Last week, I received some organic chia seeds from Nutiva to try.  I had to really think hard to figure out what I was going to do with these seeds. I’m well aware of the health benefits to them. Revered by the early Aztec and Mayan cultures, chia seeds are a superfood packed with fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. But alas, I have never tried them! My grandmother has them in smoothies, my mother touts of their goodness and my brother is an avid user as well. I set out to make a muffin. Not just any muffin though. If this was going to add a health benefit, then I wanted my muffin to have some health benefits as well!  I used fresh blueberries, 100% pomegranate juice and fresh lime zest. These are going to be yummy! Thank you Nutivia!

You will need:

chia seeds 1/2 cup for mix and about 2 tbs for garnish.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 2 limes (Zest of whole lime and 1/2 of a lime)
• 1/4 cup milk(I used 2%)
• 1 stick of butter softened or even melted. ( I used Parkay margarine for this. No need to be picky)
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tbs of 100% POM juice
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cup blueberries

For the Drizzle:

• 2 cups of powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup POM juice
• zest from 1/2 of a lime
• one squeeze of lime juice

Your oven will need to be pre-heated to 375. In a large mixing bowl, add all of your dry ingredients first.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, Nutiva chia seeds and salt.

Next, add to the bowl your softened butter, milk, POM juice and eggs and mix until everything is well incorporated.

This mix will be thick. Don’t worry, it really is supposed to be like this.

Fold in the blueberries and be sure not to mix too much as we don’t want them to break.

Lastly, add in your lime zest, grating right over the bowl and fold in.

Add muffin cups into your muffin tin.

Spoon the batter into your muffin cups evenly. I like to make sure they are a little bit over filled. This ensures that nice top we all love muffins to have.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center of a few of the muffins and if it comes out clean, you are good to go!

Let muffins cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.

While these are cooling, make your drizzle. Add the POM juice to a small bowl.

Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time and stir each cup in completely.

Now add your lime zest. (1/2 lime should do nicely) then squeeze a little bit to the mix, really just one squeeze is fine. Your drizzle is complete. Set aside about 1-2 Tbs of chia seeds for garnish.

Take muffins out and transfer to a dish so we can drizzle each of these beauties.

Drizzle one teaspoon on each.

Lastly, sprinkle each with the Nutiva chia seeds for the little bit of extra crunch.

I really can not begin to tell you how good these were. I made these for breakfast, getting up before anyone else even thought about opening an eye and made them. Needless to say the smell alone woke some up.  The husband ate three, daughter 2, me one and the rest are history between the grandparents are here as well. 12 muffins obliterated! My daughter has requested this be her cake somehow for her birthday coming up in a few short weeks!  I can honestly say that these were a huge hit for me. I loved the addition of the POM juice as well as the lime, but the chia seeds threw it over the top. It added a crunch that I did not expect and every one loved it and the fact I am eating something that healthy as well just makes you feel good. I can also totally imagine these with a little whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and calling this dessert, mmmm. Do yourself a favor and make these, you won’t regret ONE SINGLE BITE.