Chocolate Coconut Chia Banana Parfait - a vegan, raw, gluten free, fancy looking option for breakfast! (Or a nice snack).

Usually, I put chia seeds in my smoothies- they are a great source of protein and make me feel like an Aztec warrior (one of the original users of this powerful seed).

Ah, ok- they don’t actually seem to do that for me, but I still have faith that these little seeds are doing something beneficial.

The word “chia” means strength in the Mayan language - another culture that used chia seeds long before they were talked about at your yoga classes.

Here is why chia seeds are so great:

• they help stabilize blood sugar levels (like cinnamon! Or, “zimt” - as we say in German )
• they are very high in fibre
• they are a complete source of protein- all the amino acids are in one little seed!
• they are an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids (even better than salmon- not surprised. Fish are friends, not food.)
• they are high in calcium! Per ounce, they provide about 18% of your daily calcium needs

It has been a little while since I made a chia seed pudding, though. A successful one, that is.

So I set out to do just that, Aztec warrior that I am (as I type this from bed, battling a cold.). The result is really tasty!

Chocolate Coconut Chia Banana Parfait serves 2 to 3 people (or, 1 me)

2 C non-dairy milk (I used coconut- not the canned one, though. I actually made coconut milk by blending coconut butter with water. Use store bought.)
6 T chia seeds
12 g coconut sugar (or, to taste)
8 g cacao powder
10 g chocolate
2-3 large bananas
sprinkle of coconut flakes
pinch salt & vanilla

Now, all you do is this:

1. if you have a blender (such as a Vitamix or Blendtec), you basically just throw the non-dairy milk, chia seeds, coconut sugar, cacao powder, and chocolate in there, and blend. I put a layer of this first in a mason jar, then added some chopped banana, then some more pudding, chopped banana, and topped with more chocolate, and coconut flakes.

2. if you do not have a blender (not high speed), mix everything together by hand very well (or, you could use a regular blender for this), put it in the fridge, wait a few hours, and then layer as directed above. You will still have a delicious result- it will only be a bit more demanding of patience.

A nice breakfast- perhaps even for Easter!

I know that parfait looks better when layered, but… having time to eat breakfast at home and not while driving is such a luxury, I decided to do this.

Beautiful. (Topped with some Sprouted Brown Rice Cacao Crisps for a very special treat!)

Enjoy it, Zimtees =)

xo Emma