Recipe: Blueberry & Lime Chia Fresca

Chia (Salvia hispanica) is a seed rich in the vegetable pre-formed form of essential fatty acids (EFA) but you need enough of certain nutrients to convert it (fish is a source of the formed animal EFA). It is also a source of soluble fibre and the seed becomes mucilaginous when it contact with water. Many websites make elaborate claims for Chia, however many of these claims are not supported by the scientific literature so unless something is backed up by good research, be careful what you read (1).

Due to Chia’s mucilaginous properties, in cooking and creating recipes Chia can be quite useful. It can aid as an egg replacer (though it won’t have the same nutritional properties as eggs), it can be made into a gel, it can thicken ice creams, puddings and smoothies.

The chia recipe I’m sharing with you today is Chai Fresca. It is a refreshing citrusy drink made with chia. In my version of Chia Fresca i’ve used lime and also added blueberries.

Recipe: Blueberry & Lime Chia Fresca

Alleregen info/recipe info: Chia is gluten-free and dairy-free. This recipe is vegan/vegetarian/paleo friendly.

Ingredients:

1 cup (or more) of water

1/4 lime, juiced

a few blueberries

1/2- 1 Tbps. chia

How to:

Pour the water in a glass and stir in the lime juice. Add the blueberries and chia seeds. And stir the Chia seeds for a few minutes so they do not become lumpy. Enjoy!

Note: The longer the chia sits the thicker the drink will become.

Reference:

1 – http://www.benthamdirect.org/pages/content.php?RRCT/2009/00000004/00000003/0006RRCT

Michelle

Health Food Lover is Michelle Robson-Garth. Michelle is a degree-qualified Naturopath (BHSc) and Massage Therapist. She is also a passionate writer, recipe-creator and all-round foodie from Melbourne, Australia. © Copyright: 2009-2012 Michelle Robson-Garth. Please ask permission first when using any text or images on healthfoodlover.com. Read the disclaimer here. Have a look at the recipe index for more health food lovin’ recipes. Join the Facebook page & follow Health Food Lover on twitter.

More Posts by Michelle →

Tagged as: 2 and 5, Australian bloggers, delicious food recipes, eat for health, eat for health recipes, eat to live, eat well, free healthy recipes, good food, great skin, great skin foods, health eating guide, health food, health food lover, health food lover blog, health food lover's blog, healthy eating recipes, healthy eating tips, healthy food, healthy food blog, healthy food blogs, Healthy Recipes, lime chia fresca, live well, Melbourne bloggers, Naturopath, Naturopath recipes, Naturopathic recipes, nourishing recipes, nutritious recipes, omega 3 foods, recipes, recipes by a naturopath, recipes for health, sexy foods, the health food lover blog, vegetarian omega 3 foods

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

Dave February 23, 2012 at 3:22 am

Hi Michelle,
Sounds like a really good and simple recipe to try. Sometimes you need something a little bit different to spice up your water. I like to add chia seeds to my green smoothies.

HItch February 27, 2012 at 1:12 pm

Hi Michelle,

I came across Chia Fresca while reading the book Born to Run. I live in Melbourne too, and am wondering if you’ve found a cheap source of chia seeds? I bought some at Coles last night and they were v expensive.

Thanks.