Chia Seeds

I am always on the look out for nutrient boosters. My husband has been told by his doctor to make sure that he takes his multi vitamins etc. because the Coeliac disease may impair his absorption of nutrients and his dietitian has told him that losing all gluten products from his diet can lead to not getting enough fibre and some nutrients. But he doesn't always take the vitamins and fibre, to be honest I could say that he never takes the vitamins and fibre. If I can add vitamins and fibre to the foods I prepare then he is getting the added nutrients without the inconvenience of swallowing 10 multi vitamins and fibre tablets a day. When I read about Chia seeds I immediately scoured the shelves at Woolworths to find them.

There they were in the health food section, a bag of micro tiny seeds. The packet cost about $7 and at the time I thought - these better be good for this price! I was surprised though. I added these little seeds to all my cooking - casseroles, stews, muffins and cakes. We didn't really notice them at all. They had no flavour and they only sometimes were obvious ( as micro popcorn!). I have since learned to soak them first so they turn to a gel but I don't do this with everything I cook just where I don't want them to be obvious in the mix. The packet of seeds, although small has gone a very long way and you wouldn't even realise that I have used the seed in everything for the past 2 weeks. When I say everything - I put about 1/4 cup in cake and muffin recipes and about 2 tablespoons in stews and casseroles ( I don't want the seeds to thicken the mix too much). Clint has even put a tablespoon of the seeds on his cereal (when he remembers!), and has not noticed any change in the cereal taste just a little more crunchy. Considering how he complains that gluten free cereals have no taste anyway, the slight nutty crunchy flavour should enhance his breakfast cereal!

Websites worth reading about Chia seeds:
http://www.naturalnews.com/022780.html
http://www.coeliacsociety.com.au/downloads/Endorse%20-%20Manufacturers.pdf
http://www.mendosa.com/blog/?p=233