Chia seeds are pretty cool if you ask me. They are high in fiber and omega-3, can act as an egg replacer, help with digestion, has tons of minerals, can have different textures and colors, are pretty inexpensive, and you can find them at most grocery stores. They are a superfood that can wear many hats!

When I first starting eating chai seeds I would add them into my smoothies or I would sprinkle them on top of salads and oatmeals for a slight crunch. If I was feeling peckish I would cut up a banana, spread on some peanut butter, and sprinkle on some chia seeds. Since then, I have expanded my love for chia seeds and add them into anything I can. The first recipe is where I really came to love chia seeds. Vanilla chia pudding taste like vanilla pudding and all last week I are it for breakfast. It super filling addictive. Then next recipe is a simple granola that I think works great as a healthier alternative to cereal. Its super customizable so add in your favorite fruits and nuts. Last but not least are chia micro greens. You know the chia pet that was sold to kids in the 2000’s? Well, those are chia micro greens and they are 100% edible and delicious! If you’ve never had micro greens now is the time to give it a try. It’s super easy and pretty cool to watch. I hope you give these recipes a try and let me know how you liked them!

Vanilla Chia Pudding

Chia pudding is another one of my favorite and super easy go to breakfasts. It can be prepared the night before to save you some time or made the morning of. It takes almost no effort to and its super customizable. Add a spoonful of cocoa powder to make it chocolate or freeze dried strawberries to make it fruity! Top it off with some fresh fruit and maybe some cocoa nibs and you’re ready to go.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons of chia seeds

• 1/2 cup of milk (any kind works)

• Splash of vanilla extract

• Various toppings of your choosing!

Instructions:

1. In a bowl or container, mix together 3 tablespoons of chia seeds, 1/2 cup of milk (any kind works), and a splash of vanilla extract. Make sure to combined well so that there are no clumps in the pudding. You can leave this mixture in the fridge overnight or for 30 – 40 minutes. It will become very gel like and have the consistency of pudding.

2. Top with your favorite toppings like peanut butter, chocolate chips, fruits, and nuts. I like adding tons of juicy fruits but feel free to add in your favorite toppings.

Honey Almond Chia Granola

Homemade granola is the best granola out there. You can customize it any way you want and add in endless amount of nuts, seeds, and fruits. I made a simple granola with just 2 seeds, 1 nut, and 1 dried fruit so I can have it for breakfast with some oat milk, top off my yogurt with it, or just to crunch on when I’m feeling a little bit snacky. But if you’re feeling adventurous, maybe try out an orange match granola by adding some orange zest before your bake it and a spoon of matcha once it comes out!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of rolled oats

• 3 tablespoons of chia seed

• 1 tablespoons of flax seed or flax seed meal

• 1/4 cup of chopped raw almonds

• pinch of salt

• 1 tablespoons of coconut oil

• Splash of vanilla extract

• 1 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey

• Dried raisins or cherries

Instruction:

1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Next, take 1/4 cup of your rolled oats and processing them almost to an oat flour consistency. Place into a large bowl. Next, add in the rest of your rolled oats, chia seeds, flax seeds, chopped raw almonds, pinch of salt and mix throughly.

3. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, a splash of vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Pour the wet ingredients over the your dry oat mix and combine until you have one homogenous mixture.

4. Pour out onto a parchment lined baking tray and break up any of the massive clumps you might have. Bake for 40 minutes or until the granola is golden brown. Let cool to the touch and combine with dried raisins or cherries. Store in an air tight container!

Chia Micro Greens

Micro greens are so fun to make and eat that you’ll be making them all year! Unlike regular greens most micro greens can be grown throughout the winter so you can have fresh, home grown, & nutritious greens year round. They don’t take that much effort and also don’t need all that much. Just some chia seeds, paper towels, water, and time!

This is my first time actually making micro greens but I already know I love them! I love how tender and flavorful they are that they could be added to literally anything. Pile them high into a sandwich, toss with some greens for an extra boost of nutrition, stuff them into a tortilla with some other goodies, or use them as a crunchy topping for a veggie curry! The ideas are endless and if you give them a try let me know how you used them.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoons of chia seeds

• 2 Tablespoons of water

Instructions:

1. Start off by placing your chia seeds in 2 tablespoons of water. Leave them for 20 minutes and they will have a gel like coating surrounding them.

2. Meanwhile, place a slightly moist paper towel into a plate or pan with high sides. Spread the chia seeds out into a single layer and wrap with plastic. Keep in a semi sunny area like a window sill. Spray on some water every morning.

3. You should see growth in 2 – 3 days and can eat them 8 – 12 days in!