Gracious Living Raw, Vegan Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

Chia Seeds, nature’s little powerhouse, are an amazing superfood providing calcium, alkalinizing, absorbable protein, and anti-aging antioxidants. (yes, this is where the famous chia pet came from!)  They are also high in omega-3 fatty acids much needed for optimal energy levels, heart health, brain health, and burning fat. Their high fibre content helps to stabilize blood sugar and suppress hunger.  Ch-ch-ch-chia!

Mmmmmm…a healthy, nutrient dense breakfast, snack, or dessert that will provide you with sustainable energy.  An excellent source of protein and essential fatty acids.

2 tbsp chia seeds
1 cup unsweetened almond, or cashew milk
1-2 Tbsp maple syrup
1⁄2 tsp real vanilla extract

1⁄4 ground cinnamon
1/4 ground nutmeg
1/4 ground ginger

**topping:  fresh fruit, and/or fresh coconut, and/or fresh mint.

**variation: instead of adding cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, add 1 tsp of raw, organic cocoa powder or carob powder for a chocolate chia pudding.

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and set aside for 15 minutes so the chia seeds can do their chia magic.  Abra-ca-dabra…..they will soak up the moisture and turn into a pudding consistency. Chill (if you can wait!) then serve.

Top with fresh berries of choice , and/or fresh mint leaves, and/or sprinkle fresh grated coconut on top.  I like to serve it in a martini glass!

click my face right below to watch my Gracious Living TV video on the health benefits of chia seeds!

upcoming Gracious Living Vegan Nutrition & Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas Jan 2013

www.gracevanberkum.com

GRACIOUS LIVING POPEYE SMOOTHIE

Are you eating dark green, leafy veggies EVERYDAY?  If not, you SHOULD!  They are great for the liver, high in calcium and magnesium, and highly nutritious.  Getting your dark green leafy greens in salads, soups, and stir fries are excellent, but another way to incorporate them in your daily eating is hidden in fresh fruit smoothies!  The fastest and most effective way to get the luscious nutrients we need from fruits and vegetables is to drink them.

Gracious Living Popeye Smoothie

handful of fresh spinach, kale, or swiss chard

1 banana

another fruit of choice (orange, mango, pineapple, berries)

1 stick celery

juice of 1 fresh lemon

fresh ginger to taste

1 tsp chia seeds

*optional:  natural sweetener to taste (I prefer a tad of maple syrup but depending on the fruit, you might not even need a sweetener)

handful of ice

desired amount of clean water (depending on how thick you want the smoothie to be)

Blend till smooth.

Enjoy this energizing, detoxifying, high calcium, absorbable protein, satisfying, alkalinizing, anti-inflammatory smoothie!

learn more about healthy smoothies and juicing to heal the body and improve energy levels at the next GRACIOUS LIVING YOGA RAW ADVENTURE RETREAT in NICARAGUA

www.gracevanberkum.com

DAIRY-FREE MILK YOU CAN EASILY MAKE YOURSELF! slurrrrrrrrrrrppppppp!

enjoy these easy, alkalinizing  dairy-free creations!  much cheaper, tastier, better for the environment, and better for your body, than the store bought versions. 

they usually last about 3-4 days in the fridge.  use them with cereals, in soups or sauces, for baking, hot or cold. 

and don’t throw the pulp away! i like to use the pulp for extra fibre and nutrients on top of my salads, in my dessert creations (ie.  raw, vegan choclate truffles or pies), and in smoothies.  GOT VEGAN MILK?!

High-Calcium, High-Protein Almond Milk

1 ½ cups of raw almonds, soaked in water overnight
4 cups of filtered or spring water
*optional (3-5 dates, or stevia, maple syrup to sweeten)  or vanilla, or cinammon

Blend 1 ½ cups of raw almonds that have been soaked overnight in 4 cups of water. Blend with dates if you like your milk with a hint of sweetness. Strain once to remove almond granules. (I put these on my salads for extra crunch and protein).  The result is delicious, creamy milk that is free of harmful vegetable oil, concentrated sweeteners, and the problems associated with cow’s milk and soy.

It keeps for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

You can also use other nuts and seeds…try macadamia nuts, brazil nuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds.

Rice Milk

1 cup cook brown rice

3 cups filtered water

1 tsp celtic sea salt

natural sweetener to taste ( agave, maple syrup, stevia, medjool date)

Blend till creamy and smooth.  If it’s too grainy then strain through a strainer.

 

Banana Oat Milk

1 cup oat groats (whole oats)

**if you can’t find them, you can also use natural rolled oats BUT oat groats are healthier**

4 cups filtered water

1 ripe banana

dash of cinnamon & nutmeg

Soak oat groats for at least 3 hours (or overnight if that’s easier) to help make it more nuritious and more digestible.  If you are using rolled oats, you only need to soak it for about 15 min.  Blend until creamy and smooth.  Strain.

Coconut MIlk

2 cups organic dried, unsweetened coconut flakes

4 ½ cups warm water (heat water up till just before boil)

pinch celtic sea salt

Soak covered coconut in warm water for about 20 minutes.  Blend until smooth and creamy. Strain.  Use a spoon to press on the strainer to remove all the milk.

**Add 5-6 macadamia nuts or 1/4 avocado for extra body.

slurrrrrrrrrrrppppppp!

www.gracevanberkum.com