Chia milk is a recipe created using chia seeds. These seeds and their usage dates back at least to the Aztecs and Mayans. Chia seeds were so valuable to them that they were also a form of currency. Ancient warriors carried them into battle with them to sustain them over long battles. Chia means strength and it was believed they imparted strength and stamina to those who ate them.

While chia seeds are not well known today, they are making a slow but steady comeback into mainstream foods. There are many recipes involving chia seeds, but one of the more interesting is chia milk. While not a milk in the traditional sense, chia milk is very nutritious and not at all hard to make. There are a number of benefits to chia milk, but let's go over one recipe on how to make it first.

Chia Milk Recipe

2 Tb Chia Seeds
1 Tb Chopped Almonds
1 Tb Sesame Tahini
1 Tb Agave Syrup
1/2 tsp Vanilla
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
2 1/2 cups Water

All of the ingredients above should be easy enough to obtain aside from the chia seeds and possibly the sesame tahini. You can go on-line or find a local health food or natural foods store in your area. They will most likely have everything you need to make your own chia milk.

Combine one cup of water, almonds and the chia seeds in a food processor and blend until well mixed. Add the sesame tahini, vanilla, agave syrup and the cinnamon. Blend these together and then slowly add the remaining water. Take the mixture, pour it into a pitcher or whatever you want to use and store it in the fridge. It needs to sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best.

Chia milk is an excellent source of vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and important minerals the body needs. Also, chia seeds are known to be easily digestible and an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids. Chia milk also aids in the digestion and conversion of carbohydrates into sugars.

Creating Barriers

Chia milk will help in creating a type of barrier in the stomach that slows the absorption rate of carbohydrates, or sugars, into the blood stream. This allows for better processing of the sugars and is a great benefit to all, especially those suffering from diabetes. This allows the body to avoid getting overloaded with the sugars processed from carbohydrates and this prevents the carbs from being deposited as fat in the cells of the body.

Chia milk has its own particular taste and is a bit chunky, because of the seeds. While some may think of this as a white milk just like the kind purchased at a store, it does take some getting used to. The health benefits of chia milk are enormous and you end up feeling the energy these little seeds can produce in your body.