Overnight Breakfast Recipe: Chia Seed Pudding

Happy Friday, folks!  As we begin this new month and the excitement of the new year wears off, I hope you're sticking to your goals and resolutions.  A lot of people choose January 1st to start a new health plan, but if the attendance level at my local gym is any indication, they've fallen off the wagon by now.  Whether the culprit is boredom, lack of time, or lack of will, it can be tough to maintain a lifestyle change.  As a mom with a full-time job, two dogs, a house to care for, plus a lot of side projects, it can be difficult to find the time to do everything I need to do in a day.  One thing that has helped me tremendously is a make-ahead breakfast.  Overnight oats are a favorite of mine, but here lately, I'm really digging chia seed pudding.  If you're not familiar with chia seeds (outside the realm of the chia pet seen on TV in the 90s, anyway), they are tiny black and white seeds that grow in the desert regions of Mexico, believed to have been used by ancient Mayan and Aztec cultures as energy boosting food.  In his book "Born to Run," author Christopher McDougall notes chia as one of the main food sources for the Tarahumara people of the Copper Canyons.  And these are people who run ultra marathons in homemade shoes for fun!  According to WebMD, "Chia seeds are an unprocessed, whole-grain food that can be absorbed by the body as seeds (unlike flaxseeds). One ounce (about 2 tablespoons) contains 139 calories, 4 grams of protein, 9 grams fat, 12 grams carbohydrates and 11 grams of fiber, plus vitamins and minerals."  They really are a powerhouse of nutrition.  The really cool thing about chia, to me anyway, is the texture when they're soaked.  They can absorb 4 times their weight in water, becoming like tapioca when soaked.  Plus, they don't have a strong flavor, so they can be flavored however you like.  You can find them at any local grocery store now, too, so there's really no reason not to try these amazing tiny superfoods. 

Chia Pudding

4 tbsp. chia seeds

1 cup almond milk (or other dairy-free alternative of choice)

1 tbsp. maple syrup

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Cinnamon

Fresh blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, or chopped apple.

Optional:  1 scoop protein powder, 1 tbsp. raw cacao, walnuts/pecans, tahini

In a bowl with a tight-fitting lid, add the chia seeds, almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla and whisk with a fork until all of the seeds have sunk into the milk.  (If your milk is cold, this will take a few minutes.  You can make it happen faster by slightly warming the milk.)  If you don't stir them well when they begin expanding, they'll clump together.  Once the seeds are starting to expand, place the lid on the bowl and place in the refrigerator overnight.  The following morning, stir the pudding, adding more milk if needed until the desired creaminess is achieved.  At this point, you can add protein or cacao powder and stir well.  Top with fresh berries, chopped apple, nuts, etc., sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy.  I especially love to add a drizzle of sesame tahini to give it extra richness and a nutty taste.  It will keep you satisfied for hours and help you maintain energy, while keeping blood sugar levels stable.  Why not try some today?

P.S.  Pick up "Born to Run," if you're in any way athletic.  I read it about six years ago, and found it to be so inspiring.  It changed the way I think about running and fitness in general. It really is a fantastic book.