PB + Chocolate Chia Pudding

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cans coconut milk – see notes below
• 1 cup filter watered (can add more or less depending on how thick you want it)
• 2 tbsp true cinnamon
• 2 heaping tbsp nut butter
• 2 scoops protein powder – see notes below
• 2 tbsp cacao powder OR chocolate mix (optional) – see recipe below
• 4 tbsp chia seeds

TOPPINGS

• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Hemp hearts
• Cacao nibs
• Shredded coconut

CHOCOLATE MIX

• 1 cup cacao powder
• 1/4 cup mesquite
• 1/4 cup triple maca
• 1/4 cup carob
• 1/4 cup tocotrenials
• 1/4 cup 5 mushroom blend (reishi, chaga, cordyceps, lions mane, turkey tail)
• 1 tbsp chai spice mix
• 1 tbsp fo ti
• 2 tsp shilajit
• 2 tsp amla powder
• 1 tsp rhodiola
  • Notes: You can buy similar mixes like this that are pre-made by Harmonic Arts. I buy all of these items in bulk from Organic Matters and Harmonic Arts and make up big batches to have on hand (I use it in hot chocolate, baking, smoothies, etc). However, if you’re on a budget, it is not necessary to use all of these ingredients – for those interested in trying to make this mix you can try using just the first 7 ingredients to start as they are usually easier to come by!

DIRECTIONS

1. Throw all ingredients except for the chia seeds into a big glass or stainless steel bowl.
2. Using a handheld blender, blend on med-high until smooth.
3. Once everything is combined, add in chia seeds and blend on slow-med until everything is combined.
4. Pour into small mason jars and store in the fridge until ready to use! I store mine the fridge for about a week.

NOTES

• In the photos above I used only 1 cup of water and it turned out SUPER thick (and absolutely delicious) – it almost tasted like a PB + chocolate mousse (drool) more than a pudding. If you want it less thick, add 1 more cup of water or use only 3 tbsp of chia seeds.
• Choosing coconut milks: when buying coconut milk it’s important to look for BPA free cans, organic if possible (buying non-organic whole, raw coconuts are not as worrisome due to the hard shell however processing coconut is different and could have harmful processing practices), fair trade, FULL fat (we want ALL the goodness!), no guar gum, no additives – straight coconut goodness.
• Choosing protein powders: buying a high quality protein powder is SO important! The number one thing is that you ALWAYS want to buy grass fed when using animal products and organic if possible. New Zealand has great practices when it comes to raising and processing so buying New Zealand products that are not organic (but still grass fed) aren’t as bad. A New Zealand brand that I like is Kaizen. However, if milk products usually cause you upset, go for whey or whey isolate rather than casein or look for a vegan option. I personally switch it up – sometimes I will buy vegan and sometimes I get a whey isolate. When choosing vegan options (especially ones with pea and soy bean proteins) aim for organic or non-sprayed as these products are HEAVILY sprayed and contain A LOT of toxins! When processing this increases the toxic level a heck of a lot! And ain’t nobody got time for that. Also look for protein powders that have minimal additives and sugar. All of the brands I recommend here will be grass fed (some organic), minimal sugar/additives and will usually have a vegan option. As an added bonus, all of them are sold at Thriftys! Aside from Kaizen, some other great protein powders that I like are Progressive (I specifically like their all in one option), Vega, Natural Factors, and Purica.
• Choosing nuts/seeds: This I will DEFINITELY be doing an entire blog post about as it’s just not talked about enough! But for the love of nuts, PLEASE always use raw, refrigerated nuts/seeds. Yes, you heard me right, REFRIGERATED. Nuts and seeds are EXTREMELY heat sensitive and when left at room temperature go rancid – which is a major factor in causing free radicals in the body (rancidity in the body is one of the biggest health issues in our bodies yet!)! So when buying nuts/seeds avoid anything that is roasted, salted, coated, sitting on a shelf. At health food stores you can find all of your nuts/seeds in the refrigerated section. Keep it raw and always refrigerate.
• Who this recipe is good for: raw foodies, vegans, celiacs, ketogenic diets, athletes, lactose intolerant, active/busy lifestyle, decreasing inflammation, increasing essential fatty acid intake (loaded with omega 3s), and those looking to incorporate or increase their good quality fat, mineral and protein intake. When choosing a protein powder, ensure it jives with the current diet you are on.

 

With love,
Heidi MacAulay
“Eat more plants. Do more yoga. Read more books.”

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