"Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia"

With Father’s Day quickly approaching, the airwaves are becoming infected with ideal gift ideas for fathers. I can quickly recall at least ten gifts I have given my dad for Father’s Day over the years. There is no doubt in my mind my dad has every gift I have given him, but I am not so quick to recall how many of the gifts he still uses. So, with Father’s Day and men’s health awareness occurring in the same month it is an excellent time to recommend a great gift that just might make a difference in both you and your dad-a Chia-Pet®!
As fate would have it, my father recently brought home a magazine not for its content but because of a picture of “the best ever ice cream sandwich” pictured on its cover. As I started flipping through the articles of healthy eating, the one that caught my attention was “Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia”. The more I read the more I wanted to research the article’s claims that chia seeds could sustain an Aztec warrior for an entire day. The next day I went to my local health food store and purchased a quarter pound of the tiny seeds, and to my dismay I loved’ em.
The more I researched the more I read, and the more I ate the more I had to share this knowledge and experience with you. Chia seeds are tasty and really do pack a punch. Three and half ounces of chia seeds have the same amount of omega-3s as a 28-ounce filet of salmon and as much iron as five cups of raw spinach. But, that’s not all. Chia seeds also pack a punch of fiber with one ounce delivering 11 grams of quality dietary fiber - about half the daily recommended allowance. Sprinkle seeds on salads, soups and cereals. If the seeds are not appealing to you, they can be sprouted for salads, burgers, and use in other healthy combinations.
According to my research, the mighty chia seed is loaded with omega 3 fatty acids, copper, zinc, calcium, phosphorous and potassium - not to mention they are loaded with protein and antioxidants. These seeds may be tiny, but they pack a mighty punch that can reduce inflammation and may help reduce risk factors for heart disease, arthritis and some cancers.
The Chia-Pet® may have been a fad, but the nutritional value and benefits to good health are well documented for the chia seed. The Chia-Pet® now comes in an Obama and Scooby Doo Chia. For the next generation of Chia-Pets, my suggestion would be Popeye and the Incredible Hulk. Can you imagine if Popeye had downed a can of chia seeds instead of spinach? WOW!!
So, this Father’s Day give the gift of healthy eating that just might give you a stronger healthier “Papa-Chia”.
Ch-Ch-Ch-See Ya!

Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: howard@howardsbaker.com