Two Chia Recipes You’ll Love: Creamy Pudding and Not Chocolate Chocolate Fudge
by Jamie Abrams
I can’t believe it has taken me this long to jump on the happy chia eating bandwagon! Now that I have throttled myself aboard this merry eating party there is no going back. So if you feel a bit reluctant to try those tiny black pearls, which absorb H2O or any other moisture like it is going out of style, I say dive in and skinny dip. I won’t lecture you about all the healthful qualities of these gems, but I will leave you with one word ~ YUM ~ oh and a recipe to boot!
How Chia Seeds Benefit Digestion
Its ironic to think that it’s the indigestible parts of the plant that have such a profound impact on the health of our digestive tract. Soluble and insoluble fiber are essential for healthy digestion as they regulate, detoxify, stabilize, cleanse,and normalize the manner in which food is absorbed, processed, and eliminated from the body.
Let us highlight a a super-seed that Mother Nature has loaded with natural sources of these dynamic fibers with free options on other incredible nutrients. The Chia seed continues to radiate in health circles and many claim we have simply rediscovered a superfood that dates back thousands of years.
More Benefits of Chia Seeds
- Chia seeds are one of the plant kingdoms richest sources of the Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acid, LNA (Alpha-linolenic Acid).
- Chia contains 19 amino acids, and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids.
- Chia absorbs over 10 times its weight in liquid when soaked, helping to regulate blood sugar and hydration.
- Chia contains more antioxidants than blueberries.
Chia Seed for Digestion
While all of these properties contribute to radiant health and digestion, the fiber in chia creates magic in the digestive tract. When placed in liquid, the soluble fiber in Chia appears as clear mucilage. The high-viscosity chia mucilage produces greater digestive benefits than low-viscosity dietary fibers. The ‘Chia Gel‘ that is created – when soaked – increases intestinal transit time, delays gastric emptying, slows the rate of glucose absorption and enhances hydration.
How to Get Chia on Your Menu
I love using Chia at home and on the road. My last job had me on the road with long days full of meetings. I would wake up, soak Chia in filtered water in a hotel glass. After a shower and shave, I would stir a superfood powder and goji berries into the chia gelatin and voila, my superfood breakfast was ready and tasty.
At home, I like to soak Chia in homemade nut mylks and/or coconut water. Let it set up and then add your favorite superfood powders, sweeteners, and fruits.
Chummy Chia Pudding
Rightly named so! If anyone dares to try a morsel from your bowl you will have a best mate for life!
Ingredients:
- ¼ – ½ C chia seeds
- 2-3 C coconut milk (although not ideal you can use tinned if you can’t make it fresh or to keep it completely raw sub any nut mylk)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- agave or maple syrup to taste
- 1 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin spice
Directions:
Mix the above ingredients together, cover and place in the fridge for 10+ minutes. Then decorate with anything that gets you kicking in your knickers! My favorite combination is 2 fresh figs, a handful of fresh raspberries and a handful of small chunked raw fudge.
Not Chocolate Chocolate Fudge
Ingredients:
- ¾ C coconut butter, melted
- ¾ C cacao butter, melted
- ¾ C pumpkin seeds, ground to powder
- 1 C lucuma powder
- 1 C mesquite powder
- 3 tbsp agave or maple syrup
Preparation:
Blend melted butters together. Re-blend with remaining ingredients. Spread into a glass dish or mold. Place in fridge for two hours or until set.
This fudge will treat any sweet tooth kindly and your body will love all the healing ingredients. By the way, pumpkin seeds are great for keeping your man’s swimmers strong and healthy!
(Please note my fudge is a spin-off of Kate Magic’s Camu Believe It.) Jamie Abrams can also be found at www.RawYogaTeacher.com .