I am not just talking about a ch-ch-ch-chia pet here. Have you tried chia seeds? They are super good for you. I have only just tried them recently me myself. Chia is the Mayan word for strength. These little seeds were a big staple of the Aztec and Mayans diet. One single serving of chia seeds contains 42% of your daily need for fiber and it packs more omega 3 fatty acids than a piece of salmon. Chia seeds will absorb up to 12 times their own weight, making you feel full longer. They are great to throw in smoothies and pudding.
This dish is loosely adapted from Food Babe’s Chia Seed Fruit Salad. Have you checked out her blog? It rocks and I highly recommend it. Great recipes and health tips. This would be great served as breakfast or dessert. It would also be great with some of my homemade granola sprinkled on top.
Chia Seed Pudding
2 1/2 cups non dairy milk (I used hemp. Almond milk would work too.)
1/2 cup chia seeds
1 cup blueberries
1 orange cut into segments
zest of one orange
1 tsp ground vanilla beans
1/4 cup goji berries
2 T cacao nibs
Throw everything in a bowl and chill in the fridge for a few hours. Makes 4 servings. Takes all of 5 minutes to make and will keep you full for a long time afterward.
Wow, this looks like a winner. I’m commenting before making and eating this pudding, but I’m certain it’ll be a winner with my family!
Thanks so much.
Yay! Hope you like it as much as we did!
Oh Melissa, I LOVE chia seeds! Aren’t they amazing!? Here is my post about why they’re so great, including some other recipes you can try! http://fresh-you.blogspot.com/2012/05/chia-seeds-energy-food-of-aztecs.html
Thanks!
I bought some chia seeds last week but haven’t done anything with them yet. Considering I saw this recipe as well as a couple others while looking for something else, I’m thinking that must be a sign! Can’t wait to try this!
Yay! Hope you like it! It will keep you full for a long time. It did for me. My kids liked it too.
OMGosh… this looks so good! And I almost missed this, if it weren’t for another FB page sharing it. I know I’ve signed up for your email notices too, but I’m not getting either one for some reason.
Thanks! Really? You aren’t getting them? If you email me the email you would like to use, I can manually add you in.
melissa@mywholefoodlife.com
looks wonderful, but I have a question. since the mug picture only seems to have chia seeds with the hemp milk in it. what exactly did you do with the blueberries, orange segments and goji berries? are these blended? thanks
They are in there too. I guess the picture doesn’t show it, but it’s a chunky pudding. I just tossed the blueberries and goji berries in. I cut the oranges into segments and dropped them in too. Nothing needs to be blended.
Pingback: Cranberry Coconut Granola | My Whole Food Life
I love this stuff! I make an awesome banana-chia pudding for breakfast with chia seeds, a mashed banana, almond milk, cinnamon, almond butter, and vanilla mixed together. I let it sit overnight, and then eat in the morning. I’m looking forward to trying your recipe – thanks for posting!
Awesome Vanessa! Hope you like mine! It is one we will be making on a regular basis!
What is the shelf life of this ?
I would say around a week. Mine didn’t last that long.
Thanks :
Sure!
I’m new to chia seeds. This sounds really good. Where would I find chia seeds and how do I store them?
You can find them in most health food stores. You need to store them in the fridge otherwise they will go rancid.
I bought some at bulk barn (not sure if it’s just a Canadian store) and they were not refrigerated, nor are they refrigerated right now…. How can I tell if they have gone rancid?
I don’t know. I just heard to store them in the fridge. When I buy mine in bulk, they are not refrigerated either. Maybe they are okay out, but not for long periods of time? I am not sure. I am still fairly new to chia seeds.
I haven’t had any trouble with Chia Seeds going bad out of the fridge. I keep a container at work just in my drawer because they’re awesome to put in my yogurt. No problems so far. I’ve had the package for a while too. I also don’t refrigerate them at home either. But whatever works.
I heard that when they get old, they don’t absorb as much liquid. Mine never last that long though. )
Hello – which brand of goji berries do you use? thank you
Not sure the brand. They just come in a plastic container with a Sprouts label on them. I get them at Sprouts. They are right next to all the dates.
Pingback: Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms & Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding | Trees Grow in Brooklyn
I’ve been wanting to try chia seeds….I have a question about this, though. Would it have a similar texture to tapioca? That wouldn’t be a negative– I love tapioca — just curious!
Yes! It’s almost like mini tapioca balls.
I’m new to chia seeds as well so this looks like a great way to get them into my diet. Thanks!
This is a great way to introduce yourself to chia seeds. It’s so good!
This may be a weird question but what is cacao nibs?
Thanks
Carrie
They are chocolate without the sugar. They add a bitter taste and crunch to the pudding that I like. You can omit or sub with chocolate chips as well.
I want to try this. It looks great. One question : do I cut up the orange or just squeeze out its juice?
You need to cut the orange into segments. The orange pieces will help make the pudding chunky.
Hi:
Does it have to be non-dairy milk? Can I just use cows’ milk?
Thanks,
Cate
Sure you can use cow’s milk. It will work as well.
Thanks!
Made this tonight….it is in the fridge right now! Can’t wait to see how it turns out! I used unsweetened almond milk…is yours unsweetened ? Also just want to say that your blog is wonderful and has been a lifesaver for me! I am trying to change the way I eat and I just don’t know what I would have done without all your delish recipes!
Yay! I am so happy you like the blog!
I have made mine both sweetened and unsweetened. If you like it sweet, you can add a few T of maple syrup. I think the fruit sweetens it enough for me. 
I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks! Had this for breakfast this morning! It was wonderful! And your right, the fruit sweetened it enough for me!
Awesome! I have a chocolate chia pudding as well. Made with red berries.