If there were ever a competition for the world’s worst shopper, I’d probably win. Or if not the worst, at least the least enthusiastic. When Marilyn wants to go shopping, I usually take along a book and sit in the car or at the food court and read, content to just carry her purchases to the car when she’s finished.
There’s one sort of minor exception, though. When she goes to Costco, I usually tag along and do the manly pushing-of-the-cart chore. Marilyn says it’s just because they offer lots of food samples at Costco! I mean, where else can you go to help your wife shop and take her out to lunch all at the same time!
Well, on one of our recent excursions through the wonderland of Costco, I noticed a lot of products which featured “chia.” All my previous experience with chia was in the form of those ridiculous ads on TV for “Chia Pets.” “Ch-ch-ch-Chia!”
I found out that Chia Pet is the registered trademark of Joseph Enterprises Inc., the manufacturers and originators of the Chia Pet, and that the name was first used on Sept. 8, 1977. I also learned that The Chia Pet itself is not a patented invention. That means that if you want to make and sell similar novelty items, you can—but you just can’t call them that. Interesting.
Chia Pet figurines, in many shapes, have hollow clay bodies. They have many small grooves in which you slather on the moistened chia seeds (Salvia Columbariae, in case you wanted to know). The moistened chia seeds produce a thick, gel-like paste which binds the seeds to the clay surface.
Then you just watch them grow. How much fun can you have?
In those ubiquitous television ads that began over 30 years ago, Chia Pets were called “the pottery that grows.” Mixing chia seeds and water on the outside of a terracotta figurine produces a plant resembling green hair, supposedly almost overnight.
Our oldest son TJ was given one nearly that long ago, so he decided to document the Chia’s growth on film.
This was back in the “old days’ when people still used film. He shot an entire 36-exposure roll, complete with date stamps. He had 36 identical pictures. Not one seed sprouted! Pretty cool set of pictures.
So, anyway, I saw a bunch of products containing chia and even packages of chia seeds you can sprinkle in your cereal or mix into all kinds of recipes. Evidently, the seeds have almost no taste, but they’re filled with all kinds of stuff that’s good for you. It’s gluten-free (another great buzz-word of the modern era), and it’s OK for those who have nut allergies. What more could you ask?
Chia is a species of flowering plant in the mint family that is native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. There is historical evidence that chia was cultivated by the Aztecs and that it was as important as maize as a food crop. It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It also has antioxidants, protein and fiber.
But getting back to the Chia Pet. Did you know that they’re sold only during the holiday season? Why do you suppose that is? Because they’re such marvelous gifts for kids or adults? I give up.
Is it because there’s such an attractive array of choices of pets? After all, besides the original Chia Ram, you can now get turtles, pigs, puppies, kittens, frogs and hippopotami. There are bulls, teddy bears and bunnies. Elephants, clowns, professors, cows and lion cubs. Elmer Fudds, Daffy Ducks, Shreks, donkeys, Garfields, Sylvesters and Tweetys. Scooby Doos, Bart Simpsons and Spongebobs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Mickey Mice. Mr. Ts and Tasmanian Devils. Ronald Reagans, Newt Gingriches, George Washingtons, George Romneys and Barack Obamas.
Just in case you were thinking about it: I don’t want a Chia Pet!
Author’s note: Today marks eight years as part of the Times Herald. Thanks to all the great people who have responded to me over the years. I love my hometown area.
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