Getting healthy can often times be a lengthy and convoluted process that can involve tedious routines and unpleasant measures. There are so many steps you can take, fads you can latch onto, and methods you can try to attain overall wellness. It can involve popular trends such as the unidentifiable and unpleasant green juice. However, fear not. The chia seed is here to save us all from a lifetime of drinking blended kale. While chia seeds are just recently gaining mainstream popularity as a miracle food rather than a miracle plant toy, they seem to be here to stay—which is great for our health and our taste buds. The chia seed hails from the Salvia Hispanica plant of southern Mexico, which is a part of the mint family. This tiny seed is a super food that delivers large amounts of nutrients with very few calories and provides a stream of continuous energy. Chia seeds are high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and proteins. Just two tablespoons can provide you with 25 percent of the recommended daily amount of fiber. Not only is your body provided with fuel and nutrition, but these seeds can help with bone health and prevent and combat various diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

From simply putting a scoop of chia into your water bottle to creating entire recipes revolving around the seed, chia seeds can be effortlessly and efficiently integrated into your daily routine. Because of it’s mild taste, it can be incorporated into a myriad of dishes, both savory and sweet. You can cook them into scrambled eggs or incorporate them into any dessert with a batter. When added to liquids like water or juice, the seed expands takes on a jelly like substance. Chia Fresca is a perfect example of this. With only two cups of water, one and a half tablespoons of chia seeds, a half tablespoon of lemon juice, and a half tablespoon of maple syrup, you can create your own refreshing, healthy drink. The neutral taste and small size allows chia seeds to be mixed into a variety of things such as yogurt, smoothies, and salads. Adding a healthy burst to your daily routine doesn't have to detract from a delicious meal.

Chia seeds are becoming increasingly more favored and attainable. You can get your chia fix with a local juice delivery service like Cocobeet or a juice bar like Jugos, but that will cost you about $10 per juice. At Cocobeet, picking up a Banana Chia power smoothie (which contains banana, almonds, dates, cinnamon, and, of course, chia) gives you something sweet and simple. This option is totally convenient due to their free Boston delivery. From Jugos, where the menu is a lot larger, you can get yourself a Big Sur, which in addition to chia has the health power of wheatgrass on its side. You can also purchase a bag of chia seeds from Trader Joe’s and make your own creations. Each bag contains about 10 servings, for about $5. No matter how you choose to go about obtaining your own chia seeds, the results will be positive and your body will thank you.

Jugos 145 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02116 (617) 418-9879

Cocobeet Cocobeet.com (857) 263-8598