Strawberry Chia Pudding

Confession: I LOVE Valentine’s Day. I always hear people express their dislike for the romance-focused holiday. Well, I’m here to say that I shamefully enjoy the onslaught of corny love notes and glittery hearts. Any holiday that gives me an excuse to shower those I care about with love and affection… count me in!

One of the best things about Valentine’s Day is the excuse to satisfy your sweet tooth. I’d like to share a few recipe solutions to keep your actual heart as pretty as the ones you see on the Hallmark cards J

I have a few more ideas brewing before February 14th hits, but lets get started with a SUPER SIMPLE recipe that you can eat for breakfast or dessert. You choose!

Strawberry Chia Pudding

Ingredients

•  ½ cup chia seeds
•  1 cup almond milk
• 1 cup whole frozen strawberries
•  2 Tbsp honey

Preparation Instructions

1. Blend almond milk, strawberries and honey until smooth.
2. Mix well with chia seeds (I mixed mine up in a 16 oz mason jar).
3.  Let sit up in the fridge over night.
4. Dish up & top with your choice of fruit, nuts, coconut, etc.

Topping suggestions:

•  Shredded coconut & goji berries
•  Mini chocolate chips
• Strawberries & almonds
• Cashews & Craisins

Only four ingredients!

Put chia seeds in mason jar or bowl.

Mix almond milk, strawberries and honey.

Add strawberry mixture to mason jar.

Shake well and refrigerate overnight.

Serves two <3

Fuel Facts

Numbers: 340 calories, 12 g protein, 13 g fat, 45 g carbs, 22 g fiber

**For ½ of recipe (~1 cup)

Ingredient Breakdown:

v Chia Seeds – Another fuel source used by the ancient Aztecs, Chia seeds are full of nutritional goodness. For starters, they are higher in omega-3s even than flax seed and their high antioxidant content makes them keep much longer. Whereas flax seed will go rancid rather quickly if not kept refrigerated, chia seeds can be kept at room temperature for weeks at a time. Also, unlike flax, you do not need to grind them in order to get all of the nutritional benefits.

When soaked in water, chia seeds will form a gel. In a similar fashion, this may contribute to keeping hunger at bay by swelling in the stomach when consumed in the diet. Chia seeds are great added to breads and baked goods, smoothies, and as a topping for yogurt or cereal.

v Almond Milk – A creamy, low-calorie substitute for cow’s milk, this nutty variety is easy to digest making it a good add to pre-workout meals or smoothies.

v Strawberries – Studies show that consumption of strawberries at least three times a week can lead to a decrease in several markers of inflammation, including CRP. Recent research has also shown the promising ability of the polyphenols in strawberries to help stabilize blood sugar. Not to mention, strawberries are high in vitamin C, a nutrient that supports a healthy immune system.

v Honey – Due to the combination of glucose and fructose, honey will keep you energized longer than it’s sweet counterparts. Glucose is used quickly by the body, providing an immediate energy source. Fructose takes longer to absorb, sustaining blood sugar levels. When blood sugar is kept stable, your energy will also remain constant, so say goodbye to the afternoon crash.

Honey is also a great natural healer. For starters it is packed with polyphenols, antioxidants that have immune boosting properties to keep you from becoming sick. In addition, honey contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide which is why it is believed to be antibacterial in nature. Honey can be used topically to treat burns, wounds, and even acne. Honey fights off impurity-causing bacteria while also hydrating the skin.