Chia, sans pet

Joann did a great job of describing the workshop that we went to last weekend, but she left out my favorite new discovery -- CHIA GEL!

Our host, George Parker, passed around a small sample of what looked like watery tapioca pudding. He was talking about something, but I was gazing into the glass, wondering whether to swallow the runny liquid with dark, minute globs of something. But I heard the words almond milk and tapioca, two delightful flavors, so I took the plunge.
Delicious! Better than tapioca, because it was guilt-free.
Then I heard him say how good chia seeds were for me, something about omega fats and hydration and tremendous nutritional and medicinal qualities, so I looked it up when I got home.

Apparently, the Aztecs used chia seeds. They are loaded with calcium and protein, have a good ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 (I have no idea what that means) and slow down the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar (making them a potential aid for diabetics). They do more, but you get the picture.

I went to Whole Foods to get some, but they wanted $25 for a small container, probably about a pound's worth. No matter how good they are for me or how good they taste, I'm not paying that, but I found organic, raw chia online for about $5.49 a pound, depending on how much you buy.

I have 5 pounds on the way, and I plan to make them part of my family's diet.

In the meantime, thanks to Joann, I have some sitting in almond milk in my fridge, waiting for tomorrow's breakfast smoothie, but I'll be sure to take a big swig and savor that tapioca consistency before I dump them in.

Comments

[Kimi]

I was curious, and I found chia seeds at Garden of Light in Glastonbury for a couple bucks. They little guys really do stick with you.

[Marlene]

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU for being so open to taking on this raw food adventure! While my path has taken me far from being a raw foodist, I have been looking for ways to incorporate healthier foods into my daily meals in order to maintain my recent 50lb. weight loss and ease the "symptoms" of menopause. Your postings, and the informative info. you provide, are giving me some GREAT ideas, and though I know I do not want to be a true "rawist" I now have some 'fresh' (pun intended) ideas to snap me out of my food rut. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!! It would be great to see all of the various recipes posted in one location at the end of your 30 days. Thanks again!