Holiday Peppermint Chia Seed Pudding

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How are you doing today?  Is everyone enjoying Full Moon Wednesday?  I think Full Moon Day is a vast improvement on Hump Day, what do you think?  If you missed my post on the Full Moon and how it effects us on everything from Insomnia to Romance to Difficulty Concentrating to a Great Time for a party, check it out!I’m glad most of you seemed to enjoy my little moon factoids & tidbits, and yes, blame your recent drama & insomnia on the moon!  And to new commenters and readers, thanks for coming out of the woodwork, I love that!  muah!!!!! 

picture of a magic moon

Moving right along with some tidbits about me…
Recently, one of the things that I’ve been thinking about doing is becoming a certified personal trainer.  I was drawn to that not because I truly want to train people day in day out, but because I think it would be a nice supplement to my yoga teacher credentials.  Rounding out and broadening my knowledge sort of thing.

However, after much soul searching, I think the personal training certification is on hold for a bit because I am pursing the next, and highest level, of yoga teacher certification which is the 500 hour level as recognized by Yoga Alliance!!!!!  I’ve been registered at the 200 hour level since 2001 and this is the next and only jump up, and I am thrilled to be doing it!

Today I met with my guru and mentor today, and many of the previous thousands of hours of yoga teaching that I’ve done, the hundreds of hours worth of yoga retreats and conferences that I’ve attended over the years, and my own personal self-inquiry into the practice, both meditative and asana, will be “counted” in some way.   I’m really excited because I am a life-long learner and hold everything from my California Real Estate license to my Certified Lactation Educator & Counselor credential.  Jack of all trades, I tell you.  And I love it.  My brain is always working; I need to feed it with new information and new things to devour, ponder, & study and for me, since yoga is my true passion and this is the perfect path.

But enough yoga talk, let’s talk about Holiday Peppermint Chia Seed Pudding!

You may remember just a couple days ago I decided to make the Vegan Creme de Menthe bars which are a lovely combination of creme de menthe (i.e. minty flavor) and chocolate?

Vegan Creme de Menthe bars with one bar cut out showing layers
Up close of Vegan Creme de Menthe bars

Well, I decided to make Holiday Chia Pudding with a wintery and minty flavor.

Averie’s Holiday Peppermint Chia Seed Pudding
2 Tbsp Chia Seeds
1/2 c Nut Milk (I used TJ’s lowfat vanilla almond milk) or milk of your choice
1/2 Tsp Peppermint Extract (Warning: Start slowly with this and do not overdo itPeppermint Extract is very potent stuff, nothing like vanilla extract, and a little bit of Peppermint Extract goes a long way)
1-2 Tbsp Agave (or to taste) and/or Stevia to taste

Ingredients to make Holiday Peppermint Chia Seed Pudding in bowl

 Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir

Spoon stirring Holiday Peppermint Chia Seed Pudding

Let it sit out for 20-30 minutes, stirring once or twice
This is after 15-20 minutes

Thickend Holiday Peppermint Chia Seed Pudding

This is after 12 hours in the fridge.  You can refrigerate the pudding for up to 2 days.

Spoon scooping Holiday Peppermint Chia Seed Pudding
Close up of Holiday Peppermint Chia Seed Pudding in bowl

Note that the pudding will continue to thicken as time elapses.  The little seeds will soak up every drop of the liquid and will expand, thus thickening the pudding.

Holiday Peppermint Chia Seed Pudding thickened after sitting
I realize it does look a little space age, but chia seeds are a great source of Omega 3’s, healthy fat, protein, and fiber.  They’re magical little things!
Close up of thickened Holiday Peppermint Chia Seed Pudding

Enjoy the Pepperminty Pudding!

Holiday Peppermint Chia Seed Pudding being spooned

If you missed my Chocolate Chia Pudding, check this post out.

Chocolate Chia Pudding

Or maybe good ole Vanilla Chia Pudding is your speed.

Vanilla Chia Pudding

Or maybe you’d like to make a chocolate, oat, and chia seed cookie-bar snack?  Check this one out!

 Chocolate Coconut Chia and Oat Bars

In addition to some Peppermint Pudding, I broke into a Vega bar.  

Package of Whole Foods Energy Bar
Side of Energy Bar showing nutritional information

Skylar’s comment:  Good gwah-NOLE-ah (granola) bar, Mommy!  She has sampled dozens of varieties of raw bars, granola bars, flax seed crackers, you name it, she’s tried things right along with me.  

Energy bar out of package

And she gave this bar the Two Year Old Two Chubby Thumbs Up stamp of approval.

Hand holding split energy bar

So did I.  The berry flavor shines right through which was nice as does the date flavor.

Ingredient label on back of bar

I cleaned a pineapple.  We go through about 2 a week but they’re pretty acidic so gotta be careful not to get too pina-liscious carried away.

Chopped pineapple in clear container

Also dehydrated some banana slices.
Before

Banana slices on dehydrator tray

 After

Dehydrated bananas on tray

The house smells absolutely divine with the fragrant fumes of roasting bananas.  It’s like banana bread on steroids wafting through your house.  I actually ran errands on purpose because they smell Too Good!

Close up of stacked dehydrated bananas

For dinner I made a kale salad with tomatoes, brock, cukes, and my Homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing.

Salad with Homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing
Close up of Salad with Vegan Slaw Dressing

For Dessert, what else, but some Holiday Peppermint Chia Seed Pudding!

 
Holiday Peppermint Chia Seed Pudding being spooned up

And I also had some Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls that were calling my name.

Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls stacked in container
Close up of Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

I never tire of these little balls! (twss) .  They taste just like real raw chocolate chip cookie dough and they’re vegan, gluten & soy-free, and they’re ready in 10 minutes or less!

I had a great surprise in the mail today!!  A lovely care package of homemade goodies from the lovely Bekah of Beek Eats
Coconut Chia Granola, Cinnamon-Cumin-Maple Almonds, and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Paper included in care package showing what it contains
Care package with various goodies

Everything is fabulous and Bekah’s a great cook & an even better friend, love ya sweetie!  Thank you!!!! 

Care package of various goodies

Yoga Today is Seated forward bending in Paschimottanasana.  If you’re a runner especially, you really need to think about stretching your hamstrings in a seated forward bend or standing forward bend where you’d fold over at the waist and touch your toes.  Running shortens your hamstrings, and forward bends will counter that and helps to lengthen them back out.  And doing so will help you prevent injuries. 

For the non runners, this pose also helps to stretch and release your lower back and since we all spend too much time sitting at our ‘puters and not doin’ our backs any favors, forward bends will help your back out, too.

Woman doing Seated forward bending in Paschimottanasana yoga pose

And with the traditional ashtanga style toe-hold

Woman doing raditional ashtanga style toe-hold yoga pose

Tip of the Day: Being Green Around the House

  • Make Your Own Detergent: Stop dumping polluting chemicals down the drain.  A simple, cost-effective dish detergent can be made for your handwashing or for your dishwasher.  Check out these recipes:
Liquid Dish Soap: 
  • 2 cups liquid castile soap
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup white vinegar
  • 1 tp. lemon juice
  • 3 drops tea tree oil
  • Shake well before use.  Use 2 tablespoons per load.
Dish Powder:  
Mix equal parts borax and baking soda.  Use 2 tablespoons per load.  Warning: May scratch dishware.

(Tips courtesy of Holistic Moms Network)

GiveAway Alerts:   
Katie’s got a great one going on, check it out! 
Itzy’s Kitchen has something really great, too! 
Priyanka is giving away Glo Bars!  

Stay Tuned For Another Peppermint Recipe…

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Comments

  1. OK why do I feel old. Your 2.76 yr old and Beeks both like American Girl. I don't even know who that is. Help me please.

    Injuries. I used to joke that i only have one injury- it just takes turns moving around to different parts of my body.

    I am knocking on wood right now- can you hear me? I have been relatively injury (all overuse one) free since my Mom passed away in January. Oh there's always a my neck/back. But that's chronic and I just deal (read: ignore) with it. I am nursing a bit of a niggly right shoulder/chest issue, but honestly I think it's tied in with the neck. Chatturangas piss it off too :-(

    Thanks for the great week recap!

    Deb

  2. p.s.
    Good luck with the American Girl loot- I went through a total "Get me a 100 dollar doll for my birthday" each year. Granted I did LOVE them, along with the AG magazine, catalog, etc etc. :)

  3. Great week of posts Averie- obviously I've been behind on like the last three days, bahaaa but I'm catching up. Thanks again for such a nice little feature of my package. Lol- got quite a number of page views that day. :)

    Also- your comment about Skylar with the almonds literally made me melt. She's so adorable, and your relationship with her is awe-inspiring. As a little girl, I used to claim I never wanted kids, and granted I've opened my mind a little bit more- but reading your blog, makes me realize what an awesome mom I could be- heck, who else would eat all the goodies I make if I didn't have kids?! Lol.

    But that was very sweet of you to say, and yes, 2 1/2- that is craazy. Glad she loved them. I'll have to make some more for her if we ever meet up. :)

  4. I LOVE LOVE the business cards.. very chic yet natural!! :)

    Skylar looks adorable with her gifts.. I was a huge American Girl fan when I was little!!

    Knock on wood.. never injured myself (badly)… never even broken a bone. HMM perhaps I dont exert myself much!?!? lol

    Happy Sunday, Averie :)

  5. I made your Creame de menthe bars…question: do you serve yours frozen? Mine came out pretty thick and is hard as a rock. AWESOME none the less …so it really doesn't matter but if I wanted to serve them not as ice cubes…haha

    how come mine are green? I guess they make green and non green creame de menthe?

    I am waiting with baited breath for your gingerbread cookie post. I have my organic gingerbread cookie dough out of the fridge ready to roll out and bake later today…but a batch of Averie's I am sure RAW, VEGAN dough sounds like it will hit the spot! I will for sure be making those! I think gingerbread cookie gifts are going to be my home made treats this year.

    I wanted to thank you for your supportive swine flu shot comments! it is all a calculated risk no matter which way you go.
    hugs to you!

  6. yesssssssss raw vegan gingerbread!

    THANK YOU so much for letting me know about the messed up links – i fixed itzys and then actually added the vegan chili recipe, which for some reason i totally forgot to do last night :)

    ummmm i have 3 american girl dolls…can i come visit and play american girl dolls with skylar? pretty please?

  7. Hi Averie,
    I am in awe of your strength and beauty. So admirable. You are lucky to have the abilities to participate in such a fitness activity and pursue it. Appreciate that :)

  8. Awesome yoga today … hopefully I'll be at that level after my teacher training.

    & raw vegan gingerbread?! Can't wait for that. ^_^