Chia Pudding - Recipes - in Medicinal-Foods Newsletters!

Subscribe to Medicinal-Foods for more of my recipes in upcoming issues!

Oddz & Endz From Dollywood & The Island AND Another Giveaway!

Looking back on last week I really had fun taking a slew of photos from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. To read more and see more visit my Travel Blog's post Coming Soon...To The Island.

This photo here is also from The Island.  It's a row of those chairs I spoke about in the link above.  I was testing out my photography eye a bit and was going for shadows, textures, color, lines, and 3D type shots in this one.  I mentioned the last couple of posts that all of the photographs from this trip were done on my iPhone.  Usually I take one of my other cameras but since we were packing light and traveling in my Fiat I wanted to just use my iPhone.  I was very pleased with the outcome.

A little bit more from Dollywood now...here you will see one of their many artisans that were set up thru out the theme park.  This was the Glass Blower.  I've always enjoyed watching people blow glass.  It's quite the process.  I've been fascinated with it since I was small.  I remember my first experience visit Cornell, NY, and have loved it ever since.  There were others around the park showing off their crafts and trades...baking, painting, metal, candles, wood, leather (I hate the smell of it and of course I don't wear it so I walked right by it) and LOTS of other arts, crafts, trades!

Another neat part of Dollywood was the replications of her childhood.  This was one of the one-room-schoolhouse that she went to while a child.  It was incredibly done.  There was another one of her childhood home, too, a one bedroom house with a kitchen that ALL of her family members shared and she had a large family!

I will probably squeeze in more photos from time to time in the next few weeks but I have lots of other things to blog about, too!

One of the many things I will be blogging about is MORE GIVEAWAYS!!!!  Today I have a package of Organic Chia Seeds from Garden of Life!  All you have to do is comment on this post and let me know a valid email addy to contact you if you are the winner.  US Shipping Addresses, only, please.  I'll choose a winner by 5pm EST tomorrow! (Friday the 3rd)

Some of the things I have done with Chia Seeds in the past have been:
* Strawberry Chia Jam
* Chocolate Chia Pudding
* Blackberry Chia Smoothie

Memphis Lentil & Veggie Mash & Catching Up On The Raw Chef

I've been craving Lentils lately!  Last night I prepared my lunch for today and came up with this dish.  Some may call it a One Pot Meal...others may call it a Casserole of sorts...or even a Mash.  Regardless it was pretty tasty if I do say so myself!

Another thing I wanted to accomplish while making this dish is to use my Wildtree Memphis Dry Rub.  I really like the flavor but wasn't going to use it as a 'rub' per say.  BUT...that's one of the best things about Wildtree...multipurpose, multi-use!  So I did just that...I used it in this dish! 

I also like this dish because I only used just a few ingredients!  Check it out...here's the recipe...
2/3 C Red Lentils (in About 2 C Water)
1/3 Corn
1 C Broccoli
2 teaspoons Wildtree Memphis Dry Rub

I also used use a little bit of Grapeseed Oil so it wouldn't stick but it's optional

Last night I was able to catch up on a few relaxing things such as thumbing thru some magazines and catching up on PodCasts that I watch on AppleTV from time to time.  One of my favorites is Russell James - The Raw Chef. 

Last night I watched the episode of him making Chia Porridge.  He put a lot of Superfoods in his but they were all optional.  I might try some of what he suggested, however, mainly because I have some of the items in my pantry.  I'm not one to sit down with a HUGE bowl of Chia Porridge or Pudding mostly because of the texture of the gelled Chia.  Sort of reminds me of Tapioca or Cavier/Fish Eggs...ewwww!  BUT...what I have found is that I can put all the flavors together and then put it in a blender and have it more as a pudding than a porridge to break down the plumpy-gelled-seeds, if you know what I mean.  I haven't tried this in a vitamix yet but it worked fine in my Ninja previously.  So...my mini-goal is to try more Breakfast Chia Porridge Combos and Snacks more frequently.

Christine's Chia Curry, Cold Curried Peas, Strawberry Chia Smoothies & Jams, and Deals

One of my favorite Bloggers & Instagrammers is Christine over at The Raw Project - as I mentioned in my previous post, today!  Yup!  Two posts, today!  Keep scrolling!  Anyhow, Christine is super awesome for many reasons but one of those reasons are her Crazy Blender Skills!

As a fellow Blender NUT - I HAD to try this Chia Curry last night!  I followed the instructions EXACTLY and it came out wonderful!  I love everything about this!  I love the color, I love the aroma, I love the flavor!  It's AMAZING!  I ended up dipping celery sticks in it.  But that's not all!  It made a nice sized batch so I decided to add it to some Frozen Peas that I soaked in warm water to thaw.

This flavor combo was tremendous, as well!  Since this is one of her original recipes I will not post the measurements here but you can find them at the link above!  Her blog is a real winner so DO take a look-see!  But I will tell you that this contains the following:

Chia Seeds, Carrots, Curry Powder, Garlic, Coconut Oil, Lemon Juice, Nutritional Yeast, and Water.  YUMMO!

I mentioned in my previous post that I was going to talk a stroll today - which I did do - and I did take some photos - but I think I will hold off to show you some of them until next week!  I think I will probably get some more snapshots Monday or Tuesday to include in a lengthier post as well!

After soaking a few Chia Seeds to do the above sauce I had some left over and ready to use.  I was trying to figure out some quick things to do with them so the already-prepared gelled Chia Seeds didn't go to waste.

I have also been going thru a lot of my freezer and cupboard items try to get some rotation-system down or something.  I came across some Strawberries that were frozen and did the same thing...soaked them in warm water to thaw.  I added them to the 2nd largest Ninja Blender I have.  There was about a pound of Strawberries in there at this time.  Next, I added 3 Tablespoons of soaked Chia Seeds to the Ninja as well as 2 Tablespoons of Maple Syrup and a half teaspoon of Vanilla Extract and blended.  One of the 3 things I made with these ingredients is pictured here.  A nice Strawberry Chai Smoothie.  For the Smoothie I continued to blend until quite smooth. 

I could help but wonder what this would taste like with a little bit of that Wildtree Chocolate Syrup I mentioned earlier this week.

So, of course, I added some.  It was super yummy!  This made a wonderful little dessert!  Two thumbs up!

But before REALLY blending this together I quazi-blended it and wanted a little bit of chunkage to it.  WHY?  Because I wanted to try and make some Strawberry Chia Jam.

The flavor was pretty incredible!  I had a bit of it on my English Muffin this morning but seriously, I could just eat it straight out of the bowl!

I think at some point I am going to try and build on this jam and make it into a fruit chutney or a salsa of some sort.  I can envision Mangoes, herbs, maybe Pineapple, the possibilities are endless!

I think I am down to only two of these little glass bowls that I have had for several years and I believe I got them at the Dollar Tree.  I might have to go check them out soon and see what other kind of little bowls I can buy for cheap.  The little glasses you see above are from gift sets my Brother-In-Law got me for Christmas.  So are the Wooden Surfaces I used for the background.

Question of the Day: What's the last thing you made with Chia Seeds?  I absolutely LOVE them!

Pineapple Mango Green Smoothie & Oriya Organics

 One of my mini goals this week was to start waking up earlier AND making more smoothies in the morning to take with me to work.  I've never been a HUGE fan of breakfast foods so I often skip it or take a bagel or piece of fruit.  And  I want something more complete - more healthy - and with my lack of fresh produce lately - I have been using frozen.  I figured frozen is better than nothing, eh!?  I'm especially excited to jump into more Smoothies because of some of the wonderful products I have come across lately...including this one from Oriya Organics.  It's their Superfood Protein Medley!  I wanted to start off simple while testing this product so that is just what I did.  A Simple Green Smoothie!

 This Pineapple Mango Green Smoothie has the following in it:

1 C Frozen Mango
1/2 Crushed Pineapple
2 heaping Tablespoons of Oriya's Superfood Protein Medley
1/2 C Almond Milk
1/2 C Water

This tastes AMAZING!  I've had my run-arounds with Green Smoothie attempts and this makes it SO EASY!  Take a look at what they say on their website!

Oriya Organics’ Superfood Protein Medley is a carefully calibrated blend of the most bioavailable plant protein sources. It has been scientifically formulated to provide a full amino acid profile that unlocks rejuvenating energy and whole-body wellness! The Superfood Protein Medley consists of the following protein-packed superfoods:

• Sprouted Brown Rice Protein
• Hemp Protein
• Sprouted Chia Seeds
• Chlorella
• Spirulina

Only the highest quality organic ingredients are sourced directly from producers in accordance with fair trade practices. Our products are handled with care and cold-processing manufacturing techniques are utilized to ensure maximum nutrient content and strength.

I've been wanting to incorporate MORE Hemp Protein, Chia Seeds, Chlorella, and Spirulina in my foods!  This has all 4!  It also have Sprouted Brown Rice Powder.  Sure...I have Chia Seeds and Spirulina in my cupboards and use it when I can but the more the merrier, eh!?

A few other reasons I LOVE this product is:

• Certified Organic by the USDA
• Certified Non-GMO by the Non-GMO Project
• Certified Vegan by Vegan Action
• Gluten-Free
• Raw

AWESOME!  But more importantly - it tastes good!  Since I used it in a sweet fruity smoothie I will not write about what it tastes like stand-alone, YET, but I probably will down the road!  I'm VERY happy with this product and my first impressions of it are all positive!  I can't want to try it in my next creation as well as try their other products! 

Good Intentions & Busy Week

 Yeah...THAT was about a week and a half!  Whew!  My Healthy eating intentions and attempts where good this week!  I'm pleased!  One thing I haven't done as of yet is this week's smoothie...but...I might do it for 'dessert' this evening!  This is the one that is on my list!  Blackberry Chia Maca Smoothie!
2 C Blackberries
2 C Coconut Milk
1 T Agave
1 T Chia Seeds - hydrated
1 tea Maca Powder
(Borrowed & Altered Photo from Sun Warrior)

What's this?  You might be asking...Well, let me tell you!  It's from Core Foods and it's a Defender Meal - a FULL Meal To Go!  It's High in Fiber and the flavor I had yesterday for my lunch was Raw Almond Raisin!  It's Raw Vegan, USDA Organic, and Tested Gluten Free!  This specific flavor had ALL Organic Whole Oats, Almonds, Raisins, Flax, and Ground Spices.

CORE is as fresh as Produce!  It lasts 6 months frozen, 1 month chilled, and 1 week on the go!  They suggest storing in the freezer for maximum freshness!  If you do freeze these babies than they suggest you let thaw for 10 minutes prior to eating!  All you have to do is eat ONE bar and follow it up with TWO glasses of water!  By doing this THIS product is equal to a full bowl of oatmeal and gives you FOUR HOURS of stable energy!

I would totally agree with this giving you energy!  After eating it I, personally, was in a VERY good mood, my energy level was extremely high AND my mind was on-track and quite clear!  And it wasn't one of those 'mind games' because I wasn't concentrating on the fact that I had one of these for lunch nor was I really 'expecting' it to give me 'that much' energy.  It wasn't until late in the evening that I wondered if my energy and mood had to do with what I ate...I'm chalking it up as so!

Here are some of my other findings for this product!  I thought the Whole Oat and Almond Combo provided an interesting taste and texture upfront.  Unlike anything I have ever had before!  The Raisin and Spice combo helped punch the flavor thru!  The Raisin did jump in with a sweetness all of it's own as well!  The Oat and Raisin flavors seemed to linger...that was pretty pleasant!  I was incredibly impressed with the mass and weight to this!  I was surprised at how well the ingredients stayed together while eating it yet it was still soft and chewy on the teeth!

I REALLY liked this!  It was fulling, flavorful, and walked-the-walk according to their product description and claims!  I have two others on hand.  I'm a little nervous about the one because it contains Banana and I have always HATED Banana...but...along this Blissful Journey of mine...I will give it a whirl!

Even tho the weather is going to be crappy - yet again - this weekend - I'm going to try and keep a smile on my face and some projects on tap!  What will you be doing this weekend!?

Participating: Healthy Vegan Friday's

Mango Spinach Chia Smoothie

So sorry I don't have a photo of this but I wanted to let you know over the weekend I made a green smoothie and I wanted to share it with you all!

Many of you know I HATE Bananas!  It's the only fruit I don't like.  So when I try and look for Green Smoothies to try - it seems my search is cut in half or even more than that!

What I did for my Green Smoothie over the weekend was...

2-3 Cups of Mangoes

2 Cups of Spinach

Water to your liking

2 Tablespoons of soaked Chia Seeds

It was very tasty!

I'm looking forward to more Green Smoothies again as I have been 80-90% Raw for the last week now and think this will be my new norm.  I really need to get to the bottom of my life long digestion issues and for once I am being proACTIVE.

Mango Chia Smoothie

This is Breakfast today!  YUM!!!!  I have to admit this is the very first time I have ever tried this but I LOVE it and will be trying it again very soon!  All I did was throw the following into a blender...Approx 2 Cups of Mango Chunks, 2 Cups of Water, 2 Tablespoons of soaked Chia Seeds, 2 Tablespoons of Agave Nectar.

It's darn tasty!