Chia Wonder Pudding

Do you eat chia?! If not…you should be. This power-packed superfood is a staple in our home! I’m so thankful for this recipe from my friend Brandy at The Grateful Chef. We make several batches of this simple and delicious snack each week and store it in quart-sized mason jars in the fridge.

But before I share the recipe…let’s talk about WHY you should be eating it. Here are a handful of fun facts for ya:

• High in antioxidants, fiber, magnesium, iron, calcium, fiber, phosphorus, and zinc.

• Complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids that cannot be made by the body.

• Acts as an anti-inflammatory and can help with pain.

• Lasts 4-5 years without refrigeration when stored in a cool, dry spot.

• Combats dehydration.

• Provides sustained energy.

• Helps with weight loss.

Chia is not a new fad…it’s been around for ages! It really started to gain popularity with the book “Born to Run”. Chia seeds are “the indigenous (and seemingly magic) dietary staple of the Tarahumara Indians, a tribe of super-runners in the savage Copper Canyons of Mexico, who can chalk of hundreds of miles with virtually no rest.” (*). So amazing! As a side note, I actually LOVED this book…and started running again after I read it!

There are many ways to prepare chia. We love this pudding, but we also put it in smoothies, use it as egg replacer when needed, and make a “gel”. The fastest way to ingest it is to add 1/4 cup chia to 1 cup of liquid (juice, kombucha, or water). Traditionally, it would be made into a drink called Chia Fresca. It’s crazy, but even just water and chia tastes amazing with blueberries and honey added to it! And of course, you can even sprout it. Remember “ch-ch-ch-CHIA”? I’m pretty sure that was way back in the 80’s for you young pups…but I always wanted one! LOL!

Ok…here’s the recipe we use the most:

1 can (13.5 oz) full fat coconut milk
2 cups almond milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp chia seeds

In a bowl, combine the coconut milk, almond milk, vanilla, and pure maple syrup. Whisk together until combined. Slowly stir in chia seeds…whisk for 30 seconds and place bowl in fridge for 10 min. After 10 min, whisk again, incorporating all the chia seeds that are starting to gel. Place back in fridge. After 50 min. stir one more time. Store in a jar in the fridge.

Fill bowls and top with fresh fruit and a swirl of extra maple syrup. Enjoy!

Give Thanks

We made it to Franklin, TN and had a lovely time with family! Reconnecting and laughing and letting the cousins play and run free! They had a blast. We ended up having some illness spread throughout the fam, so several left early and the days weren’t quite as we had planned. But even so, it was wonderful to see everyone! I am the oldest of 5 siblings…and everyone is starting to have all the babies! Nana is so pleased, because for 10 years, I was the only one doing that! LOL! Lots of kids. Lots of crazy. Lots of love.

And back home we go! This is the longest we’ve been gone from the farm as a family, so it was super fun to come home to a huge basketful of eggs and wide open spaces! The RV has been winterized and tucked into the machine shed for the cold months ahead. Hope your Thanksgiving week was full of goodness too!

On the Road Again

I woke up to a quiet house and wandered upstairs to make my chai. I joined Matt in the sun room just in time to watch the glow come over the horizon. He was busy plotting our route to Nashville and I snuggled into my chair to do my morning Bible study. I’m doing a 12-day study of James and it’s SO GOOD. James just gets ya right in the heart every time. I was particularly struck by 1:19-20, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not product the righteousness of God. Our world celebrates a “quick comeback” or a zinging reply. Instead, we are to be CAREFUL what we are saying at all times. God celebrates a kind, thoughtful response. God even celebrates no response at all:

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 17:27-28

That last part always makes me giggle. Just stay quiet and people will think you know a lot of stuff. LOL! I get along really well with my family…but I’m definitely going to meditate on these verses as we go into the holiday week. There are encouragements to tame the tongue and temper over and over in scripture, so I want to pay attention! So helpful in parenting as well.

We are veteran road warriors…but It still takes some time to get this beast ready for the road! This is the first time we are towing this particular vehicle so there was some extra prep. For those who are new around here…we traveled full-time for 10 years and have had many different rigs. This particular one is a 45-foot 2005 Tiffin Zephyr and we love it! There is a king bed and 2 bunks in the back…and a double bed in the front. I took a video of it right after we remodeled it…so take a little tour if you want to see!

Maggie and Maia are overjoyed that they get to come along for this trip! We have left them at home with the farm sitters the last 3 trips, so they were getting a little nervous.

It’s always hard to leave our other animals at home though…I think if Lucy had her way, some of her favorite chickens would come along for the ride! LOL This beauty is “Copper”. She’s a Black Copper Marans + Silkie mix and has just started laying the sweetest little brown eggs.

Family photo and prayer time before we embark on the journey…we’re all stocked up with art supplies, books, movies, and snacks. Let’s gooooooooo!