Tuck Takes Off

  Here’s a recipe I’ve road tested every day this week and have officially embraced: chia seed “tapioca” pudding. Yum!

Yeah, I know it sounds scary and I felt the same way  before I tasted it – it won’t win any beauty pageants –  but it is a three ingredient, no-cook recipe that yields a great 4 pm POWER snack filled with protein, fiber, Omega 3 oil, iron and more. And c’mon, PUDDING?! What’s not to love?  [Can’t lie, as I wrote this I have Bill Cosby’s jello pudding voice in my head.]  Here’s the recipe:

Tony Soto’s Chia Seed Pudding

• 2 tablespoons Chia Seeds (Trader Joe sells them, as does Whole Foods)
• 1/2 cup vanilla flavored Almond Milk
• dash of agave to taste

Mix the chia seeds with the almond milk in a small Tupperware container or small bowl and stir. Add a teaspoon or less of agave and stir again. Cover and place in the refrigerator for an hour or two. If the spirit moves you, when it’s setting stir again and break up clumps that will form. The chia seeds will expand and absorb the almond milk, forming a thick pudding that will stick to a spoon, even upside down. It tastes like tapioca.  Zhuzh it up with berries when you serve and sprinkle on a dash of cinnamon.

This will make 1 serving and is approximately 200 calories. It is a great pre-workout snack,  light breakfast, or a perfect mid-afternoon energy booster. I’ve been bring it to work with me. It really sates my appetite before I train after work and doesn’t make me feel heavy. 1 tablespoon of chia seeds is 70 calories and  has more Omega 3 than any plant food. It’s also gluten-free, vegan approved and (best part)  easy as pie (actually, way easier than pie.)  It’s part of the treasure trove of recipes my trainer Tony shared with me last week and now I’m passing it on to you. Let me know what you think! xxoo Steph