Raw Food: Chia Pudding

Last week I received a review package from Health Warrior that had both their new Chia Bars and a 1 lb bag of their chia seeds (these can also be found online at Amazon – Health Warrior Premium Chia Seeds, 16-Ounce Pouch):

The bars were easy to review – just nibble them 😀 The chia seeds I had to think up some ideas. After looking around the interwebbies I had some – and decided to try chia pudding. Yes, chia pudding. I know, I know…sounds weird right? It works though. You can make it raw as well, by swapping out ingredients that are ones you use. I wasn’t worried though and used what I had on hand. I made two versions, vanilla and chocolate. Of the two I preferred the vanilla considerably. Just a better texture and more appetizing looking. And that is the one real issue with chia pudding – you have to get past how it looks. In a blind fold test though the vanilla has the SAME texture as tapioca pudding. It is one of those food items that will take me a long time to embrace fully. It took me a verrrryyyy long time to like flax-seed and quinoa, so you never know! Now though if you want a really tasty homemade chia seed energy bar see here.

Another cool thing is that the vanilla pudding could be easily made when hiking, backpacking and camping. Just carry the dry ingredients and add water (you can use vanilla soy milk powder instead of liquid almond milk!). For the liquid vanilla extract look for ground vanilla bean (find at Williams & Sonoma stores).

Vanilla Chia Pudding

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp chia seeds
• 1 cup original almond milk
• 1 Tbsp sugar (or sweetener of choice)
• ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Directions:

In a medium mixing bowl whisk the ingredients together well. Let sit for about 20 minutes, whisking every 5 minutes.

Serves 1 to 2.

Chocolate Cinnamon Chia Pudding

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup regular almond milk
• ¼ cup chia seeds
• 1 Tbsp agave nectar (or honey for non-vegan)
• 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Directions:

In a medium mixing bowl whisk the ingredients together well. Let sit for about 20 minutes, whisking every 5 minutes.

Serves 1 to 2.

Final thoughts? Interesting. I think though I prefer to have my chia on oatmeal and that kind of sprinkling. Chia seeds though are quite good!