I’ve talked about chia seed before. But bear with me—let’s visit this food one more time. My purpose is to capture the attention and maybe motivate any of you that haven’t jumped on this bandwagon. It’s been called a “superfood,” and for good reason. Take another look at why you don’t want to live without chia seed—why you seriously want to consider including it in your diet:

• Chia is the highest plant source of omega-3 currently marketed
• It’s a great source of fiber (soluble and insoluble)
• It’s a complete protein with a ranking over 100
• It’s a good source of natural antioxidants (which means beyond health benefits, it has a long shelf life—it can be stored for decades!)
• It’s an excellent source of calcium, magnesium and iron
• It has a soft seed coat so you can consume the whole seed without milling

All that said, consider just a few of the benefits people have consistently seen when consuming chia daily:

• Lower cholesterol and blood pressure
• Less joint pain
• Weight loss
• Reduced insulin spikes (an awesome benefit for diabetics)
• More energy later in day (no more afternoon droops, meaning you can say goodbye to your Snickers Bar and Pepsi break!)
• Increased fingernail growth
• Shinier, softer, thicker hair

And if you’re still not impressed, just consider how chia compares to some other foods:

• More antioxidants than blueberries.
• More omega3 than salmon
• More calcium than milk
• More iron than spinach
• More potassium than bananas

And chia seed isn’t just good for you, it’s fast and easy. When you’re in a hurry but still want your chia boost, you can simply swirl some chia gel into a glass of room temperature water, drink and go! This is a deeply hydrating way to fill up and ward off hunger and cravings. I also like to take chia gel before meals to add bulk to my tummy, which in turn helps prevent overeating. To make your own chia gel, pour 1 cup of cool water into a sealable plastic or glass container. Slowly add 1 3/4 teaspoons chia seeds, briskly mixing with a small wire whisk. Wait 3 or 4 minutes then whisk again. Let the mixture stand about 10 minutes and whisk one more time. Seal the container and store mixture in the refrigerator for up to two weeks; use as needed. Whisk before using.

And another thing: Chia gel is an excellent egg replacer when baking. For every egg your recipe calls for, combine one tablespoon chia seed with three tablespoons water. Whisk together and allow this mixture to gel for 10 to 15 minutes before using. When ready to add to your batter, just whisk the chia and water then combine it with your other ingredients. Results are amazing, to say the least. (Pictured: Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies made with chia replacing the egg.)

And one more thing (although I could go on for paragraphs and paragraphs about all the ways to use this seed): If you’re looking for healthy, really good, and affordable snacks, look to chia seed. I found a recipe for a chip that is worth the price of the book I found it in (CHIA: The Complete Guide to the Ultimate Superfood, Wayne Coates, PhD).

You need cooking spray or coconut oil for greasing your cookie sheet, chia gel (amount of your choice), and maybe some sea salt, herb seasoning, or other flavor—it’s up to you. Preheat your oven to 170°F; grease your cookie sheet. For each chip, spoon a teaspoon-sized amount of chia gel onto the prepared sheet, three inches apart. Sprinkle with any seasoning desired. Place pan in oven and leave it there for 12 hours or overnight. The finished chips resemble potato chips. You can make these in a dehydrator if you don’t want to tie up your oven.

Have I convinced you? Well, did I mention chia strengthens the immune system, increases brain and nervous system health, improves skin condition, fights internal inflammation, aids in digestion, boosts good cholesterol and lowers bad cholesterol, and strengthens the heart (just to name a few more benefits)? Finally, it tastes great! Having a big spoonful a day is one of the best ways to improving health and vitality and staying healthy. It’s truly a superfood you don’t want to live without! (While you’re thinking it over I’m gonna go indulge in one of my favorite snacks—chia seed soaked in coconut milk mixed with fresh berries…)