This recipe is by Jasmine Blackmeir from The Pink Avocado. She has a great story about starting a raw diet. She initially decided to introduce a raw diet because she was trying to kick her type 1 diabetes. Since the diet changes, she has been able to feel better, stabilize her blood sugars, drastically decrease her dosages of insulin, and lose some weight to boot! So, this is a great breakfast recipe.
Chia Seeds.
I first heard about Chia Seeds from my midwife right after I had my son. I have been eating them in some form since. In the research that I found, Chia was widely used by the Aztec, Incan, and Mayan cultures as a staple back in the 1500's. The Mayan word for chia is "strength." The "running messengers" of these cultures would carry a small pouch of Chia to keep them energized, full, and hydrated on their long runs. They are great little seeds! The seed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, calcium, potassium, and fiber (1 oz. gives you 11g of fiber). The seeds can be soaked in water to form a gel-like substance, which is thought to create a barrier between the carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down. This allows you to feel full longer!
I first heard about Chia Seeds from my midwife right after I had my son. I have been eating them in some form since. In the research that I found, Chia was widely used by the Aztec, Incan, and Mayan cultures as a staple back in the 1500's. The Mayan word for chia is "strength." The "running messengers" of these cultures would carry a small pouch of Chia to keep them energized, full, and hydrated on their long runs. They are great little seeds! The seed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, calcium, potassium, and fiber (1 oz. gives you 11g of fiber). The seeds can be soaked in water to form a gel-like substance, which is thought to create a barrier between the carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down. This allows you to feel full longer!
 |
| This was taken from my iphone since our camera broke on vacation. I put banana and a drizzle of agave on mine. |
Makes 2 servings
5 Tablespoons chia seeds
Handful of sliced almonds
Handful of walnuts
½ – ¾ cup almond milk
1/3 cup fresh shredded coconut
Splash of vanilla extract (optional)
¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Few springs of mint (optional)
Fruit of choice: I prefer fresh berries or a sliced banana with a dash of cinnamon.
As soon as you wake up in the morning, put the chia seeds, nuts, and coconut in a blender and cover the whole mixture with almond milk. Stir after 10 minutes to avoid clumping and let sit.
After about 20-30 minutes total, add a splash of vanilla and pulse the mixture in the blender until it’s blended. Top with fresh berries, a few sprigs of mint, and a splash of almond milk.
Note: I reference the measured ingredients above only as a reference point. Basically you want a ratio of 1:3 chia seeds to almond milk, and a handful of the nuts!
I didn't put any mint in mine for two reasons. 1. I didn't want mint in it! 2. I ran out of it anyway! You could add some variation to this recipe as well. Soak your Chia Seeds in apple juice instead to change the flavor. This is a nice alternative for breakfast and since I tend to eat raw oatmeal every morning, it's a nice change on occasion. You can use Chia Seeds for tons of other things too. Mix them in smoothies, juice, make a pudding, sprinkle on salads, add to granola, etc. You can grind them as well!
Some of the benefits of Chia:
It's double the protein of most other seeds and provides all of the essential amino acids! It is an excellent source of calcium (higher than milk). High in boron, potassium, and iron. Also a great source of antioxidants, fiber, and essential fatty acids!
No comments:
Post a Comment