Vanilla Bean Chia Pudding

A simple healthy recipe gets a kick of intense vanilla flavor in this Vanilla Bean Chia Pudding...

Okay, you all- I finally jumped on the chia seed bandwagon, and now I am wondering why I ever waited so long. I may have had a little bit of a prejudice against them before because all I could think of when someone mentioned chia seeds were chia pets. Do you all know what I am talking about? (And now that jingle from the television commercial is stuck in my head- Chi, chi, chi, chiaaaa... ;) )

But nevertheless I had been kind of curious about chia seeds for the past few months, but I had no clue where I would even buy them here in small town West Virginia. Then lo and behold, one day I was shopping at my local ALDI and there they were on the shelf- a bag for less than $3! I mean, what did I have to lose really? So I grabbed a bag and started asking around to my fellow food bloggers what were their favorite ways to enjoy and prepare them. Many said that they loved sprinkling them over yogurt (which is yum, by the way) or mixed into smoothies. But again and again, they mentioned chia pudding.  

The first couple of times that I tried making chia pudding I got the ratios off, and my pudding ended up more like a slurpy mess.  But this latest attempt? I nailed it! :) I decided that I want to stick to a simple chia pudding recipe, but added a kick of intense vanilla flavor. By stirring in a simple teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, this healthy and easy to make pudding becomes almost like a creamy vanilla dessert. You could also substitute a teaspoon of vanilla extract, but trust me on this- splurging a little for some good quality vanilla bean paste is so worth it for this recipe. Enjoy this Vanilla Bean Chia Pudding simply as is or feel free to top it with your favorite fruits, berries, or nuts... 

Strawberry-Raspberry Lime Chia Jam

This easy to make & low-sugar Strawberry-Raspberry Lime Chia Jam is the perfect combination of fresh strawberries, sweet raspberries, and tart lime... 

I want to preface today's recipe post with the fact that I do not make homemade jam on the regular. I can probably count on one hand just how many times I have whipped up a batch of homemade jam in my whole entire lifetime. ;) But after seeing recipes for super simple chia jams popping up everywhere, I finally decided to give it a whirl and see what all the fuss was about. I am no stranger to chia seeds. 

In fact, I have several recipes on the blog already that feature chia seeds as one of the main ingredients. Chia seeds are amazing at absorbing liquids so it totally makes sense to use them in homemade jams as a thickening agent. And it doesn't hurt that they happen to provide a nice little nutritional boost as well.

I think there are like a million recipes out there for simple strawberry or raspberry chia jams, but I wanted to create my own version that would really capture the flavors of summer. I think I achieved just that in this super simple jam with the combination of fresh strawberries, sweet raspberries, and tart lime. And since we are using naturally sweet, in-season berries & chia seeds to thicken it up this jam, you hardly need to add any kind of sweetener to this making it lower in calories and sugar than your traditional berry jams... :)

Raspberry-Orange Chia Seed Scuffins

Muffins meet scones in these bright, moist, and healthy Raspberry-Orange Chia Seed Scuffins- the perfect way to start out your day...

I had never heard or seen the term scuffins before until I had stumbled upon a recipe for Strawberry Cream Scuffins from Better Homes & Gardens. Yes folks, a scuffin is just what it sounds like- a scone + a muffin = a scuffin. Sometimes I am just blown away by the creativity and cleverness I discover and find every day in the online culinary world! :) While I was definitely intrigued by BHG's concept for a scuffin, the recipe for their Strawberry Cream ones were far from being categorized as healthy. ;) Not that there is anything wrong with that, but since swimsuit season is literally knocking on the door for me (our local pool opens this weekend & I will be on a beach in about a month) I wanted to come up with my own healthier version of their scuffins.

I lightened up and brightened up their more pastry like scuffins with these Raspberry-Orange Chia Seed Scuffins. I replaced the heavy cream with almond milk & Greek yogurt, gave it a fresh, bright flavor with fresh orange and raspberries, and threw in some nutrient-packed chia seeds just for added assurance. ;) And instead of a super sugary icing for this, I used my vanilla yogurt glaze on these moist & dense scuffins...

Coconut Mocha Chia Pudding

I am partnering with Hamilton Beach today to bring you all this recipe for a creamy & low fat Coconut Mocha Chia Pudding. As always, all opinions expressed below are 100% my own.

I have no shame in admitting that I am a total coffee addict... and a coffee snob. You will rarely see me sipping on fast food coffee. Believe me when I say this, you all- I have tried most of them, but they are just not my cup of java. That being said, I am also all about saving money and being frugal. And yes, I know that being a coffee snob and being frugal do not exactly mesh. I know most "coffee snobs" in the traditional sense of the term have no problem dropping $5 on a cup of coffee goodness, but that is just not something that is in my everyday budget. Nor do I feel like wrangling a toddler & hopping into the car every morning to go pick up said snob-worthy coffee. 

My solution? Making good coffee at home every morning. :)

And while the quality of the coffee you choose to brew at home has a lot to do with how good it will taste in your favorite coffee mug, owning a good coffee maker is also essential. Up until about a month ago, I had been using the same coffee maker for the past 6 years.  It wasn't anything fancy, but it did the job... or at least I thought that it had been.  That was until I was offered the opportunity to try Hamilton Beach's new FlexBrew 2-Way Coffee Maker.  Seriously, you all. I had no idea what I had been missing! The Flex Brew gives you the option of brewing either a 12 cup pot of coffee the traditional way, or you can use the single brew side to brew one cup of coffee using either your favorite K-CUPS* or fresh grounds. And the best part? It really doesn't take up that much more space on my counter than my old coffee maker did. ;)

Being the self-proclaimed coffee addict that I am, I am always looking for ways to incorporate coffee into some of my recipes. Given my recently acquired fondness for creamy & healthy chia pudding, it only made sense that I would try and make a coffee flavored one. This delicious Coconut Mocha Chia Pudding combines fresh brewed chilled coffee with coconut milk, chia seeds, & cocoa for a delicious treat with a little bonus pick-me-up...

Peanut Butter Crumble Yogurt Parfait

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WhenImHungry #CollectiveBias

Ever had that moment during the day when you have been so busy and stressed that you somehow forgot to eat lunch or you have powered through the mid-afternoon munchies and then hangry sets in? I know some of you all already know too well what I am talking about when I say hangry, but for those of you that don't  know what hangry it is basically when you are so hungry that you are pretty much angry.  You don't feel quite like yourself. Your patience wears thinner a little quicker. The smallest thing can agitate you and make you snap. Yep, that is hangry, my friends. And hangry isn't pretty.

I have been guilty of being hangry more times than I would like to admit. Rather it be because I am trying to power through some blog post guidelines while dealing with a toddler meltdown (and you know that they always perfectly time to throw down the major ones right when you are the busiest ;) ). Or out running errands, picking my son up from practice, and just getting the general business of keeping our home & family running smoothly. And boom! It hits me- hangriness. And that is when I remember that I haven't ate a thing for over 5 hours. 

My new solution to cure the afternoon hangry? This easy to make, energy boosting Peanut Butter Crumble made with toasted oats, toasted rice cereal, peanut butter, chia seeds, and satisfying SNICKERS® Peanut Butter Squares.  I can throw a couple of handfuls in a plastic baggie to go or create a quick and delicious yogurt parfait with it at home in minutes. Hangry cured. ;)

Peach-Mint Green Smoothie

As a Blue Diamond Tastemakers blogger, I am sharing with you all this recipe for a refreshing & healthy Peach-Mint Green Smoothie. This post is sponsored by Almond Breeze Almondmilk.

In late spring of each year, I get down into the dirt and start planting seedlings and seeds in a spot in our backyard with dreams of having a garden brimming with homegrown veggies come July and August. And almost every summer, I am met with a little disappointment. A few tomato plants seem to do well early on, and then for what seems like no reason at all they just dry up and never produce another tomato. Pumpkin vines start sprawling through half my garden making me excited for all the fun (and free) pumpkins we would have in October only to have them bloom and produce cantaloupe sized pumpkins... in mid August. This year I decided that I needed a break, so we didn't plant a garden. Then a very strange thing started to happen late last month... plants just started appearing on their own.

First, it was the parsley plant I had dumped over the side of my deck railing at the end of last fall. It came back to life. Then it was a single pumpkin plant in what was my garden last year. And after a few good rains here the past couple of weeks, I now have an abundance of fresh, beautiful garden mint at my disposal. I have come to the conclusion that maybe I am better at accidental gardening than purposeful gardening. ;)

Now when I say I have an abundance of fresh mint, I am not exaggerating. I have a TON, folks. Since peaches are so affordable right now due to it being peach season, I knew I wanted to create a healthy and summer perfect recipe combining those sweet peaches with the refreshing crispness of the mint. And that is just what I did with this Peach-Mint Green Smoothie... 

Pumpkin Spice Coconut Smoothie Bowl

Your favorite summer and fall flavors meld perfectly in this creamy & healthy Pumpkin Spice Coconut Smoothie Bowl...

Did anyone else get hit by that sinus cold/infection thing that has been going around lately? I was down with it for most of last week, and I am so not good at being sick. Or doing that resting thing, but this crud kicked my booty. I found myself napping or lying down whenever I could and heading to bed early almost every night for at least five nights last week. 

And when this mama is down for the count, cooking meals at home comes to an abrupt and grinding halt. My husband doesn't really cook often, so I found myself texting him to pick up pizza or fast food before he came home from work last week more times than I would like to admit to you all. 

Add in the fact that I was in no shape to head to the gym at all for the duration of that yuckiness, and I was feeling pretty sluggish and unhealthy by the time this thing finally ran its course near the beginning of this week. I have eased back into my gym routine, but I am craving healthy foods after all the greasy fast food I consumed last week. 

Wanting to get back to some healthier eating, I decided to finally take the leap and made my first ever smoothie bowl. If you are not familiar with a smoothie bowl, you whip it up in a blender the same as you would a smoothie. But a smoothie bowl is thicker making it perfectly spoonable- like a healthy, cold "soup" that is perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Since I am craving fall flavors, but still clinging a little to summer I decided to meld one of my favorite summer flavors (coconut) with one of my favorite fall flavors (pumpkin) in this creamy Pumpkin Spice Coconut Smoothie Bowl... :)

Matcha Chia Pudding Green Smoothie

This thick & creamy Matcha Chia Pudding Green Smoothie is protein-packed and loaded with antioxidants, Vitamin A,  & Omega-3 fatty acids. The perfect pre-workout meal!

Not that this should be a shocker to anyone who has ever read a game day recipe post of mine, but I did not watch the Super Bowl on Sunday evening. Honestly, I could have cared less who won or lost. And if I had attended a party to watch the game (which I didn't), then I would have only been there for the snacks, my friends. ;)

But there is one thing about the Super Bowl that I do like hearing about and watching the next day, and that is the halftime show. The halftime show the past couple of years didn't really impress me much even though I have always been a big fan of both Justin Timberlake and Maroon 5. 

But when I heard that both Jennifer Lopez and Shakira would be performing at this year's show, I was actually kind of sad that I had cut the cord on cable last year and would have to wait to watch it until later on my laptop. 

I have been a longtime fan of both of these ladies for many years. WAY back in the day, JLo and Shakira were some of my favorites to hear played when I went out to the dance clubs with my friends. Their upbeat, high energy music pretty much made up half of the soundtrack for my early to late twenties. 

S'mores Chia Pudding

Inspired by a campfire classic, this easy to make S'mores Chia Pudding is the perfect back to school snack. This conversation is sponsored by WhiteWave Foods. The opinions and text are all mine.

With the start of another school year also comes the start of another cross country season for my son. And with after school practices every afternoon and meets just about every week, I am always trying to find quick, satisfying, and energy packed snacks for my son to fuel his practices and race days and to hold him over after practice until dinner time. Being a teenager, he would rather be eating potato chips washed down by a few chugs of a sugary soft drink. ;) Determined to come up with a few snack choice compromises that we could both love, I headed to my local Kroger to shop their Natural Foods Department...

Peanut Butter Chai Banana Baked Oatmeal

This easy to make Peanut Butter Chai Banana Baked Oatmeal with it's hearty oats, bananas, & chia seeds is the perfect grab & go breakfast for busy mornings...

When it comes to breakfast for myself and my family, I like making sure that we start our day with something healthy & filling that can take us right on through to lunch. And since we all have different start times to our days (my teenage son being up and at 'em well before the rest of us), I need breakfast recipes that will be easy to grab and ready to go no matter if we are eating breakfast at 6am or 9am. That is why I just love baked oatmeal! :) I can bake up a batch on a Sunday night, cut it into generous squares, and then slip each one into it's own ziploc baggie. Those hearty oatmeal squares become the perfect grab and go breakfast throughout the rest of the week. 

I have made different versions of baked oatmeal before (you all may remember my Almond Joy Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal & my Double Berry Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal), but this moist & satisfying Peanut Butter Chai Banana Baked Oatmeal just may be our favorite one yet. Not only is this baked oatmeal packed with lots of the good stuff (think bananas, whole oats, chia seeds), but you just can't beat the flavor combo of creamy peanut butter with chai spices. Before baking up a pan of this family-pleasing baked oatmeal, be sure to click on over to get my recipe for DIY Chai Spice Mix and whip up a batch. It is perfect to use in this baked oatmeal recipe, and to have on hand to mix into oatmeal, sprinkle over toast, or stir into your hot chocolate or favorite hot tea... 

Cereal Marshmallow Snack with Cranberry Seeds

 These easy to make Cereal Marshmallow Snacks get a naturally pretty red color and a little nutritional boost thanks to the addition of cranberry seeds...

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx on behalf of Ocean Spray.

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, I wanted to share a quick & easy treat with you all that is perfect for sharing with your loved ones this weekend. Not only are these Cereal Marshmallow Snacks super simple to make, but they also happen to have a little "secret" nutritional powerhouse ingredient mixed right into them- Ocean Spray Cranberry Seeds!

Not only do these little red seeds give a 100% natural red color to any recipe that you add them to you (Hello! Perfect for Valentine's Day!), but they also provide a host of health benefits. Cranberry seeds have been proven to support a healthy digestive system, heart, & brain, as well as giving you a little immunity boost to boot. 

So move over, chia and flax seeds! And make way for Ocean Spray Cranberry Seeds. 

Pecan & Date Granola

This easy-to-make, homemade Pecan & Date Granola is brimming with toasted golden oats, crunchy pecans, & sweet dates...

Can we talk about raisins for just a quick second? In general, I don't like them. I mean, they have their place in the culinary world, but for me that wouldn't be straight from the box. Or baked into any kind of bread or bagel (oatmeal cookies though are a-okay with me ;) ). Or as part of a trail mix (I always pick around them). And especially not in my granola!

Do you know how difficult it can be to find a box of store bought granola that does not have raisins in it?? Nearly impossible. Believe me- I have tried. 

If you have an aversion to raisins in your morning granola like I do, then you are going to love the recipe that I am sharing with you all today! This homemade Pecan & Date Granola is brimming with toasted golden oats, crunchy pecans, & sweet dates.... and absolutely no raisins whatsoever! ;)

Blueberry Almond Chia Smoothie

Boasting both anti-inflammatory & healing properties, this thick & creamy Blueberry Almond Chia Smoothie is just what your body needs to recover after a good sweat session...

I was provided with a copy of The Protein Smoothie Bible for review. I was not compensated for this post in any other way. All opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own. This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

For the past few months, I have been making a conscious effort to get to the gym more, to get back into my yoga practice, & to really pay attention to just what it is that I am putting into my body. 

Call it a gradual epiphany of realizing that I really needed to focus a little more time on bettering myself & my health following my divorce. Once the dust had settled & my world had calmed down a little, I was finally able to get back to me.

And it isn't just about getting back to a healthier version of myself for me. It is also about becoming the best version of myself for both my son & my daughter. Sometimes having to start a new chapter in your life will inspire you to make the changes for the better that you have been putting off.

One of the first steps I took when I decided to take back charge of my health was to incorporate more healthy smoothies into my diet. 

Smoothies are a fantastic & easy way to pack in most of your daily requirements of fresh veggies & fruits. I usually start most of my mornings each week with a vitamin & protein packed green smoothie. 

Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie

Creamy low-fat yogurt, sweet frozen strawberries, reduced-fat cream cheese and graham crackers are blended into this satisfying Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie...

This content was created in partnership with Kroger Family Stores using free products provided by Kroger.

This recipe post first appeared on the Kroger Inspired Gathering site.

When I need to satisfy my sweet tooth without the guilt, I make a creamy smoothie inspired by one of my favorite desserts. Lately, my guilty pleasure has been a slice of cheesecake drenched in strawberry topping. The problem is, cheesecake isn't exactly good for you, or low in fat or calories. My solution? This lower guilt Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie that tastes just like the delicious sweet treat it's fashioned after!

Creamy low-fat yogurt, sweet frozen strawberries, reduced-fat cream cheese and graham crackers are blended into this satisfying smoothie. I added some chia seeds to sneak in a little nutrient-packed punch too. Trust me when I tell you all that it tastes just like a slice of cheesecake topped with strawberries. Who says you can't have your cheesecake and maintain that waistline too? ;)

Chocolate Raspberry Chia Seed Smoothie

This creamy & healthy Chocolate Raspberry Chia Seed Smoothie only tastes like a decadent treat...

I am partnering with Hamilton Beach today to bring you all this recipe. As always, all opinions expressed below are 100% my own.

I have had a love/hate relationship with making smoothies. I love sipping on smoothies and packing them full of the good stuff. But I have often found myself hating actually having to blend them up. 

You do that first pulse of the blender just to have to take a spoon to scrape down the sides of the blender cup and scoop up what is laying on the bottom to get it all blended in and smooth & creamy. And often times I have to repeat that once or twice more. 

I know that a fancy pants high tech blender would solve my little blender conundrum, but have you all seen the price tags on some of those blender models?? Yikes! 

When Hamilton Beach approached me about giving their new Wave-Action® Blender a whirl (see what I just did there ;) ), I was all in. I mean, what did I have to lose? Besides possibly my smoothie/blender frustrations. 

And the first thing that I whipped up in my new sleek & shiny Wave Action Blender was this smooth and creamy Chocolate Raspberry Chia Seed Smoothie. 

I kind of have a thing for making smoothies that tastes just like desserts since my mean sweet tooth can often get in the way of my attempts to eat healthier. ;) This creamy and chocolaty smoothie satisfied my sweet tooth without the guilt...

PB&J Green Smoothie

Enjoy all the deliciousness of a peanut butter & jelly sandwich in this creamy & healthy PB&J Green Smoothie...

Post updated 1/23/18- This creamy PB&J Green Smoothie deserved some updated photos. I did leave one of the originals down below just so you all can see for yourself why this recipe so desperately needed a little face lift. ;)

This PB&J Green Smoothie is another one that will probably go down well with the kiddos.  

Who I am kidding?  It goes down pretty well with the grown-ups too. ;)

I use natural creamy peanut butter in mine and usually strawberries since strawberry jam is my spread of choice for my PB&J's, but I have been known to throw some blackberries in there instead.

Strawberry-White Beet Green Smoothie

Packed with vitamins, nutrients, & antioxidants, this thick & creamy Strawberry-White Beet Green Smoothie is the perfect way to get in those leafy greens...

This recipe first appeared on the Bridgeport Farmers Market Let's Get Fresh site.

I am on a mission once again this outdoor farmers market season to show you all how you can create a delicious recipe purchasing mostly locally grown & raised produce and meats at your local farmers market. I started this locally inspired recipe series in the summer of 2017, and I am thrilled to be continuing the series this year as well. Each month I will be sharing a recipe here to the blog inspired by and featuring some of my own personal favorite fresh & local finds from my local market. 

For the month of June, I am sharing the recipe for this vitamin & nutrient packed Strawberry-White Beet Green Smoothie. Since I started on my journey to a healthier lifestyle a few months ago, smoothies- especially green smoothies - have become an integral part of my diet. I start out most days with a creamy smoothie blended with lots of the good stuff- frozen fruit, leafy greens, green tea, & chia seeds. 

20+ Tasty Green Smoothie Recipes

I have gathered up over 20 of the best, most delicious, healthiest green smoothie recipes from some of my favorite food bloggers for you all...

  

Personally, I am a huge fan of green smoothies. I love that I can get in most of daily servings of fruits & veggies in just one creamy smoothie. 

I do have just one tip to share with you all for blending one up minus the chunks of leafy greens- tear the leaves of your greens & place them the blender with the liquid for your smoothie first. Puree that on high until it looks like you have a green juice in your blender. 

Then add in your additional ingredients. Want a little extra boost of nutritional goodness? Add in a tablespoon or two of chia seeds.  

So, I have to know... After this week's Green Smoothie Week on the blog, are you all sold on green smoothies yet?

Have you tried any of the green smoothie recipes I have shared this week?  

And most importantly, are you hooked on the green smoothie craze now?

If so, then you are hitting the green frozen goodness mother load today, folks! :)

Because I have gathered up over 20 of the best, most delicious, healthiest green smoothie recipes from some of my favorite food bloggers for you all...

Banana Mocha Smoothie

This creamy Banana Mocha Smoothie with a caffeine kick makes the perfect grab & go breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up...

You know those mornings when you are running behind, & your youngest can't find her other shoe, & you are frantically searching for your car keys so you can get out the door and get your day started? Those mornings when you are debating over just having coffee for breakfast because you don't seem to have time for much else? 

Those mornings when you are complicating just shoving a cold pop tart into your mouth as you walk out the door because it is better than nothing? If any of this rings familiar with you at all, then today's recipe for this Banana Mocha Smoothie is for you!

Not only can this creamy smoothie curb your hunger pangs, but it also has a bonus caffeine kick. Yes, folks. This smoothie is breakfast & coffee in one! A perfect grab & go solution when you are short on time & need to take breakfast (& caffeine!) on the run...