The Miraculous Chia Seed, Revisited

I made an earlier post that mentioned chia seeds (you can find it by clicking here) but lately I am so impressed by them that I have to mention them again, this time in a post that is entirely their own.

The Facts
Chia seeds contain a form of protein that is very easy for your body to both digest and assimilate. It has also been said to be the richest vegetable source of omega-3 fatty acids (more commonly found in fish oils, these fats help decrease inflammation and make your skin and hair look lovely).  It is also incredibly rich in calcium and it contains boron, another mineral that helps the body absorb that calcium (great for all you people who want to build up strong, healthy bones).

But most importantly, chia seeds can do this:


Before:

After:

So, what's so great about the fact it becomes a gel in liquid? Chia is actually really really high in mucilage, a soluble fiber that is gel-like when combined with water.  This ability for fiber to trap water is fantastic because it allows it to pass through our body easily without sucking up water from our bodies to do so.  Basically, this form of fiber keeps you regular and hydrated.  If that doesn't impress you, perhaps this recipe will:

Vanilla Chai Chia:

1 part chia seeds (2 tbsp)
3 parts almond milk (6 tbsp)
about 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract (or more, depending how much milk and chia you use)
about 1/2 tsp cinnamon (or more, again depending on how much you use)

Beat all the ingredients together in a glass bowl so that none of the chia seeds are clumped together.  Cover with a lid and place in the fridge overnight, or leave on the counter for 30 minutes.  After waiting patiently, give the mixture one last stir to smooth things out and enjoy your Chia pudding.

Enjoy!