The Better Chia Seed Pudding

To say I have a minor obsession with chia seeds, is a bit of an understatement. I put them in everything: smoothies, fruit juice, oatmeal, yogurt. You name it, chia seeds are in it. I so desperately hate jumping on food trend bandwagons because I like to think I'm above that. But apparently I'm not. Here is one new creation I have added to my repertoire: coconut chia seed pudding. 

I love all my readers dearly, so I have to be honest with you: this recipe really isn't for everyone. I couldn't even get my loyal taste tester to give it one bite. He said it looked like alien food. I'm well aware that this is not a glowing review one hopes to find on a blog that frequently discusses food. However, that less than stellar opinion is just the thought of my father. And let's be honest-- you don't come here to read about his thoughts; you come here to read about mine! My whole hearted opinion is that you should at least give it a try. God forbid you hate it too, then you can just give it to the nearest dog. 

 
I chose to use Truvia for my sweetener, but you can use a myriad of things like agave, sugar, or honey.

Same goes for the flavoring. I kept it simple with vanilla extract, but there are so many options out there. If you're feeling super crazy toss in a little cocoa powder!
 
I've found that the best ratio is about 3 tablespoons of chia seeds to 1 cup of liquid


RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

¾ cup cup chia seeds

4 cups of coconut almond milk (or any milk of your choice)

Scant ¼ cup of Truvia (or sweetener of your choice)

2 teaspoons Vanilla extract (or flavoring of your choice)

DIRECTIONS

1. Thoroughly mix milk, sweetener, and extract 

2. Stir in chia seeds

3. Refrigerate for 5 hours stirring twice (at the 1 hour point and 3 hour point)

The Better Green Smoothie

 

Right now green shakes are my favorite way to load up on fruits and veggies. Especially since my mom purchased the NutriBullet blender, (I'll do a review in an upcoming post) smoothie making is quick and simple. 

 

A green smoothie is basically a huge salad with no dressing, the only difference is that it actually tastes good and it's in a cup. 

 

{All of this went into one shake}

 

{To cover up the veggie taste I add a small bowl of frozen and fresh fruit; I also like to add some chia seeds}

 

Step 1: Pour a liquid into the blender. Here I used almond milk, but you can also use regular milk, coconut water, or filtered water.

Step 2: Add leafy greens

Step 3: Blend leafy greens until smooth. If you have a lot of greens like I did, blend as much as you can fit in your blender, then add some more and blend agin.

Step 4: Add your fruits and chia seeds

The Better Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner: Spinach Goat Cheese Frittata Minis

It's a natural fact that everything is best in minis. I don't know why or how this works, and I believe it is a conundrum best left for Sheldon to solve. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that if you make it in a mini serving, you can have an unlimited amount, and still have consumed less than if you were to eat one regular size portion...or at least that's how it works in my mind. 
I also like to think that the spinach counteracts the less than healthy ham and cheese of these frittatas. I'm blissfully ignorant about nutrition, and for my happiness and sanity it is probably best that I stay this way.

{I like French bread with everything, so naturally...}

{Lining cups with prosciutto}

{Goat cheese}

{Egg, cheese, spinach, and milk mixture...it doesn't look to pretty yet}

{I used an ice cream scoop for even frittata minis}

My parents don't eat ham so I also made some with thinly sliced turkey meat and they were delicious too! I imagine that if I ever get sick of making French bread from scratch (I doubt it, but let's pretend for a second) I will serve these on the side of pancakes.