Ancient Grains - Chia

I left the best for last!

Here are some facts on chia:

• Chia seed is an ancient superfood and nutritional powerhouse.
• One of the primary benefits of chia seeds is their high concentration of EFAs, which are up to four times the concentration of other grains.
• Chia is said to have the highest omega-3 content of any plan-based source. Chia is almost a perfect food. it is a complete protein source and is between 19-23% protein.
• Chia is gluten free.
• Chia seeds are rich in calcium and boron, both of which are needed for strong teeth and bones.
• Chia seeds are digested easily, they absorb more than 7 times their weight in water and form a gel that creates a physical barrier between carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down, that causes a slow release of carbs and an equally slow conversion of carbs into glucose for energy.
• You can substitute chia for any recipe that calls for flax. You can put it in or on just about anything.

To make the gel:
2 tbsp chia
1 cup water.
Stir and let set until a get has formed. Be sure to mix well. Keep refrigerated, covered for up to 2 weeks.

This gel can be added to smoothies, substituted for fat and eggs. Add 3 tbsp of raspberry jam and it takes on the look of jam (Sneaky way of getting your kids to eat it!).

And to sprout:

Think Chia Heads. . . Purchase a base to a clay planting pot, soak it and put the seeds on. Dunk it to water. You cannot over water!

Ancient Grains - Flax

Brown Flax Seed

Some Facts on Flax (hey, I rhyme!):

• Flax was being cultivated in the Babylon Empire in 3,000 B.C.
• Flax seeds are one o the truly perfect foods. They contain high levels of Omega 3 and Omega 6 EFA.
• The ground flax seed is the Cadillac of soluble and insoluble fiber. This fiber is probably responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effects of flax.
• Flax seed is about 20% protein with many essential amino acids. It is literally loaded with lignans which are natural cancer-preventative phytonutrients. It is full of vitamins and minerals: folate, vitamin E, vitamin B-6, calcium, copper, zine magnesium and potassium.
•  Flax is a natural laxative you need to introduce slowly into your diet.
• You need to drink plenty of water when taking flax because of the high amount of fiber.
• Flax needs to be ground to get the full effects but can be added to just about anything.

Just a note about grinding and adding flax to food stuffs. I use a little $20 coffee grinder and grind my flax with that so it doesn't oil up my grain grinder. I add it to every loaf of bread I make, in the granola I make, meat loaf, etc. No one even knows I making them healthier!

~Karin