My {Chia} Fix

Believe it or not,
Chia pets of the 80s
Are edible. Wait...

Not really. But did you know these nostalgic clay heads of yesteryear needed chia seeds to make their hair grow?

Chia seeds are little superfoods that date back much farther than arcade games and David Bowie. In fact, the plant was a staple food used by the Aztecs and is actually a species of the mint family. The powers of chia seeds are linked to extreme hydration, and they are known to fight belly fat, improve heart health and lower cholesterol. Packed with fiber and protein, chia seeds transform overnight from crunchy beads to plump, water soluble superfoods that fill you up. And they boost your energy! Can someone say ch-ch-ch-chia!

Today I decided to make overnight oats, which appears to be a common trend among college students who lack the time to wake up early enough to make breakfast. I added the porous chia seeds into my creation and let me tell you, the result in essence is a concoction of rich textures and flavors that can make any morning a good one. I recommend using Coach's Steel Cut Oats, because they are better for you and the overall texture will hold overnight.

Overnight Oats
Serves 1 hungry ginger

1 cup Coach's Oats
1/2 cup chia seeds
2 heaping spoonfuls peanut butter
1 banana, sliced
1/3 cup chocolate chips
1 scoop vanilla ISO 100 protein powder
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk

This recipe is really easy and simple, you can add or remove whatever you feel like and cater the ingredients to your dietary preferences. People often use honey or agave syrup but personally, I love the combination of the peanut butter, vanilla protein and chocolate chips. It makes a great afternoon pick-me-up or energy boost before a long run.

Once you add all of your ingredients, pour almond milk into your container and place in the refrigerator overnight. At this point your job is done, just allow the oats to work their magic.

The oats, when placed in adorable mason jars, also make a great gift for family and friends! Just make sure not to add the almond milk! Bon apetit!