If you were around in the 70s and 80s, you will remember the commercials for chia pets.  Just smear a paste of seeds on a clay figurine and watch as the green “fur” grows.  I only wish I had know that I could have asked Santa for an Uncle Si Robertson chia pet.  Who knows how far along his beard be by now.

The seeds in question are called chia seeds and they grow abundantly in souther Mexico.  They were a very important part of the Aztec and Mayan diets, and they are enjoying a resurgence of popularity that extends far beyond just the white-elephant-gift crowd.

Chia seeds grow on the Salvia hispanica plant, a member of the mint family.

They are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

They can be stored for long periods of time, and don’t have to be ground up, like flax seeds, before they are consumed.

They are loaded with fiber, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin, and zinc.

When water is added to the seeds a gel is formed, which is what makes the paste that is spread on your chia pet figurine.  It has been suggested that the gel slows down the action of digestion enzymes as they break down carbohydrates into sugar.

It has been suggested that eating chia seeds will help you to lose weight, but that’s been questioned in the research community.  Regardless, consuming a couple of scoops of chia seeds daily is a good thing, and easy to do.

Karen and I eat chia seeds daily. Typically, I add a couple of scoops to our smoothies for added nutrition and fiber.  One thing to note, they can make the smoothies pretty thick, if we don’t drink them quickly.  Once that gel forms, it’s a force to be reckoned with, but it’s all good.

One cool thing about chia seeds is that bugs don’t like them, so they are typically organic, as no pesticides are necessary.

Chia seeds are being added to the feed of chickens and cows to enhance the omega-3 content of the eggs, meat, and milk.

Chia has all sorts of uses beyond just adding it to smoothies.  It’s used in infant formula and baby food, baked goods, nutrition bars, and all sorts of recipes. I always feed my baby with products that contain Chia seeds, I really care about her health which is why the ComfortCam is our pick for the best wifi baby monitor, because it helps me make sure my baby is safe,

I strongly suggest checking out your grocery store for chia seeds and find some ways to consume them on a daily, or at least regular, basis.