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’ve never tried them. I think I would sprinkle them over peanut butter for a little crunch.
sounds awesome! im just wondering how many calories this has…
Sorry, I don’t know.
I can tell school is really taking over my life, because when you pointed out the black dots in the oatmeal, I thing “Nuclei of fibroblasts in connective tissue”…
Anyway, I love chia seeds, but I’ve never mixed them with oats before- I’m trying to get more healthy seeds into my diet, and this is a good way to do it 🙂
I think the better question is what WOULDN’T I do with chia seeds? Cookies, oatmeal, pudding, soups, bubble tea, etc. etc. etc. etc.
Thank you SO MUCH for this recipe!! I have been looking forever to try and find a great voluminous/overnight oatmeal recipe! I made this and it keep me full till lunch! The only thing i changed was adding flax seeds instead of chia because I did not have any chia. Thanks! =]
I have wanted to try these ever since I saw a Dr. Oz program featuring them. Who would have thought you could eat the annoying, ‘ch-ch-ch chia seeds that we got so sick of hearing on the chia pet commercials!
Haha seriously! Now if only we could’ve eaten furbies to shut them up ;).
I like chia seeds in my smoothies, as an egg substitute in my baking, OR in my chili to thicken it up. Chia seeds are amazing!!!
Hey! I was just wondering if you had ever tried adding wheat bran to oatmeal? It adds a lot of volume to oatmeal without adding lots of calories and it is rich in fiber, omegas, starch, protein, vitamins and dietary minerals. Wheat bran = 30 calories for a 1/4 cup. :DDD
Can you use chia seeds in your baked oatmeal cakes? And can you do the never-ending oatmeal trick where you add extra liquid, and then use THAT for baked oatmeal? Or would it turn to gross mushiness?
As a lover of baking AND all things nutrition (funny right?) I am obsessed with your blog!!! So happy I found it!!! I eat oatmeal with chia or flax seeds for breakfast everyday already, however tried your Volume trick today!!! Genius!! Can’t wait to try your desserts!! Congrats on the fabulous site!!!