Ok, so there’s no such thing as a naturally sweet version of chia seeds. But anything becomes sweet when you mix it with a couple dates, right? That’s what we have here. 
First off, what is chia? Though chia seeds can be traced to Central & South America, they are now grown in other parts of the world. This ancient food has been used for centuries in several cultures for its numerous health benefits.
What are the health benefits of chia seeds?
- These tiny little seeds pack a mean punch when it comes to antioxidants and omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.
- Extremely high fiber: 16 grams in a 2 tablespoonful serving!
- Surprisingly high in protein: 8 grams and highly bio-available (easy for your body to use)
- Chia seeds contribute to healthy cholesterol levels
- Good for digestion and aids regularity
- Support the immune system
Please note this recipe is more of a general guideline, so please make your own adjustments as you see fit.
In a bowl, use a fork or spoon to gently mix together the following:
-
8-10 raw almonds*, chopped
- 2 heaping tablespoons raw sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoons ground chia seeds (can be bought ground up already, sometimes called Chia Bran)
- 2 raw dates, sliced into smallish pieces
- 1-2 tablespoons flax seed oil (raw, chilled, organic)
Optional:
- 1 tablespoon raw agave nectar
- if you have it, 1 tablespoon raw, expellar-pressed extra virgin coconut oil
*Raw almonds should be soaked for 12-24 hours in clean water, then rinsed. This releases the enzyme inhibitors and makes them much easier to digest. Sunflower seeds only need to be soaked for a couple hours, then rinsed. Whatever you are soaking, cover the container with a towel or paper towel to keep any flies away. Then store whatever you’re not going to use in the fridge (in fresh water that gets changed daily).
This makes a great (oily) trail mix or granola type snack with generous quantities of protein, healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins, and natural sugar for energy. These high levels of good fats are especially beneficial for athletes in training or as a part of any strength training program.
Refrigerate what you don’t eat right away.
You can pour cold water or coconut water over the top for a cereal-type breakfast in the morning. Because water is not as sweet, some banana slices or a few blueberries/strawberries make a nice addition.
The agave nectar makes it perfectly sweet, but because its glycemic index isn’t as low as everyone once thought, you might explore various fruit combos to sweeten it, like the dates, bananas, berries, etc. (The lower a food’s glycemic index or glycemic load, the less it affects blood sugar and insulin levels.)
This naturally sweet snack takes just a few minutes to make, fills you up, and provides sustained energy for work and play. Find your perfect blend and you’ll be ready to take on the world!