There’s no denying it.  I have a sweet tooth, and a pretty intense one.  This is why if you ever come to my home, you’ll probably never find any treats because a) I try not to buy them and b) I’ve probably already eaten all of them.

Now that summer is winding down and comfort foods will take over my diet, I’m trying to kickstart some good habits and routines.  Being active every day,  cooking more at home, eating healthier in general and of course, cutting down on the sweets.  The Chia Seed craze seemed to have hit a few years ago and it was EVERYWHERE.  In salads, smoothies and most popular, chia seed pudding. I can see why, chia seeds have some amazing benefits.

Benefits of Chia Seeds

• One of the most nutritious foods on the planet, loaded with fibre, omega-3 fatty acids, protein and various macro nutrients
• They are an antioxidant which helps with anti-aging and skin health
• Almost all the carbs in the seeds are fibre
• They are high in both protein and fibre which has been shown to aid in weight loss
• Great for bone health because of the calcium and magnesium
• SO easy to prepare

I first tried chia seed pudding a few weeks ago at a breakfast event and I LOVED it.  It had a creamy, soft texture but not too lumpy or heavy.  It was light and just sweet enough which was perfect for breakfast or as a snack.

I decided to make it at home and I’ve literally had it almost every single day.  I don’t really eat breakfast so it’s perfect as a mid-day snack or even if I’m craving something sweet.  Not only has my digestion improved but I find myself less bloated, I have more energy during the day and I’ve been staying away from the chocolate aisle.

The best part about chia seed pudding is you can customize it in SO many ways.  The toppings and flavours are endless.  I keep it super simple.  Mixed nuts for a little bit of crunch and texture, fruit for some added sweetness and possibly some shredded coconut or oat flakes if I have them on hand.

Here’s the quick recipe for the base.  Most of the ones I found online actually had this doubled but these quantities work perfectly for me (being one person) and provided 3 small-medium size servings.

The Recipe

What you’ll need:

1 cup Coconut Milk (regular or Organic)
3 TBSPs Chia Seeds
1/2 TBSP Honey or Maple Syrup (can increase to 1 TBSP if you like it sweeter)
1/2 TSP of Vanilla Extract

Instructions:

1. Combine all the ingredients except the chia seeds into a bowl
2. Slowly add in the chia seeds to the mixture and whisk the liquid as the seeds are added
3. This will keep the seeds from clumping
4. Keep whisking for about 15-30 seconds and then let it sit for about 5-10 minutes
5. Whisk again for 15-30 seconds to ensure no clumping has taken place, you’ll also see that its starting to become a bit “jelly” like
6. Transfer to a mason jar or simply cover the bowl with saran wrap
7. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight
8. Scoop into a bowl and add your preferred toppings

And your done! A perfect snack or breakfast for busy days and so easy to make.  As I write this I’m actually about to go make my batch for the next few days.

I hope you guys try this recipe and if you do I would love to hear how it turned out for you and what you did to customize it!

Till next time!