Chia – every meal’s nutritional booster
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By Stephanie Wills
The traditional dinner table is not complete without the perfect pairing of salt and pepper. However, as we have come to appreciate and explore a variety of exotic flavours, spices and accompaniments, it’s time for the modern dinner table to welcome an additional partner to our familiar duo: Chia seeds. 
 
Salt is of course one of the oldest, most versatile flavour enhancers, while pepper adds a bit of spice... So what does Chia 'bring to the table'!?  

chialoveWith its superfood status and amazing nutritional profile this allergen-free, neutrally-flavoured seed can be used on any food you could imagine from breakfast to dinner time - no matter whether the meal is cooked or raw, hot or cold, sweet or savoury - it can even be used in and on desserts from cakes to ice-cream.

Salt adds flavour
Pepper adds spice
Chia boosts nutrition!

With just a sprinkle of Chia a meal can go from simply tasting good to suddenly becoming exceptionally beneficial to your health! Aside from being vegan, vegetarian, diabetic, diet and detox-friendly, chia is also gluten-free, allergen-free and safe for everyone to eat, even during pregnancy and breast-feeding. 

Chia is a raw food, full of anti-oxidants, omega-3, protein, vitamins, minerals and enzymes that requires no preparation whatsoever. Unlike other seeds such as flax (linseed) it doesn’t need to be ground, soaked or sprouted as there are no negative health effects. This means you can eat as much chia as you like. In fact the more the better!

The high fiber content of chia (a whopping 35%) lowers the GI rating of every meal it is added to, as well as helping you feel fuller for longer, reducing appetite and thus assisting with weight-loss. Chia's fiber content also provides a variety of health benefits such as alleviating constipation, reducing the risk of colorectal cancer, lowering cholesterol and thus reducing the risk of heart disease. 

chiaseedsHow do I use Chia (chee-ah)?
• Use in smoothies, soups, sauces, gravies, custard and pesto as a thickener 
• Use as a seed to give an extra crunch to salads, vegetables and side-dishes.
• Add to your morning muesli, porridge, cereal and over your eggs, toast
• In baking you can replace some or most of the fat (butter, oil etc) with Chia gel (1 tbsp Chia to 125ml water)
• Make a Chia Fresca for a refreshing juice by adding 1 Tbsp Chia, 2 tsp of fresh lime/lemon juice and 1/2 tsp of raw honey/agave to a glass of water with some ice blocks and enjoy! Iskiate was traditionally used by ancient civilisations as 'running food' to provide energy and sustenance and then recovery after a long distance run.

SOMAMA Super Chia muffins
(gluten free, sugar free, no added oil) 

Ingredients
(use organic where possible)
2 cups gluten free flour (e.g. quinoa/brown rice)
chia-muffin6½ tsp salt2 tsp bicarb
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup xylitol
2 cups grated carrot
1 shredded apple (incl. skin)
½ cup each raisins, pecan nut, coconut
4 free range eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup SOMAMA Chia gel
• add 1 tbsp SOMAMA Chia seeds into 1/2 cup
• fill with water
• rest for 10mins (source of oil, 60% omega 3)

1. Beat eggs and xylitol till pale and creamy
2. Mix in SOMAMA CHIA gel 
3. Add dry ingredients (flour, cinnamon, bicarb, baking powder) and mix in
4. Fold in carrot, apple, raisins, pecan nuts and coconut (don’t overmix)
5. Place in muffin tins and bake at 180C for 20-25mins
- Makes 14 large muffins

Taken from SOMAMA

The possibilities really are endless. Keep your Chia on the dinner table and shake it over everything to boost the nutrient content of every meal everyday!  

For more info please email me or visit us at Lifestyle Health shop, Ballito.