Apple Pie Chia Seed Pudding

I AWAYS WANTED A HAIRLESS HARRY. YOU KNOW, THE CHIA PET?

I never did get one but I have to say the seeds are way cooler to play with because of the way they expand and become mucilaginous (big word for gooey) much like tapioca pudding. That either grossed you out or got you out the door to buy a bag. 

 Anyway, these little seeds can slip out of your hand and all over the place never to be found again if you drop them. They’re tiny and resemble poppy seeds, open a bag slowly. I hope I don’t have things growing under my fridge. 

 You’ve been warned. 

Why bother with them? Well, here’s Five reasons: 

1. They are nutritional rock stars. I can go on and on. Chia seeds are loaded with nutrients such as Calcium, Fiber, Omega-3 fatty acids up the wazoo and more. p.s. Buy the gray-black variety as it’s superior to the golden.

2. Ayurveda & Chia. Chia seeds reduces Vata (Vata pacifying). It’s Fall, and my body has clearly told me that it’s Fall between the sleeplessness, creaky joints, anxiousness and spastic feeling of talking really quickly (all qualities and traits of the Vata Dosha). I can’t imagine if I added coffee to this Vata equation. No idea what I’m talking about? Learn about Your Dosha.

3. Chia seeds lubricate dryness and relieves constipation. There’s a whole lot of fiber in these teenie weenie seeds! 

4. Reduces nervousness, treats insomnia and improves mental focus. I’ll take that!

5. They’re fun to eat. Use them to add excitement to your yogurt, oatmeal, smoothies or as an egg replacer for baked goods. You can also thicken your soups. I haven’t noticed a strong flavor despite the claim that they have a “nuttiness” so I consider chia seeds to be similar to tofu, add a flavor and you’ll get what you want. 

Now, go get yourself some ingredients and make this raw apple pie chia pudding. You’re welcome!

RECIPE

SERVES: 1 (make more, trust me) 

TIME: 10 minutes (if pre-soaked chia pudding) otherwise 40 mins-overnight.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

Food Processor

 Ingredients: 

For the chia pudding: 

• 2 tablespoons chia seeds (black variety is nutritionally superior)

• 3/4 cup almond milk

 For the Apple Pie Bit:

• 1 green apple (I think I'll use 1.5 apples next time)

• 1/2 cup walnuts (or other nut)

• 4-5 dried medjool dates (pit removed)

• 1 teaspoon apple pie spice (make your own: 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg + 1 teaspoon ground cardamom-yields 2 tablespoons).

 Assembly:

1. Make the pudding by combining the chia seeds and almond milk. Place in a mason jar or other cute container you can seal. Refrigerate while you make the pie mix. 

2. Place all other ingredients in the food processor and pulse. Be careful not to over mix. It will become paste like..and that’s okay, but I prefer a little chunkiness. 

3. Pause for a moment and appreciate the fact that your kitchen will now smell like apple pie. It’s pleasant to notice the little things now isn’t it? (there's the yoga teacher in me telling you to PAUSE & BREATHE).

4. Combine 1/2 a cup of the apple pie filling with the chia pudding, stir well and place back in the refrigerator. Let the flavors merge and get cozy with one another for 20 minutes up to an hour or even overnight.

You’ll want to make a double batch. Trust me. 

 Make it more Awesome: (Yes, you can).

• The leftover Apple Pie filling can be used as a dip, added to your oats, or smeared on some toast. Endless possibilities here. Make a smoothie! 

• Use other nuts, I think I’ll pre-toast some almonds next time. 

• Use other liquids like coconut milk, cashew or even hemp milk. 

• Breakfast in a pinch! Make this at night and have it ready to grab in the morning.

ENJOY!

Read this when you need some hope.

THE YEAR THAT CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE…..

This feels deeply personal.

But, I hit send.

So here goes.

Yesterday I ran into an old friend {former colleague}.

I was at bloomies shopping for a birthday gift.

Of course I ended up buying shit for myself.

It was 50% + more off, one does not not shop for thyself in that moment.

Back to my friend.

The small talk turned into big talk.

What I refer to as more meaningful conversation than just "hey, how are you and "this weather sucks."

You actually care what the person has to say and you listen.

She'll probably read this.

She was the gift of grace to me during a rough time where I thought I landed my dream job but it turned out to be the job from hell.

BACK TO THE STORY.

When she asked how I'm doing, "I said I'm good."

I paused.

Then I said, "well, I'm much better now because pre-pandemic I had actually gone through one of the roughest years of my life."

I never really talked about it.

Not unless you are in my inner circle because my husband is a private person, which is why I don't talk about him often.

LAST YEAR...

"My husband went through a severe health crisis."

Honestly, it's made a pandemic and wearing face masks not such a big deal."

I don't mean that as an insult to anyone by the way, just keep reading

She said something along the lines of, " funny how those types of things put life into perspective."

I had never really, like really understood the meaning of that until last year.

Of course I've experienced loss in life.

But this was different.

It was my partner in crime, in the hospital, trying to survive.

EXACTLY A YEAR AGO TO THIS DAY.

The 4th of July, we were in the hospital.

James was recovering.

I was watching fireworks for a bit from the waiting room on 6th floor overlooking the hudson river.

He'd been in the hospital for over a week, but who was counting days?

They all seemed to merge into one.

I didn't even realize it was the 4th of July.

We had just been through hell and back.

He'd already been in the hospital in the Spring for nearly two weeks before this.

He was now recovering from a massive surgery and had just survived death, more than once.

I almost lost him in surgery (actually the doctor said, he did lose him) and miraculously saved his life.

Oh, and that same doctor that saved his life, lost his own life back in November 2019. {rest in peace angel}.

Then, I almost lost him again, due to complications amongst other things.

I'm crying thinking about it.

My anxiety shot out the roof.

Everything else in life just stopped.

Nothing else mattered.

It's like a PAUSE button was hit.

Then I was forced to be in the moment as best I could.

I had to ask for help with my mental health or I wasn't going to be able to leave my house {I'll share more about that another time}.

Anyway, to see your loved one in that way...weak, helpless, confused, sick, in pain...

It changes you.

It changed me.

I feel stronger for it.

My perspective on life changed because of it.

I am less likely to dwell on things that most do day in and day out.

Don't get me wrong, I still catch myself complaining about the weather {which I swear we're born with that complain button}.

But, I am very mindful and careful about complaining about most things.

And, to whom I'm complaining to.

Ok, I do still complain about doing the dishes.

But, that's also a "born with human b*tching button." in my opinion.

I had to remind myself about that recently.

It's so easy to start complaining about stupid things.

Isn't it?

So easy, to just complain.

But, no matter what there is also so much to be grateful for.

There is still something to "notice" every single day that might:

1. bring you peace of mind

2. put a smile on your face

3. take you away from a health crisis, loss, or whatever is going on in your life.

I AM GRATEFUL.

He is alive.

WE ARE NOW LIVING....

In a scary time.

Things are so unknown.

The world has changed as we know it.

You might be suffering right now and fearful of the future.

Someone close to you might be suffering right now.

Maybe you've been through hell and back and relate to what I've shared.

MY HOPE IS

Sharing this gives you or maybe changes your perspective.

Whatever that means to you.

• Maybe it's a little reminder to b*tch less.

• Maybe it's a reminder to love more.

• Maybe it's a reminder to hang onto every single sweet and horrible moment because that's what makes life, life.

• To embrace a sunset

• The aroma of the flowers

• The dew drops on grass just after it rains

• A smile on someones face

• The taste of cookies and cream ice cream {yum}

• A random act of kindness from a stranger

• Your 95 year old grandmother {yes, my nana is 95, or is it 96?}

• A warm bed

• A home to live in

• Clothes to wear

• Another day of life

• Family

• A job

It's your choice as to how you react to things.

You have control over that.

You.

I'd like to thank YOU for being here in this community.

Happy 4th of July, which to me means "LIFE."

XO JEN

p.s. Maybe save this for the future.

You can Read this when:

• You need to shift your perspective on life.

• When you get stuck in the rabbit hole of complaining about everything, everyone, and life in general.

• When you need a reminder that there is "good" despite what we perceive as "bad."

• When you need hope

Kale Caesar Salad

kale caesar salad

(Vegan, Gluten Free)

Recipe modified from Minimalist Baker

EQUIPMENT:

Blender

A very large bowl for the salad greens.

SERVES: {depends, how much do you eat?} This can last two days unless you’re serving 4.

INGREDIENTS:

Greens:

• 2-4 bunches of kale, chopped, stems removed

• 1 Tablespoon oil {avocado or olive}

Dressing: {Honestly, just double the recipe, I use it for the week, trust me}.

• 1 cup raw cashews (soaked overnight in cool water, or in hot water for 2 hours)

• 1 tsp dijon mustard

• 1/2 tsp each sea salt and black pepper, plus more to taste

• 6-8 garlic cloves, minced

• 6 Tbsp lemon juice

• 3-4 Tbsp avocado or olive oil

• 1/2 cup hot water (plus more to thin)

• 1 tsp miso paste {I use chicpea or soy}.

• 1 tsp pure maple syrup 

MAKE IT:

1. Prepare the dressing first. Add raw cashews, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic, lemon juice, olive or avocado oil, hot water, miso paste, and maple syrup to blender. Blend until creamy and smooth. If things stick to the sides; scrape them down. Depending on consistency, you might want to add more water to thin it out. You need to be able to pour it over the salad greens. But, I like mine a little goopy and I spoon goops over the salad. It’s a preference thing.

2. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more lemon or mustard for zing, olive oil for creaminess, maple syrup to sweeten, or miso for more depth of flavor. {quoted from Minimalist Baker here}. Set aside.

3. Add kale to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp each olive oil then you get your hands dirty!

4. Massage that kale! This softens the veggie. Trust me. Do it. I actually do this before I make the dressing to ensure the kale has been massaged long enough. {yes I just typed that in a sentence}.

5. Add some of the dressing to the pre-massaged greens and blend. then serve greens in individual dishes, pour or goop dollops of it on top, add vegan parmesan cheese {definitely do this}.

6. Serve.

7. If leftover kale, it will be equally delicious the next day. You’ll have plenty of dressing leftover if making a double batch. I store mine in cute mason jars and keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days. {do not freeze}.

   MAKE IT MORE AWESOME:

• Add toasted tandoori chickpeas

• Add chickpeas (I do this for the protein, or any bean really)

• Eat it while sipping wine {kidding, sort of}.

• Make vegan parmesan cheese, mix it in with the greens, then drizzle it over the salad. Recipe here.

ENJOY!