Tropical Chia Pudding Protein Bowl (dairy-free)
+ behind-the-scenes at the Today Show!
Happy Thursday, Friends!
I have been in New York City this week as a guest on the Today Show for Celiac Awareness Month! If you missed the segment, you can check it out here. I got to share the ever-so-popular Sesame Orange Chicken recipe plus my famous Real Deal Chocolate Chip Cookies. (If you haven’t made these, what are you waiting for?!)
I love New York City, and the Today Show atmosphere is so welcoming. Here are a few behind-the-scenes pictures! When I arrive in the morning, the culinary team has already prepped my recipes in the back. They have one batch to use as tasters for the hosts, one batch to use as the hero (food industry lingo for the beautiful plated version for the final shot), and one that is uncooked that we can walk through on camera. The magic of tv!
Now, the recipe for the week!
If you have read the head notes of my cookbook recipes over the last ten years, you probably know that Ryan gets on certain “kicks” and tends to stick with them for quite some time. He’s a creature of habit and doesn’t particularly mind eating the same thing for, say, breakfast every day. After about four or five months, he’s ready for a change, and we do something new.
He was on an overnight oats kick for a long time (which is why I created this recipe and this recipe), but then did a Levels glucose monitor for a couple of weeks and realized how much it spiked his blood sugar. We both are working to lower cholesterol at the recommendation of our functional medicine clinic, get more fiber and more protein, and fill up with healthy fats in the mornings, so we’ve been on a chia seed pudding “kick” lately.
He can eat his pudding the same way every morning without becoming tired of it. I love to switch up my toppings from day to day to keep it exciting!
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Seed-sational!
The various seeds in this pudding - hemp, chia seeds, and flax, are powerhouses. Here are some of their amazing benefits:
Hemp hearts are rich in omega-3s, which are great for heart health, reducing inflammation, and protein.
Chia seeds are loaded with fiber, antioxidants, and protein, making them a fantastic choice for keeping you feeling full and satisfied.
Flaxseeds are also brimming with fiber and omega-3 fatty acids and are known for their potential to reduce cholesterol levels and support digestive health.
Choose your own topping-adventure
The beautiful thing about this bowl is that you can choose your own adventure regarding toppings. I like to pick seasonal fruit, and right now, my favorite combination is this vanilla chia pudding with diced mango and kiwi, blueberries, dried goji berries, a drizzle of almond butter, ground flaxseed, and cacao nibs for a crunch. I also often put some hemp seeds over top to increase the fiber.
xo
Danielle
A few of my favorite oatmeal/smoothie/porridge breakfasts that are packed with benefits, too!
Instant Porridge Mix (Healthy in a Hurry, page. 65)
Tropical Chia Pudding Protein Bowl
Servings: 10
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