Chia Agua Fresca

I am not one of those gals that enjoys clothes shopping.  In fact, it downright stresses me out.  What basics do you need in your closet?  How do you figure out your size?  What is the heck is the difference between flared and boot cut jeans?  Do shoes that look nice, don't hurt your feet, and are waterproof even exist?  

The nice thing about summer is that I tend to do well with bright colored tops, capris, and sandals.  This is a winning combination in my book.  And if I lived somewhere where these things could be worn year-round I would probably be a much more fashionable person.

My talent lies in the kitchen.  I can stock a kitchen pantry like nobody's business.  I can take random bits from your fridge and create a meal any day.  And I can always take some produce just-past-its-prime and turn it into something incredible.

The inspiration behind this week's chia agua fresca is that I just needed a way to use up half a watermelon.  Done and done. And delicious.

This recipe is a fun twist on the traditional agua fresca, a fruit-flavored water cooler.  My version involves the addition of chia seeds, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids as well as full of fiber and antioxidants. Once the seeds have absorbed liquid, they will be soft and float in the drink. It's definitely a fashionable drink for any picnic or party and a great way to cool off in summer. 

Chia Agua Fresca
Serves 2.

4 cups watermelon, skinned, seeded, and roughly chopped
2 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 tablespoon lime juice

Blend watermelon and water together on high.  Strain watermelon pulp.  Add the chia seeds and lime juice and thoroughly mix.  Refrigerate for several hours (or overnight) and serve cold.

Recipe submitted to Weekend Wellness

Raw Chocolate Superfood Pudding

Do you ever have those days when, no matter what you do, you just can't stop thinking about something sweet?  I do.  Usually I can get away with munching on some raw carrot sticks or eating a piece of fruit to fill the urge.  But today?  Today is all about the chocolate.

And let me be clear: this is no ordinary chocolate dessert.  There is no flour, oil, or refined sugar in this one. Instead, this dessert is loaded up with four incredible raw superfoods to create a delectable, rich, and creamy chocolate pudding that will leave your taste buds and your body feeling satisfied.



This pudding starts off by mixing raw chia seeds with homemade almond milk.  Chia seeds are small greyish seeds that form a thick gel when soaked in liquid.  They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids as well as full of fiber and antioxidants.  They make a perfect binder in smoothies, baked goods, or even with oatmeal for breakfast.  

Chia seeds give the pudding some texture, almost like tapioca.  The key is to mix the seeds with the almond milk well and give them enough time to soak so that they fully absorb the liquid.  (If you skimp on this step you might end up with clumps of hard seeds in the pudding... and nobody likes that.)

The chia seed and almond milk mixture is then mixed with raw cacao powder   Raw cacao powder has no added sugar and because the cacao beans are processed at low temperatures, this powder is full of antioxidants and minerals (like magnesium and iron) that you would find in the cacao bean.

Our next superfood is maca powder   Maca powder comes from the maca root, which has been used by Peruvian populations for centuries.  Maca powder contains a variety of phytonutrients which are said to support the body's endocrine system.  Maca is not only used to give your body an energy boost, but it can help with chronic fatigue and low libido. Maca powder also adds a nice malty taste to recipes.

Our final superfood is lucuma powder made from the sweet fruit of the lucuma tree. I like using lucuma in recipes for sweetness because it adds a nice flavor (almost like maple syrup) and is incredibly low in sugar.  One tablespoon of lucuma powder contains only 2 grams of sugar. Lucuma powder is a great alternative sweetener in desserts and smoothies for those who enjoy a little sweetness without the sugar crash.

This pudding will keep well in the refrigerator for several days and the recipe can be easily adapted to exclude the maca or lucuma powder if you don't have it. For those that enjoy something very sweet, you can also add in other sweeteners like agave nectar or stevia to taste.  For a fun presentation, add a small sprig of mint to the pudding just before serving.

Raw Chocolate Superfood Pudding
Serves 2

Ingredients:
1 cup (raw) almond milk
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 tablespoon (raw) cacao powder
1 teaspoon (raw) maca powder
1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons (raw) lucuma powder
Note: if you desire extra sweetness, you can add other sweeteners like agave nectar or stevia to taste.

Instructions:
Whisk almond milk and chia seeds together (make sure that there are no clumps of seeds).  
Whisk in cacao powder, maca powder, lucuma powder, and additional sweeteners (if using).  Store in the refrigerator overnight.  Serve cold.

Easy Overnight Oats

I was recently told that I look like the girl from the TV show Northern Exposure.  I know that I live in the Pacific Northwest and all, but this is not exactly the best compliment.  It must be time for a haircut.  And time to stop wearing hiking boots to work.

I've also recently been told that I look like the girl from the Verizon poster in the downtown Seattle bus tunnel.  That's slighty more flattering, thanks. 

A few years ago when I had much longer hair, I was often compared to Kelly Clarkson and, my personal favorite look-alike, Catherine Zeta Jones.  I guess since I don't hear that comparison anymore it can only mean one thing:  forget the haircut, it's time for a make-over.  

My breakfast also needed a makeover recently.  And since I apparently need to spend much more time on my appearance, my new breakfast had to be quick as well as healthy and delicious.  I used to always go straight for my morning green smoothie, but overnight oats are a nice option too and just as quick.

Have you ever heard of overnight oats?  You take regular rolled oats and instead of cooking them, you soak them in milk overnight and serve them cold.  Genius!  I love this version with chia seeds added in.

If you've never heard of chia seeds before, you're probably wondering what they heck they are and why you would want to eat them.  Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and are high in antioxidant properties.  They look like small greyish seeds that form a thick gel when soaked in liquid.  This "chia gel" is very filling and hydrating and I've heard it's used by athletes after races. 

The trick with the chia seeds is to make sure they are well-soaked.  When I was first experimenting with them, I tried a chia pudding recipe that called for soaking them ten minutes before eating.  This is definitely not long enough.  When you eat chia seeds they shouldn't have any crunch to them at all, but should simply taste like a soft gel.  I know that sounds so delicious that you must be rushing to your kitchen to make this.

 Alright, if you're not already convinced then know that it's really the toppings that give this dish the extra oomph.  Try topping it with some warm berries (my personal favorite), your favorite nut butter, fresh fruit, dried fruit, chopped up walnuts, and/or a drizzle of some pure maple syrup.  You can add whatever other toppings you like, just don't forget to put your oats in the fridge the night before.

Easy Overnight Oats
From Oh She Glows
Serves 1

2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/3 cup regular rolled oats
3/4 cup milk (rice, soy, and almond all work great)
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Mix together ingredients in a bowl.  I like to add my chia seeds first and make sure they are well mixed in with the milk before adding the oats.  Since the chia seeds are light, they can sometimes float to the top (and do not absorb the liquid) so I usually check them about 10 minutes later and stir them again if necessary.  Put the bowl in the fridge to sit overnight.  Wake up in the morning, top with your favorite toppings and serve cold.