Easy BLUEBERRY chia Pudding - SO HEALTHY

 This was so yummy so I decided to blog about it right away.  Once again this is QUICK and EASY but incredibly healthy and filling.



Blueberry Chia Pudding: (I made this up - aren't you proud of me!)

1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk (you could experiment with other milk, but I LOVE coconut milk)
1/4 cup water (or regular milk)
1/4 c chia seeds
Stevia or agave to taste  (I used about 1/8 tsp liquid stevia, if using agave I'd use around 1Tbsp)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c Blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Stir all ingredients together.  (see, easy)

Refrigerate 60 minutes or till thickens (it wont hurt it to even stay overnight and you could eat it for breakfast!)  You can stir half way through just so all the seeds get mixed in.  Have fun experimenting with the amount of seeds also.

You could serve with some real whip cream if you like – it would look pretty and be a great addition to the flavor.

Serves 2.



I know some of you (like my wonderful grandpa – Opa) think my recipes are written in another language.  (Stevia, chia seeds, agave nectar,coconut oil, almond meal, GF flour, palm sugar – you get the picture)  But let me tell you a few healthy benefits from this lonely, not very well know thing called Chia Seeds!

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

The main reason why Chia is considered to be a “superfood” is because it contains high amounts of many essential nutrients. They contain 20% protein, 37.7% soluble fiber, 43% carbohydrates, and 31% fats, making the seed a better source of protein than beans and other legumes, and a better source of dietary fiber than oats and other grains.  Right there I’m SOLD!

Almost all of the fats are the omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce levels of triglycerides in the body, blood pressure, and the risk of heart attacks. Additionally, for those wondering, they are also Gluten Free!

Chia has gel-forming property (they remind me of tapioca) that create a barrier between carbohydrates and digestive enzymes in the stomach. This is why chia slows down the conversation of carbs into sugar and can stabilize sugar blood levels. Folks, this is huge in keeping off the weight!

I found it amazing that chia contains:

Six times more protein than kidney beans,
Twice the amount of dietary fiber as bran flakes,
Three times the amount of iron in spinach,
Twice the amount of potassium in bananas,
Six times the amount of calcium in milk (Bourne, 2002).


HAVE I CONVINCED YOU YET?
 
Now I will leave you to be creative with all your chia seeds.  See my Health Food on a Budget – Tips and Secrets for the best prices I have found on all these "Foreign Language" foods!  Use my iherb coupon code for $5.00 off your order.  (see ad on the right, or just click link)