No Diet Necessary.
Buckwheat Chia Pudding
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Chia seeds are slowly becoming more popular (at least in Brighton they are!), and can form a base for breakfast, a snack, or be used instead of eggs in a recipe. I took this picture when I first moved to beautiful France last year and added some fruit, nuts and buckwheat to make it more filling! You can add whatever you have though. :)
INGREDIENTS - Serves 1
2 tbsp chia seeds
4 tbsp water or milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
1/4 apple, sliced thinly lengthways
1/4 cup raspberries
1/4 cup blackberries
1 heaped tablespoon of buckwheat groats
Small handful of blanched almond slithers
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1. Place the chia seeds in a bowl with the water, leave for 10 minutes (the seeds will expand and create a jelly-like texture - that's the pudding!).
2. Wash and cut the fruit as necessary and pile into the bowl on top of the chia pudding. Sprinkle over the cinnamon.
3. Scatter over buckwheat and the almonds.
Enjoy!
Chia Pudding Parfait
Chia pudding can also be used to make a great breakfast parfait! Layer it with fruit, oats or whatever you have to hand.
INGREDIENTS - Serves 1
2 tbsp chia seeds
4 tbsp water or milk
1/4 cup berries (save a tsp for the top)
1/4 cup oats
1/2 frozen banana, chopped
1. Mix the chia seeds and milk together in cup, leave for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, take the banana out of the freezer (already cut up) and pop in the microwave on a low heat for about 20 seconds (you could have also taken out the banana to slightly defrost at room temperature. It will then not be super hard to bite through but will add a different texture and ice-cream feel to the parfait).
2. When the chia seeds are ready, put 1/4 of the mixture in a small glass bowl or regular glass. Layer with 1/4 of the oats and some of the fruit (I like to add some seasoning at this point - ginger/cinnamon work well). You could also add a bit of peanut butter at this point.
3. Continue to layer the glass with the ingredients until you reach the top.
4. Add the frozen banana chunks and top with a few berries.
Bon Appetite!
Chocolate Mousse with Chia Pudding
Healthy chocolate mousse? Chia seeds? Granola? Together? No need for pleasanteries; just make it!
INGREDIENTS - Serves 1
1/4 avocado
1 tbsp raw cacao (or unsweetened cocoa powder)
1/2 ripe banana
2-3 dates, pitted
2+ tbsp unsweetened almond milk
2 tbsp chia seeds
1/2 tbsp spirulina powder
1 scoop herbalife personalised protein powder/formula 3 (to increase the protein)
1/4 0% total fage greek yoghurt (or natural/greek yoghurt)
1 tsp ezekial cereal (or low-sugar granola)
scattering of sunflower seeds
1. Mix the chia seeds with 2 tbsp of almond milk (or regular milk) and spirulina and leave for 10 or so minutes.
2. Meanwhile, blend together avocado, banana, cacao, dates and protein powder (I particularly like Herbalife as it's all natural but you can use what you have to hand). If too thick and milk or water a tbsp at a time.
3. Transfer mousse to a serving glass, top with chia seeds (they should have increased in size by now) and sunflower seeds - I didn't put the seeds on top as I wanted a crunch between the layers but you can add them where you like.
4. Lastly add the yoghurt and top with granola (I used Ezekial as it's high in fibre and protein but again depending on your own protein goals, you can use what you have at home).
Enjoy in a quiet room with soft music playing in the background.
Chia and Cappuccino
Chia pudding can literally be put with anything and in this variation I chose cappuccino and yoghurt for a beautifully tasting breakfast! I used Herbalife Formula 1 (cappuccino flavour) which is protein rich and has 100% of your RDA of vitamins and minerals. However, if you don't have any to hand, you can blend a banana with some coffee and some yoghurt if you want it thicker. If you do want to know more about Herbalife/the products they do then feel free to e-mail me. :)
INGREDIENTS - serves 1
2 tbsp chia pudding
1/2 cup unsweetened soya milk, plus 4 tbsp milk (can use alternative milk)
2 tbsp cappuccino flavoured formular one (or a tsp of coffee and 2 tbsp yoghurt)
1/2 banana
3 tbsp 0% total greek yoghurt
pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg
1. Mix together the chia seeds and 4 tbsp of milk and leave for 10 minutes so the seeds can expand.
2. Blend the banana, F1 (or coffee and yoghurt) and milk together.
3. Layer the chia pudding, F1 mixture and yoghurt in a glass and top with a dollop of extra yoghurt and sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Simple. :)