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Blackberry and ginger chia fresca

It was seriously crazy hot this weekend. We escaped with our close friends to a nearby lake, Worthsee. It is so perfect for kids, there is a huge sandy playpark and the lake surround is beautiful soft grass that leads down to the water edge. The water is crystal clear and the lake was full of happy swimmers, stand up paddle boarders and toddling babies. They also have a kiosk that sells strong coffee, chips and wine…just saying!

We took a picnic both days with us and packed up berries, roasted veggies, crackers and mini frittatas for the little ones. We ate the leftovers/rejects at times but mostly we hung out on big rugs and enjoyed the last of the summer. When its super hot I don’t have a big appetite and I seemed to live on smoothie bowls, watermelon and chia fresca this weekend. Chia seeds are so powerful in keeping you hydrated. They absorb up to twelve times their own weight in water and so allow your body to ‘store’ water for longer. You can make a simple chia fresca – water, chia, lime juice and a little sweetener as an effective natural energy drink for during or after working out. Its a really popular drink for endurance athletes..and hot mums on busy days.

Blackberry season is just starting so take full advantage. They are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C. As kids we spent every summer on a farm in France and I remember being sent out by my mum to go picking. We would go off down the lane with my aunty and uncle and spend ages trying to fill buckets with the biggest berries. We always thought my uncle was a genius/wizard as he could do the 360 degree bucket flip without spilling a berry! We would return home stained and prickled and excited for the feast! Enjoy

Ingredients (serves 4)
135g blackberries (washed)

3 tbsp chia seeds

1 small piece of ginger

Juice 1/2 lime

800 ml water

3 tbsp maple syrup

Ice cubes to serve

Method
Place the chia seeds in a glass with 400ml of water and leave to swell for 20mins

Place the ginger, berries, maple syrup, lime juice and 400 ml of water into a blender and blend well

Add in the chia seed gel and blend briefly

Serve over ice

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Using chia seeds

While chia may not make the best omelette and would almost certainly struggle with clafoutis, you can easily use them to replace eggs in baking and in one rather simple step you can add a super boost to your favorite baked treats.

Chia seeds have no taste but they pack a huge amount of nutrition. They contain calcium, manganese, and phosphorus, and they are an excellent source of healthy omega-3 fats. They are also high in fibre & high in protein.

They are a perfect boost sprinkle atop of porridge or thrown into a bought or homemade smoothie.

What I especially love about chia seeds is that you can use them to replace eggs in baked goods – this is a really easy way to adapt a cake recipe to one that would suit a vegan or someone with an egg allergy.

Ingredients
1 tbsp chia seeds (or one tbsp per egg replacing)
3 tbsp water

Method
Grind the chia seeds in a coffee or spice grinder (or using a pestle and mortar)
Stir the chia into the water and leave for 15 minutes – it will form a thick gel
Use to replace one egg in a recipe

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