ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY CHIA SEED

Before I started The 30 Clean, I was in Joshua Tree National Park. Our guide pointed to a small purple flowering plant just off our trail and said - "this is a chia!". To be honest, I had never considered where chia came from but found it really cool that one of our modern-day superfoods was right before me in the middle of a rugged Southern California desert.

Interestingly, the chia plant is from the mint family. Its seeds deliver massive amount of nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber with very few calories. The guide told us that while they are now known as a superfood, they used to be prized by the Aztecs and Mayans for their energizing properties. In fact, lore points to the likelihood that "chia" may have been the ancient Mayan word for "strength"... leading us to the strong possibility that they have actually been a superfood all along. These days, my breakfasts consist of chia puddings covered in seasonal berries, almond butter, slivered nuts, and raw coconut. Fancy, right? Not really. It's one of the easiest and quickest breakfast to make since pouring a bowl of cereal isn't an option anymore. I'm also adding chia to blended smoothies, salads, and most recently as a topping on a gorgeous velvety chocolate-avocado mousse (see above) and feeling all the more healthier for it. Chia! Chi-chi-chi-chia!

#desserts