Tag Archives: chia seeds

Creamy Dreamy Superfood Pudding

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Happy Birthday to our daughter, she turned two years old today! I made this pudding yesterday for her birthday dessert tonight – her dessert is usually fruit so this was a treat!

She LOVED it! Can you tell?

 

When I saw this recipe on HealthyMammas.com, I just had to make it! As they put it ” how else can you find a way to get in your Chia Seeds, Hemp Seeds, and Coconut Oil in one sitting?” My thoughts exactly!

Ingredients
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup cashews (use RAW cashews, bulk section at Sprouts)
  • 1/2 cup hemp seeds – (I used whole and shelled, all I had)
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar – (I used brown sugar, all I had but I will use coconut sugar next time! Buy at Sprouts)
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil (I used a little less)
  • 2 ½ Tbsp chia seeds (You can buy them here on Amazon, best price I’ve found and free shipping!)
Instructions
  1. Soak the cashews in water for 4-6 hours. When finished rinse the cashews with water and strain. (don’t leave this part out! I made it without and with soaking – huge difference!)
  2. If coconut oil is solid place in a pan or double boiler on the lowest temperature possible. (or stick in the microwave for about 6 seconds) Once oil becomes a clear liquid turn the heat off. Coconut oil should melt at 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. Place the water, the soaked cashews, the hemp seeds, the coconut sugar, the salt, and the vanilla extract in a high-speed blender. (My Vitamix was PERFECT for this)
  4. Blend on high until you have a nice creamy consistency.
  5. Turn the blender on low and while it is running slowly pour in the melted coconut oil. Place the lid back on and run the blender on high for a few seconds.
  6. Turn the blender on low and slowly pour in the chia seeds. You will want to make sure the chia seeds stay whole. (important, I also tried this with and without keeping them whole. My recommendation is to keep them in tact.)
  7. Place mixture in a sealed container (a quart size mason jar works great) and refrigerate over night. Super Food Chia Pudding is great topped with cacao nibs and hemp seeds or fresh berries.
  8. It will be runny when you pour it out of the blender but don’t worry, it will set up in the fridge.
Notes

Makes 4 cups, or approximately 6-8 servings.

I topped this with mini vegan chocolate chips, yummy! I can’t wait to try berries!
 Thank you Healthy Mammas!!!

Cha-Cha-Cha Chia Seeds!

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Chia seeds… you may have heard of them, they’re pretty awesome.

Chia seeds are the latest super food on the health food scene. They look like poppy seeds, have a crunchy texture, and are almost nutty in taste.

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are high in protein, fiber, calcium, antioxidants, and omega-3s. In fact, for women, the RDI of omega-3s is 1.1 grams (1,100 mg) a day, so if you’re looking for a new source that’s vegan, gluten-free, and easy to consume, you’ll want to pick up some chia seeds.

1 Tbsp of chia seeds is 60 calories, 3 grams of fat, 5 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein, 8% of your daily calcium, and 2.5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids.

Chia seeds are great for athletes because they absorb large amounts of water, over 10 times their weight making them a great enhancer in hydrating our bodies. They also absorb the water we drink holding it in our system longer.

If you soak a teaspoon of chia seeds in water, until they become gelatinous and expand. Eating the soaked seeds can help you watch your caloric intake, because they make you feel full.

It’s up to you if you want to grind them up, but you still reap all the health benefits by eating them whole or just soaking them. Try sprinkling half a tablespoon on your cereal, ice cream, salad, oatmeal, or yogurt. Or you can make a pudding with them, add them to muffins when baking, or add a tablespoon in a smoothie concoction!

I eat 1-2 Tbsp of chia seeds per day – I add them t0 my morning protein shake, sprinkle them on salads, add them to baked goods and mix them in with my favorite almond or soy yogurt My toddler loves these mixed in her yogurt, we call them her “crunchies” (hemp seeds too).

My favorite is Nutiva brand chia seeds, they are organic and sold at an awesome price online at Amazon. Sprouts sells chia seeds in the bulk spice section for about $16.99 PER POUND, Amazon sells a 3 POUND BAG of ORGANIC Nutiva Chia Seeds for $22.89 with free shipping!! Awesome deal! (Buy here)

Nutiva Organic Chia Seeds

Breakfast To Go

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The makings of a fast breakfast

In order for me to get my two kids out of the house early enough to walk/run to Stroller Strides (exercise class with your stroller) I have to eat fast. I have to eat something that will stick with me because I won’t get another chance to eat again for awhile.

I rotate protein powders/meal replacements because I can’t have the same thing every day.

Right now I’m about halfway through this Vega Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer – a little on the expensive side but it averages out to be about $3.00 a meal so that’s okay. The taste is a little earthy so I mix it with vanilla almond milk, frozen berries, banana and a little stevia powder (Kal brand is the best!). Sometimes I add greens (kale, collards, chard) if they are wilting in the fridge, sometimes a carrot or celery. Add a little flaxseed oil and chia seeds (think cha-cha-cha- chia!) and presto… I’m full until lunch! Plus I am getting about 30-35 grams of protein and 21 grams of fiber.

Most people do not get enough fiber – you generally need between 35-45 grams per day. Chia seeds are very high in fiber and an excellent source of calcium, iron and magnesium. Almond milk has almost half of the calcium you need on one day in one serving plus it tastes so good!