Caveat: My world is modified because I’m a type 2 diabetic. I’ve got to watch my blood sugar levels. I try not to eat things that will “spike” my blood sugar. If you have a different type of medical condition, or an allergy and can’t eat chia seeds, or drink milk, or digest certain fruits or veggies, then don’t. If you can, then do. I may suggest certain combinations of ingredients below, that I can’t eat, but some can. If you can, then do.

I want to help you explore the world of “chia seed puddings.” It is a simple to make, nutritionally healthy, dessert that can be enjoyed almost every day. Because the combination of liquids, fruits and other veggies that may be combined is almost endless, you don’t have to be bored eating the same pudding every time. The pudding can be sweet or savory, you decide.

The process is quick. Sort of a “set it and forget it” type of process. Get a small jar, with a tight fitting lid. You will mix the ingredients in the jar. Tighten the lid, and shake it all up. Put it in the fridge to chill and gel, and be able to eat the finished product in about 20 minutes.

*If you want to “pamper yourself,” get one of those small (4 oz.) fancy glass Ball/Mason jars, with the crosshatch crystal pattern. And get an elegant antique silver spoon, the more refined pattern, the better. You are going to make the event of making and eating chia seed puddings something special, for you. Or, you can use a plain old jar with a good lid, and the spoon you use everyday to stir the cream or sugar in your coffee. The pudding is going to be just as good, either way, but your perception of the dessert may change depending on what utensils you use.

Put 2 tbl of chia seeds in the jar. Add your liquid of choice, which might be 1/2 C of milk, in a 4 oz. Ball/Mason jar. Then add fruit or veggies as desired. The liquid can be room temperature, or cold, or hot. *I’m not sure if hot water will affect the nutritional value of the seeds, or if it will even cause the seeds to form gel quicker. You can decide that, but I’ve never heated the liquids I have used to gel the seeds.

There must be at least some water component to the liquid you use, for the chia seeds to form their gel. Let me list some possibilities for the liquid:

• water
• milk
• Greek yogurt (plain – with little or no sugar added)
• cranberry juice
• orange juice
• tomato juice
• brewed coffee (or instant coffee added to water)
• various alcoholic beverages (but you have to add some water for the seeds to gel)
  • Triple Sec (an orange flavored liquor)
  • Peppermint or Peach Schnapps
  • Disaronno (sweet almond flavor)
• pickle juice
• the brine from a jar of black olives
• flavored soft drink (no sugar, low sodium e.g. Mango Peach )
• be creative! (maybe chocolate syrup with milk)

Various additions to the chia seed pudding base:

• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Kiwi
• Raspberries
• Strawberries

or

• Jalapeno (diced)
• Onion (diced)
• Sweet bell pepper (diced)
• Assorted other peppers, mild or hot (you choose)
• Dice a dill or sweet pickle
• Chopped olives (black or green, and with or without pimentos)

Chia seed pudding is the “seedier” side of Jello. You ask, cranberry or orange, or tomato juice? If you like some of the various flavors of Jello, then why not flavor your chia seed puddings accordingly. *The thought came to me, “tomato flavored Jello”? Well, if there was a tomato flavored Jello, I might try it and put some things in it that I might mix with tomato juice like celery, cumin, garlic powder, diced cucumber… Could I used some of the Jello mixes and add chia seeds to them? Give it a try. I’m thinking of the more exotic “Pistachio” or “Butterscotch” flavors. I would just be giving them a different consistency. But then I might also start adding real nuts to the puddings. Real pistachios or maybe pecans.

I bought a small bottle of cheap Zero Sugar flavored water (a soft drink). It may have been something like Mango-Peach. I added some chia seeds. I ended up with a chia seed pudding that had a pleasant Mango-Peach flavor. *You might get a Coconut-Lime drink, or a flavor packet and make your pudding base out of that. Then to spiff it up, add some shredded coconut (toasted or not), or some real lime or lime juice. *The idea is you are “playing” on the flavors to enhance them, but in adding the coconut or the real lime, maybe you are making the dessert even more healthy and nutritious.

I had to think for a moment, if adding various flavorings to chia seeds is like when a biscuit takes on the flavor of the gravy you put on it? Hmmm… maybe I’m over thinking all of this. Well, chia seeds don’t actually have a distinctive flavor. They form a distinctive gel like substance that can take on many different flavors. And that’s the fun. They are healthy and make eating other stuff pleasant.