Chia seeds have been getting a lot of attention recently because of their high nutrients and antioxidants, but it is not new.
Chia is native to Mexico and parts of South America and was cultivated as a staple food source by both the Aztec and Mayan peoples in pre-Columbian times.
In those cultures, it was so prized that the seed was sometimes given to rulers as tribute or payment of taxes.
The word itself, "Chia" come from the Aztec word "chian" meaning oily.
And the modern Mexican state of Chiapas derives its name from the plant.
Chia is cultivated in many different areas with the Ord valley in Australia growing about two thirds of the world's total production.
The use of Chia as a dietary supplement is expanding as more people become aware of its many nutritional benefits.
The Chia seed is, typically, oval shaped and about a millimeter in diameter.
They aren't much to look at being mottled with brown gray, black and white coloration.
Chia is rich in nutrients with significant levels of antioxidants, protein, oil, and dietary fiber which is mostly soluble.
The Chia seed oil has a very high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, about 64 percent.
Omega 3 acids are good fats, which lower cholesterol, deter cardiovascular diseases and help relieve joint pain and inflammation.
The soluble quality of the dietary fiber in Chia is a great help to people watching their weight.
Once ingested, the dietary fiber absorbs many times its own weigh in liquid and forms a gel type of substance in your digestive tract.
This slows the breakdown of carbohydrates which, in turn, slows the conversion to sugar.
This results in your body deriving more food energy from the Chia and feeling "full".
Mila is gluten-free, trans-fat free, sugar-free, high in fiber and protein, and can be combined with many foods! Add a scoop of to a fruit smoothie, your oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, taco meat, hamburgers, or even mix it with the spice rub you use on chicken, seafood or steak.
The options are endless.
Here is a recipe for an Orange and Chia Cake from Australia: Ingredients- 2 large oranges 6 eggs 1 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/4 cup almond meal 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 cup of Chia ( black ) Icing - optional 3/4 cup cream cheese Juice of half a lemon 1/2 cup icing sugar Pre heat oven to 350 F.
Put oranges in a bowl and cover with cling flim.
Microwave for 7 minutes on high.
Oranges should be tender when poked with a knife.
Put cooked oranges; skin, pith and flesh into a food processor and blend until smooth.
Set aside.
Beat eggs and caster sugar until thick and pale.
Then fold together the almond meal, baking powder, orange pulp and chia.
Pour into a large, well greased and lined cake tin and bake for 35 - 40 mins on a low shelf.
Combine icing ingredients and stir until smooth.