Watermelon & Chia Seed Cooler

makes 2 approximately 8-ounce drinks

5 cups cubed watermelon
1/2 peeled lime or lemon (or juice from 1/2 lime)
2 teaspoons chia seeds
6 mint leaves, plus more for garnish
Ice (optional)

If using juicer: Juice the watermelon, and lime according to juicer's instructions. Discard the pulp.

If using blender or food processor: Blend the watermelon, strawberries, and lime until smooth. Strain through a sieve, pushing the juice through with a spatula. Discard the solids.... to be honest I would just have it as a smoothie and not bother with the straining ! :)

Mix the chia seeds into the juice and refrigerate for about 15 minutes to let the chia seeds swell.

Muddle 3 mint leaves in the bottom of each glass. Fill glasses with ice (optional). Stir the juice to break up the chia seeds, pour into glasses, and serve.

Variation:  You may add 1 cup strawberries and turn it into a watermelon, strawberry cooler. Yum !

Summer Tip: You could use frozen watermelon and blend it with some water and turn it into a refreshing slush puppy ! Just get imaginative !

Why Chia Seeds?

1. Help weight loss. Chia seeds are popular for weight loss. They reduce food cravings by preventing some of the food that you eat from getting absorbed into your system. This blockage of calorie absorption makes them a great diet helper.
2. Feel fuller faster: They can also help your diet by making you feel full. This is because they absorb 10 times their weight in water, forming a bulky gel.
3. Hydration for athletes: They are also great for athletes because the "chia gel" can hydrate the body.
4. Reduce your blood pressure: There's evidence to suggest they can reduce blood pressure.
5. Omega-3: They are the richest plant source of Omega-3 (the vital fats that protect against inflammation—such as arthritis—and heart disease). In fact, they contain more Omega-3 than salmon!
6. Benefits for diabetes: Because chia seeds slow down how fast our bodies convert carbohydrates into simple sugars, studies indicate they can control blood sugar. This leads scientists to believe chia seeds may have great benefits for diabetics.
7. They are easier to digest than flax seeds, and don't need to be ground up.