Today: Totally jamming. {a chia giveaway}
[tweetmeme source=”elizabethev” only_single=false]If I know anything about chia, it’s these two things:
- Without it, there would be many a bald chia pet.
- Those little seeds pack some major punch.
After doing some research Googling, I can’t help but wonder why we don’t sprinkle chia onto everything we eat. The benefits seem to be endless. Sure, they may get stuck in between our two front teeth right before meetings (why didn’t anyone tell me?), but those mighty little seeds serve as an excellent plant-based source of fiber, protein, Omega 3 and antioxidants. Chia is a gluten-free whole grain that can be eaten raw, and incorporated into virtually every meal. The Chia Company’s website boasts a variety of chia recipes, including drinks, soups, baked goods and desserts. Like flax seed, chia seed can be used as an egg substitute. It can be sprinkled onto Greek yogurt, salads, and soups or baked into your favorite granola recipe (I’ll share mine later this week).
While breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, it’s also my least favorite. I find I am always rushing out the door on weekdays, and then rushing back in the door because I’ve forgotten my lunch, my keys, and 13 other things. The last thing on my mind is a nutrient-rich, tasty breakfast. The weekends, however, provide the perfect time to up the ante a bit, and put a little thought into my morning meal. On Sunday, I surveyed the contents of our cabinets and fridge, while ripping open a bag of white chia seeds (I advise caution, unless you like decorating with super foods). With a quart of raspberries and a few blood oranges left at the end of the week, Bob Marley played in the background, inspiration struck and I knew it was time to jam.
Raspberry, blood orange and chia seed jam
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of raspberries, rinsed and patted dry
- 2 medium blood orange, peeled
- 1/2 cup of chia seeds
- 1/4 cup of water
- 1 packet of Truvia
Directions:
- Puree the raspberries and blood orange in a food processor, or crush with a fork.
- Mix in chia and water, and stir until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Add 1 packet of Truvia, or a natural sweetener of your choice (honey, agave nectar).
- Allow the jam to thicken, by storing covered in the refrigerator for several hours.
- Enjoy as a topping for oatmeal, or a spread for toast, bagels or waffles.
This recipe yielded two small jars worth of jam, perfect for a week’s worth of breakfasts.
I feel a bit like Oprah today, not because I am gagillionaire, but because I am giving away not one, not two, but six packages of Australian grown chia from The Chia Company, courtesy of the nice people at GNC. You get some black and white chia sheets, and you get some black and white chia seeds, and you get some black and white chia seeds!
That’s right. Six of you will receive tw0 10-serving bags of chia (one bag of black chia seeds, one bag of white chia seeds). This giveaway will close at 6 PM on Friday, February 24th. I will announce six randomly-selected winners shortly thereafter. To enter, please leave a comment below. For an additional entry, please feel free to tweet the following, and leave a second comment… so that I don’t space out and miss your tweet:
Want to win @TheChiaCompany chia from
@GNCLiveWell and @ElizabethEv? #livewellnow #fitfluential http://wp.me/pySBS-1qO
Full disclosure: GNC is the exclusive retailer of The Chia Co. products in the United States. As a FitFluential Ambassador, I received complimentary product from GNC, but I was not compensated for this post, nor for hosting this giveaway. I enjoy this product and I think you will too. 🙂
Also On Tap for Today:
- Boxing drills and grocery shopping
- This is exactly what I need: 10 brilliant breakfasts
- Secretly subtracting and adding items to our registry… muhahaha
What’s your favorite way to give your meals a nutritional boost? Are you a chia fan?
Comments (109)
Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb
February 21, 2012 at 1:18 pm
I am totally digging chia seeds but need to venture out a bit more. Definitely need to try to jam!
Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb
February 21, 2012 at 1:19 pm
Tweeted!
eatingforexcellence
February 21, 2012 at 1:30 pm
I LOVE chia! The perfect thing to add to some oatmeal. Yum!
eatingforexcellence
February 21, 2012 at 1:31 pm
I also tweeted 🙂
Kelly R
February 21, 2012 at 1:35 pm
I keep hearing about chia sees, but haven’t tried them yet! That jam looks delish!
Kendall
February 21, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Big fan of chia! Ever since reading about it in “Born to Run”. I agree with you, why isn’t this stuff in everything?
In Sweetness and In Health
February 21, 2012 at 1:42 pm
Ok, I’ve never tried chia and I really want to!!!
In Sweetness and In Health
February 21, 2012 at 1:43 pm
I tweeted!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen
February 21, 2012 at 1:53 pm
Wow. I’ve yet to make chia seed jam…but now I definitely want to. 🙂 [If I had free chia seeds then I’d REALLY want to…]
Amy Tolbert
February 21, 2012 at 1:55 pm
I have never tried Chia seeds.
Athena @ Fitness & Feta
February 21, 2012 at 2:04 pm
I’ve actually never tried Chia seeds before but have been dying to!
Athena @ Fitness & Feta
February 21, 2012 at 2:07 pm
I tweeted about the giveaway!
Jessica @ Dairy Free Betty
February 21, 2012 at 2:13 pm
I don’t know if it’s open to us Canadian folks, but if so I’d be one happy Canuck! I love chia seeds, I use them pretty much every day!!
Elizabeth
February 21, 2012 at 2:16 pm
I’d be happy to ship to you, Jess! (And any other Canadian, too… obvi.) Best of luck! xo
Kyle
February 21, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Great giveaway! I’ve never tried chia seeds and have been meaning to (especially after reading Born to Run!). Thanks for this!
Ryane
February 21, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Cha cha cha CHIA!
Cellabella
February 21, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Yay for your giveaway! I still haven’t had a chance to try chia seeds and would love to. I’d like to make your jam recipe too 🙂
Brandi
February 21, 2012 at 2:30 pm
I have been wanting to try chia seeds for awhile, especially in my oatmeal and to make chis eggs!
margaret
February 21, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Chia seeds. Chia pets, they’ll make you grow strong 🙂
Lindsay
February 21, 2012 at 2:50 pm
I love mixing chia in my oatmeal or overnight oats…it gives it such a better texture!
Rachel @ Runner’s Tales
February 21, 2012 at 2:54 pm
I love to mix chia seeds in with my Greek yogurt and granola for breakfast.
Rachel @ Runner’s Tales
February 21, 2012 at 3:04 pm
Tweeted!
Mattie @ Comfy and Confident
February 21, 2012 at 3:15 pm
I tweeted!
Mattie @ Comfy and Confident
February 21, 2012 at 3:15 pm
I have never had chia but i see it all over the place and I really want to try it.
Tricia
February 21, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Would love to try these!
fitknitchick
February 21, 2012 at 3:43 pm
I’ve just started including chia in my diet; I resisted for a long time, probably due to the television commercials of my childhood.
Now I add it to everything!
Would love to win more (save me running to the grocery store, again!)
fitknitchick
February 21, 2012 at 3:43 pm
I tweeted your give-away too!
Nikki
February 21, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Love Chia seeds! I put them in smoothies and baked goods. I just recently ran out so this is a perfect time to maybe win some more!
Melanie A.
February 21, 2012 at 4:29 pm
i am a huge fan of chia seeds, but am about to run out of my beloved stash! i make chia protein puddings with protein powder, chia seeds, almond milk, cinnamon, nuts (or coconut flakes), and dried fruit. great mid-morning snack! thanks for the giveaway!
Bonnie
February 21, 2012 at 5:24 pm
What a great giveaway! Been trying out chia in the last 8 months or so…love it, and I’m almost out! A giveaway would be perfect to win right now! 😉 Thanks!
Kindal Boyle
February 21, 2012 at 5:30 pm
It’s been tweeted! I love chia, I’ve been eating them on salads, in shakes, and baking them into my muffins and stuff too. I just found out about them about 2 months ago and quickly fell in love.
Bonnie
February 21, 2012 at 5:34 pm
Just tweeted! (@bonnielang) BTW, love the recipe above – looks delish & love the flavors!
betterwithveg
February 21, 2012 at 5:57 pm
That recipe looks amazing – I’ve never made my own jam, I’m inspired!! I love chia seeds, I’ve been throwing them into the mix of my smoothies recently and they are a great addition.
Heather @ Better With Veggies
February 21, 2012 at 5:58 pm
And I just tweeted about the giveaway (@betterwithveg)!
Kirsten
February 21, 2012 at 6:31 pm
I need me some chia in my life!
Kirsten
February 21, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Tweeted @kcaptures
Miss Sensuous
February 21, 2012 at 6:45 pm
I adore Chia Seeds! I have my daily dose every morning with my muesli and can’t imagine life without it! I think it’s quite nifty that they’re virtually taste-less, perfect for fussy children….
Thank you for hosting this lovely giveaway.
Miss Sensuous
February 21, 2012 at 6:46 pm
Just tweeted about this competition – @MissSensuous
Leslie
February 21, 2012 at 7:51 pm
I love adding chia seeds to overnight oats!
Darbi
February 21, 2012 at 8:19 pm
I love Chia in my oatmeal for breakfast!
Emily @ A Cambridge Story
February 21, 2012 at 9:31 pm
I have been curious about chia seeds for a while – would love to try them out!
Ashley
February 21, 2012 at 9:40 pm
I love Chia seeds in my smoothies and cereals! Makes everything tastier.
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean
February 21, 2012 at 10:32 pm
yum! love chia. i’ve been meaning to try making jam. i always add them to by granola bars!
Nancy @Real Food Allergy Free
February 21, 2012 at 10:33 pm
This is brilliant! I would never have thought of chia jam. Thanks for sharing my chia egg replacement. I would love for you to share your jam at allergy-free Wednesdays
http://www.realfoodallergyfree.com/category/allergy-free-wednesdays/
Eliana
February 21, 2012 at 11:03 pm
Chia seeds in Greek yogurt is one of my favorite snacks!
Aditi Naik
February 21, 2012 at 11:15 pm
I am slowly getting into adding chia seeds to my breakfasts! I am really enjoying them in my greek yogurt parfait things in the morning!
Colette
February 21, 2012 at 11:45 pm
LOVE chia seeds! And great to see a new way of using them!
Colette
February 21, 2012 at 11:46 pm
Tweeted!
Rachael @ Passing Daisies
February 22, 2012 at 1:03 am
This sounds great! I would love to win!
Rachael @ Passing Daisies
February 22, 2012 at 1:03 am
Tweeted!
Halley (Blunder Construction)
February 22, 2012 at 10:13 am
I love chia seeds! I eat them every single day in my oatmeals and love to put them in smoothies too. Fun giveaway!
Lindsey
February 22, 2012 at 10:46 am
I’ve been dying to try chia seeds!
Lindsey
February 22, 2012 at 10:46 am
I tweeted 🙂
Angela
February 22, 2012 at 11:49 am
I have never actually tried Chia, but have been looking into it, and this recipe looks delicious!
Tracey c
February 22, 2012 at 12:07 pm
I LOVE chia seeds and will be trying this jam! Looks yummy.
Ashleigh
February 22, 2012 at 12:35 pm
I tried Chia seeds once and they were good.. I would love to win some and do some experimenting!
Tory Marvin
February 22, 2012 at 12:51 pm
I just recently received my first bag of chia seeds but haven’t ventured any farther than sprinkling them on my morning bowl of oatmeal. I’m excited to go ahead and try them in lots of new ways, though. I would’ve never even considered using them as an egg replacement – that will definitely make the list of way to try them!
BillieJean
February 22, 2012 at 2:06 pm
The Chia seed jam recipe sounds DE-lish! The only thing I have tried with Chia seeds so far is pudding, didn’t turn out too well :(, and in baking, which worked great! I hope I can come across some more recipes to use them 😀
BillieJean
February 22, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Tweeted 🙂 https://twitter.com/#!/billiejeanie327/status/172380737297854465
Liz
February 22, 2012 at 4:34 pm
I have been curious about chia for quite some time now! Hope I win!!
Alli
February 22, 2012 at 6:16 pm
I’ve been meaning to try chia seeds for a while, that jam sounds awesome!
Alli
February 22, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Tweeted
Tina
February 22, 2012 at 6:28 pm
I love chia seeds, especially in oatmeal!
Tina
February 22, 2012 at 6:29 pm
I tweeted! 🙂
kia
February 22, 2012 at 6:30 pm
I love the texture chia adds to everything.
Jess
February 22, 2012 at 6:37 pm
I am DYING to try chia seeds!!!
Ashley @ My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries
February 22, 2012 at 6:37 pm
i would LOVE to win some chia!! i’d pretty much use it on anything and everything! my favorite ways to use it are in smoothies and oatmeal.
Ashley @ My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries
February 22, 2012 at 6:38 pm
i tweeted!
Audra H
February 22, 2012 at 7:12 pm
I would love to try them- sound awesome!
Robyn @ Blueberries and Oats
February 22, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Chia jam!? Brilliant idea!
Robyn @ Blueberries and Oats
February 22, 2012 at 7:37 pm
Also tweeted
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes
February 22, 2012 at 8:10 pm
Woohoo! My favorite thing to do with Chia is make jam too!
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes
February 22, 2012 at 8:12 pm
Tweeted! Oh boy I’m hoping for some Chia 🙂
Jules @La Petite Maison Verte
February 22, 2012 at 8:40 pm
I love Chias! I’m always looking for new ways to use them too – if I had a big old bag of them I could try lots of new ideas!
Jules @La Petite Maison Verte
February 22, 2012 at 8:40 pm
And I tweeted 🙂
meghan
February 22, 2012 at 9:02 pm
I would love the chance to try these. I’ve been wanting some after reading about them on several blogs!
meghan
February 22, 2012 at 9:04 pm
I also tweeted about the giveaway!
https://twitter.com/#!/lttlegrlbigwrld/status/172484428159909888
Marie
February 22, 2012 at 9:11 pm
I love chia seeds in everything…oatmeal, eggs and especially my smoothies! That jam looks SO good…I will try that!
Abby
February 22, 2012 at 9:16 pm
I’ve yet to get crazy with the chia and stick with it in my oatmeal and Greek yogurt, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t had them stuck in my front teeth a million times. I would love some free tooth decorations and might get more creative if I got them for free. Otherwise, oats and yogurt it is!
Nicole F.
February 22, 2012 at 9:38 pm
That chia jam looks amazing! I also really need to try creating chia pudding.
Amber
February 22, 2012 at 11:00 pm
Thank you for sharing your recipe on AFW! Be sure to check back next week for reader favorites and hostess picks.
Be Well,
–AFW Hostesses
fitinthemidwest
February 22, 2012 at 11:43 pm
Love chia seeds! I just had some in my greek yogurt tonight after I got home from the gym.
fitinthemidwest
February 22, 2012 at 11:43 pm
I tweeted about the giveaway.
mary
February 23, 2012 at 12:02 am
Just tweeted. Love Chia, just made some chia power balls
Charliss
February 23, 2012 at 9:20 am
I’ve never tried them, but would love to!
Charliss
February 23, 2012 at 9:23 am
and tweeted!
Elizabeth
February 23, 2012 at 12:17 pm
Definitely a chia fan. The Fresh Pond Whole Foods was sampling a chia seed juice last month that was pretty awesome, it was almost like jell-o. By the way, I chuckled at the Oprah reference “YOU get some, and YOU get some”
Today: It’s good to live by the ocean. «
February 23, 2012 at 12:29 pm
[…] There’s still time to jam win chia […]
Tonya Hancock
February 23, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Ch-ch-ch-chia!! Please enter me in the contest to WIN the b&w chia seeds!
Tonya
Taryn
February 23, 2012 at 12:36 pm
LOVE chia seeds! I have them in my oatmeal every day for breakfast, but haven’t explored other ways to use them. I’m loving your jam idea too so I might have to give that a try. This is my kinda giveaway!
Taryn
February 23, 2012 at 12:36 pm
I also tweeted 🙂
Tonya Hancock
February 23, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Tweet complete
Ch-ch-ch-chia (I just cannot help saying that)!
lindsey
February 23, 2012 at 1:26 pm
Ooh I SO want to try chia seeds after that recipe!
Sleep, Eat, Gym, Repeat.
February 23, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Tweeted! I’m in the Boston area too and teach at Recycle. Stop by sometime for a class! Love your blog 🙂
Elizabeth
February 23, 2012 at 5:08 pm
I’ve heard such great things about Recycle! Will definitely stop in soon. 🙂
Sandra
February 23, 2012 at 2:21 pm
I’ve been hearing about these Chia Seeds all over the web! I would love to try!
Caitlin McGlynn
February 23, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Love to try this recipe
Caitlin McGlynn
February 23, 2012 at 6:00 pm
I tweeted about the giveaway
Amanda
February 23, 2012 at 6:40 pm
I would love to win some chia. I am just learning to use it but I live it as an egg substitute!
Amanda
February 23, 2012 at 6:43 pm
Love it, not live 😉
Amanda
February 23, 2012 at 6:42 pm
Tweeted (@amethystjean)
Stephanie
February 24, 2012 at 12:00 am
I’ve never actually tried Chia seeds. But it seems like the next big thing for healthy people! I’d love to try them out 🙂
Stephanie
February 24, 2012 at 12:03 am
Oh, P.S. I tweeted about your giveaway 🙂 (https://twitter.com/#!/StephTheBlogger/status/172893825084305408)
tiffany
February 24, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Sounds interesting. I would love to try it on my Greek yogurt.
Heidi
February 25, 2012 at 12:43 pm
I’ve been wanting to try chia seeds, so this would be perfect!
Today: Where did cavemen get agave nectar? «
February 27, 2012 at 10:36 pm
[…] 1/2 cup of chia seeds (I dipped into my GNC stash) […]
colourfulpalatedotcom
February 29, 2012 at 11:45 pm
I love adding it to my oatmeal! It’s awesome stuff!
colourfulpalatedotcom
February 29, 2012 at 11:46 pm
Tweeted!
Ninfa Ebright
November 2, 2012 at 11:56 am
I really like to munch chia seeds just for the vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that i can get from it. –
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