Coconut Chia Seed Pudding… Gluten, Dairy & Soy Free, Vegan and Raw Goodness!!!

» Posted by Jennifer on Jan 17, 2012 in Food, My Latest Post, Recipes | 3 comments

Chia Seed Coconut Pudding! A Powerhouse of Nutrition!

Chia Seeds, yes those tiny seeds that you add water to and suddenly you have a small cat, dog or head of sprouts called your Chia Pet. Believe it or not, those same silly seeds are a powerhouse of nutrition. Chia seeds are loaded with omega 3s which is used as the primary building block of every cell in your body. They have very high content of omega 3s, more than flax seeds and a great alternative to eating fish. And as many if not more anti-oxidents than blueberries! Other benefits include fiber, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc to name a few. Chia seeds help slow down the process of converting carbohydrates into sugar in your body, meaning it stabilizes your blood sugar levels. You will feel full longer due to the fact that they absorb so much water and have such a high fiber content.

You can add the seeds to salads, yogurts or make them into an insanely delicious pudding as I have (below). This is not just another low carb, low sugar, gluten free, vegan recipe I’ve created for you, this is seriously a pudding you should incorporate in to your diet for optimum health! This recipe makes a large bowl of pudding. I like to eat some in the morning, as a snack, add it to smoothies and even add it to other recipes. Chia seeds have no flavor on their own so will absorb the flavors of whatever you combine it with.

Now onto coconut and why I used it with this already amazing seed!? Coconut is wonderful for the immune system! Which we all need to keep strong. Especially this time of year when everyone is sneezing around you. Coconut milk is known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties which help aid in fighting off disease. Also wonderful because it’s a healthy fat that we ALL need.

Make this pudding today and start reaping the rewards of that little seed that once was just a weird sprouted head on a late night tv commercial. Who would have thought )))))))

Coconut Chia Seed Pudding
Raw, vegan, and gluten, soy, and dairy free

Ingredients:
2 cups coconut milk (light or full fat)
1 cup almond or hemp milk (at room temperature)
2 1/2 tbls maple syrup (add more if prefer a sweeter taste)
1/2 cup chia seeds
3/4 shredded coconut unsweetened
1 cup water
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla bean
1 tsp fresh nutmeg
pinch of salt

Directions:
1. Combine coconut milk, water and shredded coconut in blender. Mix on high speed until creamy. Empty in bowl and set aside.

2. In same blender add almond milk (at room temperature), cinnamon, vanilla, maple syrup, and pinch of salt and mix together on high until creamy. Pour into large mixing bowl

3. Add chia seeds to the almond milk mixture and whisk briskly until combination thickens.

4. When mixture resembles a pudding texture add the coconut milk and flake mixture and whisk a bit more.

5. Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate  30 -40 minutes before serving. YUM!!!

Ever Onward~
Jennifer