The Miraculous Chia Seed

Hello darling Otherbeasts! Happy Day to you!

I would like to talk to you today about The Chia Seed.
Yup, that's right. The very same Chia used for Chia Pets.

Yes, I know, some of you immediately heard the jingle, "Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia" resonate in your skulls, but hear me out. I am talking about the same exact seed that makes those silly little clay figurines grow hair... and I want to tell you a secret about Chia Seeds...  They're edible!

Chia seeds are a SUPERFOOD! (I had hopes that the caps would sound like a booming exclamation in a canyon with awesome echoes.) But I digress, Chia Seed is one of the best things you can do for your body and for your health. They look like tiny little dinosaur eggs.

The Chia seed is a member of the sage family and was one of the staples of the Incan, Mayan, and Aztec cultures, along with the Native Americans of the Southwest. In Aztec lore it was said that a Tablespoon of Chia seed could sustain a warrior for 24 hours.

Thank you to Chiaseedsuperfood.com for providing me a source for lots and lots of research that I am now able to relay to you, lovely Otherbeasts! The Chia seed has to be one of the most amazing things I have discovered in my quest for improving the health of my body.

Let me tell you about what makes Chia seed so amazing. It has 27 key nutrients such as Calcium, Phosphorus, Boron, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Vitamin B-12, Tryptophan, and it's packed with protein.

It has 6 times more calcium than milk does. (Good news for the lactose intolerant or for the peeps who don't think drinking another species milk is natural!)

 Get this, Chia seed has 100% more Omega-3 nutrients than salmon. It has 41% of your overall daily fiber needs and double the antioxidants found in Blueberries.

This amazing seed also packs in 32% of your daily magnesium (more than you can get from broccoli).

You can be like Popeye too! The Chia seed has 6 times more Iron than Spinach. "I'm strong to the finish, 'cause I eats me... Chia?"

Chia Seeds have 64% More Potassium than a banana.

More Niacin than corn, rice, and soy (good for those with a gluten allergy!)

 

But possibly the most amazing thing is that the benefits that come from eating Chia seeds include:
- increased energy levels
- improved digestion
- better complexion
- tone muscles
- boosts mental sharpness
- allows you to sleep better at night

According to the nutritional database of the USDA, Chia contains approximately 31% fat, 16% protein, and 44% of carbohydrate with 38% of fiber.

It is approved by the FDA as a "Healthy Food."

Chia seed has over 9 essential amino acids including: Alanine, Aspartic Acid, Threonine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Glutamic acid, Glycine, Methionine, Cystine, Tyrosine, Valine, Arginine, Histidine, Proline, and Serine.

Chia seed is highly hydrophilic - meaning they have the amazing ability to absorb 7 to 9 times their weight in water... very rapidly, usually in 10 minutes or less if powdered and 30 minutes or less if left in seed form.

 These seeds have such a huge antioxidant content that they have a shelf life of 2 years or longer.



Want Some More Good News?:

• Healing - In ancient cultures that consumed Chia, like the Aztecs, it was also regarded as a medicine. It was used in myriad ways - from cleaning the eyes to helping heal wounds, topically, to relieving joint pain, the indians and missionaries used it as a poultice for gunshot wounds and other serious injuries. They would pack the wounds with Chia seeds to avoid infections and promote healing. It was considered extremely valuable for healing.

• Regeneration - Chia aids rapid development of tissue, due to its incredible nutrient profile and easy assimilation. It can be very beneficial for those healing from injuries, people like bodybuilders who are always re-forming tissues and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Heart and Brain Health - Since Chia seed has so many powerful things packed into such small seeds (see, good things do come in small packages) like Omega-3's and antioxidants, this little powerhouse seed lowers blood pressure and regulates blood sugar (great for diabetics and sufferers of hypoglycemia) how amazing is that?!

• Oh yeah, they also lower cholesterol. 'Nuff said.

• Insects hate the chia plant, as the plant and seeds oils act as a natural insect repellent, so it's easy to find "organic" seeds. No chemicals or preservatives, Chia seed, a natural tissue builder with extensive hydration properties. Let me repeat something important: if you decide to go buy Chia seeds, don't bother with paying jacked up prices for "organic" Chia seeds - insects hate the Chia plant, so there's not a need for insecticides. Um. DUH.

With all these great ingredients, the Omega-3, the amino acids, their ability to retain water, the restorative healing properties, the ability to regenerate tissue, and the anti-oxidants with the ability to fight free radicals... this stuff could also be great for your skin! And your hair, and probably your nails considering how much calcium they contain.

I've contemplated making a skin mask from this little superfood called Chia because I have dry skin, and I'm in my late 20's, so this sounds like a dream to me, what with trying to prevent new wrinkles, and keep my face nice and hydrated and soft.


In fact I even did a video blog to capture the very first experiment with this crazy idea of mine; if you'd like to see the very visible effects it had on my skin, watch below!:

If for some reason it's not working, you can always go here: Chia Seed Face Mask

This is the recipe I used:
Basic Chia Gel Mask
Mix 1 teaspoon of powdered Chia Seed with 7 to 9 teaspoons of water.
(I would say mix more if you want to use it regularly, and if you do that then store it in a sealable container and refrigerate for up to two weeks - no longer - but if you're experimenting like me, I'm making a small quantity.)
-Let the Chia absorb the water about 10 minutes
-Apply!
- Let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes.
-Rinse off!
-Viola!

IMPORTANT: If you have an allergy to mustard seeds or a nut allergy, spot test this first to make sure no serious adverse reactions may occur. REPEAT: IF YOU HAVE AN ALLERGY TO MUSTARD SEEDS OR A NUT ALLERGY, SPOT TEST FIRST TO MAKE SURE NO SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS MAY OCCUR. I am not responsible for your recklessness.

Variations on the mask may include things you already like in a facemask like aloe vera, honey, apricot, kiwi, egg, oatmeal, or cucumber. Go for it, get creative! I know I will, and I'll be sure to document it here as it seems my skin is acting up much more that usual lately.

But the main conclusion of this blog is to tell you what an amazing thing the Chia Seed is, you can sprinkle a teaspoon or two in your yogurt, over salad, in a glass of orange juice, in your oatmeal, in ice cream, pasta sauces, stews, I mean, you name it, you can add it. Chia seeds don't taste like much, they don't really have a taste, and if they had one (for sensitive palates) it would be slightly nutty. But you can add these babies to stews and stocks to even thicken the sauce and stretch your meal a bit further.

The diet implications are astounding, since these Chia seeds are hydrophillic (they love water) and hold onto 7 to 9 times their weight in water, you can consume them with a glass of water before a meal to curb your appetite.

These Chia seeds are also great for athletes, as the seeds hold onto water and steady blood sugar, so if ingested before a workout or performance, these little things will hold all that hydration inside your body, feeding the muscles and lessening fatigue.

Digestive Troubles? These little seeds also help with that too. Since they plump up about 7 to 9 times their size when in contact with any liquid, they act as a "digestive broom" and sweep through your intestines and your colon as they go, getting rid of potential backed up gunk in your system.

So, I urge you to do your own research into the amazing Chia Seed, as always, so you may find out for yourself, but take it from the horse's mouth when I say I've tried it, it's improved my health, energy, digestive regularity, cholesterol, blood pressure, and it's even helped me loose weight.

So next time you hear, "Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia," think instead, "Su-Su-Su-Superfood!"
_____

Until Next Time,
<3 Shade