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.
awww you’re such a sweetie, Katie! I love how you don’t want others to compare themselves to you. I think that shows humility and genuine care and concern 😀 To be honest~~with the exception of crazy greasy foods, and all that stuff like soda, I like almost about anything!! Like you said, we’re all different in our food preferences and tolerance, and for some reason almost any food that’s actually deemed “healthy” is delicious to me. After all, I was the child that ate all her veggies 😉
I love your answer to these questions Katie! THAT is what healthy eating means! Listening to our own body, and not what any blogger, friend, family, whatever says. Of course, hearing other views and options are great, but in the end, it is your own body who knows best!
I would love to see what you eat in a day. But at the same time, I think it is so great of you to not post it! I know we all are compering ourselfs to each other (I know I am, at least). Im working on not doing that. But I do find it helpful to see that other bloggers eats, and that I should up my food intake!
Have a wonderful day sweetie <3
You’re awesome. I love that you talked about this. Not only have I noticed that I felt pressure to try certain foods because other bloggers do, but I actually put on a few pounds trying too many new things (that aren’t a part of my normal eating habits) and spent A LOT of money on new expensive ingredients that I don’t usually ahve around the house. Ha ha ha! I’m taking a step back and refocusing a little.
Gotta love the oats though!!!! 🙂
Expensive ingredients, yes!!! Reading blogs can be expensive!
I’m always curious when I read about a new foodie product… like Sun Warrior. Everyone raves about it, but you have to buy a big tub online, which means a lot of $$ and extra shipping. So far, I’ve resisted that one, but who knows in the future!
Or companies sending you products that you get hooked on? Yes Artisana, I am looking at you! 😉
Terrific post, Katie! This was so helpful for me. I am one of the ones who’s been asking you to do a day in the life, and now I can totally understand why I shouldn’t be looking to you as an example of what to eat even though I do look to you as a shining example of how to eat without guilt. You’ve helped me in my struggle to conquer my ED so so so much, and I am so grateful to you!
oh thanks for this post, in the past I have ate things i didn’t like but not because they were good for me particulary but because of the calories and that they were safe. now I am still tryin g to work out what foods i do like not what my ed likes! I need to try chai seeds though.
I love chia seeds, but I wasn’t super crazy about them in the uncooked overnight oats. I liked chia pudding though….so I will try your cooked version. I bet its delish! There’s actually no food I don’t like, except for licorice….which is really not a food anyway. Oh, I’m also not so crazy about arugala. I guess that’s two foods.
Ick. Arugula. It might as well not be a food. Can we petition the government? 🙂
I love chias in my oats! I will have to try this trick! 🙂
I love the bowl, and the oats look rocking.
I have never tried salt in my oats. It seems so strange…
A little salt brings out the sweetness! 🙂
I used to eat Flinstone’s vitamins because my mom said they were good for me. They were disgusting haha, but I don’t think that’s what you meant.
But seriously- I truly don’t like bananas that much but feel like I’m totally missing out because they are on every blog every day! I guess everyone else’s banana is my apple…=)
Haha I loved the Peter Rabbit vitamins! I hated the Flinstones ones too… maybe because old guy vitamins are not as cute as rabbit ones! 😉
Thanks for posting a recipe with chia seeds! I’ve had a rather large container of them sitting on my kitchen counter for several weeks, just begging to be tried. But they scare me. I’m going to put them in my oatmeal in the morning and hope for the best! (I’ve also heard they are great in muffins)