HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE - ANOTHER SUPERFOOD

From time to time Janice has discussed superfoods on the blog. Today she’s back with another. -- AP

When I say chia seeds, what do you immediately think of? Chia pets, right? Those ubiquitous gag gifts that pop up on TV commercials and store shelves every December are the butt of many a joke.

What’s not a joke, though, is the chia seed. The nearly flavorless chia seed is packed with omega-3 fatty acids for your heart and almost 10 grams of fiber per two tablespoons. When it absorbs water in your stomach, it expands by sixteen times in volume, making you feel full without feeling bloated.

So what can you use chia seeds in? Just about everything:

Mix them into a scrambled egg
Soak them in milk and add to cereal
Add to salad dressings
Use as a thickening agent in soups
Sprinkle over pasta
Mix with peanut butter
Add to yogurt
Blend into smoothies
Add to barbecue sauce for basting
Add to brown rice
Add to ground beef for meatballs
Sprout the seeds and use in salads
Add to cookie dough

You can also find lots of recipes online for chia seeds.

A food that’s good for you and helps you lose weight? Now that’s a superfood!

Who knew? Okay, readers, I’m off to the health food store for a pack of chia seeds. How about you? -- AP