Here where I live, in Belgium, we are all stuck at home because of this stupid Coronavirus (excuse my French).
We might all be tempted to let ourselves go, let go of a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle.
I say NO! It has never been so important to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. And it starts with a healthy diet, not only to have a healthy body but also remain mentally sane.
When everyone started to get all crazy emptying supermarkets, one of the first item I could think to get enough of was chia seeds. They are super versatile so you can't really get tired of them. They're super nutritious and make great breakfast or snack. You can buy them in bulk and easily store them. See below for their numerous health benefits.
Watch out here, spiced doesn't mean spicy! I have only used cardamom and ginger in the recipe to make it even more tasty and fun! Happy food, happy people.
RECIPES
Chia pudding (for 2)
- Chia seeds, 3 tablespoons
- Plant-based milk, 250 ml (almond, soy, coconut, etc.)
- Cardamom powder, 1 teaspoon
Recipe
In a little bowl add the chia seeds, then the plant-based milk.
Make sure you stir for a good 2-3 minutes so the chia seeds don’t stick together.
Leave in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight.
Pear & walnut compote (for 2)
Pear, one large or 2 small, ripe
Ginger, a good 2-cm chunk
Cardamom, 3 green pods
Walnuts, a handful (previously soaked for a couple of hours)
Butter, coconut oil (or ghee), 1 tablespoon
Water
Recipe
Chop the ginger very finely and cut the pear into small cubes.
Heat a tablespoon of butter, coconut oil or ghee in a saucepan.
Fry the ginger over low heat for about minute, then add the cardamom pods and the star anise. Leave another minute on low heat.
Then add the pears and a bit of water so they don't stick to the pan.
Allow to cook for 7 to 10 minutes until soft and tender.
Store in a jar for up to 3 days.
Finally ...
When you have your chia pudding and pear compote, you can make individual portions and store them in the fridge.
In a jar or in a bowl: add a bit of chia pudding and pear compote on top.
Grab a spoon and enjoy!
Health Benefits
The health benefits of pears
Boost the immune system;
Help prevent stomach cancer;
Decrease the risk of diabetes and heart disease;
Improve heart health;
Promote eye health;
Reduce blood pressure.
They're a good source of copper, iron, potassium, manganese and magnesium and vitamin B. They're also high in fibre and provide a fair amount of antioxidants.
The health benefits of chia seeds:
Being loaded with antioxidants chia seeds can prevent premature skin ageing;
They help promote digestion and regular bowel movement thanks to the dietary fibre;
They also help with weight loss; they keep you feeling fuller longer and reduce sugar cravings;
They boost your metabolism and burn belly fat;
They promote heart health, regulate cholesterol and lower blood pressure;
They help treat diabetes;
They boost your energy, improves stamina and endurance;
They promote bone and teeth health thanks to the high amount of calcium.