The Chia is the gag gift we've come to love. They come in all shapes - even a famous Seattle landmark got Chia-fied last fall.
Now the tiny seeds have become the new super food favorite. You can find them at nutrition centers and grocery stores.
The seed comes from the desert plant Salvia hispanica.
Seattle nutritionist Beverly Kindblade says the seeds are good for you.
"They're a very high plant source of those Omega-3 essential fats that everyone's deficient in and they're also a great source of fiber. So you can really meet your essential fatty acid needs and your fiber needs, and they taste great. You can add them to just about anything,” she said.
Chia seeds also have protein and calcium, and unlike flax seed, they don't go rancid.
Pro athletes like Baltimore Ravens star ray rice swears by them.
Some people say they keep you feeling fuller longer so you can stick to your weight loss plan.
"You can add it into yogurt, you can add it into soups, you can add it into pudding." Keri Anderson, Nutrition Expert and Physical Trainer
As with any new food, start slowly. The raw seeds can be hard to digest. That's why many people prefer to mix them with food or with water to form a gel.
Runners add them to their water bottles to stay hydrated longer
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