Over the past decade chia seeds have become a very popular healthy food option for many Australians and for good reason. Chia seeds are extremely nutritious providing protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and antioxidants.  Interestingly they provide 3 grams of omega-3 fats per 15gram serve, which makes them a rare vegetarian source of these important essential fatty acids. They also contain a combination of soluble and insoluble fibre. Soluble fibre is important because it helps maintain normal cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Insoluble fibre helps maintain good bowel function.

Chia seeds can be included in smoothies, chia puddings, breads, muffins – the list goes on.

HIGH-FIBRE ORANGE & CRANBERRY MUFFIN

Ingredients –  1 cup Organic Road Wholemeal Flour, 3 tsp Lotus Baking Powder, 1 cup Natural Road Linseeds, 1 ½ cups Natural Road Fine Oatbran, 2 tablespoons Go Vita Organic Chia Seeds, 1 cup Lotus Unprocessed Wheatbran, 2 oranges peeled and cut into squares, 1 cup Organic Road Coconut Sugar, ½ cup Organic Road Dessicated Coconut, 2 eggs, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 cup Milklab Almond Milk, 1 ½ cup Go Vita Apple Juice Dried Cranberries.

Method – Preheat oven to 190 degrees  celsius, sift flour, combine in bowl with baking powder, linseeds, oatbran, chia seeds & unprocessed bran.  Blend oranges, sugar, oil, eggs, baking soda, & milk. Blend until smooth.  Pour batter into the dry ingredients, blending thoroughly before stirring cranberries into the mix.  Spoon mixture into muffin tins, baking for 20 minutes.  Allow muffins to cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan.  Enjoy!

MIXED SEED CRACKERS (GLUTEN FREE & VEGAN)

Ingredients – 1 cup Gluten Free Aussie Oats; ¾ cup Australian Pumpkin Seeds; 1/3 cup Australian Sunflower Kernels; 3 tbs Go Vita Organic Chia Seeds; 3 tbsp Go Vita Poppy Seeds; 1 tsp Natural Road Himalayan Salt; 1 tbsp Absolute Organic Aust Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 1 tbsp Organic Road Maple Syrup.

Method: Combine oats, seeds and salt in a bowl. Mix maple syrup, water and oil together then pour into dry mixture, tossing until ingredients are combined well.  Leave mixture for approx. 10 minutes or until water has been absorbed and mixture has thickened. Scoop mixture with a teaspoon, rolling into a ball then sitting on a tray lined with baking paper. Lay another piece of baking paper on top of the ball, flattening with a rolling pin until around 13mm thick. Once all mixture has been processed, remove top baking paper and bake for 15-20 minutes in preheated oven of 375F or 190C.  Carefully remove cracker from baking paper, turn over and return to the oven to bake for a further 15-20 minutes.  Allow to cool on baking sheet.