Bombshell Superfood: Chia

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia.  Most of you have probably seen Chia Pet commercials, but you probably didn't know that the greens sprouting from the terra cotta pots were actually a Sexy SuperFood!


Chia seeds are an energy and natural healing powerhouse! An ancient grain revered by the Mayans and Aztecs, the word "chia" is the Mayan word for "strength." The Hopis ate chia before going on multi-day runs from Arizona to the Pacific Ocean and the Aztecs consumed them before going into battle to boost endurance and keep energy high.

Luckily, we can now fly long distances and likely aren't going into battle.  However, Chia can still offer a ton of benefits:

Prevent wrinkles and acne 

Act as an anti-inflammatory with it's high Omega-3 content

Assist in weight loss by keeping you feeling full longer & cutting cravings

Boost energy levels as it's a complete protein

Balance blood sugar 

Keep you looking and feeling young with a plethora of anti-oxidants

These wonderful little seeds have no taste, and form a gel when soaked in water.  They can be added to just about anything to reap the benefits!  Sprinkle them on cereals and salads, or incorporate them into salad dressings, smoothies, and dips.

My favorite way to enjoy them, though, is by making them into a drink. The seeds become suspended in the liquid, and you can't even taste them going down, so you can be creative when flavoring it and the possibilities are endless.  My favorite is the super simple Chia Lemonade:

1- Place 2 tablespoons of chia seeds in a 1.5 liter bottle of water.
2- Let soak overnight in the fridge. The chia seeds will gel and be suspended throughout the liquid.
3- Add the juice of 1 whole fresh squeezed lemon.
4- Add enough agave nectar or maple syrup to sweeten to your liking.
5- Drink all day long to keep you hydrated and satiated.

If you don't want to make it yourself, you can also purchase pre-made Chia drinks from Whole Foods or Health Food stores made by Mamma Chia.  They are all delicious!