Saturday, December 10, 2011

Ch-ch-ch-Chia!

It's that time of year again.  The time of year that the Chia Pet commercials pop up just in time for Christmas.  That annoying jingle always seems to get stuck in my head.

I digress.  If you read any health food blogs you've probably heard about chia seeds and all of their wonderful health benefits.  But are these the same chias that grow the Afro on the infamous Barack Obama Chia Pet?  Turns out, they are.  All I know is that chia seeds are delicious and nutritious and can be added to many food items (such as granola or cereal or yogurt) to boost its healthfulness.  Case in point:  I just made ooey-gooey fudge with chia seeds in it.  Yep.  The holiday staple has taken on a healthy twist.  Sort of.  Here's the recipe:

Vanilla Chia Seed Fudge (recipe from this blog):
  • 1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup chia seeds
Put everything minus the chia seeds in a microwave-safe bowl.  Microwave for 1 minute and then stir.  Microwave again for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until everything is melted and mixes together easily.  Stir in the chia seeds.  Pour mixture into a greased 8x8 glass baking dish.  Lick the spoon and refrigerate until firm, approximately 2 hours.   Share, if you must.


Did you know that chia seeds (2 tbs) contain as much omega-3 essential fatty acids as 8-ounces of salmon?  And that they have more omega-3's than flax seeds?  Or that chia seeds have more anti-oxidants than blueberries?  Or that the chia seed has the unique ability to absorb up to 12 times its weight in water?  That ability helps make you feel more full as the chia seed expands in your belly which, in theory, means you'll eat less.  Except when eating fudge.  You can never fill up on too much fudge.

This fudge is rich, chocolatey, and crunchy in a seedy sort of way.  Kind of different.  Definitely good.  Possibly healthier than normal fudge.  But probably not by much.  It's the holidays, though, so who cares? 

In other news, my BlogShop class is today!  Eeeek.  I am nervous.  I hope I catch onto PhotoShop quickly.  I hope my fellow classmates like me.  I hope I learn a ton and remember how to do it all once the class is over.

Get ready.  This class is going to revolutionize my blog.  I hope!  

Have you ever had a Chia Pet?  Nope.  Not me.  When I told Lee they had made an Obama Chia Pet, he was like, 'We have to get one!'  Maybe I'll just make him eat chia seeds instead.

4 comments:

  1. This is a perfect opportunity to show Lee your love by growing not only his child, but an Obama Chia Pet as well. DOn't let the opportunity pass you by!

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  2. That class sounds interesting! Have fun...so your pictures are going to be that more amazing?!?!?!

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  3. Your nails look so awesome. Do you get them done somewhere? What kind of paint?

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  4. That looks so delicious! I remember seeing this and the 5 minute chia pudding on Lindsay's blog and being hooked right away! I need to poke around a few more health stores and get around to making this - I haven't been able to find chia seeds the past few times I've been out.

    When I was at the grocery store with the boy I nanny we passed the junk isle and I pointed out a bunch of Chia Pets - can you believe dude had never even heard of them??

    Hope you have/had a great time at your class!

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