Sunday, March 09, 2008

Ch-ch-ch CHIA! Observe- the magical drink seed...

Last night I had the pleasure of having many local DOTMC ladies over for a Persian supper (Molly Neuman- you were seriously missed).
I made a traditional (and nutritional) Persian drink using seeds known as "Tokhme Sharbati," or Chia Seeds. In dry form, they resemble black poppy seeds...but when thrown into any liquid, they plump up like little froggy eyes. Imagine a much smaller version of the tapioca balls you see in bubble teas...maybe that is less gross of a description...?
The drink I made is a refreshing tonic made with water, rosewater, superfine sugar, and a healthy amount of chia seeds. This is what is looked like:

The seeds have been written about extensively throughout history- from Ancient Persia to the early Aztecs and now- even Oprah's main doctor dudes (Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Andrew Weil) have expounded on the many health benefits of the Chia seed. Here's a mini-manifesto from Dr. Weil- including the Mexican/Central American drink recipe for "Chia Fresca."
Also- the Living Foods website (a site devoted to the benefits of a raw foods) has an excellent and in-depth look at all the health benefits of the seed as well.
My family has always sworn by the healing benefits of drinking iced tea or water with the Chia seeds- how it aids with digestion, eases upset stomachs and nausea, and just generally serves as an all around happy tonic.
Bottoms up!

3 comments:

  1. I'm a chia convert! Hey look it's the 100th post! Yay Katayoon!

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  3. I've never had my own chia pet or chia head or whatnot, but they look cool on TV. I just eat the seeds and I swear, they help sooo much as far as energy and feeling good throughout the day goes. I honestly started feeling so much better on a day-to-day basis after I started putting them in my smoothies about a year ago. The one's I get are Chia Pure. Chia Seeds Right Now they are even buy 1
    get 1 free!

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