Chia Fresca video...

[ljguitar]

Hi all…

I uploaded a video of Chia Fresca (Agua Fresca) being made this morning. Chia Fresca is a mix of Chia gel with lemonade, limeade, Crystal Lite etc.

Despite what I said on the video, the gel is 1/3 cup seeds with 2 cups water...

Chia Fresca - click

[ketchum68]

Thanks! That was great. Do you store your Chia in the refridgerator or leave it out after it is mixed?

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by ketchum68

Thanks! That was great. Do you store your Chia in the refridgerator or leave it out after it is mixed?

Hi tina…
Once I mix the gel, into the fridge it goes. I hear it can last several weeks in the fridge, but ours doesn't last long enough to know.

My wife (who is not a low carber) loves Chia Fresca, and my Chia Tapioca (which is made 1/2 cup seeds to 2 cups Unsweet Chocolate Almond Milk). She likes that it makes her feel 'full' and she tends not to snack as much...plus she likes the little flavorful buds of gel in the Chia Fresca.

I’ve used both black and white, and find no difference in them. And I can find the black so much more cheaply that I usually buy them.

[ketchum68]

I can't wait to try it. We live in a small town and I can't find Chia anywhere so I have to order from Netrition and all they had was the white. Maybe I will try ebay.

[tulipsandroses]

Thanks LJ. I'm gonna give this a try. Should be great for the dog hot Georgia summer days.

[CarolynF]

Running to add more water as I put 1/2 cup with 2 cups of water.... I might have a protein shake in the a.m. with some berries and my chia gel..

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by CarolynF

Running to add more water as I put 1/2 cup with 2 cups of water.... I might have a protein shake in the a.m. with some berries and my chia gel..

Hi Carolyn…
Just add one more cup (8oz)

[CarolynF]

Thanks, Larry..

Another thing on the Chia Fresca..Is it smoothish but thick?

[lisabinil]

Originally Posted by CarolynF

Thanks, Larry..

Another thing on the Chia Fresca..Is it smoothish but thick?

It depends on how much chia gel you put in your drink. I don't like it so thick so I only put a couple of tbls of gel in my Powerade Zero before I run or exercise.

[SCOTTSDALEJULIE]

O,K. Larry, can you tell me why to put chia in anything? I could read all the chia posts, but don't have time today. Does it make the drink thicker. Can you taste the seeds? Does it thicken other stuff? Thanks in advance. Julie

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by SCOTTSDALEJULIE

O,K. Larry, can you tell me why to put chia in anything? I could read all the chia posts, but don't have time today. Does it make the drink thicker. Can you taste the seeds? Does it thicken other stuff? Thanks in advance. Julie

Hi Julie…
Yes - no - yes.

• Yes - it makes drinks thicker and more fun (and smoothies)
• No it doesn't have any flavor (neither black nor white) it takes on the flavor of the liquid it's in
• Yes - it thickens other things too

Other uses of Chia - doubles the volume of mayo in tuna/chicken salad, or slaws without affecting flavor, at a fraction of the calories and about the same carbs.

It extends yogurt without the carb count. I mix it 50/50 with yogurt for a decent sized portion without ramping up the carb count.

Makes great puddings

Makes thicker smoothies and ups the volume without upping the carbs

It is fun in Chia Fresca - like mini-bubble-tea. I love to sip-n-stir & nibble the seeds.

[lisabinil]

It is supposed to be a great souce of EFA's, gives excellent energy and for those looking to lose weight it can be used as a food extender and gives a feeling of fullness.

[CarolynF]

Yes, I made a strawberry smoothie for breakie..1/3 cup of chai gel, plops of heavy cream, strawberries cut up (fresh), 4 ice cubes, and some strawberry Davinici's..It was nice and thick..I used the Bullet.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by lisabinil

It is supposed to be a great souce of EFA's, gives excellent energy and for those looking to lose weight it can be used as a food extender and gives a feeling of fullness.

Hi lisa…
My wife sips on one during the mid-morning/afternoon to hold her appetite down (she says it keeps her from snacking).

I just like chia fresca, but am not looking for suppression of my appetite.

[SCOTTSDALEJULIE]

Thankks all. I guess I'll have to go get some seeds and try it. Julie

[Beeb]

I gotta tell you all.....this looks scary to me!! I know, it's just my mind set, but I don't think I can do this!! It looks soooooooo slimy!!!! I'm sure it's the best, though. I am really trying to get myself to try this, I really am.

Please be patient with me, ok?

[lisabinil]

Originally Posted by beeb

I gotta tell you all.....this looks scary to me!! I know, it's just my mind set, but I don't think I can do this!! It looks soooooooo slimy!!!! I'm sure it's the best, though. I am really trying to get myself to try this, I really am.

Please be patient with me, ok?

The chia drinks are kinda like bubble tea but I didn't care for the pudding at all. If you like bubble tea you will prolly like the chia fresca.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by beeb

I gotta tell you all.....this looks scary to me!! I know, it's just my mind set, but I don't think I can do this!! It looks soooooooo slimy!!!! I'm sure it's the best, though. I am really trying to get myself to try this, I really am.

Hi Linda…
It's no biggie if you don't want to try it...far be it from me to try to convince you that you will like it. Some people are naturally more adventurous than others, and there is nothing wrong with being cautious.

It's not slimy or slippery like the xanthan gum or other ''gums'' that are used for thickening. Adding liquid causes a little gel pod to form around each seed.

In some foods - like a dressing on a salad or slaw - you'd never know it's there. In Chia Fresca you definitely know because you get a few of the little gel pods with each sip...like miniature bubble tea 'bubbles'.

If you are sensitive to that wait till you can find someone who has some you can try. Beats spending a bunch-o-bucks to have yet-another-fully-compliant-but-undesireable-low-carb item on your shelf.

[Beeb]

Does this have to be made into a gel, or can you eat the seeds, like baked in a cracker/flax bread type thingy?

[Ginaaaaaa]

You can sprinkle the seeds onto things, and bake them into breads & crackers as well Linda. I think people use the gel version for shakes, drinks, and puddings and such.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by beeb

Does this have to be made into a gel, or can you eat the seeds, like baked in a cracker/flax bread type thingy?

Hi Linda…
Chia Seeds can be (and are) used in salads, ground as flour or used in crackers etc...

If you google them you will find a lot of recipes for using them especially among the raw food folks...

[Ginaaaaaa]

I just realized I have the Chia flour, I bought it a while ago and I think I tried it in a pizza crust. I think I didn't really care for it because I was new to low carb recipes like that. Maybe I will try it again. Here is the recipe if anyone would like to try it. There are more Chia recipes here too. It's a great website!!

DARdreams: Chia Seed Recipes

Low Carb Chewy Pizza Crust


This is a chewy crust that is holdable if you let it cool a little before trying to pick it up. If you're in a hurry, just use a fork!

Low Carb Chewy Pizza Crust

2 large eggs
1/2 cup hot water
1 tablespoon yeast
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/4 cup flaxmeal
1/4 cup coconut flour

Grease a 12" round pizza pan or cookie sheet. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and hot water (hot from the tap is fine). Gradually whisk in yeast until dissolved, then baking powder and salt. Stir in chia seeds, flaxmeal, and coconut flour. Mix until dough forms a ball.

Pat dough out in prepared pan. Let sit for 10 minutes. Add toppings. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Let cool a few minutes for crust to firm up.

This makes 8 slices with about 1 net carb per slice.

Edited to add: I just realized I thread jacked big time with this. Sorry about that!! After Linda asked about the different uses of Chia I thought of this.

[Beeb]

I think I will try it in seed form! I can see putting this in crackers and such, sounds good to me!!

Thanks for all the info and links everyone!!

[Sunny7]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi tina…
Once I mix the gel, into the fridge it goes. I hear it can last several weeks in the fridge, but ours doesn't last long enough to know.

My wife (who is not a low carber) loves Chia Fresca, and my Chia Tapioca (which is made 1/2 cup seeds to 2 cups Unsweet Chocolate Almond Milk). She likes that it makes her feel 'full' and she tends not to snack as much...plus she likes the little flavorful buds of gel in the Chia Fresca.

I’ve used both black and white, and find no difference in them. And I can find the black so much more cheaply that I usually buy them.

Hi Larry, i am going to try this for sure, but was curious about the chia mixed with the almond milk, is it like a pudding or what, or do you mix it in for a choc smoothie ---i had chia seeds a couple years back, and mixed it in my yougurt, and ran out and never bought any more, but the gel sounds interesting,---i love the new ideas found on this board and thanks to all the people for sharing them

thanks again

[Nelle Belle]

Love it in the puddings, the chia fresca, not so much.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Sunny7

Hi Larry, i am going to try this for sure, but was curious about the chia mixed with the almond milk, is it like a pudding or what, or do you mix it in for a choc smoothie ---i had chia seeds a couple years back, and mixed it in my yougurt, and ran out and never bought any more, but the gel sounds interesting,---i love the new ideas found on this board and thanks to all the people for sharing them

thanks again

Hi Sunny…
Yes, I make it about 5:1 ratio of Unsweetened Chocolate (or Vanilla) Almond milk to Chia Seed - which I use liquid Splenda to sweeten to the level I want, and I start with the almond milk at near room temp...the Chia gels better in warm liquids than in cold.

Once it's gelled it can be chilled just fine.

I also add the 'contents' of a gutted vanilla bean in my Chia Pudding and a couple Tablespoons of Cocoa powder to the choc almond milk before adding the Chia (I blend it in with my hand blending wand).

[Sunny7]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi Sunny…
Yes, I make it about 5:1 ratio of Unsweetened Chocolate (or Vanilla) Almond milk to Chia Seed - which I use liquid Splenda to sweeten to the level I want, and I start with the almond milk at near room temp...the Chia gels better in warm liquids than in cold.

Once it's gelled it can be chilled just fine.

I also add the 'contents' of a gutted vanilla bean in my Chia Pudding and a couple Tablespoons of Cocoa powder to the choc almond milk before adding the Chia (I blend it in with my hand blending wand).

thanks Larry,

how much sweetner do you use, i have choc davinci, that should be doable shouldn't it---can't wait to try this

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Sunny7

thanks Larry,

how much sweetner do you use, i have choc davinci, that should be doable shouldn't it---can't wait to try this

Hi Sunny…
I always sweeten to taste, not set amounts. And if it's chocolate I often add just one drop more (Liquid Splenda) than I think in need, because when it's warm (pre-chilling stage) it tastes sweeter to me than when it chilled...that could just be my taste buds.

Of course the DaVinci will work...

[CarolynF]

I have my first Chia Fresca..very good..I needed a bigger straw for the seeds..

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by CarolynF

I have my first Chia Fresca..very good..I needed a bigger straw for the seeds..

Hi Carolyn…
I’m getting ready for a few days with my brother, his wife and 7 kids! We are taking along chia and straws for Chia Fresca little-guys-n-gals style.

I tell little boys it's frog's eyes (or eggs) and little girls that it is Butterfly Seeds (at the recommendation of a friend's little girl).

Yup - sipper/stir straws won't cut it.