I’ve been struggling with a touch of night-blindness lately. It is so frustrating! I’m fine unless I try to drive at night, then the oncoming headlights seem to somewhat blind me. But if it’s raining, forget it… I can’t be on the road… and it makes me dependent on friends and family. This is really a shame because I was so often the designated driver! So, me being me, I’ve been researching what in my bag of Chinese herbal tricks can help with this. The answer is goji berries — they are great for vision. So, along with my acupuncture treatments (I’ve gotten really expert and putting needles near my own eyes…) I’m putting goji berries in everything. And this chocolate chia pudding really tastes amazing with these little gems mixed in.
What’s better than waking up in the morning, opening the fridge, and having a great healthy breakfast just waiting for you on the shelf? Nothing. Especially if that breakfast (this chocolate chia pudding) tastes like dessert. It takes about 2 minutes to make this superfood-laden chocolate chia pudding. You take the ingredients, put them in a jar with a lid and shake it up. Then you put it in the fridge and in the morning you have this amazing dessert-like breakfast. You can add an additional 30 seconds of time on to your prep work if you do what I do and slice up a banana for the top.
Chia pudding is one of the all-time best breakfasts. And this chocolate chia pudding is filled with superfoods, so it is the perfect way to start your day. You feel the energy entering your body… and the taste is delicious!
Chia seeds are ancient seeds that got their name from the Mayan word for “strength”. These tiny seeds have the unique ability to turn liquid into a gel-like substance when making puddings and they are great added to smoothies and shakes. They are really good for you because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and fiber. They give this pudding the consistency of rice pudding, so it’s a delicious breakfast that your body and your tastebuds will love!
Raw cacao is a superfood. It is packed with magnesium, iron, zinc and other minerals. Not only is it packed with health benefits, but it actually has properties that help the body absorb nutrients better and it’s filled with antioxidants. Cacao can actually be translated as “food of the gods”… Raw cacao can help lower blood pressure, promote healthy heart function, improve digestion, and may even help increase the libido.
Goji berries are a chinese herb (Gou Qi Zi). They are great for your blood. I prescribe them to some people with chronic pain in the legs and lower back. They are also good for men experiencing impotence and can be used to treat some eye problems. Women who are pregnant and people with intestinal issues should be careful not to eat too many gojis, but the amount in this bark should be fine for anyone.
Cinnamon is one of the best herbs to warm the body. It’s great if you have a cold. If you are nauseous or have diarrhea, go for the cinnamon. It also gives you energy and helps with menstrual pain. Cinnamon is used in different forms in Chinese medicine: “gui zhi” is the cinnamon twig and “rou gui” is the cinnamon bark. Both are warming and are used for a variety of ailments. In the winter I add cinnamon to all sorts of foods. It helps with the common cold, swelling, various menstrual issues and some aches and pains. Be careful with it if you have a fever because it is so warming.
The night before you want this breakfast (or even 2 nights before), put almond milk, chia seeds, raw cacao, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and goji berries into a mason jar…
Put the lid on and shake it up good…
Put it in the fridge and in the morning, you will have an amazing way to start the day. Enjoy!
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Chocolate Chia Pudding With Goji Berries
Author: Stacey Isaacs
Recipe type: breakfast, dessert
Prep time:
2 mins
Total time:
2 mins
Serves: 2 servings
This amazing chocolate chia pudding is made the night before and ready for you when you wake up. It's delicious and it will keep you energized for the day!
Ingredients
1-1/4 cups almond milk
¼ cup plus 2-Tbs chia seeds (here's a good one)
3 Tbs raw cacao (I like this kind)
2 Tbs goji berries (you can buy these)
2 Tbs pure maple syrup (here's one)
½ tsp vanilla extract
¾ tsp cinnamon
sliced bananas and extra goji berries for the top (optional)
Instructions
Put milk, chia seeds, cacao, goji berries, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon in a mason jar. Cover and shake really well. Put the jar in the refrigerator overnight (or for a few days). Top with sliced bananas and extra goji berries. Enjoy!
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