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.
Ever since reading blogs and discovering new foods, I have experimented with said foods, but I, too, have not liked all of them! I can remember the day when I was so excited to try the much raved about coconut water-hated it. Absolutely hated it. I fully agree with you saying that everyone eats different and no one is the same! 🙂
Chia seeds make everything just expand and grow and puff up…truly they make things never ending. The volume they generate is mind blowing!
Do you ever eat foods you don’t really like, just because they’re good for you? = sometimes I would rather have cookies than salads but in the end, I know the salad contains what I need nutrient wise. But I always follow it up with cookies if I am still wanting those, too 🙂
Or do you ever feel pressured to eat a certain food because other bloggers like it? = no but I am a 30something grown woman. If I was 18 or 22 and reading blogs, I could definitely see falling into this trap. And sometimes I impulse buy products (less now though!) b/c i see someone use it or buy it and I dont even want the item…but b/c so and so tried it, I do too.
There sphere has been great for getting me to try certain things that i never would have known about but there is a fine line between pressure and trying things just to try them and that line blurs for many I feel, sadly.
And good for you for NOT posting a day in the life b/c yes, comparisons. Not good! I talk about this all the time, too!
I love this trick, I love my oatmeal but it must be nice and thick. 🙂 i have been doing this for awhile now with the chia seeds, so great!
I agree, eat what you like rather than force it.
I am a lucky one, I love almost all “healthy” foods but that does not mean I don’t eat just about everything too. 🙂
Ah I love this post! You are so right about not comparing ourselves to others in what we eat (or in anything). I think I’m the old food blogger that doesn’t like sweet potatoes or bananas, but oh well there’s lot of other nutritious food that I do love! and your oatmeal looks delicious! Your photos are so pretty, as always 🙂
I always put chia in my oats! And in everything else, really. I enjoy feeling the little bubbles in my mouth! reminds me of a soda my mom used to by me when I was little and there was a babysitter coming….I wasn’t very good about letting m parents leave…even if it was only for a couple hours…
And I don’t really judge my eating habits on other people’s or bloggers. I mean heck, I don’t eat any dairy, gluten, or sugar! Most foods I can’t eat anyway! And I’m ok with that. I have fun experimenting with my own diet and making my own choices with it.
i agree, life is too short to force feed yourself something just because its healthy, even if you don’t like it. i would never want to see you eat avocado with a look of disgust on your face as you cringe aweee, but oatmeal is a welcomed staple 🙂
xoxo <3
Hey Katie,
First of all, love Chia seeds for growing oatmeal too and I haven’t found any other uses either. The bag I have is about a year old! Maybe one of your readers will suggest something fabulous?!
Also, I have a question about your blog (like your actual blog, the technical part). I looked for an email address, but couldn’t find one. If you don’t mind, maybe you could email me at aly.itsbeenreal@gmail.com when you have a second?
Thanks!!
Aly
Emailed you!
Aaah SO with you here!! Awesome post!! Actually, I can’t really think of a food right now I don’t like, but I’m sure there is, and I NEVER eat something if I don’t want it! Food is AMAZING and there to be enjoyed 🙂
P.S. Guess what is in my fridge right now waiting for tomorrow morning? I’ll let you know what I think then, but I can tell you already that I will LOVE it cos it’s a Katie recipe and I’ve yet to try one that I DON’T love!! 😛
Oh now I feel pressured to not mess up in the future! But seriously, Emma, my feelings would not be hurt if you ever didn’t like one of my recipes! I can’t think of any way that I would stop loving you to bits and pieces like I do now! 😉
I don’t really like oatmeal. And I feel like how does everyone else in blogworld LOVE it so much?
Haha my sister sometimes asks that about bananas! And I still wonder how anyone can like that chia pudding! 😉
I can’t say I’ve really experimented much (yet!) with chia seeds. They’re a great source of calcium though!
I remember feeling pressured to get in on the Green Monster trend with raw kale–let’s just say that was the only time I can remember pouring a smoothie down the drain.