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.
I would make overnight oats with my new chia seeds! mmmm
What don’t I do with Chia? It is the ultimate heartburn remedy, for one. Take a Tbs dry and 5 min later drink lots of water. It absorbs excees acid and gets rid of the burn. Awesome! Besides smoothies, sauces, baked goods, and oatmeal, I like my chia pudding: cocoa, agave, a dash of vanilla, a bit of coconut oil for richness, and raw milk (you can use almond milk). Shake. Shake again in 5 minutes. Serve with raspberries and mash them in. Heaven!!!
I LOVE CHIA SEEDS!! I put them in water and oatmeal and baked goods yum!
I’ve only used them in shakes and crockpot oats. Would love to experiment with other ideas, though. ( my 12 year old likes to nibble on them plain!)
I love to put them in my oatmeal and my smoothies! But I think I will start trying them in baked goods and pancakes!
Love your blog!
I want to try chia seeds in a smoothie on my exam days. I’ve heard they give great boosts of energy, and that is certainly something I need to power through our test days that last all day long!!! It would be a wonderful way to cut down on my coffee 😛
Ahhh I would love to win this! I have yet to splurge and buy chia seeds, so I’d love to test them out, first! I’d totally add them to my morning bowl of oats, or to a smoothie!
First off…I am LOVING all the fun breakfast ideas! And sweet ideas… The cookie dough dip made of garbanzos is freaking genius! I used the uneaten leftover as a cookie base…unbelievably good!!
As far as chia seeds go, I know it’s used an awful lot in facial products now, but I am hearing alot about food application. I am interested in it’s nutritional content- I wanna put it in everything to boost texture, taste and value. 🙂 I love to experiment, like you do!
Thank you for all the great ideas!! 😉
M
Aww, thank YOU for the sweet words 🙂
In case you wanted to try it-
about 3/4 dip recipe
about 3/4 cup oats
1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 cup(ish) unsweetend shredded coconut
few tbsp sunflower seeds
dash baking soda
dash salt
4 tbsp applesauce
Mix. Drop. Bake at 350 for around 15 mins or so… Enjoy the awesomeness! 😉
Obviously, I am not a professional blogger…I don’t even pay attention to exact amounts. 😛
Thanks! That sounds awesome!
I love chia in my oatmeal! I have tried the puddings and can’t find a recipe to like! I also put it in my regular cold cereal with almond milk, tasty!
I tweeted it 🙂