Cha-cha-cha-chia Anyone grow chia?

**sfg4uKim** 12/27/2011, 6:39 pm

Recently I've added chia seeds to my diet and decided to throw some of them onto some "Mel's Mix" to see what happens. I understand the sprouts are delicious.

My question is . . . has anyone here grown them? If so, do you have any hints for me? I'm mostly interested in the sprouts, but have you let them go to seed?

newstart 12/27/2011, 7:39 pm

hmm would lov eto hear more about it. Ho ware you using them in your diet. I have tried a few things but cant get it right

**sfg4uKim** 12/27/2011, 8:31 pm

I use them in a few ways:

Adding them to juice & letting it sit overnight. Or grinding the seeds and adding to juice if I forget. I kinda like the second way better as it's not as "seedy" (well duh!) but they don't need to be ground like flax seed does. When you let them sit overnight in juice, they are more "gelatenous". Drinking half-set jello with tiny seeds doesn't bother me, but many would be turned off by it.

I also grind them and put them into my yogurt or oatmeal, etc. I just saw a recipe today for muffins.

Chia seeds are packed with protein, fiber and Omega 3s.

The daily serving size is 1-3 Tablespoons (start with the smaller amount & increase if you want).

I'm not sure if the sprouts contain the same nutrient values - need to research it some more, but I'd like to add it to salads and sandwiches.

newstart 12/28/2011, 4:32 pm

will give it a try again. Maybe I was doing it right, they would feel like really wets seedy things. Well I can try grinding them and adding to thing thanks..

BackyardBirdGardner 12/28/2011, 8:07 pm

Never used one, but funny you should mention it. I looked all over for the ObamaChia this year. I wanted to give it to my mom as a gag. She is such a devout Republican I just wanted to see her face when she opened an Obama Chia Pet for Christmas.

That would have been priceless.

**sfg4uKim** 12/29/2011, 6:48 am

It's on sale for $16.99 at drugstore.com.

Would make a lovely Iowa Caucus present.

**camprn** 12/29/2011, 8:41 am

**sfg4uKim** 12/29/2011, 1:27 pm

Well, yes, you COULD eat a Chia Pet. I'm just not sure if they use any chemicals.

Mamachibi 12/29/2011, 6:43 pm

The chia pets are made of unfinished clay pottery so they absorb water. The only chemicals in them would be the chemicals already in the clay used and the water you water it with. (No lead from paint, for example, unless you get a painted variety)

**sfg4uKim** 12/29/2011, 6:45 pm

I was thinking what chemicals may be in the seeds themselves.

miinva 12/30/2011, 1:38 am

My parents are big on eating chia and keep sending me bags of it. Thank you for the kick in the pants to do something with it. Smile

**sfg4uKim** 12/30/2011, 2:31 pm

Actually chia seeds are supposed to LOWER blood pressure AND cholesterol.

Speaking for myself, I've been taken OFF my BP meds since adding chia. Will let you know about the cholesterol in a couple weeks.

**sfg4uKim** 12/30/2011, 2:51 pm

I think I see what you are referring to.

Yes, if you are on BP meds, your BP could drop dangerously low. When I noticed my BP going down, I just talked with my doctor. She was THRILLED to be able to take me off a med!

The article I read said reads, "People who are suffering with heart problems may want to avoid these seeds as it has addictive
effects on its users." I just don't understand what they mean. Why would "addiction" affect whether or not a heart patient uses it? I guess that would be something to talk to an MD about. Personally I've been on quite a few meds that are known to be "addictive" and have never had problems with it. SOOOO perhaps those who DO have problems with addiction to meds might want to avoid it.

They also mentioned people on B17 supplements and those taking blood thinning meds. Again, my thought is, if your B17 goes wacky, get off the supplement not necessarily the chia and talk to your MD about the blood thinner. Again, my doctor stopped my baby aspirin regimen because of this.

I love having a doctor who is open to alternative/natural treatments and encourages me to get off of medications! She is also pleased with my blood sugar results since starting chia - I was pushing a pre-diabetic state, but no anymore.

Mamachibi 12/30/2011, 4:25 pm

Organically grown chia seeds are a waste of money. Chia plants are not sprayed with pesticides and are not bothered by competing plants.

Chia gel is one of my favorite ways to eat them! I soak a couple tablespoons of chia seeds in a liquid (I like kombucha with a little fruit juice added) overnight. The seeds thicken the liquid a little. YUM!

They're great for weight loss because they have insoluble fiber which gives you a "full" feeling. They also slow sugars in food from entering the bloodstream, so some chia gel before a high carb snack doesn't give quite the carb-crash. That insoluble fiber also feeds the good bacteria in your body, which enhances your ability to digest and strengthens the immune system.

Really, what more could you want from a seed that tiny?

**sfg4uKim** 12/30/2011, 4:41 pm

LOL I love that this has been a lively thread, but it seems like no one has had experience GROWING them which is why I started it.

**camprn** 12/30/2011, 6:18 pm

I have not grown them nor used them. I found this article but there does not seem to be any citation or reference of the information. Chia seed nutrition info

Mamachibi 12/30/2011, 6:22 pm

From what I understand, they are weedy-like things. They're in the mint family, so unless you devote a chunk of garden for-like-ever I imagine they'd be better in pots.

http://www.gardenguides.com/taxonomy/chia-salvia-columbariae/

**sfg4uKim** 12/30/2011, 7:41 pm

Great info!

I'm actually growing them in a plastic shoe box indoors.

**sfg4uKim** 1/19/2012, 8:24 pm

Well I've got to admit that I'm not really lovin' the taste of the chia sprouts - even when they were really young. Now that they're getting bigger they are getting even more bitter tasting.

SOOOO I'm hoping that I will be able to harvest the seeds.

Cha-cha-cha-chia Anyone grow chia? Img_0217

Cha-cha-cha-chia Anyone grow chia? Img_0217

**sfg4uKim** 1/19/2012, 8:30 pm

BTW you can certainly see that they are members of the mint family as was mentioned before.

AND as promised, info about my cholesterol. Since adding chia my total cholesterol dropped below 200 for the first time in FOREVER. From 235 to 190!

**RoOsTeR** 1/19/2012, 10:02 pm

WoW! Does it grow incredibly fast? I sprout fenugreek and it's a tad bitter. I have actually acquired a taste for it. It's one of those sprouts that is less better like chia I'm guessing, when its really young. However, I have found I like it a tad bitter. I mix it with other greens and it balances out nicely Cha-cha-cha-chia Anyone grow chia? 3170584802

Cha-cha-cha-chia Anyone grow chia? 3170584802

jhayford 1/19/2012, 10:33 pm

So I can grow an Obamachia and cut his hair and eat it? Hehehe

Here is my thought about growing them has anyone tried the soiless medium they sell at those light grow stores. They have coconut and some kind of white kind that looks like cotton. Just a thought

**camprn** 1/20/2012, 7:06 am

jhayford wrote:So I can grow an Obamachia and cut his hair and eat it? Hehehe

Here is my thought about growing them has anyone tried the soiless medium they sell at those light grow stores. They have coconut and some kind of white kind that looks like cotton. Just a thought

I have not tried this, but Mel's Mix is a soil less growing medium,... but you all already knew that, lol Very Happy

**RoOsTeR** 1/20/2012, 7:41 am

Yes, you can use grow pads for some sprouts and greens. All the sprouts I'm doing right now though can simply be done in a jar with a lid capable of draining liquids. I do want to try my hand at some micro and mesclun greens though and will be using these pads.
Cha-cha-cha-chia Anyone grow chia? 3170584802

Andrea13 3/29/2013, 10:41 pm

Hoping to ressurect an old thread here....

Kim, I would love to know how the chia worked out for you? Were you able to harvest any seeds? Did they do ok in our region?

I just learned about them, and I'm super excited to get some to add to my newfound green smoothie obsession Smile

Even better if I can grow some myelf!

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Not lovin' the taste of the sprouts

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