that's too bad, as it sounds like it would be worth growing.

Kathleen

[Cyngbaeld]

Kathleen, you might do better with amaranth and quinoa:
http://www.saltspringseeds.com/scoop/powerfood.htm

[spiffydave]

Well, after reading the articles posted here I went to our local co-op and bought a pound of chia seed and have been trying it using the "chia fresca" drink mentioned in the articles. That's basically 10 oz water with a few teaspoons of chia with a little lemon and sugar. Give it a stir, wait 5 minutes, then guzzle.

Very refreshing actually.

I plan on mixing it into Gatorade during the summer months when my kids are outside skateboarding, biking, playing tennis, etc. My 8 year old drank some this morning before school and liked it.

Probably going to order a 50 pound bag to use instead of my flax.

Thanks for posting!!!

[Sherrynboo]

I have used it and I like it. I also put some in a small pot in my kitchen window that came up quickly. Haven't seen any flowers yet.

Sherry in GA

[Freeholder]

Originally Posted by Cyngbaeld

Kathleen, you might do better with amaranth and quinoa:
http://www.saltspringseeds.com/scoop/powerfood.htm

I have seeds for both of those to plant this year -- any idea how they compare nutritionally with chia?

Kathleen

[spiffydave]

Originally Posted by BlueJuniperFarm

I have seeds for both of those to plant this year -- any idea how they compare nutritionally with chia?

Kathleen

Different beasts, really. Amaranth and quinoa are more carb focused while chia is more of a fat.

I've played with quinoa before, but have always been a bit put off by having to deal the bitter outer coating (saponin).

Quionoa nutritional analysis here: http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C...1-01c21U1.html

Amaranth is also more of a carb food, with lower fat and decent protein.
Here's amaranth's nutritional analysis:
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c21TY.html

Here's chia's nutritional analysis:
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c20nN.html

[danoon]

Thanks for posting this Mom Of Four. I've been eating Flax seeds for years but think I'll switch, with a 30 year shelf life I doubt I'll waste them. I'd probably have never heard of them if not for this post. Going to check the local health food store tomorrow.

[danoon]

After some research online I'm now very interested in these Chia seeds. I went to both of our local health food stores and neither had heard of them... Both looked them up on computers while I stood there and said they would order some.
I ordered 3lb from this site, which seemed to have good prices.

http://www.chiaseedandoil.com/?gclid...FQGIPAodvlUfmQ

It seems they can be used in everything from ground meat and soups & drinks to baking.
I found quite a bit of useful info. here..

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/ma...hia-seeds.html

Just thought I'd pass this along... thanks again for the post.

[unregistered29228]

I didn't realize I'd stumbled on something so useful! But you're welcome....