Ch-ch-ch-chia!
I’m sure you remember the catchy commercial for chia pets from the 80s/90s. It’s the pottery that grows, a fun novelty item that comes in the shapes of an elephant, troll, Micky mouse, Kermit the frog, Homer Simpson, and lots more.
The tiny seeds responsible for this fun pet (that you don’t have to take on walks or clean a litterbox!) have been springing up all over health food stores, grocery stores, and in recipes all over the internet from smoothies to pudding.
Chia seeds have a very mild, nutty taste to them, are naturally gluten-free, and are one of the most nutrient-packed superfoods on the plant. They’re easy to digest, reduce inflammation, regulate cholesterol, lower blood pressure (great for heart health!), aid in weight loss, reduce insulin resistance, regulate blood sugar, reduce signs of aging, increase energy levels, benefits hair/skin/nails, aid in detoxification, and MORE!
Chia means “strength” in the Mayan language, and they were known as “runners food” because Aztec, Mayan, and Incan runners and warriors would use them as fuel to give them energy, stamina, and endurance while running long distances or during battle.
If you’ve used a chia pet before, or just gotten chia seeds wet, you’ve probably noticed something special that happens unlike any other seed. When chia seeds are wet, they swell and it looks like there’s gel around the seeds because of the soluble fiber content. Their outer shell can absorb over 10x its weight in liquid! This makes them filling and satisfying.
Getting your seeds wet first is also very helpful for another important reason. Like all grains and seeds, chia seeds contain compounds called phytates (enzyme inhibitors) which interfere with the body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients. This is the reason many ancient cultures soaked and fermented them before eating them.
Luckily, the process of soaking, sprouting or fermenting grains and seeds releases the phytate content and makes them much easier to digest so your body can then access the dense nutrients inside the seeds. I personally always want to get the most out of the nutritious foods I eat, because if not, it’s like I’m not getting credit for eating them!
So let’s get back to chia pets – and why you should eat them. By now I’m hoping it’s becoming obvious 😊
When you think about it, a chia pet is a figurine made out of terra cotta clay (the same as most flower pots) and is covered with chia seeds that you sprout into hair or fur. Those sprouts are just chia seeds that have been soaked (so the phytates have been released), pack a powerful nutritional punch, and are so tiny and tender, you can add them to any food and hardly even know there are there – or just eat them right off of your plant!
Also once sprouted, you get the added benefit of chlorophyll (the source of the “green” of the leaf). Chlorophyll is a powerful blood cleanser and blood builder. It replenishes and increases our red blood cell count and increases the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen and deliver us increased levels of oxygen. BONUS nutrients for the win!
Now I know you’re just dying to eat a chia pet!
Either snag a traditional one online or get crafty and make your own, and get sprouting. You’ll be enjoying nutrient-loaded little sprouts in no time.
**I do want to point out, if you have chia pet seeds lying around from an old holiday gift or late night Amazon Prime purchase, it’s not a good idea to use them. The Joseph Enterprises VP (the company that brought us the chia pet) said in an interview that the chia seeds that come with the pets aren’t cleaned well and don’t go through the same FDA compliance process as the ones sold for eating. Instead, get these chia seeds to use instead.
