Weekly Update: Three cheers for chia!
These Chia Charge bars are ‘on-plan’, a great healthy snack and not as oily as some of the other raw bars on the market. There is one for everyone who comes to camp this week, so make your way along and pick up yours to try!
Chia seeds are becoming a common product in health foods and supermarket shelves. They really are a very nutritious and versatile food offering a range of ways to get protein, fibre and essential fats into you and your family.
They are very high in essential fats like the omega 3 and sixes. This is particularly good if you, or someone in your family is vegan or vegetarian and are wondering where you’ll get these good fats from in your diet. They are also a great source of protein and fibre and for a little tiny seed, that’s a great nutrient punch in your food repertoire.
Where do I find them? Chia seeds are found in health food shops and supermarkets. They are usually with the seeds and dry fruit in the baking section of the store. You may see black or white ones, don’t worry about which is better. Both are great.
How do I use them? You can sprinkle them on salads, cereal or porridge or mix into flapjacks, cakes and biscuits. However you can also make chia pudding which looks like frog spawn but can taste way nicer!
Here’s how. Measure out 4 tablespoons of chia seeds into a bowl. Add double the amount of milk or milk substitute. I use the Koko coconut milk. To this I then add some dessicated coconut, a tablespoon should do it. Give it a stir and leave in the fridge overnight or, for at least a couple of hours. The seeds swell up and become a bit gloopy, so stir it up again and add fresh berries or a banana or chopped nuts or cinnamon or a blob of yoghurt to make it into a breakfasty / snacky concoction.
They are great for kick starting your digestion if it’s sluggish and you don’t need many dry seeds to get a decent bowl full.
If you missed the free event last month on 12 Steps to Nurture Your Self Esteem I am running another one next week. On Wednesday 14 September at 19.30 at Wokingham Cricket Club and it’s open to anyone, not just campers. So if you’d like to come along please click this link and secure your place.
https://selfesteem-in-12-
Our 12 week Fit, Lean and Happy programme starts on 19 September. If you’d like to know more and see how you can get involved then please drop me a line and I’ll give you some more details. There are only 16 places and we have about 10 available still. It’s Fit Camp with more than just a beady eye on you! If you feel you need more help and accountability with your nutrition then this could be for you.