There’s a little something causing a stir over on Instagram lately. Actually, it may not be causing a stir so much as it’s causing some drooling. It’s a chocolate coconut pudding pic from my breakfast the other day and yeah, I was totally a tease. I put it up there and left it there with no way for you to make it. Bad lady. READ MORE
Category Archives: Food Smarts
PB&J Chia Parfaits
Hi folks and happy moon day, otherwise known as a day ashtangis may sleep till (gasp!) 6 or 7!
On mornings like this, moon days and Saturdays, I sometimes find myself weirdly relaxed, or alternately at loose ends (like, what in the world am I still doing in my pajamas at 7 am?!) or crazy hungry. It’s like my belly knows we don’t have to power up for a practice first and demands feeding, pronto like.
On one of these mornings I found myself dreaming of peanut butter. Not almond butter or sunflower butter or calcium rich tahini, but peanut butter. And I wondered why you never see a peanut butter chia pudding. I mean, really, have you seen one? It’s always goji or strawberry or chocolate spirulina or some crazy thing. My go-to has always been simple vanilla with cardamom and/or cinnamon. But this week I wanted something slightly more decadent. And while I was at it, I thought, if PB, then why not PB and J?
Yes, I went there. And I’m so glad I did. I think It’s going to inspire a long list of chia parfaits. Actually, vanilla layered with the berry might be even better (how about vanilla layered with blueberry? Or cherry? OMG). I think Chocolate layered with the peanut butter would be awesome. And how about coffee? Like your morning brew and breakfast all in one go. Oh man, I’m getting hungry right now.
To be clear, I didn’t use real jam. I wanted these to be somewhat healthy. I merely made strawberry flavored milk to create my chia pudding, which, in combination with the peanut butter, give the PB & J effect. But you could use some jam as a topping or layer if you like.
And, just as a reminder, chia seeds are amazing health promoters. Their mucilaginous properties make them great for gut healing, while the high fiber content keeps you full. With protein, calcium and omega 3s, they’re teeny tiny little health powerhouses. And adding nuts and seeds, plus fruits and other super foods makes this a pudding fit for a super hero.
I made a big batch of these parfaits one Saturday morning and enjoyed them for a few days, with friends. So they’ll last. Make some on a day off then take them to go for those faster paced days. I know you might buy those chia pods or the like when you’re on the go. But chia pudding is simple to make. I know you can do it. And, those tiny little pods are not nearly enough to satisfy my breakfast hunger. Admit it, you eat two as well…
Anyway, I loved these for their beauty and their decadent flavor. One day I even ate mine drizzled with extra homemade nut milk. This is what my grandfather always did with his tapioca pudding and it’s perfectly indulgent.
You can, of course, eat just one flavor at a time. But I ask you, why????
- 2cups non-dairy milkI used cashew
- 3 medjool datesor 1-2 Tblsp. maple syrup, to taste
- 3 Tblsp. peanut butteror more, to taste, organic please
- 1tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4cup + 1 Tblsp. chia seeds
- 2cups non-dairy milkI used cashew
- 1/4cup + 1 Tblsp. chia seeds
- 3 medjool datesor 1-2 Tblsp. maple syrup, to taste
- 1cup strawberriesfresh or frozen
- 1tsp vanilla extract
- Add nut milk, peanut butter, vanilla and dates to your blender jar and blend well.
- Pour the peanut butter 'milk' into a large jar, add chia seeds, cover and shake well (about 30 seconds).
- Let sit for a few minutes, then shake again.
- Store in the refrigerator for at least one hour or overnight to allow the chia seeds to expand and the pudding to thicken.
- Add nut milk, strawberries, dates and vanilla to blender jar and blend well.
- Pour the strawberry 'milk' into a large jar, add chia seeds, cover and shake well (about 30 seconds).
- Let sit for a few minutes, then shake again.
- Store in the refrigerator for at least one hour or overnight to allow the chia seeds to expand and the pudding to thicken.
- Spoon a layer of peanut butter pudding into each of four jars, glasses or goblets.
- Layer banana and strawberry slices on top of peanut butter pudding.
- Spoon a layer of strawberry pudding over strawberry and banana slices.
- Repeat until remaining pudding and fruit is used up. Top as desired with granola, buckwheat crispies (soaked, dehydrated buckwheat), nuts and seeds, cacao nibs or whatever strikes your fancy. Some extra peanut butter thinned with a little liquid coconut oil makes a fantastic drizzle.
Life Changing Almond Creamer
Hi folks and happy happy summery day! I come to you today with something I’ve meant to post for over a week. Sometimes I am just not good at settling for ‘good enough’ instead of reaching for perfect, at least when it comes to my writing. So, here it is and I hope you like it, even if it doesn’t help with your Memorial Day barbecue. READ MORE
Cacao Chia Cherry Bread
I come to you with just a recipe today. No deep thoughts. Well, maybe only deep, dark chocolate ones.
Let me back up. When your teacher asks you to do something, you do it, right? Fortunately, I like what was asked of me recently. I was asked to make breakfast treats for the hungry yogis at AYNY, a pretty fun and rewarding task. I mostly try to make the treats healthy. Indulgently healthy perhaps, but still healthy. Drool-worthy, but still healthy. Rich and satisfying, but…you get the idea.
You Can’t Go “Cold Turkey” on Food
I feel like I’m leaping off a bridge.
Today I had this piece published on Elephant Journal. I meant to get it up and out there for NEDA (National Eating Disorders Awareness) week. I meant to start the conversation long ago. I meant to do a lot of things. But I hesitated. Putting this out there in the world scares the sh*t out of me a little. After all, this is A Life Delectable. Aren’t we supposed to be talking about rainbows and unicorns and magical brownies that are both delicious and good for you in a world where no one ever feels fat? READ MORE
Full Circle Thumbprint Cookies
I have a new little gig, and a “sweet” one at that, baking breakfast cookies for the hungry yogis at AYNY. As I started to think about what to make, I was reminded (by the BHH actually) of the very first cookie I ever sold, the thumbprint cookie. READ MORE
Ayurveda be D*mned, I Want a Salad
I have an admission. I seem to be full of em. I’m a yoga devotee. A healthy living pusher. A passionate cook. And a Vatta type. Yes, I’m airy, light, windy, cold and dry. Especially now. And I have a tendency to get Vatta deranged. I know Ayurveda says I should eat lots of cooked, hearty, warming, oily foods this time of year in the frigid northeast (and so should you, probably). I do eat them. I’ve been eating sweet potatoes by the dozen and slathering everything I eat in grass fed butter and ghee and coconut oil. I’ve been doing oil baths and drinking warm beverages and the whole bit. But d*mn it all, this week I really want a salad! And here’s why… READ MORE
Happy New Year!
I’m a few days late. The New Year has already started, obviously. I was taking a couple of days to really be just where I was, rather than planning, thinking, scheming and marketing. And, it was pretty awesome. Practice. Hiking. Cooking. Eating. Fireworks. Books on tape. Bubble baths. Not a bad way to send out the old year and bring in the new. But I couldn’t let the week go by without saying a big HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I’m a little relieved the last year is over, to be honest. READ MORE
Giving Thanks and the Easiest Bread of All Time
Giving Thanks and the Easiest Bread of All Time
Happy post-Thanksgiving everyone! Wherever you are, I hope it’s wonderful. In Massachusetts, it’s cold and snowy and perfectly New England Quaint. I had family visits in rotation every day. Time to bake pies. And a fire to relax by after our mega meal. I can be thankful for that!
And, while we’re all busy being thankful, recovering from wrangling family and holiday buffets, I wanted to offer you an easy breakfast option for the coming days. READ MORE
A Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving Checklist
Hi all and happy pre-Thanksgiving! Yeah, I can’t believe Thanksgiving is this week, either.
And that’s really the reason for this post. I feel time has flown. And sometimes that sped-up pace is pressure-filled. Do you ever feel like it’s impossible to accomplish all the things?
Yeah, me too. READ MORE