Quick Meal That Feels Like Dessert!

Chia seed, your choice of milk and flavoring. Let it sit overnight.  

That easy.  REALLY!

Chia seeds have been a staple in countries for centuries. For many of us it is a new super food like quinoa.  The Mayans and Aztecs knew what they were doing!

Chia seeds are high in Omega 3's, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.  They are seeds, so they have fat but the good kind since it is from a vegetable source.  The fiber helps with a feeling of satiety - ability of food to satisfy.They are high in calcium, manganese, and phosphorus.  

• Manganese - healthy bones, bone metabolism, fertility, processing of nutrients

• Calcium - healthy bones

• Potassium - protein building, electrolyte & fluid balance, muscular contractions, nerve impulses

The benefits are numerous. 

The outer shell of the chia seed swells, absorbing the liquid in the milk creating a pudding like texture. They are also a great replacement for eggs in recipes like flax seed but the advantage is chia seeds don't need to be ground.

Chia seed pudding is a quick and easy dessert to make that is full of the health benefits listed above. It is versatile as you can choose the flavoring you want to suit your mood.  I like making it in individual containers but you can just put in one big one and serve. I don't use any sweetener and then feel less guilty when it is a meal replacement. Adding fresh fruit or a dollop of preserves on the top can also add sweetness to the pudding. 

Share your favorite add-ins on That’s Vegetarian’s Blog.

---

Chia Seed Pudding

3 c cashew milk (almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, pistachio milk, regular milk)
1 T flavoring - vanilla, almond extract, amaretto, preserves...and/or3/4 t spice - pumpkin pie, cinnamon, cardamom,...1 T sweetener - maple syrup, agave syrup, honey (vary amount to taste)1/3 c chia seeds6 t preserves or fresh berries
Mix the ingredients together well.  Put in one large container and let it set in the fridge for 4 hours or overnight.

Optional - add 3T cocoa powder to make it a chocolate pudding!
Difficulty level: easy
Serves 6

Prep Time: 10 min

Wait time: up to 4 hours

gluten free, dairy free, vegan, vegetarian

---

*http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts 

Ice Cube Trays - 5 Tips for an Indispensable Kitchen Gadget for Preventing Food Waste!

Are you thinking ice cube trays, really???? And the answer is yes.  Using the ice cube trays to freeze things helps prevent waste which is good for the environment and your pocket book.  I know this list is endless.  Once the liquid is frozen, remove them an place them into plastic bags or other container in your freezer so you have empty trays to reuse.  Remember to label the containers as you will forget what is in there.  I forget all the time!

1. Coffee and Tea - Make a little extra coffee and tea.  Put it in the freezer in the ice cube trays.  Add it to your coffee and tea without watering it down. Or into some Bailey's or Amaretto.
2. Wine - In those rare cases you have some left, it does freeze. I know from the bottle I accidentally left in there!  You can then add it to your recipes without it being "off".
3. Milk (cow, soy, almond, cashew, etc) - I never use milk fast enough. It inevitably goes bad.  I'll freeze it in water bottles or other containers to reuse at a later date.  Know that the consistency of the non-dairy milks may change a bit and will require more mixing to combine
   
   the particles that have separated in the freezing/thawing process. I have also started putting them in ice cube trays to then put in a frozen smoothie, an orange julius type drink we made growing up, or even iced coffee.  Add some vanilla, chocolate, or other flavoring before freezing too!
4. Fruit - I have been freezing fruit before it goes bad. Happens quickly especially when you get if from the vendors on the streets in NYC.  You can freeze them whole or put some in the ice cube trays with some water to add to water or tea or wine for a different flavor.
5. Flowers and herbs  - freeze them in water, edible flowers such as lavender and the flowers when basil and mint blossom.  Add them to water or seltzer.  What's Cooking America has a very comprehensive list.

Have more suggestions not on the list?  Add to it in the comments below and share!!

Orange Julius (Orange July haha)

6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate (or other frozen juices)

1 c water

1/2 c milk (substitute 6 milk ice cubes, heavy cream, almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk)

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 c sugar (or less or powdered sugar, I find it sweet enough with the concentrated oj and less liquid)

10 ice cubes

Additions I have experimented with that change it up you can add in addition to the basic recipe...

3T egg white opt (caution when using raw egg products for salmonella and other possible illnesses, use a pasteurized egg white product.)**

1/8 c vanilla protein powder opt
1/8 T hemp, flax, or chia seeds

I just add all the ingredients to the blender and go.  The simpler the better.  Crush the ice to desired consistency.

Serves 4

**http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/egg-safety-tips-recipes-and-eggcetera