One of our amazing readers, Julie Morris, is an employee for Navitas Naturals and just came out with her very own recipe book, Superfood Cuisine. She kindly sent me a copy of the recently published book, and I have to say, it’s amazing. The whole concept is cooking delicious cuisine with high-energy, nutrient-rich ingredients – superfoods. She defines superfoods as natural food with an exceptionally high nutrient density (nutrient:calories). They are ingredients that help to rejuvenate the body and keep the mind sharp. The funny thing is that most of these ingredients (mostly fruits, roots, seeds, plants, and berries) were discovered long ago by ancient cultures, but have since lost their popularity. The book is packed with info on superfoods. If you’re interested in learning more on why they’re so good to incorporate into your diet, I suggest picking up a copy.
I decided to recreate one of the many delicious looking recipes in Julie’s book for this week’s recipe. Watermelon Chia Fresca is made using the superfood chia seeds. These tiny seeds were originally used by the Aztec, Incas, and Mayans to increase stamina on a long journey. They are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, fiber (1tbsp = ¼ daily fiber needs), and important minerals like calcium and iron. Another fun fact about Chia seeds is that they can absorb 9x their own weight in water which means that once in the stomach they will expand and increase your feeling of being full. Check out this delicious fresh beverage using the powerful superfood, and stay tuned next week for another of Julie’s recipes.
Ingredients:
1 Cup of Water
2 Teaspoons of Chia Seeds
2 ½ Cups of Chopped Watermelon Flesh
1 ½ Tablespoons Fresh Lime Juice
Stevia or Agave Nectar to taste (I used Agave)
Directions:
Combine water and chia seeds. Stir.
Place into the fridge for 10 minutes. After ten minutes, take out and stir. Then place back into the fridge for another 10 minutes. This allows the chia seeds to plump up.
Place chia mixture and remaining ingredients into a blender and blend.
Chill and then serve.
My family is from Nicaragua and we all drink chia. :) Wonderful post!
yummmm, this sounds healthy and delicious! definitely gonna try it out :)
I’m totally addicted to the chia kombucha’s, so I will have to try this. Thanks for sharing!
I love how you presented the materials in a photo grid!
i love chia seeds! the cookbook sounds cool and that drink is really pretty. even the ingredients are pretty. :)
i’m a smoothie fiend, but i’ve never tried any with watermelon. can’t wait to make this, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s pretty too :)
i was just reading about this in “born to run” !!!!!!!! can’t wait to try it
This was so light and yummy! Even my 12 and 13 year old brothers had some :) I would definitely make this again. I think it would be a perfect punch for a party.
Yummy. I didn’t think it needed a sweetener