Festive Chia Seed Pudding Recipe

+ One For The Grinch 

​It's not even December yet, but sign me up for some early 2020 Holiday cheer. I love me some Christmas baking, and I definitely have some in the calendar, but why stop there? There's no reason why we can't bring festivity to breakfast! With the classic combination of chocolate and mint, this chia pudding recipe is so simple and yet nutritious with a hint of decadence. 

Chia seeds are full of fibre, so if you (or your kids) are struggling with constipation, I love recommending making chia seeds a regular part of your diet. You can enjoy them as a pudding, like I am here, you can throw them in a smoothie, in oatmeal, in pancakes, or even in your water bottle. That gelatinous goodness is a great way to get those bowels moving! They are also a wonderful source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Truly a superfood. 

Related: 5 Holiday Nutrition Survival Tips
​Learn how to enjoy your holiday meals without feeling the stress of added indulgence. 

To create the mint flavour, I used Doterra peppermint oil, which is one of my most-used oils. It's amazing for baking, but I also diffuse it on the regular and use it as an afternoon pick-me-up by putting a drop in my palms, cupping my nose, breathing in deeply and then rubbing the rest on the back of my neck. It wakes you right up! I used this trick all the time when I was pregnant and limited to a small amount of caffeine. It's ironic because you could never use an extra coffee more than when you're growing a baby. The exhaustion is like nothing else, but of course, only a very small amount of caffeine is suggested. So, peppermint oil is a great tool to have in your back pocket when you need a little kick to get you through the day. For this recipe, 1 to 2 drops max is all you need.

Ok, so this recipe isn't actually for The Grinch... just someone who doesn't like peppermint. And by someone, I mean Dave, who assures me that a dislike for peppermint is a thing. I didn't want to leave him out of the chia seed goodness, so I came up with another classic chocolate combination, using almond butter and banana. I have to admit, if we're talking day-to-day, this would definitely have to be one of my go-to chia seed pudding recipes. You really can't go wrong. The best part is that I was able to make the chocolate chia seed base, let it sit over night and then separate it into two servings and top them according to the varying preferences of my family members (even though I felt strongly that we should all be indulging in the festive recipe and maximizing the joy opportunity). 

Don't feel like holiday decadence needs to be limited to dessert (although this chocolate chia seed pudding is so good, it could totally count as a healthy dessert). Add a little festive cheer to your morning and give this recipe a try!

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Chocolate Peppermint Chia Seed Pudding

Chocolate Banana Almond Butter Chia Seed Pudding