Chia Chia!

Chia Seeds = Yep! 
The same seed used to sprout the infamous "Chia Pets"
into ridiculous looking lush green shelf ornaments!

These microscopic powerhouses, finally re-surfacing into the food & health world, are only 2 mm long! 

2 Tb. of Chia seeds contain approximately 11 grams of fiber & 5 grams of protein!  They're a beneficial healthy fat (just like other nuts & seeds), & they are rich in several minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, & manganese.  They're high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help ward off illness, cancer, arthritis, heart disease, etc...  They're also known to aid in digestion & lowering cholesterol.

Unlike flax seeds, Chia seeds do NOT need to be ground up before using to benefit from their nutrients.  (Most people don't realize that whole flax seeds do not digest.  They go right through you. - Which makes me get a little confused when I see them incorporated 'whole' into granolas & cereals at the grocery store.)

When Chia seeds are soaked, they absorb the water & form a gelatinous coating that's kinda fun to play with in your mouth!  (see photo below).  Soaking chia seeds for about 10 minutes before consuming prevents them from absorbing water from your body during digestion and causing dehydration.  But if you're sprinkling just a bit on a salad or into a smoothie, don't worry about it too much  :)  You can always drink a little extra water...

These little guys are making their way into ice cream, smoothie, & yogurt shops.  My first experience was when I sprinkled them on top of my frozen yogurt at Kiwi Loco in Idaho.  I was instantly addicted to playing with the gelatin that formed around them after soaking up the moisture from the yogurt.  I've heard several others say the same thing...  They're fun to play with in your mouth! :)

I'm a little bit addicted to Chia seeds. I put them in & on breads, smoothies, sauces, ice-cream, salads, pasta dishes, soups, dips, fruits & veges, casseroles, you name it! They're AWESOME!

You can even grind them up into Chia flour with a coffee grinder!  :o)  Take a minute to google Chia recipes, & you'll find loads of them!

Here are a couple of fun healthy(er) dessert ideas for getting started:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Pudding:

http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2012/04/chocolate-peanut-butter-chia-pudding.html

Chia  Brownies:
http://www.healthyandgoodcooking.com/?p=728

RAW Chocolate Cocout Almond Truffles!

If you can't find these items locally, go for Amazon.com - They have GREAT prices on normally more expensive health foods.  Most stores now carry Organic Agave, Costco carries some, & stores that sell bulk foods often have a health foods section with these items. 

1 c. raw almonds, ground (super fine texture like almond flour, if possible)
1/2 c. agave nectar or maple syrup (opt: can add a few drops of stevia extract for sweeter taste)
1/2 c. coconut oil (raw, un-filtered, cold pressed - the solid white kind)
1/2 c. cacao powder (raw cacao, if possible... but if not, AT LEAST a good quality Dutch processed cocoa powder)

In a food processor, grind almonds into a flour (unless it's already ground).  Add agave & coconut oil (not melted), & mix till smooth.  SLOWLY add the cacao powder.  Don't over process, because it can seize if mixed too much.  (((You could also try doing this in your Blendtec or Vitamix.  Just pulse it until it's the right consistency)))

Batter will be thick.  Pour into a pan, sprinkle top with unsweetened coconut flakes, & freeze or refrigerate.  They'll set fast.  (Technically, I guess they're not truffles, since these are cut like brownies.  But that's not the point...  Right?)

***You can also add a few drops of mint or orange essential oil (100% therapeutic grade), if you like chocolate mint or chocolate orange.  YUMMY!

Store in the fridge or freezer.

These taste a lot like Almond Joy candy bars!  (Just much - much - MUCH healthier!)