Chia Seeds Are Good for Damaged and Aging Skin

5 Easy Chia Seed Recipes For Fabulous Skin

by Lisa D Liguori

Do you want a simple tool in your diet that can help prevent free radical damage, inflammation, and premature aging of the skin? I thought so. 

The Teeny Tiny Powerhouse

If you open my fridge, you will see various jars of seeds; hemp, flax, and my new love, the teeny tiny chia seed.

Sprinkles

Initially, chia seeds intimidated me. You too? I had heard somewhere that  you used chia seeds differently than flax or hemp. Flax seeds you grind up and sprinkle on everything you can, or bake with them, or make raw crackers. Hemp seeds you also sprinkle over your food, or make hemp milk, or just eat em by the spoonful. But chia seeds? I just wasn’t sure.

So, I did what anyone would do with a bag of chia seeds in their fridge. I googled it. Wow! Who knew the chia seed, the very same seed we used to sprout on our chia pets in the 60’s (Yes, I had one. Did you?), had such a fan club.

And with good reason!

Nutrient Dense

Chia seeds apparently have: 

• 3 times the anti-oxidant strength of blueberries
• 5 times the calcium of milk, PLUS, magnesium and boron which aid in the absorption of calcium (key point)
• 2 times the amount of potassium as a banana
• 3 times more iron than spinach

Chia seeds are: 

• Rich in healthy omega 3’s
• A fabulous source of soluble fiber
• Virtually tasteless, tasting like whatever you add them to
• A plant based complete protein

What to do with chia seeds

1. Replace half the butter when baking, using chia gel.

2. Sprinkle chia seeds on your yogurt , salad or cereal, and add them to your smoothies.

And then, try these 5 Chia Seed Recipes: 

Chia Breakfast Bowl #1

Toss 2 to 3 T chia seeds, 1 T maca powder, 1 T protein powder, 1 t coconut oil, 1 T hemp seeds, 1 T goji berries, 1 T cacao nibs, add banana and blueberries. Place your chia seeds in the bowl first. Add 4 to 6 oz hot water, and wait for about 3 minutes. Your chia seeds will grow and turn into a thick porridge or sorts. Now add your other ingredients and enjoy. Thank you The Holy Kale for this superfood recipe.

Chia Breakfast Bowl #2

Toss about 2 T chia seeds into your bowl. Add a handful of raw nuts of your choice, a scoop of blueberries, 2 tsp. flax seed,  half of a sliced banana, cinnamon and fresh nut milk of choice. Let stand for about 5 minutes to thicken up and enjoy.  Thank you EcoDiva for the inspiration.

Chia Energy Bars

This one is from Vegetarian Times. 1 1/2 C pitted dates, 1/3 cup raw unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/3 cup whole chia seeds, 1/2 t vanilla, 1/4 t almond extract, 1 C raw slivered almonds or pistacios. Place dates in food processor; puree utnil thick paste forms. Add cocoa powder, chia seeds and vanilla and almond extracts. 1. Pulse until all ingredients are combined. Add nuts; pulse until nuts are finely chopped and well distributed through date mixture. 2. Spread large sheet of wax paper on work surface. Transfer date mixture to wax paper, and use paper to press mixture into 1/2 inch thick rectangle. Wrap tightly, and chill overnight. 3. Unwrap block, cut into 8 bars and re-wrap. Enjoy.

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

1 c non-dairy milk such as soy, or almond, 1 t vanilla, 2 t raw cocoa powder, sweetener of choice – to taste, 3 T chia seeds, 1/2 to 1 C berries of choice (or other fruit). 1. Place milk, vanilla, cocoa and sweetener of choice (I still love a good quality agave) in the blender. Blend well. 2. Pour milk mixture into a bowl and add chia seeds. 3. Mix well and stir every 15 minutes or so. It will take about an hour for it to thicken and absorb the liquid. 4. Refrigerate and add fruit just before serving. Thank you FatFreeVeganKitchen!

Cinnamon Chia Seed Granola

1 C oats, 2 T chia seeds, 1/2 t cinnamon, 1/4 t nutmeg, 2 T honey or maple syrup, 1 T coconut oil. 1. Preheat the oven to 300 and grease a cookie sheet with coconut oil. 2. Combine the first 4 ingredients in a bowl. 3. Slowly stir last two ingredients into the mixture till all is coated. 4. Spread granola onto prepared baking sheet and bake for approx. 15 minutes. Stir half way through. Let cool and enjoy. Thank you Shape Magazine.

I pretty much sprinkle chia, hemp or ground flax seeds on everything and everything to ensure I get my healthy fats, and essential fatty acids that are crucial to good health, and fabulous skin.

Have you tried chia seeds yet? Do you have a good recipe or suggestion as to how to use them? Do share!

 

Lisa D Liguori is the founder of Style Essentials, a green healthy-beauty marketplace, featuring mineral makeup, botanically based organic skincare, and even a bit of handcrafted jewelry, all with a serious personal touch.

Visit StyleEssentials.com or join her on Facebook for green beauty and healthy lifestyle tips.

You can also download your FREE Report on The 10 Easy Steps To Detox Your Beauty Routine Here.