Chia Seed Round Up

Gone are the days of the quirky Chia Pet and here to stay is a healthy ingredient that seems to be finding its way into all facets of our diet. From drinks to breads to super protein bars, chia boosts a recipe's nutritional value with a mere tablespoon or two.

Bursting with protein, calcium, fiber and potassium, chia swells with nutrition just like it swells to 10 times its own weight when added to liquid - it's gel-like qualities earn it a place in diets as an egg replacement and gelling ingredient for puddings, jams, etc.

Chia, the Mayan word for "Strength", was once a staple in the Incan, Mayan and Aztec times, and ranked in importance only behind corn and beans. Sometimes even used as payment for taxes or offerings to the gods, chia also fed the people and provided nutrition and energy.

A potent little seed, 2-tablespoon of Chia contains 138 calories and 9 grams of fat along with a whopping 10 grams of fibre, 5 grams of protein and 18% of the daily value for calcium. Also packed with omega-3's, chia provides more per ounce than flaxseed. (sited from Food and Nutrition)

So... has chia found its way into your diet? We've asked some friends from around the world for their favorite recipes and the scoured the web for even more recipes to increase your chia repertoire. Which one is your favorite?

Chia Drinks

Chia Agua Fresca from girlichef

Chia Meyer Lemonade from Shockingly Delicious

Green Tea and Chia Energy Drink from In Sonnet's Kitchen

Banana, Chia and Spinach Smoothie from What's Gabby Cooking

Beet, Berry, Apple Chia Smoothie from The Roasted Root

Chia Fresca from Oh She Glows

Raspberry Lemonade Chia Drink from Busy Mommy

Pre-Workout Hydration Powerhouse from Walk, Jog, Run

Cherry Chia Seed Juice from Vibrant Wellness Journal

Apple Arugula Detox Drink from Liv Life

Chia Fresca from The Local Vegan

Sweet Chia Treats

Chia Cupcakes from grilichef

• Chia Rice Krispie Treats from A Healthy Life for Me
• Blood Orange Upsidedown Cake from Recipe Renovator
• Ultimate Granola Cookies from An Edible Mosaic
• Gluten Free Pie Crust from The Tomato Tart
• Lemon Chia Protein Cookies from Amy's Healthy Baking
• Chia Peanut Butter Cookies from Yummy Mummy Kitchen
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies with Chia and Flax from Cooking Melangery
• Banana Chia Bread from Savvy Naturalista
• Mango Chia Pops from Jelly Toast
• Whole Wheat Lemon Poppy Seed Bread with Chia from Joyful Healthy Eats
• Chia Pudding
• Coconut Almond Chia Pudding from Food Babbles
• Vanilla Bean Chia Pudding from Frugal Foodie Mama
• Dairy Free Chia Seed Pudding (with Coconut Milk) from Apron Strings
• Bananas Foster Chia Pudding from Eats Well with Others
• Vanilla Chai Chia Pudding from Blissful Basil
• Orange Coconut Chia Pudding from Well Plated
• Cranberry Pistachio Coconut Chia Pudding from Happy Food Healthy Life
• Tropical Coconut Chia Pudding from Gourmet Innovations
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Chia Pudding from Eats Well with Others
• Lemon Raspberry Chia Pudding from The Healthy Maven
• Super Green Chia Pudding from Poppies and Papayas
• Chunky Monkey Chia Pudding from Do you Even Paleo
• Mint Chocolate Chip Chia Pudding from Fresh, Fit and Healthy
• Cake Batter Chia Pudding from Edible Perspective
• Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Chia Parfait from Vegan Yack Attack
• Mango Chia Pudding from Ashley Neese
• Coconut Pomegranate Chocolate Chia Pudding from Natural Chow
• Sticky Bun Chia Pudding from I Heart Eating
• Chocolate Chia Pudding from Liv Life
• Protein and Healthy Chia Treats
• Protein Packed Energy Bites from Tasting Page
• DIY Protein Powder from Fork & Beans
• Super Seed Bars from The Muffin Myth
• Chocolate Chia Coconut Energy Bites from The Lemon Bowl
• Apricot Cashew Granola Bars from Mariah's Pleasing Plates
• No Bake Energy Bites from Cooking on the Front Burner
• No-Bake Apricot Chia Energy Bars from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
• Tropical Snack Bites with Almond and Chia from Two Healthy Kitchens
• Chia for Breakfast
• DIY Homemade Waffle and Pancake Mix from Liv Life
• Blackberry Chia Seed Jam from Fork & Beans
• Cranberry Chia Granola from 365 Days of Baking and More
• Cranberry Vanilla Chia Jam from Liv Life
• Raw Raspberry Vanilla Chia Jam from Shockingly Delicious
• Coconut Cranberry Chia Granola from A Cedar Spoon
• Strawberry, Blueberry, Mango Chia Jam from Liv Life
• Yogurt Breakfast Bowl from Diethood
• Lemon Chia Seed Pancakes with Roasted Strawberries from Two Peas and Their Pod
• Blueberry Rosemary Chia Seed Jam from Tasty Yummies
• Coconut Strawberry Overnight Oats from Liv Life
• Strawberry Banana Steel Cut Oats with Chia from The Lemon Bowl
• Blueberry Buckwheat Chia Muffins from An Edible Mosaic
• Blueberry Chia Jam from Liv Life
• Paleo Granola from The Tomato Tart
• Overnight Almond Oatmeal with Chia and Maple Syrup from Liv Life
• Power Pumpkin Pancakes with Chia form Liv Life
• Ancient Power Oatmeal with Chia, Walnuts and Flax from Liv Life

See also our book review from Mama Chia herself for The Chia Cookbook: Inventive, Delicious Recipes Featuring Nature's Superfood

Have more recipes to share? Feel free to leave links in the comments below to help spread the chia love!

Liv Life Note: This post contains an Amazon Affiliate link to the Mama Chia Cookbook... if you purchase through this post Liv Life receives a small commission (at not cost to you). We thank you for your support!