New Video & SWEAT RX Smoothie Recipe! Why Gracious Living Recommends Chia Seeds

click the links to try these easy, yummy, raw, vegan, plant-based recipes!

Gracious Living Vanilla Chia Seed Recipe

Gracious Living Coconut Mango Chia Seed Pudding Recipe

don’t forget to subscribe to my blog AND youtube channel for more recipes and videos.

also, just out in cross-fit mag SWEAT RX MAGAZINE, pg 63.

Gracious Living Pear-fect Smoothie:

• 1 pear
• 1 frozen banana
• 2-3 cups unsweetened coconut milk, or nut milk of choice
• 2-3 tbsp hemp seeds
• 1tsp chia seeds
• 1 radish hidden in there for a little spicy zing
• fresh ginger to taste
• cinnamon to taste
• optional: raw honey to taste
• 1 cup ice

Blend until creamy & smooth.  Enjoy anytime for boost of energy and to help the body and muscles repair and heal.

(Radish is rich in folic acid, Vitamin C, zinc, B-complex vitamins, phosphorus, and anthocyanins. These nutrients make it a very effective cancer-fighting food, and also boosts immune system and detoxifies body. Radish also helps to relieve congestion within the respiratory system.)

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SO excited to get back to beautiful, tropical Nicaragua this weekend for my  Gracious Living Retreat at this new, stunning location on Ometepe Volcanic Island!

click links for exciting, upcoming GRACIOUS LIVING retreats in 2012/2013:

Nicaragua Yoga Adventure Retreat

6 Sivananda Bahamas Retreats

Nicaragua Yoga Adventure Retreat alongside Randi Smith

Miami Yoga & Sport Retreat alongside Gwen Lawrence

Nicaragua Yoga Surf B&B

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You are what you eat.  You are what you think. GRACIOUS LIVING.

www.gracevanberkum.com

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