Strictly Nutritious: Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia: The Seed, Not the Pet

Image courtesy of whatscookingamerica.net

You remember those infomercials with the catchy jingle and the crazy haired plants growing out of terracotta figurines! Well, there's much much more to this whole chia thing!

Chia originated in South America. It was a staple in the Mayan and Aztec diets. The word 'chia' is actually the Mayan word for 'strength'. The running messenger would carry a pouch of chia with them as they ran for a surge of energy.

Now you can buy the chia seeds in stores and online. Here's why you should pay this seed a little attention!

It's extremely versatile - Chia has a mild, nutty flavor that easily mixes with other foods. You can add it to pretty much anything!

It keeps you hydrated - Chia has an amazing water-absorption quality, helping to prolong hydration, especially during intense workouts.

It's gluten-free - Chia can be substituted for most grains on a gluten-free diet!

It provides you with major endurance - If you eat chia seeds with food, the seeds work to slow the conversion of carbs to sugars, meaning energy is released more steadily.

It's a great source of antioxidants - Chia is said to have 3x more antioxidants than blueberries!

It's a complete protein - Chia contains ALL the essential amino acids. Your body naturally makes 12 of the essential aminos, but it's up to you to get the remaining 9 from the food you eat. Chia is a great way to do this!

It cleans 'your pipes' - Once it's in your system, chia bulks up and sweeps through your intestines, helping to clean up your system.

It's cheap and long-lasting - Chia is very affordable, and the dry seeds can last up to 4-5 years without going bad or losing their nutritional value.

Try adding chia seeds to your granola, cereal, yogurt or salads. The possibilities are endless! Instead of adding nuts to my salad this weekend, I threw on some chia! It gave it the same crunch without a distinct taste!