I've been using raw, shelled, highly nutritious hemp seed for quite a few years, formerly buying it in the five pound bag. It's just become too expensive for that though. This two pound Healthworks product is a good substitute. It's a high quality product in a re-sealable pouch. I will buy it again.
Now for the rant. The hemp plant is probably the most useful on the entire planet. You can eat it, wear it, cook with it, write on it, print on it. Sailing ships could never have discovered the new world without it. It's more nutritious than cotton seed. It would make a better fuel additive than corn, and takes nothing to grow it. It is a weed. Here in the uptight USA though, we can't grow it because someone might actually grow a pot plant out in the middle of the field. Consequently, it mostly comes from Canada and is much more expensive than it should be. Want to save the trees? Feed the hungry? Legalize hemp.
I have been a happy consumer of chia seeds from a number of sources over the years, and recently tried this top rated seller's version; it compared very favorably with my current favorite from employee owned Bob's Red Mill Chia Seeds, 16-Ounce Bags (Pack of 4). HealthWorks sells the five pound bag for about the price you pay for four pounds from Bob's. However, Bob's is on the Subscribe and Save program so at the end of the day, the price is almost the same.
Bottom line here: two great sources, hitting my pocket book at the same strength -- so Pick 'Em.
As a fan of chia, I thought it useful to have a public place to refer friends and acquaintances to who might want to learn about them. Following is the result of study over the past several years.
Chia is an edible seed that comes from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, a member of the mint family that grows abundantly in southern Mexico. In pre-Columbian times they were a main component of the Aztec and Mayan diets and were the basic survival ration of Aztec warriors. One tablespoon was believed to sustain an individual for 24 hours. The Aztecs also used chia medicinally to stimulate saliva flow and to relieve joint pain and sore skin.
One good feature of chia is its abundance; quinoa, for example, is also great, but relatively hard to grow and its popularity in the US has caused significant price increases in Bolivia and Peru where it has been a staple for poor people. According to a good friend who just visited Bolivia, there are relatively few sources of inexpensive protein so folks are turning to less healthy foods.
Chia is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, even more so than flax seeds. And it has another advantage over flax: chia is so rich in antioxidants that the seeds don't deteriorate and can be stored for long periods without becoming rancid. And, unlike flax, they do not have to be ground to make their nutrients available to the body. Chia seeds also provide fiber (25 grams give you 6.9 grams of fiber) as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin, and zinc.
One very telling point for me: flax has been ground for centuries in Europe but was not grown for its food value -- only as a source of a rough fabric. Trendy now, but why not eat something that very tough people relied on?
Another advantage: when added to water and allowed to sit for 30 minutes, chia forms a gel. Researchers suggest that this reaction also takes place in the stomach, slowing the process by which digestive enzymes break down carbohydrates and convert them into sugar.
Chia has a nutlike flavor. You can mix seeds in water and add lime or lemon juice and sugar to make a drink known in Mexico and Central America as "chia fresca." As with ground flax seeds, you can sprinkle ground or whole chia seeds on cereal, in yogurt or salads, eat them as a snack, or grind them and mix them with flour when making muffins or other baked goods.
An excellent book on the history and nutritional value of these seeds (relatively weak on recipes): Chia: The Complete Guide to the Ultimate Superfood (Superfood Series) by Wayne Coates.
Better for recipes: Chia Seed Recipes Healthy Meals, Drinks, Snacks & More! by Dustin Kaban.
With credit for some of the text to Dr. Weil; the opinions are my own.
Robert C. Ross
October 2014
what a product !
i mix this with flax seed meal. mix it in a chocolate milk. between them, they add bulk to my, um,
elimination.
high in fiber, and protein.
i am considerably less bloated, and have dropped 35 pounds (from 265) over 4 months.
i don't feel as if i have done anything else different.
product comes in a high quality resealable bag. is well ground. has a bit of a neutral nutty flavor. sprinkle on salads, in cereal, etc.
price is great. i will certainly buy again from these folks.
I was introduced to chia seeds by my daughter (a Level 1 Trauma Center emergency room nurse)when I last visited her digs. "Hey dad! Try this..." and then she handed me a 16 oz glass with what I thought I recognized as floating detritus from a poorly washed glass. I looked at her and she said "They're chia seeds!" So I took a big gulp of the drink as she explained how great they were for me. She sent me home with a zip lock bag full of them and her follow-on instructions:
Take 1 TBSP with a 16 oz glass of water once a day for a week.
Take 2 TBSP with a 16 oz glass of water once a day for a week.
Take 2 glasses of water in the morning and afternoon with the two TBSP dosage.
A remarkable think happened after 7-10 days in the process. It was around 2:00 pm in the afternoon and I didn't remember making coffee that morning. I checked my favorite coffee mug (usually used it 2-3x in the morning)and it was brand-spanking clean still in the cupboard. And I haven't felt the need to have coffee since. No withdrawal symptoms, no DT's, nothing. Like I said, the coffee industry is going to HATE this review.
More energy, have lost 6 lbs in 2 weeks, and I'm off of coffee (an addiction I had for over 30 years)!
As for the seller, I received the 5 lb bag double bagged and there was no leakage, anything. Nicely packaged and shipped promptly. I'm hooked for sure...
Although some may disagree, I usually prep 2 glasses for the chia seeds before I go to bed (just leave 'em on the counter)and give them a stir in the morning. I usually add a slug of Trader Joe's cranberry juice to each glass just because if chia seeds are great, then chia seeds with cranberry juice have to be awesome, at least by my way of thinking.
FWIW, I'm NOT a vegetarian - just a regular working stiff who realizes that the results of the health-care system doesn't start with a primary care physician - it starts with us...
Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read my review and I hope they work for you too!
This is the biggest bag I was able to find on Amazon for the best price. I started using it for dietary reasons with each of my meals. I'm one of those people that if I look at something and decide I'm not going to like it, my mind will trick me into getting sick when eating it. Chia Seeds are GREAT...they have NO taste, but also add texture to food that doesn't normally have any. I've used it in yogurts, puddings, ice cream...anything! It really does keep you full too!
Feature Product
- Packed with antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron.
- The high fiber, protein, and Omega-3 content in chia seeds makes them a powerful addition to any diet.
- Raw, gluten-free, vegan, nut-free and grain-free, these seeds make great additions to baked goods, salads, smoothies, stir-fries, as a thickener in sauces, and an egg replacement in baking.
- Healthworks Chia Seeds are sustainably grown and sourced from small farmers in their natural habitats.
- Healthworks 100% Satisfaction Promise: Get a full refund or replacement within 30 days if you are not completely satisfied.
Description
Chia Seeds, a popular South American staple, is the ultimate seed for wellness and health. They can be the super food blast that brings your diet to the next level! Chia seeds have been around for thousands of years but have been becoming more popular due to their potent health benefits. They are high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, calcium, antioxidants and many other essential vitamins and minerals. Being neutral in taste, you can add these versatile little seeds in many of your favorite dishes and drinks! You may also create a Chia Seed super gel by adding water to create a super fibrous gel that aids in digestions. Health works Chia Seeds are sustainably grown and sourced from small farmers in their natural habitats.
My little dog Bella struggles to poop. Started adding chia seeds every other day and boom no more struggles. She loves it too. I also add to my morning smoothies and I love it as well.
I got these to put in a "healthy" shake, a bit of research surprised me that they can be used for a variety of recipes, and even as an egg substitute for those people that allergies and/or tummie problems that won't allow them to eat certain foods. The price is pretty good when compared to a local health food store that in one price check, was about three time more expensive (per ounce) that the prices on Amazon.
Buying in "bulk" is the only way to go. Plus you can get them in the subscribe and save for more savings!
NOTICE: I have NOT receive this product for free or at a reduced price to make an "unbiased" review. I paid for it myself. I have NOT received any compensation to review the product. The above review is my opinion, after having purchased and used the product.
SO THERE!
After reading "Born to run" ordered a bag of chia seeds. I've been making a chia fresca drink every day since. 2-3 tbs of seeds, some lemon juice a small amount of honey and rest of the 32oz bottle is topped with water. I may not be out running 10 miles a day but I did feel great the first day I drank it. The second day I went for a run, I ran my normal amount but I felt much better afterwards, I only stopped because my knee was bothering me.
This 5lb bag is a good value, well packaged in a resealable container. I will be buying another bad when this one runs out.
Love, love, love these chia seeds. It is so handy to have them delivered. I love that they are pesticide free. This is a generous sized bag and very inexpensively priced for what you get. They are very rich in fiber, rich in protein, calcium. omega acids, potassium, great for skin, digestion, and a great way to boost metabolism and burn belly fat!
I sprinkle my seeds on everything - on salads and soups, cereals and oatmeal, I have baked them into bread and even spoon them in my fiber at night. One of my favorite recipes, for a "treat", has been for a chia "pudding" - a glass of coconut or almond milk, add a scoop of chia seeds and (optional) peanut butter or cacao or coconut flakes or all three of those things. Wait 20 minutes until the chia seeds have plumped, and enjoy!
11/1 Update. Amrita @ Healthworks was kind enough to contact and arrange a replacement package for the “defective” bag I originally received. She also asked me for the lot # so that they could investigate that batch for problems. I think this is excellent customer service and QC so I have increased my review stars.
Did not get or expand, just got a bit slimy and lumped on the bottom of the container. Tried setting in water for 2 days, even tried boiling water -same results. Useless for chia pudding or smoothies. Don't know if it's a bad batch, or if this is an underperforming strain of chia, but I wouldn't buy these again.
0 comments:
Post a Comment