Chia Protein Pudding

I am a self-proclaimed creature of habit. I love my routines. I like knowing what is going to happen in life, which is the craziest idea of all time and I don't recommend trying, it's a fruitless pursuit. However, we can do our best to plan ahead, and knowing that I have a great breakfast waiting for me is comforting and makes busy mornings a breeze. I am definitely more of an oatmeal or omelet type of girl, because I like to eat something hearty and warming for breakfast. However, once I learned how to make a really good, rich, and filling chia pudding, I was hooked.

I'm excited to share that recipe with you today, because it took me forever to get it right. I'm sick of recipes saying "add more this or less that" when it comes to chia seeds. There is a right way to get the right consistency and I've worked that out for you! Now, I don't love the texture of chia pudding, so I blend it a bit. That part is actually up to you, but give it a shot, the result is extra creamy and rich.

Chia seeds are high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, plus they have a high protein content on their own. I am trying really hard to get about one gram of protein per pound of bodyweight per day (it's a very rough estimate since I don't weigh myself often and guesstimate on a lot of protein content, but I've been at this long enough to have an idea), so I find myself adding protein to my meals in various forms. For this recipe I love to use collagen protein powder because it's made from animals but is still dairy-free, and it's great for bone and skin health. I usually eat this with a big scoop of almond butter, some berries or fresh jam, cacao nibs (chocolate, always), and a side of breakfast sausage for even more protein. It's a perfect meal. Of course, you can feel free to go crazy with your toppings, it's up to you (see sweet potatoes, granola, pomegranate, and coconut above).

Chia Protein Pudding

Makes 2 small servings or 1 larger one. Feel free to double or triple to meet your needs.

Ingredients

1 cup of almond or coconut milk, I use canned coconut milk

1 tsp of vanilla extract

1 tbsp of ground flax seeds

1/2 tsp Himalayan pink salt

1 tbsp maple syrup

2 scoops of protein powder of choice, I use Bulletproof or Vital Proteins

1/4 cup of chia seeds

Toppings:

Almond butter

Cacao nibs

Berries

Jam

Directions

1. Place almond or coconut milk, vanilla, flax, salt, maple syrup, collagen protein, and 1 tbsp of the chia seeds in a blender and blend on medium for one minute. The seeds don't need to be completely blended if you don't mind a little texture.

2. Add that mixture to a mason jar, and give it a good shake! Place in the fridge for 10 minutes, uncovered.

3. Take out the jar, and stir the chia mixture around. Cover and place back in the fridge. Let sit overnight.

4. To serve, scoop out into small bowls or ramekins, and top with desired toppings. Enjoy!