Who remembers the old chia pets that sprouted a plant from their seeds? We received one yearly for Christmas for a while from a Grandpa and they never grew. Worst gift ever! Well chia seeds are back and are so much more than growing a plant on an animal. Ok, so they've been back for a while but I'm going to give you the low-down on these little guys if you have no idea what they are or how and why to eat them.

Chia is a species of flowering plant in the mint family and is native to Mexico and Guatemala. Chia means "strength" in the Mayan language. The Aztecs used to eat chia seeds for energy and endurance.

Chia seeds have many health benefits whether eaten whole, ground or soaked. They provide fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, calcium, copper, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. They are also a rich source of anti-oxidants.