Chiapas is for Chia during the Family Fun Month
Spending time with our family is important, it can be as a simple as hiking, biking, swimming, but if it is in Chiapas is exceptionally enchanting, will reinvigorate the mind, and will nourish the heart forever. For those who are wondering about what I mean by Chiapas, here is a tidbit. [1]
When we mention Chia, in terms of nutrition, Chia seeds offer numerous health benefits due to their significant content of healthy fats, antioxidants, fiber, and minerals including calcium and iron, which are very important throughout the lifecycle. For only 138 calories, one once of Chia provides 5 grams of protein, 9 grams fat, 12 grams of carbohydrates, and 10 grams of fiber. [2] The protein in the Chia seeds contains all essential aminoacids!
[3] Chia seeds can be consumed as in chia-water, added to yogurt, smoothies or shakes. Chia flour is very versatile and has many culinary uses that go from cooking to baking. Just putting imagination to work, the nutritional value of any food can be enhanced by adding Chia.
But Chiapas offers more than chia-water. Chiapas is a combinations of healthy, and deliciously exotic flavors, all natural and/or cooked to perfection by the very beautiful and hard-working Chiapanecas such chipilin-tamale, coffee with milk, pozol, rambutan, and much more mouth-watering and nutritious dishes and drinks. Chiapas is also waterfalls, rivers, lakes, cities and small towns such Lagos de Colon, Palenque, Comitan, Chapa de Corzo, Tuxtla, and my favorite The Eden. Chiapas also can be extreme, breathtaking and physically challenging as in climbing the Tacana volcano. Despite the mountain sickness, it is pure adrenaline, a living dream, and, literally, in the clouds. And last but not least, the biggest treasure that Chiapas has to offer is its people – The Chiapanecos – including the Tseltal, Tsotsil, Chol, Zoque, Tojolabal, Mame, Kakchiquel, Lacandón, Mocho, Jacalteco, Chuj y Kanjobal. [4]
Just LIVE IT: Chiapasiónate!
By Araceli Vázquez, MS, RDN, LD
[1] Schmal J. Chiapas forever indigenous. Houston Institute of Culture website. http://www.houstonculture.org/mexico/chiapas.html. Accessed August 6, 2018
[2] United States Department of Agriculture. National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Legacy Release, April 2018. https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show. Accessed Aug 7, 2018
[3] Santora ZJ. Health Benefits of Chia. Today’s Dietitian. 2017; 19 (1):44-46.
[4] Constitución Política del Estado Libre y Soberano de Chiapas. Capítulo II de los Pueblos Indígenas. Articulo 7. (Reformado, P.O. 29 de Diciembre de 2016). http://www.poderjudicialchiapas.gob.mx/forms/archivos/b1d3constitucion-politica-del-estado-libre-y-soberano-de-chiapas.pdf