Chocolate Coconut Chia Pudding
I don’t know about you but for me as a nurse, leaving the house sometimes before it’s even light outside, the last thing I want to do is worry about preparing my lunch for the day. I just want to get ready and go! So, this chia pudding is perfect for that kinda morning. It is so easy to make, so versatile and so healthy that you just can’t go wrong! This particular recipe requires only three ingredients so it is super simple and quick to make. I usually will make chia pudding the night before, since the seeds need to soak anyway, then in the morning it is all ready to go and all I need to do is throw it in my bag as I’m running out the door. Can’t get any easier than that, it takes longer going to a fast food chain waiting in line!….Please don’t go to fast food…this is fast food! 🙂 The great thing about chia pudding is that it keeps you feeling satisfied for hours. Chia seeds are filled with fiber and protein, and when they are soaked they hold up to 9 times their weight in water so with little calories they keep you feeling filled.
I love to top mine with fresh fruit. Now that strawberries are in season, I have been buying them by the flat so I have been making strawberry everything! So what goes better with that chocolatey taste than fresh, sweet strawberries? If you have never tasted in-season, ripe, organic strawberries from the local farmers’ market I’m telling you, you have not lived lol. There is no comparison to the fruit there with that in the stores. Better than any candy you could ever taste.
I use carob as an alternative to cacao because it does not contain the caffeine or theobromine that cacao does which are very addictive and stimulating. It has a natural mild sweetness to it, but I am going to be very honest it is not exactly like chocolate, so you can’t expect that. However, it tastes great and with the color resembling chocolate it really does the trick if you’re craving chocolate. You can buy carob at any health food store, I usually get mine from Whole Foods or Sprouts if you have one of those near by.
Servings 1
Recipe:
1 young Thai coconut, flesh and water of (it’s about a cup of each)
2 Tbsp toasted Carob powder
2 Tbsp Chia seeds
1 carton of strawberries (or fruit of choice)
Directions:
Blend the coconut meat and water together until it becomes creamy and smooth, add the carob and blend until it is mixed in well. Pour into a small glass jar and add the chia stirring well for at least a minute or until it starts thickening. Make sure to stir in well otherwise the chia turns into clumps. Let sit for a minimum of 15 minutes or even overnight in the refrigerator. When ready to eat top with fresh fruit.
This will keep in a air-tight sealed jar for about two to three days.
Rawmazing benefits of Chia seeds:
– These bad boys are a dieters dream! When chia seeds are exposed to water they form a gel, holding up to nine times their weight and size. These seeds can be made to taste like whatever you want. Since the gel is made of water it has no calories (other than the Chia seeds), so you feel satisfied and full for hours, without the calories!
– Chia seeds keep your bowels regular. Chia is high in soluble and insoluble fiber helping decrease constipation.
– Chia is the richest plant source of omega-3 oil. Omega-3 is important in healthy heart and brain function.
– Chia has five times the calcium of milk, plus boron which is a trace mineral that helps transfer calcium into your bones.
– Chia seeds are one of the highest plant-based sources of complete protein which makes you feel more energized giving you that “pick-me up” when you need. So dump the coffee and the cola’s and try some Chia!
Posted in Recipes and tagged with chia pudding recipe, chia seeds, raw food recipes, recipes for a busy nurse
16 Comments
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Hi, I’m Christine, thanks for stopping by! As a fibromyalgia thriver (symptom-free for over 10 years now thanks to diet and lifestyle changes), it is my passion to share the healing power of food.
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Yumm!!! Can’t wait to try this one. I LOVE carob. It may sound weird to many people but I prefer carob to chocolate. It always feels like a good food to eat, emphasis on food rather than a treat. The carob I get comes in a package that says it is imported from Italy. Gotta like that. 🙂
I can’t wait to hear how you like it. If you love carob then you should love this one it’s very caroby! You can’t go wrong with anything that comes from Italy,lol.
I can’t wait to try this! And, THANK YOU for breaking down the health benefits of chia. They’re not just for gag gifts at Christmas!
Lol. Yes it’s always fascinating to see all the amazing health benefits of plant based foods, and knowing them is more incentive to want to incorporate them in your diet. Enjoy your chia Christine! XO
I want to try this I have the chia seeds,but could not remember how to use it .lol chia sounds like it would be good for bone problems .
The nice the about this recipe is that it is so simple and easy to make so it’s a good one to start with. I hope you love it Mary! Xo
If I can’t find a place to buy coconuts should I just do coconut water?
HI Heather, you could use coconut water but it won’t have that sweet creamy taste to it. If you want you can substitute it with fresh almond milk, it won’t have the coconut taste but it will be creamier. I have a recipe on my website for homemade nut milk if you need. Then, you could always add shredded coconut to it for the coconut flavor. Hope that helps!
Yes that helps! I have made almond milk before.. Whats your thoughts on coconut milk from a can?
I really try not to eat anything that comes out of a can. First they contain a lot more preservatives, but also because of the BPA chemical found in cans (also in plastic) which disrupts hormone function and is cancer causing. I just make my own coconut milk which is 100% good for the body. 🙂
Would just a regular coconut from the produce section of the grocery store work?
Yes that’s fine. I just prefer the young Thai coconuts because they’re so much easier to get out the flesh, and the taste is slightly creamier to me. But either coconut should work just fine. 🙂
What stores do you find the young Thai coconut?
The best deals for them that I’ve found are at Asian Markets. But you can find them at Whole Foods, Sprouts sometimes, and now even Trader Joe’s. But if you can’t find them you can also try blending shredded coconut with water to make the milk. Hope that helps!
I have never made it before by scratch … How much water would you add 2 a cup of shredded coconut? Would using a vita mixer be okay for blending process?
Well for one serving perhaps 1/3 cup to 1-1 1/2 cups water. You can add as little or as much depending on you creamy you want it. I just made a batch of it for several days so I did 3/4 cups to 4 1/2 cups water and it is so creamy.You can totally experiment! I have almond milk recipe on the blog too if you’re looking to try different ones. I’d love to hear how it comes out for you!