Two Chia Seed Protein Pudding Recipes

Two Chia Seed Protein Pudding Recipes

I was introduced to chia seed pudding a few years ago and instantly fell in love. A healthy alternative to regular pudding? Yes, please! I love "healthifying" my favorite foods that aren't so healthy for you so this was right up my alley. I tried a few chia seed pudding recipes and started to develop my own. Most of the recipes I found didn't have protein added to them so I decided to boost mine with protein. Chia seed protein pudding packs a healthy punch. It's loaded with healthy nutrients which makes it a great option for either breakfast or a healthy dessert.

Two Chia Seed Protein Pudding Recipes

Chia Seeds are a good source of plant based omega-3s, fiber calcium and iron. They also have small amounts of phosphorous, manganese, potassium and copper. I love their "crunchy" texture. They almost remind me of tapioca but they're much healthier for you.

Chia seeds can be eaten raw or cooked. I recommend eating them after they've either been soaked (like in a pudding recipe) or cooked because these seeds expand once they've been hydrated. Eating them dry can lead to them expanding in your throat which may give you a slightly weird feeling. One of the big benefits is the fiber content which will help give you a feeling of fullness leading to better satiety.

Chia Protein Pudding Recipe 1: Vanilla, Almond + Coconut

Serves 4:

• 8 T Chia Seeds 
• 2 C Almond Milk (or milk of choice) 
• 2 T Madagascar Vanilla Extract (I love this vanilla extract because of it's deep flavor.) 
• 4 T Shredded Coconut (plus a little extra to sprinkle on top) 
• 2 T Maple Syrup (or honey) 
• 4 Scoops Protein Powder (I used grass-fed whey vanilla but you can use your favorite animal or plant based protein powder - about 20g per scoop) 
• 4 T Almonds 

*If you like a creamier taste, use vanilla flavored almond milk or toasted coconut almond milk by Califia farms to get a richer taste. 

How To:

1. Mix seeds, almond milk, vanilla extract, coconut and maple syrup until fully combined. 
2. Add in protein powder and mix in with a whisk to break it up. Keep mixing until you don't have any clumps of protein powder in mixture. 
3. Pour evenly into 4 cups and place in refrigerator for about 15 minutes. 
4. Take out of refrigerator and give each chia seed protein pudding a stir to make sure the chia seeds are fully incorporated (sometimes they'll sink to the bottom). 
5. Return to refrigerator and let sit for a few hours or overnight until mixture has become pudding or gel like. 
6. When ready to eat, sprinkle almonds and extra coconut on top and enjoy.

Chia Protein Pudding Recipe 2: Double Chocolate Cacao

Serves 4:

• 4 Scoops Chocolate Protein (animal or plant based) 
• 4 T Cacao Nibs (plus extra to garnish) 
• 4 T Chocolate Covered Hemp Seeds (you could use semi-sweet chips but you won't get the benefit of the hemp) 
• 2 T Maple Syrup or Honey 
• 8 T Chia Seeds 
• 2 C Almond Milk 

*If you like chocolate + peanut butter, add 1 T of peanut butter (or almond butter) to the mixture for that chocolate + nut flavor.

How To: 

Use the same how to instructions as above for the Vanilla, Almond, Coconut pudding.

Once the pudding is finished, sprinkle cacao nibs on top and enjoy!

I make these recipes often for breakfast because they're an easy make ahead meal prep option. Then you can eat quickly or grab and go before heading out the door. I also enjoy them as a snack or healthy dessert if I'm craving something a little sweet. Enjoy them however you like and feel free to get creative with the recipes as you see fit.

Margot Rutigliano is a freelance writer as well as the owner of Vita Vie Retreat. She has been a fitness trainer, wellness coach and healthy living adviser since 1999. Vita Vie Retreat is a wellness retreat offering healthy lifestyle transformation programs for men and women of all ages and fitness levels. For more information or to contact Ms. Rutigliano, please visit http://www.bvretreat.com.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Margot_Rutigliano/1080973

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6 Secrets to the Most Fun Places to Eat in NYC

6 Secrets to the Most Fun Places to Eat in NYC

Taking a bite out of the Big Apple is an entertaining and satisfying experience. There are so many places to go in the city that it can make your taste buds go into overdrive. But if you're like me, New York City is always calling my name and persuading me to visit again and again. This famous place known for making dreams come true is also quite famous for its culinary experiences. And that is what I love about eating in New York. Whether it's catching a hot dog in Manhattan on your way to a show, finding a little hidden away Tai restaurant in Chinatown or even hitting a chic supper club like Jekyll and Hyde right in the city, it's no secret that the sky is the limit for fabulous food.

6 Secrets to the Most Fun Places to Eat in NYC

1. Gorilla Cheese NYC: 

I love a good trend and I also love a good grilled cheese sandwich There is a place in our hometown whose menu centers around this all-time favorite so I wanted to check out NYC's version that goes on the road. Gorilla Cheese NYC is one of the most famous food trucks in the city and for good reason. The sensory overload menu is full of aromatic cheeses, fresh bread varieties and toppings so you choose just what you want on your sammie. I ordered the feature of the day, the Brooklyn Special, a perfect combination of asiago, prosciutto de parma on a carefully crafted inside out panini. It was the best-grilled cheese I think I ever had. And then I topped it off with their Mac and Cheese bites. They were two thumbs up. It's a good thing this meal was a "roader" and I had a few blocks to get to my next location so I could walk off every over the top, satisfying calorie.

2. Jekyl & Hyde Club: 

OK, Jekyl & Hyde Club is not a location for those who are faint of heart. Located at 91 7th Avenue, their slogan is anything can happen at their dining club and it's true. Prepare to be scared to death or entertained, whatever you want to call it! I was on pins and needles and not sure my mind was just on the menu. It's dark, low lit atmosphere reminds me of Halloween and the old 60's television series, Dark Shadows. Creepy actors/ wait staff interacted with us while we ate creating a one of a kind, "what's going to happen next vibe. But I was very happy with the delicious, yet spooky menu. The Create Your Own Monster burgers, Frankenstein's Favorite and The Mummy left my mind wondering about the ingredients and who was cooking in the kitchen. The burger is bandaged with cheese for heaven's sake! We ordered the pizza with the Cannnibals' sausage, pepperoni and meatballs. Then washed it down with a familiar bottle of beer. They have a huge, monstrous sized drink menu that won't scare your pants off! I recommend making reservations especially if you are taking a group that includes your "mummy."

3. The Garret East Dinnertable: 

Wow, nothing like searching for your food. This little, but infamous joint is hidden so only those in the know, know about this little gem. Fortunately, we did. Our colleague knew someone who knew someone who snagged reservations for us. It only seats about 20 guests and reservations are a must have. It reminded me of Carrie and the gal pals from Sex and the City who loved to hit the newest, hot spots. Dinnertable's Mexican fare was delicious and was ready in a New York Minute, which is great news when you are starving from a long day in the city. The seafood was extraordinary and just the fact that we were behind an unmarked, closed door, it made the experience ultra cool.

4. Freeman's: 

This little delicious out of the way beauty is down the alleyway off the Bowery and has been offering spectacular food since 2004. Hmm, just the thought of eating in an alley might not be up your alley but think again. Freeman's Restaurant is rustic and inspired by Old World American traditions so there's a little bit of American history incorporated into each dish. I was enticed by the Whole Grilled Edenbrook Trout, Beluga Lentils and even their popular half a roasted chicken. My favorite was the Pan Roasted Tile Fish crispy potatoes, black lentils, saffron aïoli, spring onion vinaigrette that I shared with my sister. Once you finally snag a table you don't want to leave. The sensory experience is like no other and the service is tip, top notch. Freeman's accepts reservations... get this... one month in advance and for groups over 13, you have to reserve your table one year in advance. That is planning! They say a part of the dining room is or walk-ins, but if you decide to visit on a whim, you might find yourself waiting and waiting and waiting at the bar and then eventually eating there too.

5. Bohemian: 

Exclusive, trendy and private is how I would describe the Bohemian, a Japanese Restaurant and Bar. This hidden gem is coincidentally located behind a Noho, Manhattan butcher shop. The catch of the day is that you have to know someone to get in. I can't even believe we were able to score a table because it is so exclusive and mysterious. I immediately fell for with the low couches, artistic atmosphere and the Asian ambiance. The historical building used to be the home of infamous artist, Andy Warhol and then to the popular 1980's graffiti artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat. As one who appreciates the arts, the creativity and history of this building was overwhelming and a bit humbling. Now for the food. Get your chopsticks and your appetite ready because everything on the menu is extraordinary just like the surroundings. I ordered a bucket of oysters and enough saki for a sailor. Andy Warhol would have approved.

6. Tehuitzingo: 

Que Pasa! OK, I can never say it but I can certainly recommend it! This unique palate pleaser is hidden in the back of a bodega (a small grocery store in a Spanish speaking neighborhood), open until midnight and get this, you only have to dish out $3.00 for one of the most memorable tacos of your life! This secret is located inside the Tehuitzingo Deli and Grocery in Hell's Kitchen making the experience even more memorable. Trust me, you won't walk about hungry, far from it. The portions are family sized and deliciously authentic. Note, there are no tables. That's right. You get a stool to belly up to the and counter or to lean on. All you need is your appetite and sense of Mexican adventure. You can also grab a jar of salsa or other grocery items for a take-home snack attack later.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Douglas_Helal/2544226

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how to choose a good buffet restaurant

how to choose a good buffet restaurant

Buffet dining emerged in the 16th century in France and has continued to develop into the favorite alternative for a large base of restaurant customers. The Best Buffet Restaurants that have emerged over the course of time have not only reformed the conventional benchmarks of restaurant dining but have also provided the opportunity for flexible modification of the operations of a restaurant.

For example, restaurants which have higher customer visits or those which provide catering services can utilize buffet as a promising means for feeding the large base of visiting guests. Furthermore, buffets have been utilized as promising approaches for the promotion of restaurants or celebrating special occasions.

 how to choose a good buffet restaurant

Types of buffets

The following types of buffets are generally found in some of the Best Buffet Restaurants and could be selected according to the requirements of the customer.

Cafeteria style:

In this type of buffet, customers are required to select plates of food according to their choice while waiting in a queue. The cafeteria-style buffet is less frequently practised in restaurants.

All You Can Eat:

The name says it all! These buffet styles are considered as the most beneficial investments on behalf of the customers as they would have to pay a single price for serving themselves with a wide assortment of delicacies. However, it is interesting to note that the popularity of All You Can Eat buffets is waning due to the increasing threats of obesity.

Healthy Buffets:

These concepts are followed by restaurants that provide soups, fresh produce and salad bars in their menus and promote healthy eating habits. However, these could not be considered as one of the Best Buffet Restaurants owing to the criticisms on the basis of the higher calorie content of specific menu items.

Catered buffets:

The catered buffets approach is followed by restaurants which specialize in business meetings, special occasions, and weddings as well as holiday parties and also involve facilities of off-site catered buffets in certain cases.

Pros and Cons of restaurant buffets

While it is explicitly observed that the Best Buffet Restaurants have changed the way people looked at dining alongside reforming the traditional approaches followed in the restaurant business, it is also important to focus on the positive as well as negative sides to buffet restaurants.

·Restaurants could leverage the benefit of minimal workforce required for conducting buffets. Furthermore, a lot of customers could be served at once thereby implying the promising opportunities for higher income.

·Buffets serve as promotional tactics and can be used to lure in customers who would not have dined at a restaurant otherwise due to budget concerns.

·The pricing of the buffet menu in the Best Buffet Restaurants is tailored to provide opportunities to customers for enjoying diverse cuisines and delicacies without making a dent in their budgets.

·On the contrary, restaurants also face limitations especially in terms of profit margins as buffets generally cost less than the conventional sit-down dinner.

·Buffets are also associated with the concerns of maintaining food safety, aesthetic appeal and overall maintenance.

Despite the trivial setbacks, buffet restaurants continue to explore new opportunities in the restaurant market with more and more restaurant owners implementing innovation in their buffet offerings through the pairing of food and drinks along with distinct presentations.

The Perfect Cake Frosting For Your Kitchen

The Perfect Cake Frosting For Your Kitchen

The perfect cake frosting for your kitchen has four main ingredients. You need eggs, sugar, butter or cooking oil, and any flavours or extracts you plan to add. The method for making your frosting should include steps that make it as fluffy as possible. Some chefs heat up the frosting and in this case you will need some cooking oil. Take a look at the instructions below for the ideal method to make frosting.

The Perfect Cake Frosting For Your Kitchen

1. Sugar, Butter, Eggs

You must whip sugar, butter and eggs together to get the base for your frosting. The frosting might need to have an additional ingredient such as sunflower oil if you want some extra flavour. If you intend to heat up the frosting later, it would be a good time to add the cooking oil at this stage. The cooking oil protects the structure of the frosting and it helps to bind the frosting where the butter is too cold or not included.

2. Whip to Consistency

After combining the initial ingredients, the whipping or beating process is in order. An electric beater will help you get to the correct consistency sooner. Once the mixture looks fluffy and stiff, you can now add your choice of flavours, extracts or colours into the mixing bowl. There are many flavours you can experiment with; from almonds and bananas to chocolate and strawberry. Cake frosting tastes delicious with a fruit flavour too. The more ingredients you add, the heavier and thicker the frosting will become. This will require extra whipping.

3. Heating

If you are planning to heat the frosting in order to add fruits or fruit flavours in it then you need to have some sunflower oil ready to pour. When the mixture is warm but not hot, you can add the desired flavours and ingredients. Heating frosting is only to be done on rare occasion and only if the mixture is too stiff to work with.

4. Spreading

Keep whipping or beating the frosting until you know that it can be spread or piped the way you want. The structure and consistency of the frosting is up to you. Stiff frosting works well if you need to create specific patterns and shapes. Softer frosting is a preference that works with each baker. If you find that the mixture is too stiff, adding a small amount of sunflower oil will loosen hard particles.

The frosting made for all your cakes should be made using these simple ingredients along with a touch of cooking oil or butter. Everything you do to keep your frosting the right consistency will please everyone who tastes the cake.

Our core focus at Golden Fry is to provide Sunflower Oil, Palm Oil and Frying Oil in bulk to Restaurants, Take-Aways, Food Manufacturers, Caterers, Wholesalers, Supermarkets and Spaza Shops. Contact us on E-mail: enquiry@goldenfry.co.za or Tel: +27 11 948 7909.