Wild Orange Spiced Chia Pudding

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Chia seeds have been gaining popularity over the last few years. From chia pudding to Mama Chia squeezable snacks for kids to kombucha with chia seeds floating around inside, chia seeds are everywhere, and for good reason. These tiny seeds pack a serious nutritional punch!

Chia seeds provide the following health benefits:

• Rich in antioxidants

• Excellent source of fiber, iron, and calcium

• Provide essential Omega-3 fatty acids, which among other benefits, help raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol

• Assist in healthy digestion

Of course, chia seeds are the star of the show in any chia pudding recipe, but in my version, I added two incredible dōTERRA essential oils! I have been integrating these amazing oils into my daily routine in a number of ways over the past 9 months and I have experienced many benefits from doing so. My most recent endeavor has been cooking with the oils. I have been testing out new recipes and adding them to my current favorites to put a new twist on classic recipes! This not only enhances the flavor profile of my favorite dishes, but I also receive the incredible health benefits of these oils. (NOTE: I am specifically using dōTERRA Certified Therapeutic Grade essential oils, which are safe for internal use. This is not the case for all essential oils, so do your research before using any oils internally.) In this recipe, I added Wild Orange Oil and Clove Oil.

Some health benefits of Wild Orange Oil include:

• Immune system support

• Powerful antioxidant

• Cleansing properties when used topically, aromatically, or internally

Some health benefits of Clove Oil include:

• Cleanses the teeth and gums

• Supports cardiovascular health

This chia pudding was definitely my favorite one I have ever had! The flavors of the oils blended so well with the cinnamon and maple syrup in the basic recipe. It was that perfect combination of crunchy, creamy, sweet, and spicy! The basic recipe I used was from choosingchia.com and I added my own flair to it by making it completely sugar free and adding the essential oils. The following measurements will yield about 4 servings of the chia pudding. 

Ingredients:

• ½ cup chia seeds

• 4 tbsp shredded, unsweetened coconut

• 1 ½ cups full fat coconut cream*** 

• ¾ cup cashew milk (can sub any nut or seed milk of choice!)

• 4 tbsp Lakanto Monkfruit Maple Flavored Syrup

• Cinnamon to taste (I LIKE A LOT!)

• 4 drops dōTERRA Wild Orange Essential Oil

• 2 drops dōTERRA Clove Essential Oil

***I love using coconut cream, instead of coconut milk (or any other nut milk) to make it extra thick and creamy. If you prefer a thinner consistency or lower fat content, you can use 2 ¼ cups of your nut milk of choice, instead of part coconut cream and part nut milk.

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl

2. Let the mixture sit on the counter for about 10 minutes, giving it a good stir every 2-3 minutes

3. Cover and place it in the refrigerator overnight (or at least 1-2 hours until firm)

4. Enjoy! The chia pudding is great on its own, but feel free to add fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, cacao nibs, or granola as toppings for a little something extra!

I hope you try this recipe and enjoy it as much as I did. The sweet and spicy flavors add a very nice twist on this classic chia pudding recipe! I am looking forward to trying this recipe again with different oils and exploring different flavors. Let me know which toppings are your favorite or which oils you experiment with!