Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding

Can i officially say "Happy Holidays" yet, or do i have to wait until after Thanksgiving?  

I'm already getting excited about all the holiday-esque foods and treats, my favorite fall harvests like persimmons and squash, and my big owl mug filled with cinnamon and pumpkin spiced tea.

Mm mm mm, Tis the Season!

Truth be told, this year i'll be leading AND participating in a 3 week cleanse from Nov 30th to Dec 19th.  Partly for health purposes, but mostly just to keep me out of russian tea cake trouble.  It seems every year in this season The Pilgrims, Indians, and old St Nick bring with them too many hot buttered rums, sweet potato mashes, and decadent raw pies than my little belly and sexy thighs can handle (mind over matter, trying to think my thighs thin).  I'm going to tackle the stomachache and headache of sweating it all out and off this year by staying on top of the maddness and eating c.l.e.a.n.  So while i'll enjoy a holiday inspired sweet treat here and there, i'm already dreaming about how to fake my favorite fall and winter recipes and make them all super delish and uber healthy.  :)

...Never a lack of sugar plums turned skinny cherubs floating through this hungry girls mind.....

Cut to your recipe today:  Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding.

I love pumpkin pie.  Who doesn't?  I also love chia pudding.  So what would happen if we married the two????  I'll tell you what, pure pumpkin pie chia bliss.  Here's your healthier recipe.

Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding:

2 cups vanilla almond milk (i used trader joes brand but you could make your own if you were on a cleanse)

1/2 to 1 tsp of vanilla extract

4 Tbsp whole chia seed

approx 5 pitted medjool dates (reach your desired sweetness with more or less dates or add a little liquid  stevia)

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

one small pinch of sea salt (to offset sweetness)

1/2 cup of pumpkin puree (i used canned, but surely you could roast a pumpkin and puree it)

Put everything in a Vita mix or high powered blender and blend away.  Store in a glass container in the fridge to thicken.  Will thicken in a few hours, but even more so overnight.


If you'd like to cleanse with me in San Diego contact me at meredith.gnau@corepoweryoga.com

Here is our class/meeting schedule:
Nov 30 (friday) 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Wed's  Dec 5th, 12th, and 19th 6:30pm to 9:30pm
two sundays Dec 9th and 16th (which include a guided yoga practice) 7:30am - 9:30am

all meetings are held at Core Power Point Loma