Keep Your Valentine Heart Healthy: Fruit on the Bottom Strawberry Chia Pudding

Love is in the air…  What better way to show you care then to make something heart healthy for the ones you love!

I have used chia seeds before in my Chia Jam and Fruity Chia Shots.  I love using chia seeds and try to incorporate some into my diet everyday.  Chia seeds are a nutritional powerhouse with a large list of health benefits.  They are a valuable source of Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA), an Omega-3 essential fatty acid that helps support normal cardiovascular function and fiber which helps support digestion and can improve cholesterol.  Great for your heart…they symbol of Valentine’s Day.

 Chia seeds are easily digestible and do not need to be ground, unlike flax seed.  When chia seeds are soaked in liquid it forms a gel.  This pudding like gel can be flavored in so many different ways but today in honor of love I am sharing a strawberry flavored chia pudding.

If you are lacking a loved one to make this for then give yourself the love.  When I was single my girlfriends and I would load up on the Ben and Jerry but is wish I would have had this strawberry chia pudding instead!

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Course Desserts or Snack

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 4

Author Amanda and Sara

Ingredients

• 16 ounces fresh strawberries hulled (if you use thawed frozen strawberries add a little more chia seeds since frozen berries have more liquid)
• 1 1/2 cups or one 13 1/2 oz can coconut milk
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean scraped
• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 1/2 cup organic jam or homemade chia jam optional

Instructions

1. Place everything except the chia seeds into a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Place the chia seeds into a large bowl or jar.
4. Pour the strawberry mixture on top and whisk thoroughly.
5. Let stand 10 minutes and whisk again.
6. Cover and refridgerate at least 4 hours and up to 3 days.
7. Stir the pudding before serving.
8. The longer it sits, the thicker the pudding will become.
9. If you find it too thick, whisk in a little water, coconut milk, or coconut water.
10. If you find it too thin add a little more chia and let sit again.
11. To serve, spoon 2 tablespoons jam into the bottom of serving dish and top with 1/2 cup pudding

Recipe Notes

Garnish ideas: Strawberries, coconut flakes, lime zest, chopped or slivered almonds, cocoa nibs, fresh mint.

Choose organic ingredients when possible.