When I first tried chia seeds (in the form of chia pudding), I wasn’t a fan. I wanted to like them: they’re so good for you. But eating something just because it’s good for you?
Ridiculous!
You don’t have to suffer for health.
If you aren’t big on a certain food, there are plenty of ways to get all your nutrients somewhere else. For example, my sister hates bananas. So she gets her potassium from foods she does like, such as yams, spinach, and broccoli. No big deal. Remember that mental health is an important component to overall health, too. If you’re choking down foods you detest, your mental health will suffer.
Going back to the chia… Although I didn’t like the pudding, I was willing to give the seeds a second chance. Perhaps I’d enjoy them in a different form. After all, everyone in the blogworld seems to adore them. So when the Health Warrior Company offered me some samples, I accepted.
And I discovered that I do like chia seeds. They are awesome in oatmeal!
Never-Ending Oatmeal Bowl
(serves 1)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 1/2 cups milk of choice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup more milk of choice
- sweetener and add-ins of choice
Either cook oats, milk, and salt on the stovetop, or place your oats and salt in a large, microwaveable dish (I use a pyrex 4-cup measurer) with the milk of choice. Microwave 1 and 1/2 minutes, then add your chia and 1/2 cup more liquid. Microwave 2 more minutes. Don’t open the microwave door yet. Instead, leave your mixture for five minutes. Then stir and put in the fridge—uncovered—overnight. Next day, it will magically be thick and ready for your favorite add-ins!
For sweetener, try using The Melted Banana Trick.
Also, I really like to put the cooked oatmeal in my Magic Bullet and blend just a little. This “blended grains” trick really helps all the flavors to meld together.
Do you ever eat foods you don’t really like, just because they’re good for you?
Or do you ever feel pressured to eat a certain food because other bloggers like it? We are all different and our bodies crave different things (and amounts). We should NOT base our food choices on what anyone else is eating. It’d be really weird (not to mention boring) if we were all exactly the same.
This is one of the main reasons I’m not planning on doing another “day in the life” post even though a lot of readers have asked. I don’t feel comfortable knowing others will compare their eating habits to mine or try to mimic what I eat. The way I eat is only perfect for me. You need to listen to your own body, not to what anyone around you is doing.
Oh, Katie, If I won the chia seeds, I add them to my oats!
I also have a few healthy cookie recipes I put them in. Yum! I tried the “pudding” you can make from chia, but it was too slimy for my taste.
I’d also give some to a gluten-free lady at work. She’s been dying to try them, but they’re so expensive around here she hasn’t done it yet.
I love chia sprouts. i’m old enough that i was an adult when the first chia pets came out in the 70’s. a friend gave my husband and i one and we were hooked. i also have bread recipes that call for them and like to add a tbs. to a pot of rice. believe me if i won they would not go to waste!
I really want to try making chia seed pudding. I keep seeing recipes for it on food blogs, and would love to create a chocolate chia pudding recipe.
My only experience with chia seeds was on several Chia Pets I had in college. (Please tell me someone else had these!) I didn’t even know you could eat them until recently. So I guess if I win, I’ll be trying this recipe!
i would definitely make lots of delicious variations of chia puddings!
Oh, how I adore chia seeds! I use them everyday in my morning green smoothie and in baking. (:
This recipe looks pretty delicious. I also love making chia seed pudding!
I like chia seeds in muffins, oatmeal, and I grind them and put them in fresh baked bread–super yummy and it gives a nice, flavorful crunch in the crust!
I love chia seeds! I would stir them in to my oatmeal and use them in baked goods as chia eggs!
Katie, I know exactly what you mean about feeling an almost “pressure” to eat certain things that others are because of the health benefits; however, you make seriously valid points in this post! I however, do really enjoy chia seeds. My favorite way to eat them is just sprinkled in a bowl of yogurt, raw oats, berries, and honey.