As ‘Santa Season’ rolls in, Australian’s stock-up on seafood and salad to refresh themselves from the sizzling temperatures of summer. Dry, hot winds make roasting or baking near-on impossible so, refreshing recipes feature prominently on the menu!
The following recipes are made with Chia seed to hydrate the body on a cellular level, replenishing vital nutrients that will give you stamina to survive the festive ‘family-rounds’ of Christmas.
Chia is an edible seed from the desert plant Salvia hispanica. It grows abundantly in southern Mexico & is a member of the mint family. Ancient Aztec warriors are thought to have used it as rations, one teaspoon sustaining a warrior for 24 hours! The name chia is Mayan for strength or strengthening. In Mexico and Central America the seeds are added to water with lime or lemon juice and sugar to make a drink known as chia fresca.
Chia has approximately two times the protein concentration and up to ten times the oil concentration of other grains; they are 30% oil, of which 30% is omega 3 & 40% is omega 6. Chia seeds also provide fibre (25 grams give you 6.9 grams of fibre) as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin, and zinc. The shell of the seed turns gelatinous when wet which research suggests helps to create a barrier between carbohydrates and digestive enzymes in the stomach, slowing the breakdown of carbohydrates into sugar and prolonging endurance.
It also acts like a sponge to absorb toxins (like too much alcohol), this combined with it’s ability to hydrate, curb cravings and sustain energy – makes it the prime ingredient for a ‘refreshing’ Christmas recipe.
Christmas Crush: imagine deep purple icy slush, thirst quenching and not to thick!
Makes (approximately) 6 serves
1 cup Chia Seed (ground into a flour – using a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle)
This literally takes seconds and helps the seed thicken faster and with less mess when you blend it.
8 cups refrigerated water
Using room temperature water is fine but your crush will lack that ‘arctic’ factor!
1 cup of frozen blueberries
Added more than just colour – blueberries are rich in phytonutrients offering the highest antioxidant value compared to other berries, they are low in calories (125 blueberries equals about 100 calories) and high in fibre to help keep you fuller for longer.
Extras if you have them!
These can be added to enhance the effects of hydration and contend with party overload but are not essential.
2 teaspoons of greens
Options include: powdered beetroot, carrot, spinach, kale, goji, acai, alternatively you could use chilled tea or coconut water in place of h20)
2 teaspoons of L-glutamine
Promotes mental alertness, digestion, helps cells to function and may decrease sugar cravings and the desire for alcohol.
Instructions
Blend chia flour with liquid for 30 sec-1 minute then leave stand in fridge for ten minutes.
After which, you add the blueberries and any supplements and blend until thick and icy.
That’s it, you are ready to serve your guests a thirst quenching ‘Christmas Crush’.
Arctic Truffles: imagine little cups of creamy-ice chocolate – delightful!
Makes (approximately) 12 serves
1 cup water
2 heaped teaspoons (high %) cocoa powder
1 teaspoon chia flour
1 teaspoon manuka honey
Opt for a natural sweetener with added benefits like manuka, ‘pure’ maple syrup or agave nectar.
2 tablespoons macadamia paste (soak macadamia nuts in water overnight, rinse then blend with a little water to make a paste)
Macadamias offer a good ratio of healthy fats, and add a creamy texture but you can use whatever nuts you prefer.
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a bowl or blender and whisk until smooth.
Pour the mix into an ice-cube tray or mini-muffin ‘silicone mould’ and place in refrigerator to set for 1-2 hours.
