Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia! Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!
We all have been gifted (and possibly re-gifted) a chia pet at one time in our lives or another. In our house it was known as the gift that keeps on giving. And who forget that catchy jingle, Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!
I don’t know about you but I had no idea those seeds you spread on your terra-cotta animal back in the day weren’t just fun to grow, but also very versatile and packed full of health benefits. Today it seems like everyone is trying to get their hands on there wonder seeds and back then we were using them as home decor. Funny how times change. So here we are today, using chia seeds in everything from salads to smoothies and my personal favorite, pudding. This simple mix of chia seeds, spices and coconut milk is an incredibly quick and healthy eat. Here’s the catch, it’s not actually pudding like the kind you find in the cold section at the grocery store. Chia seeds soak up water very quickly and turn into a gelatinous texture. This characteristic makes them great for helping you feel full longer. When mixed with a liquid and left alone to sit for a few hours, they create a “pudding” treat that is perfect for anytime, day or night.
WHY you should give it a try:
Cardamom
- Cardamom has been shown to have positive effect on colon cancers.
- Also contains antioxidant enzymes that can help to lower cholesterol.
- It is believed to possess antidepressant properties and is a major oil used in many applications of aromatherapy.
Chia
- Widely known for their antioxidant properties, chia seeds are great for ridding the body of cancer-causing free radicals.
- Chia is 14% protein by weight which is relatively high for most foods. Due to high fiber and protein content, they have been touted with helping increase weight loss.
- Also very high in omega-3s; gram for gram they are higher that salmon.
WHERE to get the goods:
- Both chia and cardamom can be found at your local grocery or health food store.
- I typically try to stay with an organic version. To keep costs low, try to find chia in the bulk section.
- Remember: a little chia goes a long way!
HOW to enjoy it:
- Chia pudding is very versatile and well loved because of this fact.
- It makes a great breakfast when topped with fresh fruit or granola (kids love it).
- A fun snack when searching from something sweet after a meal or for a mid afternoon pick me up.
- It’s also great as dessert. Try it topped with cacao and fruit or a few bites of your favorite chocolate.
All you need now is some chia, coconut milk and spices.
Note:If you still happen to have a chia pet lying around I wouldn’t recommend using the seeds that came with it, it’s probably time to get some fresh ones and give this recipe a try! 😉
Thanks for stopping by!
Em
- 1 can (15oz) full fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup choice of non-dairy milk
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cardamom
- Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours but preferably overnight.
