Chia Seed Pudding

My friend started making Chia Seed Pudding for her 16 month old son.  I tasted a small bite at her house and Yum!  So now that my kids are older, almost 14 months, and they are eating very textured foods I thought, now's the time for some Chia Seed Pudding!  Here is the recipe she shared:

Chia Seed Pudding

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chia seeds

1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut

2 cups water

1/2 cup raw cashews (soaked for 2 hours)

6 Medjool dates, pitted

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

Put the chia seeds and shredded coconut into a mixing bowl and stir until evenly distributed. Set aside. Blend the water, cashews, dates and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

Pour the cashew milk blend into the bowl with the chia seeds and coconut and stir until the seeds are evenly distributed and there are no clumps. The mixture should resemble a thickened liquid

Let sit for 5 minutes and stir again. You’ll notice the seeds are starting to gel. Let sit and stir for two more rounds and then put into the refrigerator for a few hours to set.

I made it a few nights ago so they could have it for breakfast the next day because they are a little tired of my variations on Healthy Mud.  I of course tasted it to make sure it was good and to give my husband a taste of it.  It was delicious and I had 3 spoonfuls.  A few minutes later I noticed my tongue going numb and feeling a bit swollen.  Time passes and yes, my tongue is definitely swollen, numb and my throat itchy.  Hum, can you be allergic to chia seeds?   A quick internet search shows that the majority of chia seed allergies are gastrointestinal, and not pleasant.  But a few, mention the tongue and throat problems I was having.  They were the only new thing I ate that night so it had to be the seeds.  Later that night and in the morning I got to experience the gastro issues mentioned online.  Needless to say I didn't give it to my babies.  My husband had no issues at all but only had one small spoonful.  

Not everyone is allergic to Chia Seeds, so give the pudding a try if you are feeling adventurous  it is very healthy and super yummy.  Sadly, we will not be enjoying ours.

I think I'm going to try using the cashew milk mixture to make some amaranth cereal.  It was really good and I have a bag full of cashews.  Check back for how that recipe turns out.  Today however, I'm steaming broccoli!  I also have a couple new foods I'll be adding recipes for, boiled fish balls and chicken chili!