Oh, hey there little chia seed.

We’ve known each other for a long time, right? Since like 2008, if I remember our first encounter correctly. You were sitting in the bulk section of Wegmans, just begging for a shot in the kitchen. At $4.99 a pound, you didn’t exactly fit my post-college budget, but I figured a couple scoops wouldn’t hurt.

Well, a couple of scoops turned into a couple of trips to Wegmans monthly to refill my stash. I used you in granola. I added you to my swirling peanut butter. Even threw you in chocolate chip cookies for an unsuspecting boost of health.

In return, you saved me when I ran out of eggs in the middle of baking banana bread.  You packed my peanut butter with an Omega-3 punch, my blueberry muffins with even more antioxidents.

And yes, you gave justification to eating an entire pan of the beforementioned chocolate chip cookies by myself. “It’s for my health, really.”

Seriously…I don’t know how I can ever repay you for that.

So hence why I’m starting to feel a bit jealous of the relationship you have sprung with my husband. Don’t you remember when he called you gross? Or overpriced? Or even worse, UNNESSESARY? Or when he could not stop singing “Ch-ch-ch-chia!” every time I added you to something, as if you were merely a seed that grew plant hair on plastic animals?

I mean, I was hurt FOR you. Yet I defended you with such grace, only banning him from eating my chia-packed granola one time, just in spite.

But you – no, you just go and flock to him now like nothing ever happened. Ever since he got that Vitamix, you and him are two peas in a pod. Double trouble.  Mixing mavens.

And if the bulk-size bag of you stuffed into our kitchen cabinet isn’t telling, I’d say you two are having a full-out affair. Not really trying to keep it covert, now are we?

But I mean, whatever. I guess I can understand. It’s his big blue eyes, right? They lured you in, begging for forgiveness and subsequently, health benefits? He does it to me all of the time. Well, if “health benefits” mean rubbing his feet after 20-mile runs. You’re lucky you have no sense of smell – I doubt you’d stay once he took off his socks.

Either way, I really can’t be mad at’ cha, as I am happy that he’s come to understand the – no offense – “different” ingredients I have filled our shelves with over the years. But the least you can do is find some time in your busy schedule for me again, like back in the old days.

And like in this peach chia seed jam. Which totally rocks my world, btw. Who would have thought that you can add “fruit-puree-thickener/natural-jam-maker” to your chia-icios resume??

Not your blue-eyed boy-toy, that’s for sure.

Peach Chia Seed Jam

• 2 ripe peaches
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (if you like a really thick jam, you can add more)
• 1 tablespoon honey – optional for added sweetness!

Directions:

1) Wash and cut your peaches into a blender. Puree on high to your desired consistency – I like my jam a bit chunky, so I didn’t puree all the way.

2) Pour peach puree into a small saucepan over medium heat. Add honey if desired. Add chia seeds, stirring frequently for about 10-15 minutes or until the jam thickens to your liking.

3) Remove from heat and either enjoy straight out of the pot (I didn’t do that or anything) or place in refrigerator or freezer for an additional 5-10 minutes. as it will continue to thicken as it cools. Store in an airtight container in the fridge – it should keep for at least a week or two. I haven’t tried freezing mine, but once I do I will let you know how it turns out!

So chia seeds – whaddya say we get outta here and go make some chocolate chip cookies to make up for lost time?