Food & Drink Health

Chia Fresca

This drink is so easy to make I don’t think it requires a recipe card;) I love chia drinks they are super yummy and healthy. Right now Meyer Lemons are in season and the weather is warm, so it’s my go to refreshment/health drink.

According to nutritional information on my seeds 1 heaping tablespoon provides 2.7 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat (57% of which is alpha-linolenic acid), 5 grams of fiber, plus a ton of essential minerals.

I first heard about chia from my Mom and then read more about them in the book Born to Run. After reading Born to Run I went out and bought my first pound of chia and started experimenting. I love to make hibiscus lime coolers in the summer and put a couple tablespoons in almond flour drop biscuits. I also like to make a night time snack out of them that I call pudding, but it’s really not.

Chia Fresca
makes about 5 cups

3 meyer lemons (you can use any juice)
4 cups of water
¼ cup of honey or sweetener of choice
¼ chia seeds

Mix the lemon, water, and sugar together. Whisk chia seeds and refrigerate for 30 min, until chilled. Stir before serving, then serve over ice.

Chia Fresca
makes one serving

juice from half to whole a meyer lemon
12 oz of water
1 TB of chia seeds
sweeten to taste. I use 6 drops of stevia, but you can use honey or sugar.

Blend together lemon juice, water, sweetener. Stir seeds into water and let soak for a couple of minutes. Stir again. Pour over ice.

I buy my chia seeds from Amazon. 

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6 Comments

  • Reply
    blake
    January 31, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    Been meaning to ping you again on IG for more deets, but here they are 🙂 I've been putting chia in our homemade granola blend, not really knowing exactly *why* it's a good idea, but "knowing" all the same… thanks for giving me the actual data. I've been trying to make up my mind about the gelatinous quality of damp chia seeds… perhaps I should embrace it? Is it healthier to eat soaked chia?

  • Reply
    Desi McKinnon
    January 31, 2012 at 12:13 PM

    Blake I don't think the soaking makes them healthier necessarily. I do know that soaking them makes them super hydrating and easier to assimilate, so if you need that then I guess it's better. I think it's like all healthy stuff, if you will do it and you like the flavor/texture then do that.

  • Reply
    blake
    January 31, 2012 at 1:07 PM

    Thanks Desi. You are a font of info 🙂 I can definitely imagine some days (not today; see bundled up photo of the day) when hydrating via chia seed would be just the ticket. I'm hoping you'll post about the "pudding" too? Interesting.

  • Reply
    Natalie (Fashion Intel)
    February 1, 2012 at 8:01 AM

    I too love chia and your recipe sounds super tasty! I'm happy to see so many people picking up on chia as it is so healthy and easy to prep. Cute photo too.

  • Reply
    180|360
    February 1, 2012 at 11:36 AM

    I'm kind of new to the chia seed thing. My mom puts them in her oatmeal and I've had the Kombucha with them and love that. This sounds intriguing. Will have to try it.

  • Reply
    Patricia Ann
    February 1, 2012 at 7:01 PM

    Ooh! This drink is like the cooler, younger sister of lemonade who loved to travel. 🙂

    I've never heard of chia seeds before but they look oddly similar to poppy seeds.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Patricia Ann
    http://www.theshapesofthings.com

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