Beauty Detox: Creamy Chia Pudding

Loaded with good-for-you omega-3 fatty acids and more antioxidants than blueberries, chia seeds are the latest super food to add to your shopping cart. These small wonders work to promote cell repair, maintain healthy blood pressure, and balance your sugar levels. And while chia seeds will sprout into Chia Pets when you plant them, if you expose the seeds to water, they form a gel coating that increases their size and weight. The unique expansion is great for dieters—the gel helps fill you up so you don’t get hungry and purge on unhealthy snacks! This week, celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder gives us a recipe for chia seed pudding—a delicious way to enjoy the multi-functional whole grain, which is also a fantastic source of energy. "Chia seeds contain a high amount of protein and fiber, which slows down your body’s conversion of sugars and makes them a long-burning source of fuel," says Kim. They are also packed with minerals such as calcium and amino acids to build easily assimilated plant protein, which supports healthy skin, collagen, and hair.

Chia Seed Pudding

Ingredients:

1. ¼ cup raw, organic chia seeds

2. 1 cup homemade almond or hazelnut milk, or an unsweetened store bought variety

3. ½ Tbsp raw cacao powder

4. Liquid stevia to taste

Directions:
Place the chia seeds in a bowl and put to the side. Blend the almond milk, cacao powder, and stevia in a blender until well mixed. Keep tasting the mixture for sweetness, adding more stevia if desired. Pour over the chia seeds and mix well. Let the mixture stand for at least 10 minutes before mixing again. Serve and enjoy!

 Kimberly Snyder is a Los Angeles-based celebrity nutritionist and author of The Beauty Detox Solution. She began her work after journeying through 50 countries and six continents, learning about health and beauty from many different cultures. With a philosophy rooted in the belief that outer beauty is a reflection of inner health, Kim now works with clients such as Hilary Duff, Olivia Wilde, and Drew Barrymore. Get lots of health and beauty tips by following her on Twitter at @kimsbeautydetox.