The Chia Seed-Giveaway

*Winner Announced*

Congratulations to Alicia!  Her comment was randomly chosen as the winner of the Chia Seeds!

I can’t wait to try all of your suggestions!  Thanks so much for entering!

The first thing that pops in your head when you hear the word Chia is what?

Of course it’s the same thing that first comes to my mind, too…..ch, ch, ch, chia…..and we wonder what Chia Pet would we ‘grow’ if we decide to order one from the infamous Chia Pet commercial.

But did you know that this Chia Seed has been dubbed as Nature’s Superfood?  According to The Chia Company, Chia seeds were:

Originally grown in South America, Chia seeds were first used as food as early as 3500 BC and were one of the main dietary components of the Aztecs and the Mayans.

Chia seeds were eaten as a grain, drunk as a beverage when mixed with water, ground into flour, included in medicines, pressed for oil and used as a base for face and body paints.

Chia is the Mayan word for strength. The seeds were used by these ancient cultures as mega-energy food, by their running messengers, who would carry a small pouch with them.

This is fascinating to me!  I wish I would have known about Chia seeds during our recent Carnival cruise and excursion to the Mayan Ruins and I would have definitely asked our Mayan tour guide about them!

Did you also know that the Chia is the richest plant based source of Omega 3, dietary fiber, protein and antioxidants?

Here are a few nutritional facts about this Superfood.  In a 15 gram (or about 1/2 ounce) serving the Chia seeds contains:

Calories:  66
Total Fat:  4.7 g {which includes 2.9 g of Omega 3 fats-the fats that are good for you}
Sodium:  45 mg
Potassium:  75 mg
Cholesterol:  0
Fiber:  5.6 g {22% of the daily value}
Protein:  3.1 g-an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and blood
Calcium:  75 mg–ensures strong bones and teeth as well as the proper functioning of neuromuscular and cardiac function
Iron:  1 mg–is a component of a number of proteins, most importantly haemoglobin which transports oxygen to tissues throughout the body, in particular from the lungs to the muscles and other organs
Magnesium:  43.5 mg–aids in the body’s absorption of calcium and also plays a key role in the strength and formation of bones and teeth. Magnesium is also vital for maintaining a healthy heart by stabilising heart rhythm and helping prevent abnormal blood clotting
Phosphorus:  90 mg–supplies the body with phosphate, and phosphate is a main component of bone structure. Phosphorus is necessary to maximise the benefits of calcium and can also help maintain the health of the kidneys and regulate fluid levels in the body

That’s crazy numbers!  So in just a three teaspoon serving, you’re getting a jam packed dose of what I agree to be a Superfood!

Now, let’s talk more about antioxidants.

antioxidant:   substance that inhibits oxidation, esp. one used to counteract the deterioration of stored food products.• a substance such as vitamin C or E that removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism.

In other words, there are what’s called Free Radicals in our body that is believed to cause aging, tissue damage and possibly disease.  Antioxidants work against those Free Radicals and help prevent the damage they cause.

Here is a chart from The Chia Co regarding the amount of antioxidants found in Chia seeds.

Are you convinced yet?

Now you may be asking “how do I use Chia seeds?”  Well, I’m glad you asked!  The answer to that is “pretty much anything”.  🙂

Since receiving my Chia seeds in the mail, I’ve sprinkled them on my oatmeal and salads, and have added them to my protein shakes.  There virtually have no taste, but I do notice the added texture.  Also, Chia seeds can absorb up to 12 times their weight in water.  And when moisture is added to the seeds, a gel coating is formed around the seed that is mostly composed of fluid and fiber which slowly releases water into the body over time….which in turn keeps you hydrated and fuller for a longer period of time!

Oh be still the pitter patter of my heart!  I can hear you telling me to get a life right now!  😉

Okay…here’s the fun part.  I’m going to give away a bag of Chia seeds for you to try yourself!

To participate in the contest you must like The More I Run on Facebook. 

I’ll wait for ya.

Done?  Good.  Now you’re ready to enter.

To enter the contest, simply leave a comment on this post telling me how you would use Chia seeds if you won.

You may enter (comment) a second time by blogging, tweeting or facebooking about this contest and leave that url in your comment.

Tweet this:  I entered the @TheChiaCompany #Chiaseed giveaway from @themoreirun (and include this post link in your tweet-here’s the shortened link:  http://wp.me/p1kadh-141).

One winner will be chosen at random on February 29 at 6 pm (cst) to receive your very own bag of Chia seeds from The Chia Company!  Woo Hoo!

Ch Ch Ch Chia!!

*Contest is open to U.S. residents only as prize will only be shipped within the U.S.