Hello friends.
Hope your transition back into the work week hasn’t been too painful! Today was crazy at the office, but I managed to stay sane with a morning yoga class (thank you, Laughing Lotus) and will soak up some schadenfraude as I watch the Real Housewives of New Jersey later (no, it’s not as good as the Real Housewives of NYC, but it’s trashy enough to hold my attention, thank you very much).
So. I did the extraordinary this weekend: I made dessert!
Many of you have been asking me for dessert recipes. And, dear readers, I have failed you. I know it, you know it, we all know it. Even this post is a feeble reprieve, since I’m using a friend’s recipe, rather than my own.
You’re going to forgive me, though, because this recipe is killer. It’s been making its way through the blogosphere for a few weeks now, and though I was late to try it, I’m so glad I did! It’s Kristen’s Holiday Chia Pudding, and believe me, it’s just as good as the hype suggests.
If you read any food blogs, you’ve probably been hearing all about the wonders of chia seeds. These little guys are nutritional powerhouses. They have amazing hydrophilic properties, absorbing up to nine times their weight in water. They’re also great sources of soluble fiber, visible in the clear, tapioca-like halos that develop around the seed when you soak them. This makes them a great food for hydration if you’re a runner or vigorous athlete.
And the health benefits extend far beyond these: chia seeds are also a great source of calcium, protein, B vitamins, and more. For an in depth discussion of the health benefits of chia, I will defer to my friend Heather, the chia goddess, who recently stated some excellent chia facts on her blog (her source was Chia, Rediscovering a Forgotten Crop of the Aztecs by Ricardo Ayerza Jr. and Wayne Coates). Here’s what she learned:
• Chia is an amazing plant-based low sodium source of omega-3 fatty acids. The seeds have an oil content that ranges between 29-33%, and their oil contains the highest percentage of alpha-linolenic acid known (62-64%).
• A study conducted in the UK to determine potential food allergens of chia found no evidence that chia exhibited any allergic response. This was the case even with individuals having peanut & tree nut allergies.
• Chia seeds posses 19-23% protein, higher than many other cereal grains including wheat, corn, rice, oats, & barley. 1 TBSP contains 6 grams of protein.
• Chia seeds are free of gluten and a good source of B vitamins.
• Chia seeds are an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, & copper. In fact, chia seeds contain 6 times more calcium, 11 times more phosphorus, and 4.6 times more potassium per 100g of edible portion than does milk.
• Chia seeds have 6 times more iron per 100g of edible portion than spinach, 1.8 times more iron than lentils, and 2.4 times more iron than beef liver.
• Chia seeds demonstrate strong anti-oxidant activity.
• Chia seeds are high in dietary fiber. They are made up of 5% soluble fiber, which appears as clear mucilage when placed in water. Clear mucilage = pudding like oats & extra thick smoothies. 1 TBSP of chia seeds contains 5 grams of fiber.
• Unlike flax seed, you do not have to grind chia seeds to reap the benefits.
If that isn’t motivation enough to try chia seeds, they also make for really, really fun puddings. And no one has explored the potential of chia pudding better than my friend Kristen!
I’ve already told you plenty about Kristen and her incredible ebooks and recipes. But what I haven’t mentioned is that she is the master of tasty, fast, and nutritious desserts! Whenever I need inspiration for concocting a sweet treat (which I almost invariably do) I turn to her (or my girl Ani Phyo). This recipe, which Kristen intended to save for the holidays but found too scrumptious not to share, is a winner. It’s sweet, creamy, spiced with comforting gingerbread flavors. Best of all, I find that most chia puddings feel relatively light, as far as desserts go: they won’t leave you with the sugar shock or heavy feeling that some raw cakes, cookies, or other treats might. And this particular pudding is perfectly combined, so it will digest seamlessly!
Yeast issues? Don’t worry. You can also use stevia in place of dates.
Holiday Chia Pudding, by Kristen Suzanne of KristensRaw.com
Yield 1 1/4 cups
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/4 cup shredded, unsweetened, dried coconut
1 cup water
1/4 cup raw cashews (soaked 1 hour, drained and rinsed)
4 soft medjool dates, pitted
2 cloves
1 teaspoon lucuma powder (optional)
1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Place the chia seeds and coconut in a small bowl, briefly stir to mix, and set aside. Blend the remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour the blended cashew mixture into the bowl with the chia seeds and coconut and stir. Wait a few minutes and stir again. (You’ll notice the chia seeds beginning to take on a gelatinous texture.) Wait a few minutes, again, and stir. Do the “wait and stir” once more, and then place the Holiday Chia Pudding in the refrigerator for about 15 - 20 minutes (or longer, if desired). Then, enjoy.
Here’s a photo of the pudding, complete with a cheesy, holiday-themed serving piece:
If you’re wondering where to find chia seeds, you should be able to find them in any local health food store, Trader Joe’s, Wild oats, Whole Foods, etc. But if you can’t, then I highly recommend these guys:
A few weeks ago, Don at Chia Seeds Direct (a company that ships reasonably priced chia seeds to consumers without a middle man) asked me if I’d like to try some chia seeds free of charge! (Thank you Don.) Now that I have, I will always be using his company for chia seeds. These were fresh, well packaged, and the prices are great. Check out the website!
I also want to share some happy news. I got an email from my friend Mary today saying that a friend of hers was inspired to give up dairy by…Choosing Raw! I cannot tell you how happy this made me! You guys know that I respect all lifestyles and choices on this blog, but it’s also my hope that I can inspire some of you to make healthy upgrades. These might be a little hard for you at first, but they’ll pay off by making you feel proud of yourselves. I am always here to support you in your journeys to be healthy — whether those take the form of giant strides or baby steps — and that I’m always thrilled to hear about your success!!
OK everyone. I hope that great things are in store for Raw Wednesday! I’ll be posting later tomorrow with my Raw Question of the Week. And I’ll be eager to hear your daily eats!
xo
haha, I am watching real housewives of NJ as we speak, well I should say it is on, I am not really paying attention since I am blogging/reading! But I have to say, kind of addicting.
Way to take one for the team. I tried chia for the first time in my me and goji mix and it is really filling and the taste isn’t intrusive, so I am glad you enlightened me on the many benefits!
Love laughing lotus. I was thisclose to going midnight yoga this friday, but water taxi beach was so much closer.
great post! (as usual)
I am trying so hard to cut out dairy (although I do eat lean hormone free chicken and a lot of fish). Dairy in particular makes me feel heavy, bloated, dull and crabby but it is so hard to cut it out completely! Your posts are so inspiring though and I am trying to make every choice a healthy one- with you and some other inspirational bloggers in mind!
keep up the great work gena!!!!
Yay! I hope you take the plunge.
Dairy is SO toxic. In some ways, I’d rather see my clients eat a small amount of poultry or free-range, grass-fed meat once in a very seldom while, than eat lots of dairy all the time. It’s clogging and bloating and bad news.
That said, I know it’s hard to ditch. Maybe the goat’s dairy could help!
Gena
oh and i am watching the junk tv too hahaha
Yum! Been meaning to try that recipe for a few weeks but haven’t got round to it. Might just do so now!
Hope you are well,
Casey x
Glad you tried out the pudding! I love it. I can’t wait to try out some new variations!
i’ve been wanting to try that pudding and have a full bag of chia seeds, unused. might need to change that
kristen and ani are totally the go-to girls for awesome raw desserts.
hope your week is off to a great start! and yes, let me know if you want to make a disney trip!
xoxo
I’ve been wanting to make this forever but still can’t find chia seeds. A road trip to the nearest Whole Foods might have to be in the near future. I wasn’t sure if they’d have them there or not! Thanks
I had never heard of Chia Seeds before I started blogging but I am going to purchase them now because of your post. You should seriously be a saleswoman! Thank you so much for your detailed entries. I learn sooo much from your blog!
So glad you’re learning, Brooke!
hi gena!
i know avo’s are your favorite food, but i CAN’T seem to get over their fat content!
PLEASE devote a whole post to them & help dispel all of the myths about how fattening they are.
i feel like if i eat a avo everyday, i will turn into one (if you know what i mean)
thanks gena. you are a true inspiration.
Lisa,
I absolutely will post about this today! Clearing up misconceptions about avos (along with what is and isn’t “fattening”) is crucial. Stay tuned.
Gena
I have heard so many great things about chia seeds! I would love to try this dessert! Thanks for the recipe!
Isn’t it a great feeling when you can inspire people to make healthier choices!?
The BEST feeling, Lisa
Wow I really need to make this!! I’m thinking I’ll bookmark it or print it out for my Recipe book for Fall/winter. I’m trying to go as raw as possible for summer!
I am with Lisa about the avocados, please make a post about it! I’ve never really eaten them before and always hated guacamole (I know, crazy right?) but I really want to try them! I’m hesitant about their fat content mostly, but I’m thinking if I just start out with 1/4 of one I can work my way up to 1/2 or whole? I don’t know haha
Justine,
Don’t worry. I will post about this today!
Gena
HAHHAHAHAHA Your title sounded like you were so excited and pleased with yourself!
I totally was! Everyone loves raw desserts and I never make them!!
I haven’t tried Kristen’s recipe yet, but your post is making me want to!
I am like you, I don’t really make desserts often (you can see on my blog). If I want something I will go out and buy a raw cookie or something of that sort. Now that I have Ani Phyo’s dessert book I am going to have to start! Thomas picked something out he wants me to make over the weekend, so raw desserts here I come! 
Thanks for posting this recipe, as well as a review of it! I’ve seen it floating around the blog world, but it’s nice to get lots of opinions. Do you know if there are places that sell chia seeds in bulk so you can just buy what you need? I was thinking of stopping by one of the health food stores on my walk home and I’m hoping they have them. (I walk from Midtown East to the Upper East Side so if you have any suggestions, I’d love ‘em!)
I was also watching the Real Housewives of NJ last night on the plane back from Boston - I do prefer the Housewives of NYC, but NJ is definitely entertaining. Those women are so over the top!
Have a great Wednesday!
Quick question regarding chia seeds and food combining - how do they combine? In the info part it uses the term “cereal grain” like wheat, corn, oats. That got me a little confused b/c I put them in the “nuts/seeds” category, and I do that with flax seeds too, which might also be considered a “cereal grain”.
Thanks for your help with this!
Metta
Hey Metta —
I include them with nuts and seeds.
enjoy!
Gena
I love those crazy NJ Housewives!! I used to have NYC as my favorite but NJ is definitely giving them a run for their money.
I need to try chia - I’ve been hearing rave reviews!
hahaha I LOVE the real housewives shows…so entertaining
Thanks for all the info on Chia seeds! I keep thinking, “what’s the point of eating those things?!”
Your dessert looks great.
I love the housewives too! THey crazy!
Chia Goddess - love it!
Protein, calcium, omega-3s, iron… omg I hope this is my new favorite food! I’ll be looking for chia seeds at the store this weekend! Thanks for the recipe!
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Hi, gr8 post thanks for posting. Information is useful!
I’ve not had the same issues with “raw dairy” as some have described with the pasturized fake stuff. Just find a trusted local source of organic raw cow or goat milk. I enjoy both. I use the raw goats milk to make an outstanding kefir. I have half a cup each night before bed sweetened with stevia. My immune system has never been healthier. Going on 7 yrs raw dairy. Never hungry always satisfied and satiated. Always start slow. No more than a quarter cup a day for a few weeks. Consider drinking after a meal rather than an empty stomach if you are sensitive. Best source of REAL probiotics you going to find. No one diet is going to work for everyone. If someone makes this claim - move on. Experiment and see if it does you body good. Once again - don’t gussle down half a gallon starting out. That’s a lot of probiotics all at once. Be realistic and sensible when consuming new things.
Nom…NOM! Just got my first lb of chia seeds today, got my ’shews soaking, an getting ready to make me some pudding…MMM!
hi