“DO birds eat seeds for lunch, Uncle Obz?” my nephew Pannon asked me.
“Yes, they do. And aside from seeds, they dine on fruits and even nectar, if they happen to be hummingbirds.”
“And they also feed on bugs. Our cousins in the States say they have bird feeders filled with sugar or honey mixed with water for the hummingbirds in their area,” my niece Krystalle said.
“So seeds are for the birds. Does that mean Aunt Ellen is a bird?” the kid asked.
“She’s a human being who loves showbiz and entertainment,” I replied.
“But I saw her munching on seeds yesterday after she joined the marathon arranged by the company where she works.”
“I think the bright boy is talking about chia seeds,” Uncle Gustave said. “I heard that it’s the latest in the world of Super Foods.”
“Me and my bird-brained head! I’ve heard so much about chia seeds from my old friend Nika.”
Salvia Hispanica is not the latest winner in the Reina Hispanoamericana beauty contest. It’s the botanical name of chia seeds, the recent darling of the “Health Buffs” community.
I asked Nika and Ellen a few things about Salvia. Both girls said it’s friendly on the tongue.
“It’s akin to sesame seeds in taste,” Nika said as she showed me a packet of chia seeds. I tried it. It does taste a bit like sesame seeds and just about the same size.
A quick look at healthline.com was a revelation to me. Just “chia-ecking” it out, you know.
Chia is good for the skin. Now I know why Ellen sprinkles chia seeds on her tuna salad, on her veggie carbonara and veggie pizza. It’s a good source for fiber and protein.
“Oh boy, Obz, I’d rather have my protein from good old beefsteak,” said Peetong, my cousin Dona’s husband.
Listen to this. Chia seeds are high in Omega-3 fatty acids. According to healthline.com, it has more Omega-3 than salmon.
“I can grill or bake salmon, but can you grill chia seeds?” my aunt Tita Blitte asked on her way to our kitchen.
“You can’t. But you can add it to fruit shakes and juices. You can’t add tuna to mango shake,” Ellen said.
Anyone is free to try chia seeds. Read up on its benefits from reliable sources. As with everything in this life, don’t overdo it.