Today, we celebrate Chia Day. Mamma Chia has officially designated March 23rd as National Chia Day and observed annually on this day.
Chia seeds are the tiny edible seed of Salvia hispanica, a flowering plant of the mint family, native to Central America, or the Salvia columbariae of the Southwestern United States and Mexico.
Chia seeds are tiny but it absorbs up to 12 times their weight when you soak it in liquid because it develops a mucilaginous coating that gives the chia-based creams and beverage a distinctive gel texture. One of my favorite drinks is called Chia Fresca which is a natural energy drink. It normally comes in a bottle and sometimes you get a second look from people thinking that your drink has a bug. It has been a popular drink for many years in Mexico and Central America. Sometimes, if I can’t find it at my local store, I just make them at home. It consists of water, chia seeds, lime juice or lemon, and some honey or any kind of sweetener. It is better chilled and so refreshing when you drink it.
Chia Fresca is an energy drink that is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids more than flax seed. It has a long shelf life without going rancid. It packs a lot of nutrients that are good for our bodies like fiber, protein, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, and many more.
Nowadays, you can find products in your local groceries that include chia seeds. You can also buy it by the pounds at your big box stores and make any food with chia seeds. You can sprinkle it on cereals or oatmeal, sauces, salads, yogurt, smoothies, or just mixed it in water and lemon and enjoy all the benefits.
