Chia seeds

Always looking for new natural products to enhance my health, I was wildly curious when a friend I had not seen for a few months stopped by the house looking 10 years younger. Seriously. We started bantering about our lives and like all 40 somethings, the talk soon turned to the changes occurring with our bodies and minds. She shared some info on a hormone thing she was doing and with a twinkle in her eye, said she had come across something that seemed to be changing her life, 'I should check it out.'

"Chia seeds" she said. I looked at her incredulous, "are you talking about those Chia Pets they sell on TV? That Chia??? After assuring me that she was serious, she told me how she has benefited from it: energy, controlled apetite, enhanced concentration, skin hydration, and myriad other side effects. She also said it tastes good. So, like all things with me, I Googled it and have spent a fair amount of time investigating Chia seeds.

Apparently, this was the stuff of legend for the Aztecs; they would carry pouches of it on long journeys and during wars and sometimes subsist entirely on Chia seeds. The high levels of protein and EFA's would sustain them and as mentioned above, all the other health benefits caused them to revere this seed and also use it in their rituals. When the Spaniards invaded, they took away the Chia seeds because they believed it evil since it was used by the Aztecs for their rituals; the Chia seed eventually all but disappeared.

It is back and gaining traction; the web is full of articles and recipes. I have decided to give it a go and will report back on my results. So far I have been eating it for breakfast every day for the past week and truly enjoy it. My recipe is fairly simple, (which is really important for me in regards to breakfast) and like most things natural, the measurements have play in them depending on preferences. My recipe turns out a consistency and taste very similar to tapioca:

1/4 Cup Chia Seeds
1 1/2 Cups of Almond Milk
1/4 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 - 1 Teaspoon Agave Nectar

Shake it all together for 15-20 seconds then let it sit for 30 minutes. Pronto, it is ready! This amount is usually good for about 3 servings. Store in refrigerator. For more info, click on the story heading above.