VANILLA BLUEBERRY KEFIR CHIA PUDDING

Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Chia Pudding topped with blueberries, pistachios, coconut chips (sweet beet flavoured), grain-free granola, and bee pollen.

I absolutely LOVE this chia pudding. It tastes great, looks pretty, and just so happens to be packed with micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants), fibre, healthy fats, protein, and pre and probiotics, too. Doesn’t get much better than that!

Beautiful Bloobs

Blueberries are bursting with flavour and nutrition.  They are packed with amazing phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fibre.  They get their deep blue hue from anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants.  In fact, blueberries contain among the highest antioxidant capacities of all the commonly consumed fruits and vegetables.  These natural disease-fighting agents are believed to help in the prevention of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and even cognitive impairment.

Three Cheers for Chia

Chia seeds have a mild nutty taste and are rich in fibre, minerals, plant protein, antioxidants, and healthy fats.  In fact, each 2 tablespoon serving of chia seeds contains approximately 4 grams of protein and 12 grams of carbohydrate, of which 11 grams are actually fibre. I happen to like the texture of chia pudding, but for those of you who aren’t chia fans, this recipe works well blended, too!

Crazy For Kefir

Kefir is a fermented drink made from milk (dairy or nondairy, including soy, rice and coconut) or water.  This unique probiotic powerhouse has a yogurt-like taste and lots of immune-boosting and disease-fighting benefits.  It contains bioactive compounds that can improve gut & skin health, and may even help reduce the risk of cancer & allergy symptoms.  One compound found only in kefir, known as kefiran, has been found to fight against candida, a common yeast infection. For more info on probiotics & gut health, see website Food Joy page “The Gut Microbiome”.

Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Chia Pudding Recipe

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 1 cup coconut or other milk-based kefir*

• 1 cup canned organic full-fat coconut milk

• 1/4 cup Nuzest Clean Lean Smooth Vanilla protein

• 2 scoops e3Live Blue Majik blue spirulina powder (optional)

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

• Lakanto sugar-free monk fruit sweetener or sweetener of choice, adjusted to taste (optional)

• 1/2 cup white chia seeds

• 1 cup frozen blueberries

• optional toppings: fresh berries, nuts and/or seeds, nut butter, granola, coconut chips, bee pollen, or toppings of choice

*Note: This makes a thick and creamy chia pudding. For a thinner consistency, increase kefir to 1 1/4 cups and/or reduce protein powder to 2 tablespoons.

Directions:

1. Put kefir, coconut milk, protein powder, blue spirulina, and vanilla into blender container and blend on high until well-mixed. Sweeten to taste.

2. Add chia seeds and pulse-blend until just combined. Alternatively, blend more if a smooth pudding consistency is preferred. Stir in blueberries.

3. Pour into a bowl or single-serving mason jars and cover or seal tightly.

4. Let sit for 10 minutes, then whisk or shake well. Cover and put in the fridge overnight or for a minimum of 4 hours.

Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Chia Pudding can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Serve with your choice of toppings.

Note: This chia pudding can also be made with non-dairy milk instead of kefir. See my Vanilla Blueberry Chia Protein Pudding recipe here (pictured below).

Vanilla Blueberry Chia Protein Pudding topped with berries, coconut chips (beetroot), toasted pistachios & macadamia nuts, and bee pollen.