Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia seeds!

[merigayle]

I bought some on a whim at Trader Joes the other day. What to do with them?

[Ice Cream]

I don't know either. My problem with chia seed foods is that the seeds often are stuck between my teeth.

[merigayle]

I have never eaten them but they were on sale!

[diablita]

We make chia pudding occasionally.  It's required of Asheville residents to bring chia pudding to a playdate and stare down your nose at the parent of a child with a prepackaged snack.  (kidding)

I kind of like it, though.  The TJ's package has the proportions and I generally use coconut milk, chia seeds, date syrup (I make it when I'm desperate during the whole life challenge) and things like finely minced apple or cocoa powder.  It has to set overnight in the fridge to gel.

[merigayle]

I will have to turn the package over, that is where i got them

[radial]

I thought you had cut grains out of your diet.  Or is chia a seed?  Even if it is a seed, is there any particular difference between seeds and grains as far as diet is concerned?  If I had a supply of chia, I would probably use it as God intended. 

[merigayle]

I believe it is a seed. Quinoa is a seed so I can eat that. I eat sunflower seeds and tahini often.

[diablita]

chia = seed

[radial]

So what's the difference between seeds and grains as far as diet is concerned?   

[merigayle]

So what's the difference between seeds and grains as far as diet is concerned?

I do not know but dr said seeds and nuts ok, grains not ok, for me.

[Ice Cream]

I was intrigued by Radial's question, and did some googling.  Happened to come across this, but did not further investigate.

"Pseudocereal grains or alternative grains act like grains when we cook them but come from a different kind of plant. These include quinoa, buckwheat, and amaranth. A lot of people say these aren’t grains, when what they mean is that they are not cereal grains. They still belong in the biological grain family."

[merigayle]

I was intrigued by Radial's question, and did some googling.  Happened to come across this, but did not further investigate.

"Pseudocereal grains or alternative grains act like grains when we cook them but come from a different kind of plant. These include quinoa, buckwheat, and amaranth. A lot of people say these aren’t grains, when what they mean is that they are not cereal grains. They still belong in the biological grain family."

I thought amaranth and buckwheat were considered gluten free grains. I do not eat any of the three, but i do eat seeds like flax seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.

[hally]

I add them to my oatmeal. They have a ton of fiber. Just a tbsp.

[caribougrrl]

funny, I picked some up for the first time because they were deeply discounted and seemed appealing at the time. 

the package directions say to mix in a 1:2 ratio with milk and let sit 5 minutes.  the mix doesn't look any different after 5 minutes than it did when I put the milk in initially.

[merigayle]

I have a feeling that I bought them and they will most likely just sit in the cupboard for a long time. Has anyone made pudding with them? Is it like tapioca pudding?

[moroccangirl]

Ha! I had DH bring me back 2 packs from the states and I was coming here looking for ways to use them.

Can I put some in my smoothies like I do ground flax seed?

[caribougrrl]

mg, the back of my package says: "Enjoy as a breakfast cereal, hot or cold; or add to yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal or salads."

in the interest of full disclosure, I have a chia, buckwheat and hemp mix, but I don't see why you couldn't add to smoothies same as flax.

[merigayle]

I know people use them in egg free baking instead of flax to replace eggs. I am not sure the ratios, for flax meal, i do 1 tbs flax meal whisked together with 3 tbs hot water.

[cindyleigh]

I sprinkle them I salad and add them to homemade bread and granola.

[wherestheportojohn]

I stir them into oatmeal and yogurt.