Everyday around midday, I rip a shot.

No no, I don’t keep a bottle of whiskey in my desk drawer. Nor am I an espresso fan.

I take a chia seed energy shot.

Chia seeds provide amazing, sustainable energy.

Chia seeds were a staple in ancient Aztec and Mayan diets. They actually got their name from the Mayan word for “strength” since they deliver a supercharged nutritional punch in an incredibly small package.

One of the most unique aspects of chia seeds is their ability to absorb up to 12 times their volume in water: when exposed to water, the seeds form a thick jelly outer covering. Take a look at the picture below.

The soluble fiber in chia seeds are responsible for their gel-forming capabilities — they have one gram of soluble and four grams of insoluble fiber per tablespoon. This fiber slows the digestion of carbohydrates and their breakdown into sugars, which creates a sustained stream of energy.

Chia seeds also have a TON of other health benefits.

One tablespoon of these little seeds has more calcium than a glass of milk. Once-for-ounce, they also have more Omega-3s than salmon and more antioxidants than blueberries. And since chia seeds are a complete protein, they contain an adequate proportion of all nine essential amino acids necessary for an optimal diet.

So wanna take a shot with me?

Simply add one teaspoon of chia seeds into a few ounces of water (I don’t typically put this in a shot glass, but a mug since I do it at work — that was just for dramatic effect). Let it sit for about ten minutes. Give your chia gel mixture a little stir and then bottoms up!