Don't eat your chia pet, but DO eat chia seeds ;)

Different from my regular entries (I'm having a difficult time coming up with topics! I've covered the most important things in my opinion - staying away from parabens, pthalates, dmdm hydantion & other weird ingredients); I wanted to share a bit of knowledge about the super-healthy antioxidant-packed chia seeds!

Chia seeds are infamous for the crazy grassy hair they create on the tops of dirt characters, but have recently become referred to as a Superfood for consuming. Not only are they packed with antioxidants (which battle free-radical damage in your body like aging skin & inflamed tissue)(and are responsible for the fact that chia seeds can stay fresh at room temperature for 2 whole years), but with calcium, iron, & other vitamins and minerals too, as well as fiber. Not to mention they are a plant-based complete protein, which is good news for all you vegetarians & vegans out there. Chia seeds are also the richest plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids ("that healthy stuff in fish") - omega-3 oil is important in heart & cholesterol health. AND chia seeds aren't grown with any pesticides - awesome. AND they are fantastic at regulating blood sugar levels, keeping our bodies in balance.

This morning I added 1tbsp of chia seeds to my oatmeal (along with a bit of brown sugar, cinnamon, and fresh strawberries). Really chia seeds can be added to anything (smoothies, baked goods...) since the seeds do not have a flavour of their own.  A recipe I'm inclined to try out involves adding milk to chia seeds (when mixed with water/milk chia seeds take on a gelatinous consistency), for an incredibly healthy tapioca-pudding-like treat. Give it a whirl when you're fixing for chocolate or want to try a new dessert!

All you need is chocolate almond milk & some chia seeds! The chocolate almond milk will provide sweetness (mmm chocolate) & good-for-your-bones vitamins & minerals, and the chia seeds will provide tons of excellent benefits like what I mentioned above. Resulting in a vitamin, mineral, antioxidant, healthy omega-3 fatty acid, fiber-packed vegan-friendly delish dish for you.

Updated recipe*
In a bowl, mix 1 2-4tbsp chia seeds with 1cup chocolate almond milk. Let sit 20 minutes (in the fridge will keep your treat nice & chilly), stir & adjust liquid-seed ratio to personal preference and let sit again if necessary, and enjoy! *For me the 1tbsp was not enough, I found 2-4tbsp was a better consistency (or 1/3c. / 2c. liquid), and added a bit of natural vanilla yogurt for sweetness (since I used unsweetend almond milk).

If you google Chia Seed Pudding there are tons of variations of this recipe involving mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and other yummy ingredients. You can also use coconut, rice, or regular milk, depending on your preference.