March 23rd is National Chia Day #NationalChiaDay. I don’t know about you but when I hear of the word Chia I think of Tea. But I’m sure there is other recipes we could use Chia in. My question for you is do you use Chia if so how and why?
On National Chia Day, which is now celebrated every year on March 23rd, people thank the planet for giving us an endless supply of the matchless nutritive punch within these flattened ovals, the size of a few millimeters.
Did you know Chia Seeds have been around for more than 3500 years but only received the spotlight they so rightfully deserved in 2016. Chia Seeds are small, mighty Seeds known as one of the rare superfoods on the planet.
Chia Seeds are packed with all things nutritional. From vitamins and minerals to proteins, fibers, and Omega-3 fatty acids, Chia Seeds consist of a long list of nutritional benefits. These ‘magical seeds’ were first found to be the fuel for ancient Mayans, Aztecs, and Tarahumara Indians.
Their warriors would tie a bunch to their waists and toss a spoonful of Chia Seeds into their mouths every now and then, enabling them to survive the long days traveling without having to stop and eat any other food at all. Since then, Chia Seeds became a staple of the Aztec diet and Mayans began using the word ‘Chia’ to denote ‘strength’ in their language.
Chia Seeds originated from the minty desert plant Salvia Hispanica, which is native to Southern- and Central Mexico. Fast forward to the 20th Century, Dr. Wayne Coates from the University of Arizona, in his research of ancient plants, came across Chia Seeds in the 1980s and was blown away by their loaded nutritional profile. However, it wasn’t until 20 years later, when the vegan lifestyle started to gain popularity, that the hunt for plant-based proteins brought Chia Seeds into mainstream awareness.
The tiny grains were touted as a ‘superfood’ when researchers re-evaluated the nutritional value of the edible seeds. Teeming with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, proteins, fibers, and tons of other micronutrients, Chia Seeds finally earned their due reputation of being one of the few most wholesome Grains on the face of the Earth. In 2016, the preeminent Chia leader, Mamma Chia successfully instituted March 23 as National Chia Day.
National Chia Day Activities
- You could use National Chia Day as an excuse to eat more Chia Seeds, and possibly make them a staple in your regular diet. Add Chia Seeds in your Oatmeal, Casseroles, Beverages, dessert dishes, and anything you can pair their neutral flavor with.
- Before consuming your Chia-decorated dishes, whip out your phone and take a snap of all the Chia-sprinkled food you eat throughout this day to post on Social Media. Let the world know you’re leveling up with Chia Power!
- Chia Pants are easy to grow and maintain once established, so dedicate National Chia Day to sow the Seed in soil and Google how to do the planting. Meanwhile, here’s a disclaimer: Chia Seeds are purple and white flowers which are absolutely divine to look at!
Facts About Chia Seeds
- Aztecs were so impressed by Chia Seeds that besides using them in religious ceremonies, they also served as the legal currency to pay and be paid with.
- You can sprout Chia Seeds by wrapping some whole Chia Grains in a towel and keeping it wet for one week.
- Chia Seeds are high in selenium, the key antioxidant needed for cell metabolism, which is rarely found in regular foods.
- The gel-like consistency of Chia Seeds when dipped in Coconut Oil and Lemon Juice is the perfect skin-hydrating treatment.
- Did you know Chia Seeds are one of the rarest ingredients that can be used in all kinds of foods and for various purposes, including Snack Bars, to make a thick Sauce, baked in Bread, or mixed in a Smoothie?
Why People Love National Chia Day
- There are so many nutrients packed into Chia Seeds that one would think it’s going to brim over. Chia Seeds contain eight times more Omega-3 fatty acids than Salmon, 10 times more calcium than Milk, and 25 times more fiber than flaxseeds. And that’s just to name a few.
- Chia Seeds don’t care if you are any kind of food-intolerant and Chia Seeds contain everything necessary to digest the nutrients they come with,
- Chia Seeds are gluten-free, and vegan-friendly.
- Chia Seeds are neutral in flavor, which means there’s no limit to the amounts of foods and drinks they can be added in. On top of it, Chia Seeds can be used in Cream Puddings, as face-glowing masks, and pureed into baby food
Recipe for Chia Tea
Ingredients
4 whole cloves
2 whole peppercorns
4 tea bags
4 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cinnamon stick (3 inches)
2-1/2 cups boiling water
2 cups 2% milk
- Place cloves and peppercorns in a large bowl; with the end of a wooden spoon handle, crush the spices until their aromas are released.
- Add the tea bags, sugar, ginger, cinnamon stick and boiling water. Cover; steep for 6 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the milk.
- Strain tea, discarding spices and tea bags. Stir in hot milk. Pour into mugs.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
