Hi it's Natalie here with my first blog on the Chia Charge page and I would like to start off with giving you lots of delicious, quick and easy ideas of what you can do with all of the current Chia Charge products.

Having used all of these products for the last 7 months I've had the chance to try them in lots of different ways, I love experimenting and hope these allow you to be experimental with your flavour combinations too.

1) Smoothies

Add a couple of teaspoons blended into a smoothie for added protein, fibre, antioxidants and omega3 

This was my favourite smoothie recipe and all you need to do is blend the following ingredients together: 8 large strawberries, 1 1/2 bananas, 250g strawberry Greek yoghurt (I used 2 pots of muller light sublime strawberry), 2 tablespoons of milk, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 2 teaspoons of chia seeds.

2) Sprinkled on a meal

You can sprinkle a spoonful over salads, omelettes, on top of porridge, yoghurt and even mix into stir frys.

3) Chia pudding

Try our recipes here

4) Overnight oats

My favourite recipe so far has to be overnight oats made using the chia seeds.

Mix 30g of porridge oats, 1/2 a cup of almond milk, 1 tablespoon of Greek yoghurt, 1 tablespoon of Chia seeds and 1 tablespoon of peanut (or chia nut butter) in a jar then cover and leave in the fridge overnight.  Top with any fruit of your choice and you have a delicious breakfast.

Next are the Chia nut butters, I love how many different ways you can eat these plus they both taste great when mixed with other foods too.

5) Spread

The way most people would eat this is to spread it on toast, pancakes, crumpets, malt loaf and this is delicious.  I've even tried adding chicken on my toast and loved it.  I also found a great combination is orange malt loaf with Chiaocolate pudding nut butter, the perfect guilt free chocolate orange which is a must try!

6) Marinade

Try our chia charged chicken recipe here

7) Sauce

You could also create a thick sauce using your nut butter by putting a tablespoon into a saucepan and adding water until you get the consistency you want.  (Be careful not to burn it though) 

8) Snack balls

I also used the nut butter to create these snack balls: Edit   To make 4 just mix 1/4 cup of dates, 1/4 cup of raisins, 1/4 cup of oatbran or blitzed oats, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, heaped tablespoon of chia nut butter, tablespoon of quark of thick yoghurt together, roll into balls and then roll into chopped hazelnuts or desiccated coconut

9) Dip

My final nut butter use is as a dip using carrot, cucumber, apple, pear, breadsticks, biscuits, anything you can chop into slices or that is suitable for dipping.  Why not try your own combinations and post about them on twitter, don't forget to tag @chiacharge in your post.

10) Frozen

I know the last point said it was the final use but I need to mention that you can always just eat it from the tub, or freeze it and have it as a healthy ice cream.

The flapjacks again are ideal on their own particularly on a long ride or run, but great as a general snack when you are feeling a bit peckish.  But here are some more inventive ways of using your flapjacks:

11) Baking

As a topping on a fruit crumble, simple crumble on top of the fruit and bake.

12) Cheesecake

Squashed down as a base of a cheesecake, a great alternative to the classic digestive base. 

Finally a product I haven't experimented with yet but I wanted to mention it is the protein bars, I love them and find them perfect after a swim.  Keep an eye on the blog as there may be a recipe in the future.

I hope you enjoy trying out new ways to eat your chia products and I will be posting lots of exciting recipes on here so keep an eye out for them.

Natalie