Chia Beverage

 Plant Based Milk Alternative ... CHIA

There are many different plant based cow's milk alternatives on the market. When you are deciding which one to purchase, you need to look at the labels to find the right product for you. 

 

A new product in the marketplace is  Chia Milk from Seeds of Wellness. Chia is a powerful superfood which contains vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids, something important for our bodies but missing in many of our diets. 

 

Nutrition 

Let's look at the nutrition of Chia Milk alternative and Almond Milk alternative:

                           CHIA MILK                 ALMOND MILK

CALORIES                31                                         39

PROTEIN              2.4g/serving                       1g/serving

CARBS                 2g/serving                        3.5g/serving

FIBER                 2g/serving                            .5g/serving

FAT                     1.5g/serving                        3g/serving

OMEGA-3            .74g/serving    

Recipes

I enjoy using Chia Milk in my recipes.  When I first started using Chia Milk, I substituted Chia Milk for a portion of the Almond Milk I would use in recipes. I started with 1/4 of a cup then increased slowly until I got to a 50/50 mix. Pictured below is Overnight Oats using Blueberries and a 50/50 mix of Chia Milk/Almond Milk. I based this off my Spirit of Spring Overnight Oats.      

 

Mint and Vegetable Chia Pasta

I am always on the hunt for new recipes and new products that will help me lead a healthy and active lifestyle. I believe that I can stay healthier through the foods I eat and the exercise I am able to get.

 

Try Seeds of Wellness Chia Pasta

I was introduced to chia seeds years ago and have used them in recipes for years. Recently I learned about Seeds of Wellness and Chia Pasta. I enjoy chia pasta! I started by swapping 1/2 of the pasta I prepared with Chia Pasta and have progressed to preparing pasta dishes that are entirely Chia Pasta. 

 

The images shown in this post depict a 1/2 Chia Pasta to 1/2 another brand of gluten free pasta. 

Why Choose Chia Pasta

Chia is an ancient grain that provides antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Chia also contains Omega-3 fatty acids which are not plentiful in many people's daily diets. 

 

Mint and Vegetable Chia Pasta

Ingredients (serves 2)

• Olive Ol or Chia Oil (just enough so nothing sticks to the pan)
• 2 large cloves of garlic (crushed and diced)
• 1/4 cup of onion diced
• 2 cups frozen peas 1/4 cup vegetable broth 
• 1/2 cup diced zucchini
  
• 1 tsp ground pepper
  
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup mint leaves diced 
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Vegan alternative
• 1 cup dry pasta (gluten free pasta or pasta of your choice)
• 1 cup Seeds of Wellness Chia Pasta

NOTE: I like to keep "shape" of pasta similar for visual continuity

 

Instructions:

• Sautee onion and garlic in a pan until translucent
• Add peas
• Once peas begin to soften add 1/2 of the mint and broth
• While the peas are cooking until the water is reduced, boil water for the pasta
• When the water is almost gone, add the pasta with 95% of the water drained
• Stir the pasta into the peas and reduce the liquid
• Add the cheese, pepper, and the rest of the mint. Stir to combine
• Serve ... add a wedge of gluten free bread if you wish. Sprinkle Chia Oil as a finishing touch if you wish.
  

 

Sesame Milk Chia Pudding

Plant Based Milk Alternatives

I have been drinking almond milk for years and have been happy with the taste of the product. What concerns me about almond milk is that it takes ONE GALLON OF WATER to produce JUST ONE NUT. Living in California and experiencing droughts, water restrictions, and fires, I wish to find another plant based milk source that is more sustainable.

Hope & Sesame

A new product, Sesame Milk,  entered the marketplace last year and I just had an opportunity to try it. Hope & Sesame has brought to the marketplace delicious sesame milk in original, original unsweetend, vanilla, chocolate, and chocolate hazelnut flavors. The creamy milk is wonderful. Each flavor is great. I can find a way to use each one...I cannot decide which is my favorite!

Hope & Sesame sesamemilks contain Sesamein, their very own plant-based protein concentrate. An 8 ounce glass of sesame milk contains 8 grams of protein (as much as dairy milk) with less sugar, more Vitamin D, no dairy, and no lactose.

Sesame has many nutritional benefits:

• high in protein
• high in magnesium
• reduces blood pressure
• reduces cholesterol
• boosts heart health
• boosts respiratory health
• prevents cancer
• good for digestion
• good for healthy skin
• relieves arthritis
• protects the liver from alcohol
• prevents wrinkles
• encourages bone health

Sesame Milk provides nutrients including:

• Plant-protein
• Heart- healthy fatty acids
• Calcium
• Iron
• Phosphorus
• Selenium
• Manganese
• Magnesium
• Copper
• B-complex vitamins
• Zinc

Sesame Milk Uses

Drink sesamemilk on its own or use it in recipes. Today I used Chocolate Hazelnut Sesamemilk as my blank canvas and created Chocolate Hazelnut Chia Pudding. Today we ate this is a dessert.

Ingredients:
1 cup Chocolate Hazelnut Sesamemilk
1/8 cup chia seeds (organic if possible)
VARIATIONS: Fresh fruit, seeds, nuts, or granola as a topping (if desired)




Instructions

• Stir the chia seeds in the milk until fully covered with liquid
• Let set in the refrigerator for at least an hour
• Stir to desired consistency ... NOTE: I wanted my chia pudding a bit thicker so I added an additional 1 TBSP of chia seeds at this point, stirred, and let the pudding set for another 30 minutes
• Serve when set or wait a day
• I served both plain and with bananas and coconut ... top based on your flavor/texture preferences

NOTE: This can be served for breakfast or dessert based on presentation/toppings.

Chia Pudding with a Sunwarrior Twist

I modified my Chia Cups recipe to add texture, protein, fiber, and flavor. Why did I make the change you may wonder? One reason is that I am creative and look for new ways to modify tried-and-true recipes! another reason is practical, I was looking for an easy to digest, nutritious, and healthy option for nutrition between my workout and the group fitness classes I was teaching. The chia pudding cups are perfect as they can be packed and taken on-the-go.

To make the dish more satisfying I diced a Sunwarrior Sunwarrior Sol Good Blueberry Protein Bar and added it to the top of of chia. It was the perfect addition of flavor and texture! The bars are tasty on their own, but also a great addition to a dish. They are gluten free, soy free, dairy free, non GMO, vegan , and organic ... which appeals to most consumers. Other flavors include coconut, cinnamon, and salted caramel.