Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Organic Chia Seeds Review & Giveaway



I had never thought of chia seeds before (besides the Chia Pet) but I'm looking for different healthy foods to ease my way into new recipes.  Just the other day Benny said he wanted me to cook something different.  So the opportunity to try chia seeds falls in at the right time.

I received Chia Seeds GOLD™ - 100% Organic (2 pound bag) by NutriGold for free in exchange for my review.  Since this is my first experience with chia seeds I've been scouring Pinterest trying to find what I can add them to or simple recipes I can make.

Most of the time I'd add them to my yogurt or oatmeal.


I tried twice to make chia pudding using a simple recipe but neither time did the pudding solidify.

Austin has been wanting me to buy apple butter but perhaps I can make it with chia seeds in the crockpot during the week (so he doesn't know the seeds are there).





 I found a simple Chia Jam in the BodyPeace book.

 
 
I used an apple as my fruit.  I cut it up and put it in the microwave for a minute.  Since I don't have a food processor I used my mini chopper...it seemed to take forever!  I didn't measure the honey but added it little by little.
 
 
How the red apple made green jam...I don't know.
 
I mixed the jam in a bowl with about 2 tbsp. of peanut butter.
 
 

I still wanted something more substantial so I added a yellow container amount of oatmeal.  I did add water to it but never warmed it up in the microwave.


It tasted a little too sweet once everything was mixed together.  I have a bunch of frozen fruit and cans of pineapple I can try next.


75 comments :

  1. I love throwing em' into smoothies or making "pudding" with it! :]

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    1. I've thought about the smoothie route but it's just too cold to have one!

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  2. I love chia. I put them in my smoothies, yogurt and oatmeal. I've made a chia pudding dessert as well and love it!! You found some great idea here! I also love to make a drink with it by putting it in juice!

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  3. Too funny I keep thinking of the little chia pets too! I actually haven't tried them but lots of my friends love them.

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  4. I like to add them to my protein drinks

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  5. I've never tried chia. I've been getting sandwich wraps made with flax seed but I haven't discovered chia yet.

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  6. I like chia seed pudding in almond milk! So yummy!

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  7. I usually just go the yogurt route too, but I think I am going to try the chia jam that you posted. Thanks for the ideas.

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    1. You're welcome! Just adds that little punch to yogurt.

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  8. I usually add mine to yogurt or oatmeal too, so easy and a great way to add nutrients to my meals/snacks! My son loves them in his yogurt too, which I am calling a huge win since he is so picky these days!

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  9. Love chia seeds! I use them in overnight oats!

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  10. I have been wanting to try Chia seeds for awhile! But I've been having trouble finding it in my local grocery store! I have read so many health benefits to chia...it's not just for novelty gifts anymore!

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    1. Not all my Kroger's carry chia seeds; it just depends on the neighborhood.

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  11. What a fun and easy recipe! I must try with some fresh blackberries I have at home. Mixed with some Nuttzo??? YUM! #growyourbloghop

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    1. I had some mixed fruit in the freezer leftover from the summer smoothies and I purchased some strawberries as well as a berry mix when I went to the store this weekend. All to try different jams or what not LOL

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  12. We looove chia in our house! One random thing we do with it is sprinkle it on kale before putting the kale in the oven to make kale chips!

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    1. That's an interesting thing to do with the chia. I wouldn't think that it'd stick to the kale.

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  13. I have been meaning to try chia seeds for quite some time now!

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  14. I want to like chia seeds... I am ok if they are in things like energy bars/baked things but I am not that keen on them in puddings and jams. It is a texture/stuck in my teeth problem. Thanks for the ideas!

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    1. I have the teeth issue too that's why I'm trying to find other ways to use the seeds.

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  15. I like using chia seeds in making no-bake energy bars, I keep experimenting with new ideas. I also like using chia seeds in smoothies - I make the drinks up the night before and gives the chia seeds time to expand - and so good and filling!

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    1. I'm always looking for no-bake recipes, especially in the summer.

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  16. I haven't tried chia seeds before but I've seen the a lot lately in different recipes. I'm going to have to try them one of these days.

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    1. When you taste them they bring an interesting texture.

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  17. ooh...I really love chia seeds. They are fabulous to throw in your morning oatmeal or an afternoon smoothie

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  18. I've never made anything with chia seeds but have had them in smoothies, bars and fruit blends. They are pretty tasty and add a nice texture!

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  19. Love chia seeds! I put them in smoothies, salads, bars, cookies, you name it. They are so good for you, I try to add them to everything! Have fun experimenting!

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  20. Love chia seeds! I add them to my oatmeal, smoothies, cookies etc! So good for you. Great giveaway, thanks.

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  21. In the past I've usually added seeds to yogurt mixed with fruit. I find them very difficult to eat on their own though because of their unique texture.

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    1. I read it can be painful to eat them on their own. I If they're not soaked enough they will expand in your stomach/bowels and be hard to pass.

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  22. I add it to overnight oats, smoothies, Shakeology, on salads, in meatloaf, etc.

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    1. I haven't had a meatloaf in years...maybe something I'll try next.

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  23. Chia seeds are such a strange little food. I try to put them in stuff now and then and I don't not like them, but they are kind of strange. They are so crunchy and always get wedged in my teeth. I see tons of gorgeous looking "puddings" all over Instagram and Pinterest, but I haven't been able to create anything that looked so appetizing yet.

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    1. Even when they're mushy they can get stuck in your teeth.

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  24. I love chia! They are such an easy way to squeeze more nutrients into your diet. Majority of the time I add them to smoothies or yogurt.

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  25. You can make a very simple raspberry jam with raspberries, lemon juice and chia seeds. Very good on toast.

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  26. Nice review. I haven't had them often, but I have used them in a few breads before. I hadn't thought of putting them in oatmeal, that is a good idea!!!

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    1. Benny was asking the other day about getting a bread maker. That may be the next thing on my list...

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  27. I haven't been too experimental when it comes to chia seeds but I do use them. I add them to salads and when I make stir frys or fried rice. Great review and suggestions.

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  28. Yummy. I do love adding chia seeds into my recipes. :)

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  29. My mom loves chia seeds and I've tried putting them in my protein shakes but my blender doesn't blend them up that great. I'll have to re-visit them though and try some of these recipes out!

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  30. I like adding chia seeds to smoothies. I've used them as an egg substitute in a cookie recipe before too!

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    1. I read about how to use chia or flax as an egg substitute and got confused. I guess I need to watch a video to understand how to make that work.

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  31. I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one that hasn't had luck making chia pudding at home! I've tried a couple of times with no luck. I just started buying Chia Pods from Whole Foods, which is the same thing, it's just better since they actually seem to know the secret to making it properly!

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one! When I posted that I had problems the responses I got were that they had no problem making the pudding!

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  32. I love making chia pudding and adding it to smoothies and granola!

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    1. I need to find a good granola mix to munch on when I go to the farmer's market.

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  33. I feel like I'm the only person that doesn't like chia seeds. I had them in my My Oatmeal mix and they got slimy and stuck in my teeth!

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    1. The slimy, sticking in the teeth feeling can be a turn off.

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  34. I have only used chia seeds in smoothies. What great new ideas! Can't wait to try these recipes!

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  35. I have used them for breading on chicken strips! Very healthy alternative.

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  36. I have never eaten chia seeds, but a close friend of mine loves making pudding with them and tells me I need to try it! She says it's like tapioca pudding, which I like. I am a little funny about textures in foods, though, so I'm hesitant.

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  37. I really like tossing chia seeds into my smoothies and in yogurt. I also love this dessert recipe with chia, coconut, coconut milk and mango. It's such an easy and sweet summer treat.

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  38. I have never eaten chia seeds, so I will be excited to win.

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  39. I've never really used chia seeds either...I think I put some in my yogurt once because that's where I was told to put them. lol. I will have to give them another try.

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