Chia Seed Pudding

Chia seed pudding has recently become one of my most favorite afternoon snacks. It's so very simple to make, too! Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, calcium, potassium, antioxidants and iron. They curb your appetite, increase energy, aid in digestion, diabetes, lower cholesterol and blood pressure. You can eat them whole in your yogurt, salad or cereal, or you can soak them in water causing them to form a gel, which can then be added to smoothies and pudding. Today I'm sharing the recipe for a pudding. It can be found on the back of Trader Joe's chia seeds package, but if you don't have a Trader Joe's near you, just go to any local health food store and follow the directions below!

In a small cereal bowl, combine the following:
> 1/4 cup chia seeds
> 1 cup coconut milk
> 1/4 cup (or less) agave syrup
> mix and refrigerate 3 hours, serve 4 tbsp and enjoy!

I personally use about half of the 1/4 cup agave or else it's just too sweet. You can also substitute it for organic honey or any other sweetener, but the agave is my favorite. Play with different flavors by adding cocao powder, vanilla, fruit or citrus juice. (Again, I've tried flavors and the three ingredient recipe above is still simply my favorite.)

How do you eat your chia seeds?

Drey $ Nicole

Meal Monday: Lemon Crinkle Puffs

I don't know if my most recent sweets craving is from pregnancy or spring's arrival, but I was foaming at the mouth for something Lemon. Usually I go for any kind of hearty chocolatey, brownie sunday kind of treat, but this time I wanted something light and clean and tart. These are the easiest things to make, (isn't everything I share here that involves baking?!) and they take just 20 minutes from box to plate.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, egg, and the whole container of thawed cool whip. If you don't have an electric mixer, you're in for a real workout. This is the thickest, stickiest, messiest batter known to woman. Once the batter is smooth, scoop a tablespoon of dough, and scrape it off into your bowl of powdered sugar. It is easiest to cover it in the sugar all over before you touch it fully with your fingers. Once it's covered it won't stick to you, and you can form little balls out of them. Place on a baking sheet and it's ready to go! Bake for 10 minutes and remove from oven. Let them cool for a few minutes and they'll puff up. Sprinkle a little more powdered sugar over the tops and eat!

Happy Spring!

Drey $ Nicole

Meal Monday: open faced tri-tip breakfast bagel

What you need: 1 ounce broiled tri-tip roast, 1 fried egg- sunny side up, 1 half toasted bagel with cream cheese (or spread of choice). Pair with a side of garlic mashed potatoes and serve immediately. Enjoy! 

Drey $ Nicole