Chia is from the ancient Mayan civilization (Mesoamerican civilization) and means STRENGTH OR STRENGTHENING.

These little darlings are getting a lot of attention lately as a new "SUPER" food, and well they should (I'll tell you of their super powers in a moment). As for being "NEW", well that's another matter entirely, as these gorgeous seeds have actually been around for centuries BC.

Chia seeds come from a desert plant Salvia Hispanica. It is said that ancient Aztec warriors use to use it for rations; one teaspoon would sustain a warrior for 24 hours (this is probably due to the way the body digests it -another article altogether).

So why are they so super?

1/ They are the richest natural plant source of OMEGA-3 fatty acids. They have an ideal 3:1 ratio of Omega 3- 6.

Why do you want Omega-3? Well, it lowers your blood pressure and is essential for heart health. In fact, it positively effect's endothelial vascular function (this is the ability of your veins to dilate efficiently- poor nutrition and a lack of regular exercise clogs them and restricts blood flow to vital organs! Although the focus here is on heart condition, poor blood flow in MEN can, and will also affect other organs and performance such as ED-erectile dysfunction (another important health issue but again an article unto itself).

Ok so Omega-3 is essential and these little super heroes have it in ABUNDANCE!

2/ It provides ENERGY, STRENGTH, & aids ENDURANCE - my favourite reasons!!

3/ It helps in regulating your blood sugar levels, which helps with weight loss, and it definitely keeps you feeling fuller for longer. It also aids in intestinal regularity.

4/ It contains both types of fibre – soluble & insoluble.

5/ Chia contains all 8 essential amino acids & much more. http://www.glisonline.com/essential-amino-acids.html

6/ Chia is packed with essential minerals; calcium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, magnesium (and boy do our bodies need magnesium!), manganese, copper, potassium (more potassium than a banana- wow!).

7/ Full of ANTIOXIDENTS!

8/ Vitamins A,B & E

How do you incorporate it into your daily nutrition?

When you first add them to your daily nutrition I recommend doing it slowly with a small dose - a teaspoon at a time once a day. I personally now have a dessertspoon full once a day with whatever I might be adding them to and I eat them RAW! Their taste is not strong – you might say kind of nutty or perhaps sesame seed like.

- I sprinkle a dessert spoon in with my porridge in the mornings

- Fruit Salads

- Smoothies (yum)

- In yoghurt

- On/in salads or through stir-fries.

- In pies on pies.

- You can sprinkle the little darlings anywhere! RAW is best!

- On anything, I say! Get creative and drop me a line on how you use them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

I personally enjoy chia and its bountiful benefits and am definitely of the belief that natural is best. Your nutrition should consist of a plentiful and majority daily intake of fresh fruit and vegetables nuts and seeds! I'll leave you to ponder these two quotes and remember to enjoy your food! Try new natural foods and improve your health! Go on I dare you! Give your bodies every opportunity to function how they were meant to!

"...their fruit will be for food and their leaves for medicine." Ezekiel 47:12

"Let food be your medicine and medicine your food." Hippocrates