Chocolate banana chia pudding and having a successful year

by Monica Stevens Le of The Movement Menu This New Year, it’s important to focus on the idea of “doing you”, not a “new you”. What does “doing you” really mean though? It is about creating, obtaining and maintaining a healthy lifestyle that will set you up for success and always be that best version of yourself. Doing you is also about transforming your health on the inside and out. Although we tend to hear the popular phrase: “New Year, New You”, let’s introduce the idea of staying ourselves and creating a successful New Year by prioritizing health and wellness goals instead. Furthermore, let's let go of any circulating negative energy around us. By "keeping" ourselves and improving upon our health inside and out, instead of losing ourselves for a newer version, we can create a realistic set of expectations and obtainable goals this New Year. One of the easiest ways to get healthy this New Year is with new and healthy recipes. Breakfast is easily the most overlooked meal of the day, yet the most crucial. Why not make a nutrient dense breakfast pudding that is equal parts delicious and nutritious? This pudding can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. It’s the perfect grab and go breakfast or snack, especially when you’re in a hurry throughout the week. It’s made without refined sugar or dairy products and naturally sweetened with Medjool dates. Kick off 2016, the year of your greatest achievements, with this chocolate banana chia pudding. You will be well on your way to having a successful year with this recipe!

Chocolate banana chia pudding

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups unsweetened coconut or almond milk
• ¼ cup chia seeds
• ¼ cup cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
• 8 Medjool dates, pitted
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• sliced banana, for garnish
• unsweetened coconut flakes, for garnish

Instructions

Soak the dates in 1 cup of boiled water for 5 minutes to soften them. Drain the excess water and add them to a high-speed blender. Add the rest of the ingredients except for the banana and blend on medium-high speed until everything looks very smooth. Be sure to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender if necessary. If it isn’t sweet enough, be sure to add more dates. When it has reached your desired taste preference, pour the chia pudding into a large Mason jar and store in the refrigerator. Let it set for at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve with sliced bananas and unsweetened shredded coconut flakes. Prep time: 10 minutes Serves: 4