Orange Dreamsicle Chia Seed Pudding - VEGAN / GLUTEN-FREE

I'm not sure what it is about Spring that makes me want to try new things. I want to try new outfits, shoes & of course, new recipes that I haven't tried before. I even tried zip lining, for the first time, a few weeks ago!! I seem to get this adventurous "bug" in me that I just can't contain lol. So when I saw a recipe from Whole Foods for Chia Pudding...I had to try it & make my own variations :D. I love the fact that it's so extremely simple to make. Healthy, fast & delicious...I like that combination!

INGREDIENTS

• 3 Tbs chia seeds
• 1 c unsweetened coconut milk (I use Trader Joe's brand)
• Juice of 1/2 an orange 
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla bean paste (regular vanilla extract is ok too)
• pinch of sea salt
• 1/2 tsp orange zest (optional)
• 1/2 packet of Stevia sweetener or agave syrup (to taste) (I used Trader Joe's brand Stevia)

DIRECTIONS

• Combine chia seeds & coconut milk in a small bowl. Stir well to combine, cover with plastic wrap & let rest in the fridge for 15 min.
• Add the rest of the ingredients & stir well.
• ENJOY!

You can store this in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

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Another variation I made was Cinnamon Peach :).

INGREDIENTS

• 3 Tbs chia seeds
• 1 c unsweetened coconut milk
• 1/4 c of diced fresh or frozen peaches (let thaw if using frozen)
• 1/8 tsp of Saigon cinnamon
• pinch of sea salt
• 1/2 packet of Stevia sweetener or agave syrup (to taste)

Since this variation has fruit in it, it's best to eat it the day of ;). How could you resist anyways?! What other variations have you tried? Would love to hear about it!

Soothing Banana Bread

Banana bread, so simple but so delicious! Sometimes I think my boyfriend buys too many bananas for us to eat in a weeks time so that when they're too ripe, I'll use those leftover bananas to make banana bread for him. I don't like having food go to waste & he knows this, so I usually oblige. Sneaky guy lol! Today was one of those days. Nothing like the smell of banana bread baking in the oven on a cold & rainy day to soothe your soul =).

The Recipe

4 bananas
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup whole milk
1 large egg

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees & spray your loaf pan. For this recipe, I used the Pullman Loaf Pan.

In a medium bowl, mash your bananas (I like to leave mine a little chunky) & add the next 5 ingredients in same bowl, mix then set aside. 

In an additional medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Stir or whisk to mix thoroughly. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients. 

Pour the wet ingredients into the well, stirring until just combined. DO NOT OVER MIX - your bread will come out tough & rubbery.

Pour batter into loaf pan & bake in the center of your oven for about 30-40 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf & make sure it comes out clean.

Move pan to cooling rack & let cool for about 15 min. After 15 min, remove loaf from the pan & let it finish cooling for an additional 15 min.

Loaf can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Hope you enjoy!