Chia is touted as the new miracle food.  We remember when it was the miracle pet of the 70's.  Not so interested in it as a pet, we are in love with it as a healthy part of our diet.  Once a cornerstone of the Mayan and Aztec diets, salvia hispanica -- chia has amazing properties.  It is one of the seeds highest in omega-3 fatty acids. It is extremely rich in anti-oxidants as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin and zinc.  Chia has good protein content and is far more stable than flax when it comes to rancidity.  It's pretty fantastic, and the miracle is that is can be used in so many ways.

Chia can be ground and sprinkled on top of cereal, salads, or yogurt.  It can be cooked into your morning grains to add protein, omegas-3 and 6 to your cereal, as well as fiber.  Because of its bulk and mucilaginous properties, chia can be mixed into smoothies or juice like you would use psyllium husks but because of the properties aforementioned it is far more than just bulk.

 Chia is available on line or at your health food store in whole or ground seed but we do recommend that you buy organic chia, if possible.  Here is one way to try it.  We hope you enjoy! 

Recipe:

1-2 heaping Tbsp. whole or ground organic chia seed
3 oz fresh squeezed blood orange juice
3 oz. fresh squeezed tangerine juice
A splash of pomegranate juice
2 oz. filtered water

Add chia to juices and whisk or stir.  Let stand for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.  Mixture will get rather thick but still be liquid.  Add water, stir again and drink!  (Add a frozen banana and blend mixture if you would like a smoothie.)