This is the first in a series on how I use superfoods in my daily life to improve my health. However, superfoods also play an important role in my preps. As they are packed with nutrients that would be hard to come by in SHTF, my thoughtful stashing of my superfood friends in my pantry and preps will serve me well should food become scarce. 

In this article, I will discuss my first go-to superfood friend: chia seeds. Often called a superfood, these little seeds come from the Salvia hispanica plant, which is native to Mexico and Guatemala. These seeds have a long and proud history, reaching back to the Mayan and Aztec cultures. In fact, the name "chia" means strength in the Mayan language. As the story goes, Aztec warriors could go an entire day just on a spoonful of these healthy seeds.

Want to get started with chia seeds? You can grab a bag of organic chia seeds for around $5 and read on for how to use them.

What's So Good About Them?

I have to admit that doing the research on these little goodies was a tad overwhelming. There are literally so many benefits to these little seeds that I was at risk of running out of space! So, what's a writer to do? Well, here's a list of benefits from an article that was reviewed by a medical doctor:

-Help with weight loss

-Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids

-Prevent constipation

-Regulate blood sugar, could help prevent diabetes

-Fight breast cancer and other cancers

-Support healthy blood lipid levels

-Boost energy and metabolism

-Possible workout drink (*think Aztec warriors)

-Packed with protein

-Enhance mood

-Rich in antioxidants

-Good for bones and teeth

-Can improve skin health

-Can help treat diverticulosis

-Excellent egg substitute

-Anti-inflammatory properties

-They are gluten free

-Rich in manganese

-Rich in magnesium

-Said to improve sleep 

Woweeee! That's a whole lot of benefits!