Greek Chia Seed Pudding

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My mother in law recently discovered this honey-flavored 'yogurt of the gods' at a nearby grocery store. She insisted that it was the most amazing thing ever, and as a very seasoned greek yogurt aficionado, I was skeptical. But I am not only prideful about my greek yogurt ways, I am also the first to admit when I am wrong. And wowza, was I wrong about how delicious this stuff was.

I wanted to find a way to incorporate the amazing, honey, creme brulee like taste into a healthy breakfast with chia seeds. The result is something pretty spectacular - creamy, sweet, and healthy at the same time. Eat it for breakfast... or for dessert.

Greek Chia Seed Pudding

Servings: 2
Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt, vanilla or honey flavored, divided. (I used honey-flavored greek gods yogurt. Click this link to see if it is sold at a store near you.)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 10 almonds, roughly chopped

Directions:

1. Combine chia seeds, water, 1/2 of the greek yogurt (about 1/4 cup), vanilla extract, and salt in a tupperware or bowl. Whisk until well combined and let sit in the fridge overnight (or at least for two hours).
   
2. Remove from the fridge when ready to eat. Divide into two bowls (or just eat half of it!) and top with remaining greek yogurt. Top with roughly chopped nuts and devour!
   

WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Have you tried any amazing foods lately that knocked your foodie socks off? Share! I want to try them too :)

Protein Packed Chocolate Frozen Yogurt with Berries

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May I Have Your Attention, Please: This Just In! Ice Cream Is Finally HEALTHY For You! Go ahead, eat as much of this creamy, rich chocolate frozen yogurt... it will melt in your mouth, but only after wowing you with its sweet chocolatey ways.

Ummmmmm, froyo is the bomb. I first developed an addiction during my Senior year at Rhodes College, when a local Memphis froyo joint called "YOLO" opened up less than give minutes away from my apartment. I was a goner. So were my friends. Pretty much everyone I knew. (Sidenote, if you work at YOLO, you're welcome... we probably single handedly paid your operating expenses that semester).

I have to be honest with you here, this was sort of an accident. It all began with a lack of milk (sounds like the opening line for a hilarious book). You see, this workout-a-holic needed her post-workout protein shake. But how's a girl to nom some protein shake sans milk? 

Suddenly, I thought... I could make yogurt! And then another light bulb... and a scream... FROZENNN YOGGURRRTTTT! Imagine Justin's face as I stood in the middle of the kitchen, screaming about frozen yogurt. What a lucky man. ;-)

Have to give some mad props to my friend Monique over at Ambitious Kitchen for this one... After making this frozen yogurt as plain chocolate a few times (and eating it up before I remembered to snap a pic), I finally got a few shots of it con blackberries after I caught a glimpse of her Blackberry & Chocolate Greek Frozen Yogurt Cones and was truly inspired. Seriously. I actually ran back into the kitchen to make this again and add blackberries (after all, my favorite ice cream from Graeters is Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip, which seems fitting).

Protein Packed Chocolate Frozen Yogurt 

Servings: 4

Calories Per Serving: 145

Grams of Protein: 23g per serving

WW Points: 3

WW PointsPlus: 3

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Greek Yogurt, Vanilla (I used Chobani)
• 2 scoops Chocolate Protein Powder
• 1 heaping handful of Blackberries
• Optional (for thinning): 2 tbsp Coconut Milk

Directions:

1. Stir Chocolate Protein Powder into Greek Yogurt. You can either stir it in completely or leave it swirled. Up to you!
2. Freeze for 2 hours. 
3. Remove from freezer and let sit for 30 minutes, or until you are able to stir it a bit around the outside. 
4. To mix it up (which gives it the smooth texture), either pop it in a blender or add 1/2 tablespoons of Coconut Milk and try to stir until you're able to stir it up with a fork.
5. Add blackberries and serve. :)

Notes:

• You can make this with any flavor of protein powder! If you're looking for Vanilla Frozen Yogurt, stir in some vanilla protein powder. I've also tried Cookies and Creme protein powder, which would be wonderful in this treat! 
• Are you going to make this? Send me a pic! I'd love to share it with readers, whether you follow the recipe exactly, or add your own twist! Email it to carly@createliveblog.com or post it on my Facebook wall!

P.S. if you're a fan of ice cream-like desserts, but not into greek yogurt, try this recipe to make ice cream using bananas, this recipe for brown sugar tapioca and ice cream, these chocolate mousse filled edible cups, or this recipe to make a twist on Chunky Monkey Ice Cream... using pudding!

Greek Chicken Garlic Salad

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It's the season of new years resolution. Yeah, I know, I've been beating this point to death... But, with so many resolutions to lose weight, work out, and eat better, I'm hearing a lot more chatter around the office about calories, nutrition, and food. 

A salad a day sounds like a great plan... and it is, provided that you're eating the right salad. If you're eating out, be careful -- many seemingly "good" salads are actually "bad" ones. Don't. Be. Fooled.  Some salads at TGI Fridays, Applebees, and California Pizza Kitchen will run you between 1,000 and 2,000 calories (don't believe me? Read this post). A rule of thumb: Avoid croutons (and toppings like tortilla chips and crispy noodles), creamy dressings, and most Mexican themed salads. For more tips, click here.

This week, in honor of your new year's resolution to eat healthier (or count calories, or get in shape, etc, try this: Instead of shelling out the cash (and calories) for a daily salad at your favorite restaurant, stop by the grocery store and picking up the supplies to make your own.  Here's a recipe for Greek Chicken Garlic Salad (for more Salad Recipes, check out my Food page).

Ingredients (Salad):

• 2 heads of lettuce
• 6 baby carrots
• ½ Onion
• Fresh grated sharp cheddar (to taste)
• 2 chicken breasts or 2 cans of chicken
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• Greek Lemon seasoning 
• 1 handful Sliced almonds (or other available nuts)

Ingredients (Dressing):

• 2/3 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ½ tablespoon honey

Preparation Directions:

1. Saute chicken, Olive Oil, and Greek Seasoning over medium-high heat for 15 minutes (or until cooked). I started with two cans of chicken because it was all I had on hand and this was a last minute improv kind of meal... so, being pre-cooked, the time was much shorter than it would be for raw chicken breasts.
2. Chop lettuce and onions to your personal preference (I cut the onion into thin, 1 inch pieces). Cut carrots to preference (I cut them into small, 1/4 inch thick discs).
3. Combine lettuce, onion, carrots, and almonds in a bowl. 
4. Grate fresh sharp cheddar on top
5. Add cooked and seasoned chicken
6. Prepare dressing by combining all 5 ingredients and mixing well.
7. Serve!

 

Here are some links for further reading:

MSNBC 5 Restaurant Salads That Are Worse Than A Whopper

Men's Health 20 Salads That Are Worse Than A Whopper

Men's Health Best Bottled Salad Dressings