Chia Seed Recipes

If you bought yourself a nice bag of organic chia and now you want to know how to use chia seeds in the food that you make, check out the chia recipes below.

* The statements below have not been evaluated by the FDA (or your country's equivalent). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

First I'd like to talk about chia seed nutrition. When chia seeds are submerged in water the seeds open up, often absorbing nine times their weight in water, and form a tasteless gel called chia gel. The gel helps to keep your body hydrated.

Chia gel is made up of 90% soluble fiber, which benefits the digestive track. The soluble fiber forms a wall between carbohydrates and the body, allowing a slow release into the body, giving the feeling of being full which a great way to control the appetite. This has been suggested to be very helpful for people, like diabetics, who have trouble controlling their sugar levels.

The chia seed has twice the protien of any other seed or grain and five times the calcium of milk. Chia seeds also contain boron which is a trace mineral that helps with the absorption of calcium. The essential fatty acids, Omega 3 and Omega 6 are also present in the seeds.

Incorporating chia seeds into the daily diet has shown to enhance the nutrient absorption of all foods, including nutritional supplements. It can be uses as an aid for GERD, ulcers, gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome.

Other suggested chia seeds health benefits include: assisting physical activity (endurance), added nutrition, as well as controlling weight or sugar levels. Eating raw chia seeds helps retain maximum nutritional value. And of course, choosing an organic chia seed (or chemical free) will give the most benefit.

Sprouting chia seeds: Chia sprouts are easy to make. That is essentially what you are growing when using the famous chia pet. Chia seed sprouts are very nutritious and are potentially at it's peak nutrition while sprouting. The enzymes are abundant and the chlorophyll is present. Read this organic sprouting article to get a general idea how to sprout seeds and beans.

Chia seeds calories: 68 calories per tablespoon of dry seeds - Buy Some Here

The best way to consume chia seeds is to take them only after being soaked in water (or dry with some other liquid) so they do not absorb the fluid within your body possibly leading to dehydration. The seeds may be added to water, juice and other foods.

Possible directions for use:

>> Put 1/3 cup dry seeds into 2 cups of warm water then whisk
>> Wait 15 minutes then whisk again, then store chia gel in the fridge
>> Use 3 tablespoons 3x a day of the gel

You can mix them into any drink or food or just take the chia gel as is. Once a day you may take up to 1 tablespoon of the dry seeds and add them to fluid or sprinkle them on food, but be sure to drink fluid at the same time so the seeds hydrate from the fluid being consumed at the same time rather than the fluid in your body.

Chia Milk

This chia milk recipe yields 5 cups. Chia milk is rich in essential fats and protien. Because of the soaking in the water, it is also particularly rich in enzymes. Keep in the fridge and try to consume within 1 week. The antioxidants help keep it well for that length of time.

>> In a jar or glass, soak 4 tablespoons of raw chia seeds and 2 tablespoons of raw walnuts overnight in 3 cups of water.
>> Pour soaked seeds and walnuts into blender.
>> Add 1 cup of water. Turn on blender at medium speed.
>> With blender running, add 2 tablespoons of raw tahini, 2 tablespoons of raw honey, and optionally a dash of vanilla.
>> Add 1 more cup of water. Blend until smooth.
>> Enjoy!

Chia Cacao Squares

1/4 cup of chia seeds
1/2 cup of organic brown rice syrup (or alternative sweetener)
1/2 cup of raw honey
1 cup of raw organic almond butter
1 cup raw pepitas
1 cup of raw oragnic almonds
1/2 cup of organic sesame seeds
1/2 cup of organic sunflower seeds
1/2 cup of organic coconut
1/2 cup of truly raw cacao powder

Grind nuts and seeds using a hand blender like the Tribest Personal Blender. Blend ground nuts and seeds, brown rice syrup, honey, coconut, cacao powder, and almond butter together. Press into lightly greased (truly raw coconut oil) 9x13 glass cake pan. Chill for several hours, then cut into squares. Serve...enjoy :)

A lot of organic grocers are starting to carry black chia and white chia products. For online purchases of truly raw, organic, chemical free chia seeds we recommend The Raw Food World.

Click Here For All Chia Products At The Raw Food World

* The statements above have not been evaluated by the FDA (or your country's equivalent). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Vitamin B12

* The statements below have not been evaluated by the FDA (or your country's equivalent). Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin for the brain, and for neurological and other functions of the body. It is involved in many of the metabolic processes that occur within our bodies.

According to some studies, it is suggested that 2 out of 5 people are deficient in Vitamin B12. That's almost 1 in every 2 people! These studies involved a mixed group of people, not just vegetarians and vegans, but meat eaters as well.

The only way to be certain if your B12 levels are optimal is to have them tested. You can take a serum B12 test and/or an MMA (methylmalonic acid) test. An MMA test is very important because although serum levels may seem to be at "ideal" levels, the serum test doesn't show how B12 is being metabolized.

Worse, your doctor may not know what the optimum levels are... they may be basing it on old information.

B12 From Microbes On Unwashed Veggies

Some people feel that unwashed veggies straight from the garden, when consumed, will keep their B12 at acceptable levels. The theory is that the microbes that exist on the unwashed veggies contain the necessary B12, and if they remain unwashed, we will assimilate the B12. Others suggest that there isn't sufficient eveidence to support this, and a lot of people are forced (or decide to) get their vegetables from the grocery store anyways.

If you like the "microbes idea", the best thing to probably do is test your levels, and if you are low, try the "unwashed veggies" theory, then test again after a certain period of time to see where you are at.

B12 From Algae And Spirulina

Another suggestion is that algae and spirulina have B12 and will raise your B12 levels to optimum levels. This has some merit because serum levels have been shown to have raised after consuming algaes. However, experts say that the real test is the MMA test, showing how much B12 is being metabolized, and in the case of algaes, MMA tests often still show a deficiency. The suggestion is that spirulina has "B12 like compounds" that do not work the same way real B12 does in the body. Hence the optimal serum levels, but the deficient metabolization.

It has been suggested that permanent nerological damage can occur from long term low levels of B12, so if you have been relying on the microbes and/or the algae, you may want to get tested to be sure your levels are where you think they are.

B12 From Nutritional Yeast

It's true that nutritional yeast is a good source of B vitamins, plus it is usually fortified with B12 (meaning B12 is added to it). Unfortunately it is usually fortified with the inferior type cyanocobalamin rather than the superior type methylcobalamin. Also, when someone is deficient in B12, as mentioned in the following absorption section, ingesting B12 from supplements or food takes into account the "gastric intrinsic factor" (defined ahead).

This requires a significant amount of B12 to be ingested (whilst someone is deficient) for any to be absorbed.. and a good majority will be wasted. Bringing the B12 through the intestinal wall into the blood stream is not a simple task for the body when there is an existing deficiency and the intrinsic factor is low.

Organ meats and other meat products may raise Vitamin B12 levels but of course not everyone wants to consume meat products because of perhaps health and/or ethical reasons. Those that can look past the ethical reasons may have a hard time finding a source of meat that is clean and void of steroids and chemicals. Also, the sources of meat that are commonly available, sadly, are not safe to consume raw. Cooked meat, it has been suggested, is harder to assimilate and lacks digestive enzymes.

We also can't forget the studies that have taken place, with some meat eaters in the test pool, that resulted in almost half being deficient in B12.

Although getting B12 direct into the blood stream when deficient is suggested to be a more reasonable solution, this product can be ideal for maintaining healthy B12 levels.

Garden of Life's RAW B-12 is a comprehensive, whole-food vitamin B12 formula made with RAW Food-Created Nutrients. Cultivated with their unique Code Factors intact, the RAW Food-Created Nutrients in Vitamin Code formulas enable natural recognition of nutrients by your body, just as nature intended.

Code Factors are the known and yet to be discovered synergistic compounds found in food and are necessary for proper nutrient delivery.

Providing these Code Factors infuses the essential elements of whole-foods that the body thrives upon. Vitamin Code RAW B-12 is RAW, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and contains no binders or fillers.

Taking this RAW B-12 formula to the next level, Vitamin Code RAW B-12 also provides a RAW probiotic and enzyme blend along with a RAW organic fruit and vegetable blend for additional nutritional support.

The multi-step process for Vitamin B12 absorption may result in a waste in some of the vitamin. In the stomach, B12 binds with a glycoprotein near the beginning of the B12 absorption stages. At this time another glycoprotein, called 'gastric intrinsic factor' or simply 'intrinsic factor' is being produced. These are then sent to the small intestine with all your food and then the B12 complex binds with the intrinsic factor to be brought across the intestinal lining then in to your blood stream.

Increasing the amount of Vitamin B12 can generally help achieve more absorption. However, when levels are low, less 'intrinsic factor' is produced, again, resulting in less absorption. So, as it seems, taking B12 orally, at least initially, doesn't seem like the ideal option.

Taking B12 into the blodstream gives you the option to avoid the whole intrinsic factor process completely.

Sublingual B12

A common route people take to get B12 into their system is to supplement. One of the cheapest routes for B12 supplementation is by taking it sublingually in the form of a lozenge or other small pill.

B12 taken sublingually (placed under the tongue), is absorbed through the membranes in your mouth, an indirect route into the bloodstream. This only allows for some absorption, and there are often additives in the lozenges that contribute to taste. Other supplement options are superior in terms of absorption and purity.

If you decide to take sublingual B12, supplements that contain methylcobalamin are the best choices over supplements that contain cyanocobalamin.

B12 Shots

B12 shots are popular for people that can afford the shots and that do not have a problem with needles. B12 shots raise B12 levels effectively and they do so quickly. Some people find this approach unnatural or simply don't want to go this route, which brings to light B12 patches.

B12 Patches

B12 patches are small patches that you put behind your ear that allow your body to absorb the B12 transdermally. The benefits of the patch are that they are really inexpensive compared to shots and you get better absorption than you would if you just used the sublingual tablets.

It can also raise your levels faster than the tablets because you're absorbing the nutrients into your skin, then blood, directly. Patches are a great way to get higher dosages of B12 without the hassle of pills, shots or spending large amounts of money.

It's suggested that B12 shots and the patch are most effective overall.

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Gain Raw Muscle Weight

In general we discuss raw and living foods and how it might contribute to weight loss. However, there are some people in the opposite boat. These people want/need to gain weight but they have a desire to eat cleanly and put on healthy pounds. Healthy weight gain is what they are after.

My brother... he is a 34 year old, mostly organic, mostly raw food vegan. He primarily consumes green smoothies out of shear convenience, as well as for all the health advantages he read about in Victoria's book.

After on green smoothies for a couple of months he felt energized and inspired to get "back to the gym" in hopes to perhaps gain muscle weight. He dabbled in weight lifting in the past to try and put on muscle and boost his confidence, etc. This time he wanted to take it more seriously, so he paid for a year membership, in hopes to be more committed, and also hired a personal trainer.

After several weeks of his trainer dogging him about his diet and suggesting heavy laden animal foods and sugary foods that take a long time to digest, in order to gain the desired weight, he fired his trainer and continued to workout on his own, and went on a quest looking for a weight gain diet that he was happy with.

He only ever ate when he felt hungry (and didn't force feed as suggested by other body builders), decided against counting calories, and researched ways to add more healthy protein and calorie rich foods to his diet.

He noticed that he had more of an appetite going to the gym and increased his green smoothie intake by an extra litre, (your body will tell you how much it wants) but this really only maintained his existing weight. He was getting stronger but not heavier and no real difference in size.

Then he read about Himalayan figs, a calorie dense fruit that tasted wonderful in green smoothies, and for some raw foodists, considered the healthiest choice of all weight gain foods. He soaked a package of figs in the fridge each night (easier to digest after being soaked) and throughout the day added several to each smoothie, and finally including the soak water in his last smoothie of the day. He kept this up and began to gain some weight!

Realizing there were still other ways to gain weight, he looked into some "healthy" fattier fish (remember, he is not 100% raw vegan, just mostly) and decided a good choice would be anchovies and/or sardines. He happens to like the taste so added a couple cans each week to his diet, just eating them straight from the can. He wasn't (and still isn't) sure if this helped gain more pounds because he made another change at the same time, but I thought it was still worth mentioning and perhaps experimenting with yourself if you are looking to gain weight.

Now.. at the same time he introduced fish, he also started adding raw organic nut butters, like almond butter and cashew butter to his smoothies. It adds to the flavour but is a bit overpowering so he only adds it to maybe half his smoothies throughout the day. He began noticing more weight being put on from this added dose of calories.

Finally, in order to get some more Omega 3's and protein in his diet, he opted for an affordable supplement. The supplement is called Ruth's Hemp Protein Powder with E3 Live and Maca. He says he doesn't like the flavour of the smoothie as much after adding it so he also adds in the nut butter at the same time. He just uses maybe a scoop a day and the container ends up lasting him months and is very cheap. He keeps it in the fridge to keep it fresh.

As an additional boost, not for weight gain but for high quality minerals he occasionally adds a few pieces of fresh dulse to his smoothies. He is one of the healthiest guys I know, can't remember the last time he was sick, manages to gain weight on a clean diet, people are always commenting on his nice skin and bright eyes and he has energy to spare.

Mind you... he'll grab a slice of pizza when out with friends, and even eat a tuna sandwich with whole wheat bread when the choices are slim but I'd say all in all, his diet is 90% clean. He gets colonics every few months as well and this doesn't result in weight loss for him, probably just a lot less toxicity.

You may notice that I deliberately left out amounts, numbers, figures, etc. Everyone is different. Everyone, I feel, should listen to their body. If you feel hungry, eat. That's it. It's hectic and irritating to count calories all the time. My brother doesn't worry about any of that.. he eats when he (well, his body) wants to. He just remains conscious of what he is and isn't eating. Nothing is written down, charted or measured. Really, where would the fun be in that? Keep it simple :)

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Raw Organic Food

Most raw foodists are also organic food enthusiasts, consuming at least 80% organic food. The reasons why are simple - food that is grown without chemicals is more natural and more healthy. The main idea behind eating a raw food diet is to avoid contaminating the body with chemicals and substances that come from processed and cooked food. It makes perfect sense then that most raw food enthusiasts are committed to eating raw food that has not itself been contaminated with fertilizers, pesticides, and other unnatural substances designed to artificially influence the growth process.

This commitment, while creating a healthier, more conscious lifestyle, makes the grocery shopping less convenient for raw foodists, since everyone does not have easy access to organic grocery stores. However, with a little research and the right strategy, eating a healthy diet of raw organic food is very much possible, no matter where you live.

Depending on where you live, finding raw organic food can be a challenge. It is easy to find farmer's markets in rural areas, but not always as easily to find fully organic farms. In urban areas, many grocery stores have an organic produce section, but the selection often leaves much to be desired.

Organic grocery stores do exist, but not everyone has access to them. This does not mean, however, that raw foodists without access to an organic raw food store cannot benefit from the diet and lifestyle. It just means that you have to employ more creative grocery shopping options - like shopping online.

There are online retailers of raw organic food products that can help you make your grocery shopping easier. While it is always best to buy local when you can, sometimes you simply cannot. So, the best way to find harmony is to create a raw food shopping list with everything you will need to create your meals for a significant period of time.

Then research how much on your list you can get from local retailers. Although you may have to visit more than one store, you may be able to get most of what you need right where you are. Anything else on your raw food shopping list that you cannot find locally should be available through major raw organic online retailers.

As you browse the selection in online raw food stores, you might actually find some goodies and essentials that you had not previously considered, like dried fruits and organic nut butters. Modern technology and personal commitment now make it possible for raw foodists everywhere to live healthier lives with an organic raw food diet.

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Sprouts!!!

SPROUTS!

Spring, new life, fresh, young, energetic, vigor are all words that explain the nature of sprouts. Sprouts are seeds that are in the stage of germination. Meaning they are in there young stage of life. When we eat sprouts that same youthful energy is passed on to us. Sprouts contain thousands of essential nutrients in a easily assimilable form. Broccoli sprouts for instance contain 20 times the amount of antioxidants of fully grown heads of broccoli(I still love broccoli though). When these seeds are soaked, they undertake a biochemical transformation which brakes down harsh substances and therefore allows them to be edible. Sprouts can be a great addition to sandwiches, salads, wraps, for juicing, or even to be used as temporary decor before it’s consumed(for instance, the beautiful green color of wheatgrass sprouts adds a nice touch). There are many different choices of sprouts to choose from. Mung bean, alfalfa, sunflower, broccoli, clover, and wheatgrass to name a few. Sometimes the juice of wheatgrass can be too strong so mixing this medicine with a veggie juice mix would be ideal.  All that is needed to grown sprouts like alfalfa, sunflower and clover is a glass jar, a mesh top and a rubber band. Soak the seeds in water for 18 to 24 hours, pour the water out and just rinse your seeds a couple of times a day. In about 7 to 9 days your jar will be full of this young edible food. Once they have fully sprouted they will be a white-yellowish color. Put them in the sunlight for a couple of hours and you can literally see the photosynthesis( color transform to green) happen. Like the Sunflower sprouts that I grew in the picture above. These little wonders can be grown in your window at anytime of the year and if you live in the city, more than likely, they will be freshest food you’ll have. That’s what you call “Urban Farming.” Bon Apetite!

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Corn Zucchini Salad

Corn Zucchini Salad
Corn kernels from 2 ears of corn
2 zucchinis, chopped
1 small red pepper, finely chopped
1 Jalapeño, minced
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1 bunch spinach , chopped
1/4 C olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
Juice from 2 limes
1/2 C raw cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions: Mix first 7 ingredients together in a large bowl. In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, garlic and lime juice. Pour over salad and top with cheese.

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Top 9 U.S. Healthy Restaurants

Kevin Gianni and his wife Anne Marie travelled to 50 cities across the U.S. in the search for a healthy menu. They found 9 restaurants to top the list of the healthiest restaurants they dined at. Mind you... not all were raw but mostly all were organic restaurants... others being vegan or vegetarian.

Below I embedded their YouTube video discussing the restaurants. You can also view the video directly on YouTube by clicking here. Below the video is some information about the specific restaurants including locations and type of food.

Chocola Tree

Chocola Tree, located at 1595 West Highway 89A in Sedona, Arizona, 86336, offers more than just the everyday lunch and dinner. Its fabulous menu consists of only the freshest organic (and mostly raw) foods available to the area. The owners also have their own on-site year-round garden which holds bountiful spices and herbs to compliment any dish on the extensive menu. To quote a patron who visits Sedona specifically for a trip to the Chocola Tree, this cafe/chocolate shop is a "little piece of rawsomeness!" They also offer shipping of many of their organic menu items online. To get the order form today, visit http://www.chocolatreecafe.com/roots/store.

Bloodroot

Overlooking the harbor in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the Bloodroot is a feminist vegetarian restaurant. Sidled with its very own feminist bookstore, it is located in an ideal location at 85 Ferris Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut, 06605. Just over 33 years ago, Selma Miriam and Noel Furie opened Bloodroot with an idea to bring feminism and a healthy vegetarian diet together. The menu is diverse, offering organics, raw foods, and plenty of ethnic treats, sure to please any palate. Miriam and Noel grow a lot of their own produce and refuse to compromise the quality of any ingredient in their dishes. This patron pleaser is a must on any Connecticut-travellers list of 'things to do.' For those not travelling in the area, feel free to click http://bloodroot.com to get access to great recipes from this fantastic find.

Karma Road

Karma Road, also known as the "taste of integrity", is located at 11 Main Street, in New Paltz, New York, 12561. Owners, partners, and cooks, Jenn and Seth created a vegetarian menu designed to feed the soul. Indicated by the carefully chosen name, this wonderful cafe will only use organic, pesticide-free, and all-natural products to sustain its good karma with the environment. This little piece of karmic goodness offers cooking classes, as well as online-ordered bakery treats and there is always an opportunity to catch a guest-speaker once a month! They can be found on the worldwide web at http://www.karmaroad.net.

Au Lac

In 1997, owner Mai Nguyen introduced Fountain Valley to wonderful vegetarian cuisine to be enjoyed in a friendly, healthy environment. Au Lac is located at 16563 Brookhurst Street, Fountain Valley, California, 92708 and is home to a unique term (humanese) in the food industry. Chef Ito arrived on the scene in 2001 and took Mai's creation and added his own special touches, which included his self-created cuisine known as "humanese". All options on this menu are created with the intention of uniting everyone who dines there into one equal entity. This holistic approach to the body-spirit connection has been working and is becoming increasingly popular to patrons of all ages. You will leave feeling physically and mentally refreshed!

Real Food Daily

Escape to the old world with new world flavors. Real Food Daily (RFD) is a vegan restaurant housing two locations. It can be found at 514 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, California, 90401 and 414 N. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90048. Owner Ann Gentry started the business as a home catering company in 1988 and founded the restaurant in 1993. RFD gets back to basics with almost everything on the menu being made from scratch, while keeping up with new times, turning to the raw food/vegan movement for a more modern, healthier lifestyle. Visit http://www.realfood.com today to get a taste of health.

Help Yourself

Help Yourself is a fantastic little getaway from the everyday and can be found at 829 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida, 33040. Focussed on a healthy, informative way to eat, the extensive menu has options for any dietary lifestyle, ranging from raw and vegan to some meat options as well. Owner, Charlie Wilson will only serve high-quality food that does not contain additives, any unnatural chemicals, or hormones. Most food on the menu is locally grown. In fact, many of the herbs and spices found in the fabulous menu items are growing right outside the front door. This restaurant is home to many everyday patrons as well as curious tourists looking for a nutritious bite. Check it out for yourself at http://www.helpyourselffoods.com.

Cafe Gratitude

Cafe Gratitude is not just a cafe... it's a contribution to the environment and it puts patrons on a path to a healthier, earth-friendly lifestyle. This little taste of life only offers raw or "live" foods, and owners Matthew and Terces Engelhart consider the environment on every level of their business, not only in the food they choose. If you're looking to enjoy live food in a tranquil, soul-cleansing environment, Cafe Gratitude is a must. With five locations throughout California, business is booming. More and more people are making environment-driven choices regarding their diet and their well-being in general and Cafe Gratitude is an easy step along this path. To get started down the road to serenity, you can visit the cafe at any one of these locations; 2400 Harrison Street, San Francisco, California 94110,... 1730 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, California 94122,... 2200 Fourth Street, San Rafael, California 94901,... 206 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, California 95448,... and 230 Bay Place, Oakland, California 94612. For those who would like to take a look first, check it out at http://www.cafegratitude.com.

Manzanita

Manzanita is a Macrobiotic Restaurant located at 4001 Linden Street, Oakland, California, 94608. On the menu you will find lots of delicious raw, vegan, and organic options. This fantastic eating place uses its healthy menu to encourage and support a healthier lifestyle and an overall healthier way of thinking. As one patron puts it, "It is like you can feel the enhancement of your immune system and adding a month of life on - at every meal." Owners are very friendly and will often allow menu substitutions if requested. To get an idea of what the healthier you is in for on a visit, check out this link, http://www.manzanitaworld.com.

The Living Light Culinary Arts Institute

The Living Light Culinary Arts Institute is a place for students to learn how to eat and live healthy. It's about empowering the individual to make the healthy choices to live the best life possible. The cafe in the Institute is an organic gourmet raw vegan cafe with plenty of options. The founder, Cherie Soria chooses only the freshest organic ingredients possible to make up the cafe's carefully selected menu items. The Institute itself can be found at 301-B North Main Street, Fort Bragg, California, 95437 and this is also home to the wonderful cafe as well as many culinary events and specialized classes. This is a great opportunity to taste some wonderful organic raw vegan creations and learn to create some as well!

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