CH-CH-CH-CHIA!

So this morning I was reading all about the incredible Chia Seed.

Did you know Chia actually means STRENGTH? It was used in the diets of Aztecs and Mayans as a staple for their diet. The seeds gave these ancient people stamina and energy, allowing them to have the energy they needed for many hours at a time.  They used the seeds as a flour, an oil, or just the way they are.

When used in liquid, the seeds suck in the water, and become a kind of jello-ish substance. The longer they are in water, the more they soak, till they can't any more. This is the reason many use them to make puddings, and it looks similar to Tapioca Pudding. I have drank them in Kombucha, a drink that is super awesome for you, and the chia seeds made it even more so.

Here are some of the amazing things they can do:

• Boost Energy
• Stabilize Blood Sugar
• Aid in Digestion
• Lower Cholesterol
• Get Full
• Fight Belly Fat
• Aid in maintaining healthy bones and teeth.

What does it have in it?

• Calcium
• Omega-3 fats,
• manganese
• Phosphorus
• Protein
• Tryptophan

Want to know something cool? Due to Chia seeds being so nutrient dense, they are in Shakeology! Another awesome ingredient in Shakeology to make you feel amazing!

So how do you use those little seeds? There are many ways you can use them, as a thickener, as a topping for dishes, making a pudding, as an egg replacement, in smoothies, ground up and added to bread flour, a fun thing to put into your drink.

Today, I used it to make myself a pudding. I had a yellow container to use (21 Day Fix), and I was getting tired of pretzels. So I got out my milk, added the chia seeds, some pomegranate seeds, a bit of Agave sugar, mixed it up, let it set in the fridge for an hour, and Wha-La! Pudding!

Here's my recipe:

Chia-Pomegranate Pudding

1/4 cup of milk (or coconut milk, Almond milk...)
3 teaspoons of chia seeds
1/4 cup of pomegranate seeds
1 teaspoon of Agave Syrup

Combine ingredients, and let chill in the fridge for an hour or more. Add a spoon, and eat! YUM!