Chocolate Banana Chia Pudding

Chia seeds are supposed to be healthy.  I have sprinkled them into a couple smoothie, but didn't really know what to do with them.  I found several recipes for pudding using them.  The process does take a little time.  The final result didn't look very tasty, but it was pretty good.

If you have never used chia seeds, when soaked they form a gelatin feeling coating.  It reminded me of some sort of science experiment.  Your pudding will not be smooth because of the seeds.  If you don't mind a little crunch in your pudding, give it a try.

Chocolate Banana Chia Pudding

2 cups almond milk
2/3 cups chia seeds
2 ripe bananas, mashed
2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp honey OR agave OR syrup
2 to 3 Tbsp cacao powder OR cocoa powder

Mix the seeds and milk until seeds are wet.  Let rest 15 minutes.  Stir mixture, it will be thick at this point.  Let rest another 10 minutes.  Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.  Into the fridge to set up.

**My bananas weren't quite ripe enough to mash really well.  I ate around them.  So in my opinion you could just leave them out if you wanted.

Slow Cooker Italian Meatball Stew

This recipe is from Skinnyms.com.  They have lots of healthier recipes and exercise routines.  I cheated and bought frozen meatballs.  It was good but a little spicy.  I used a yellow pepper instead of red, that is what I had on hand.  I didn't use whole wheat orzo, couldn't find at my store.  I used extra orzo to make it a little more filling for Corey.  Next time I will make the meatballs myself.

Italian Meatballs

2 pounds lean ground turkey or chicken
2 tsp dried oregano
2 Tbsp freshly chopped Italian parsley
1 tsp black pepper
kosher or sea salt to taste
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
4 cloves minced garlic
2 cups whole wheat Panko (or whole wheat bread crumbs)
1 cup reduced fat Parmesan cheese
2 eggs

Combine all.  Shape into 24 one inch balls.  Cook in 1 Tbsp olive oil until browned.

Slow Cooker Italian Meatball Stew

1 dozen Italian meatballs (above)
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 zucchini, coarsely chopped
1 (14.5 oz.) fire roasted tomatoes with liquid
1 (15 oz.) can cannelini beans, drained
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp dried oregano
2 Tbsp fresh chopped basil
1/4 tsp  crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp black pepper
kosher or sea salt to taste
2 cups low sodium fat free chicken broth
1/2 cup whole wheat orzo (or couscous or quinoa)

Heat oil in skillet, brown meatballs.  Add everything except orzo to slow cooker, stir.  Add meatballs.  Cook on low 7 to 8 hours.  In last 15 minutes add orzo.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.