What Are Those Chia Seeds Anyway?

All of our gluten free mixes use chia seed superfood to increase the nutritional profile.  So what are they anyway?

Cha Cha Cha Chia...yes they are related to that novelty chia pet that was so popular in the 80's. Chia seeds however date back much further then that. The seeds were a staple of the Mayan and Aztec diet. It was believed that the Aztec warriors survived days with just a few teaspoons of chia in their diet.  Chia seeds are one of the most powerful superfoods providing excellent source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.  Plus they are loaded with omega 3's,  containing eight times more than salmon, gram for gram.

When added to water and allowed to sit for 30 minutes, chia forms a gel that can be the base of a drink or pudding. Research suggests that this gel like consistency also occurs in the stomach, slowing down how fast our bodies convert carbohydrate calories into simple sugars. In addition, because of this, chia offers the ability to aid in fueling endurance, perfect for a pre-workout food. I like to add chia to smoothies, oatmeal and ofcourse my baked goods.  How about you? 

purely yours,

elizabeth