Chia seeds- the new trend & why they're so awesome

I've noticed a lot of new health food trends lately- quinoa, coconut water, Greek yogurt, and what I'm about to discuss- chia seeds.
These small crunchy seeds, which were originally cultivated by the ancient Aztecs, are making a comeback.

So what is the main health benefit of chia? The omega-3 fatty acid content. Chia has 4 grams of omega 3 per two tablespoon serving. That's a lot- a normal daily supplement of omega 3 may contain 0.8 to 1 g, which meets daily needs, if taken every day.

Omega 3 fatty acids are an essential part of the diet, which we usually do not get enough of. They are important for reducing inflammation, which in turn helps to reduce the risk of heart disease & related complications like high blood pressure. There have also been some studies showing that omega 3s may create more stable moods, which is awesome.

Health food stores across the nation are now not only selling these seeds in bulk, but also in other forms- like this chia seed-containing drink my sister and I became obsessed with recently:

This drink was definitely different, but in a good way. There were four or five different flavors; the one in the picture is pomegranate mint flavored. The biggest difference about this drink: the texture. Definitely worth checking out. 

So, if you are able to find chia at the store, how can you use it?

- add some to your Greek yogurt

-incorporate it into cookies or other bakery items you might make... breads, muffins, bagels etc

-make your own chia water:

*1/2 cup lime or lemon juice

*1 cup sugar

*10 cups water

*1/2 cup chia seeds

[Pour lemon or lime juice & sugar into the water, stir until the sugar dissolves. Add chia seeds & stir]

One last awesome fact: Chia also contains antioxidants ,which are good at warding off cancer and common viral illnesses. Because of this high antioxidant level, the seeds are shelf stable for years, meaning they won't go bad for a very long time.