Chia Seeds

[blueblue]

A reminder: Please drink tons of water and do not overdose.

[TheAnswer]

Should we soak chia seeds in cold water or hot water?

[blueblue]

TheAnswer:

Should we soak chia seeds in cold water or hot water?

I soak mine using room temperature water.

[Jworld]

http://ohsheglows.com/2013/03/01/chia-fresca-a-natural-energy-drink/#ixzz2PZ1MuiSm


Chia Fresca: A Natural Energy Drink!
186 COMMENTS




Excuse me, but I must ask you what you are drinking? I’ve never seen anything like it before!

Those are the kinds of questions a girl gets asked when she’s toting this drink to a spin class. You get stares, sideways looks, and nervous smiles. The people out there are curious and they need to know that you aren’t drinking little black bugs. They need to be able to sleep at night. For goodness sake, tell them what you are drinking so they can get back to their workout!

So I tell them with a big smile, Chia bugs. Then there’s an awkward pause and even more confusion.

Ok, ok, it’s actually a healthy beverage called Chia Fresca which has been a popular drink in Mexico and Central America for many years. I’m sure many of you have heard of it before or even made it yourself. It’s made up of water, chia seeds, lemon or lime juice, and sweetener.

When chia seeds are soaked in water a gelatinous coating forms around the seed very similar to a tomato seed. This makes it very easy to swallow so the seeds don’t get stuck in your throat. Chia Fresca probably isn’t for people with texture issues (cough, cough husband), but I’ll leave that up to your discretion. I recently brought it back into my life to get a boost of Omega-3 fatty acids in my diet. It’s so much more fun than drinking plain water! Plus, it’s a total conversation starter much like bringing a Green Monster into the work place. I know you’ve been there. Well, why not bring Chia Fresca and show them just how crazy you can really be?



Here’s a quick refresher on chia seeds:

Chia seeds are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, even more so than flax seed
Chia seeds do not need to be ground to be absorbed by the body and they can be stored for long periods of time without going rancid
They help with hydration due to their ability to absorb up to 9-10 times their weight in water
Chia seeds also contain fibre, protein, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc among many other nutrients
Chia seeds like to get stuck in your teeth. You were warned.


Chia Fresca is said to boost energy levels too. I’m not really sure if it boosts my energy or not, but I sure feel happy and hydrated when I drink it. When I have some on hand, I like to pair it with coconut water for a natural potassium boost after a tough workout, but water is just fine too.

Edited to add: Some of you were asking me about the thickness of this drink so I thought I would add a few words on this. I wouldn’t say it has a smoothie-like texture, but it’s more like a water consistency just with a whole slew of gel-y seeds in it. Does that make any sense? You just have to try it for yourself. My guess is you will either love it or hate it.



Chia Fresca


Yield: 2 cups

Ingredients:

2 cups water or coconut water
1.5 tbsp chia seeds
1/2 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice, or to taste
Sweetener, to taste (I like 1/2 tbsp maple syrup)


1. Add chia and water into a jar or glass and stir very well to combine. Let sit for 10 minutes to allow the chia seeds to swell up. I like to use a jar with a lid so I can shake it up really well and break up the clumps of chia.

2. Add lime or lemon juice and sweetener to taste. Stir (or shake) well to combine and enjoy!

For nutritional info, http://ohsheglows.com/?attachment_id=68636

Note: Chia seeds will sink and collect at the bottom of the glass quickly. Give it a good stir as needed.



Wishing you a very happy (and hydrated) weekend!!



Read more: http://ohsheglows.com/2013/03/01/chia-fresca-a-natural-energy-drink/#ixzz2PaEuCPkP

[Harlequin]

Hi, all…


I have feedback.

I bought a few brands of Chias from iherbs… one of the brand--
Green Organic Omega3 Chia (black Chias) has plenty of "sandy" things in it, when I chew on those sandy particles, they crushed like pebbles!

On closer look, they were many colors, beige, grey, dark grey, dark brown and black, and the seeds’s sizes are quite different, some are bigger and rounder, some are longer like grain; the quality is inferior to the white Chias from TheChiaCo.Aus, Nutiva and black chias from Bob’s Red Mill.

I wouldn’t recommend this brand. Fortunately there are many brands on iHerb.

[TheAnswer]

Harlequin:

Hi, all...


I have feedback.

I bought a few brands of Chias from iherbs.... one of the brand--
Green Organic Omega3 Chia (black Chias) has plenty of \"sandy\" things in it, when I chew on those sandy particles, they crushed like pebbles!

On closer look, they were many colors, beige, grey, dark grey, dark brown and black, and the seeds's sizes are quite different, some are bigger and rounder, some are longer like grain; the quality is inferior to the white Chias from TheChiaCo.Aus, Nutiva and black chias from Bob's Red Mill.

I wouldn't recommend this brand. Fortunately there are many brands on iHerb.

I'm using chia seeds from the above brand. Good!

[Harlequin]

TheAnswer:

Harlequin:

Hi, all...


I have feedback.

I bought a few brands of Chias from iherbs.... one of the brand--
Green Organic Omega3 Chia (black Chias) has plenty of \"sandy\" things in it, when I chew on those sandy particles, they crushed like pebbles!

On closer look, they were many colors, beige, grey, dark grey, dark brown and black, and the seeds's sizes are quite different, some are bigger and rounder, some are longer like grain; the quality is inferior to the white Chias from TheChiaCo.Aus, Nutiva and black chias from Bob's Red Mill.

I wouldn't recommend this brand. Fortunately there are many brands on iHerb.

I'm using chia seeds from the above brand. Good!

Glad that you have started, but must drink lots of water, if not will :imconstipated:

Now I am lazy to make drinks, I just sprinkle into my whatever dish, soup or rice...

[blueblue]

Prior to taking chia seeds, my input of water is not a lot because the water is pretty tasteless.


Now I would fill up blender with water and blend just two strawberries. I am able to drunk much more water now as it doesn’t taste bland anymore.

[TheAnswer]

I put them into juice. Stir it and serve it to DS and DH. They do not know I added extra ingredients :evil:


For myself, I add it to my drinks usually honey drink or chrysanthemum tea or barley water.

[minami]

i blend into mine and DH’s morning shake daily. sprinkle into my kids’ rice daily too! Bought the powder form from iherb cos DH say too seedy for him.