Pumpkin pie chia pudding
I envy the people who are capable of getting their act together every morning and fix themselves a cooked, well-balanced breakfast. Me on the other hand? I belong to the "running out the door no time to cook" camp. I also belong to the "OMG it's 10 AM and I am STARVING....I wish I ate breakfast" camp.
Enter the easiest thing to prep in the world...chia pudding. I will admit it took me a few bowls-full to get used to the consistency. But now? It has become part of my morning routine. I prep it the night before right after I prep my coffee maker (My coffee is set to brew at 6 AM). I prep it in a jar, and actually put a small spoon in the jar overnight so I can grab it on the way out the door.
Normally, my "recipe" is a two-step process:
I mix 1/2 cup of milk (dairy, almond, whatever I have on-hand) with 2 Tbsp chia seeds.
I let it sit in the fridge, and after 15 minutes I mix again and then let it sit overnight.
The next morning, I have a pudding-like healthy grab-and-go breakfast option!
With October being the unofficial PSL month, I had to try my hand at a pumpkin pie chia pudding. For those trying to conceive (especially men), pumpkin is loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants have been shown over and over again to support male fertility. Breastfeeding? Beta carotene (found in pumpkin!) is key when lactating.
Add the features and benefits of pumpkin to the laundry-list of features and benefits of chia seeds (fiber, omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, etc), and you have what some may call a super-food breakfast!
Here is what we did (my three year old helped)
RECIPE (serves one):
Prep time: 20 minutes
Hands-on time: 5 minutes (or less!)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk-of-choice
2 Tbsp + 1 tsp chia seeds (I needed a little more seeds due to the addition of the pumpkin)
2 Tbsp pureed canned pumpkin
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp brown sugar (or to taste)
optional: ground ginger, ground allspice
Steps:
whisk the milk, pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, and honey until smooth.
stir in the chia seeds
pour into jar or whichever container you choose
Chill in fridge for 15 minutes, stir again, and let chill overnight.
Top with graham crackers (tastes like pumpkin pie crust), nuts, or whatever else you like! Enjoy!
XO-Lauren
Hope you enjoy!