Peanut Butter Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding

Okay....I'll be the first to admit. It doesn't :look: very pretty, but it tastes pretty amazing.

I'm a perfectionist when it comes to putting together a new recipe. I wanted to get the amount of ingredients just right, so this is actually my third batch. My other two batches didn't included peanut butter, it was actually a last minute idea. Glad I included it though!

This pudding includes Chia Seed (as you noticed in the title ;) ). Did you know that to the ancient Aztecs, chia seed was not only a food staple but was also regarded a valuable commodity or currency in the trade or exchange of other goods. Although they couldn’t have known the full nutritional and antioxidant value of the tiny seed, they did observe its effects and gave named the plant chia, which means “strength.”
 
Chia seed is equally valued today as a superfood because it is abundant in protein, essential vitamins and minerals, amino acids and antioxidants, including quercetin and kaempferol. In terms of fiber, a mere one-ounce serving (about 2 tablespoons) provides more than 40% of the recommended daily intake of dietary fiber.

Ingredients Needed:

1/2 cup of Organic Pumpkin
1/2 cup of Honey Roasted Peanut Butter (I get mine freshly made from Whole Foods)
2/3 cup Almond Milk (I use Vanilla)
1 teaspoon Organic Vanilla Extract
1 tablespoon Honey
1/4 cup Chia Seed
1/8 teaspoon Cinnamon (add more if you like a stronger cinnamon flavor)
1/2 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

Let's Get Started:
Mix your pumpkin, peanut butter and milk together first! Then, I add one spice at a time, mix well! Add vanilla extract and honey, mix! Add in your chia seeds and mix!

Pour into whatever bowl/dish you are using to store your pudding in (I use a glass casserole dish that has a lid) and let set in refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

And enjoy....

GF/DF Apple Crisp

I'm addicted to this Apple Crisp y'all!!

I love apples. Apple pie. Apple crisp. Love it all. And I've been on a Apple Crisp kick lately....mainly because I buy so many apples at once! Gotta make something delish with them..right? And this is super easy to make! :)

Apple Filling:

5-6 Small Apples - peeled/sliced. I use organic. (enough to cover the bottom of your pie dish)
Melt 2 tablespoons of Earth Balance Butter and mix with the following spices:
1/2 teaspoon Simply Organic Cinnamon
1 to 1 1/2 teaspoon All Natural Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/2 teaspoon Organic Nutmeg

Once mixed together pour over your apples in your pie dish and mix together!
*I purchase my butter from Whole Foods, which you should be able to find the spices too. I order my spices along with other things from Lucky Vitamin. The prices are usually cheaper than in store and they have super fast shipping! :)

Topping:

This is before the butter. After the butter is cut in, it will become clumpier.

3/4 cup Bob's Red Mill Quick Cooking Oats (I have found this at Whole Foods, Kroger and sometimes Walmart).
3/4 cup Organic Coconut Palm Sugar (this is my favorite brand to use)
3/4 cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Almond Meal (I have found this at Whole Foods and Kroger too)
*Optional 1/4 cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Flaxseed Meal
1 1/2 teaspoon of the all natural pumpkin pie spice.

Mix all the ingredients together in a separate bowl. After mixed together, cut with 6 tablespoons of the Earth Balance butter.
*I'm not big on a lot of cinnamon, which is why I use the pumpkin pie spice. Obviously, you can do away with pumpkin pie spice if you prefer more of a cinnamon flavor, just too strong for my liking ;)

Once you've cut the butter in, sprinkle over your apple mixture. I do this part by hand, just find it easier to cover all the apples. Cook at 375 degrees for 25-30 mins. 

I usually top mine with So Delicious CocoWhip Dairy-Free Whipped Topping...tastes amazing. I had never even heard of it before and ran across it one day at my local Whole Foods. So good y'all.

Hope you enjoy! :)

Crock Pot Apples

OKAY.....I WILL be making this again. Soon. Very soon.

What I love about this recipe is that you can puree it and make applesauce OR it would make the BEST apple pie filling. This recipe is super easy and it makes your house smell like yummy apples.....who doesn't love that?

Ingredients:
10 Apples - I purchased a bag of Fuji Apples
1/2 Cup of Earth Balance Butter - melted.
1/2 Teaspoon of Cinnamon (or more if you like)
1/2 Teaspoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice (just for a little extra something tasty)
1/4 Cup of Brown Coconut Sugar
1/4 Cup of Honey

Having an Apple Corer/Slicer makes the apple cutting process SO much easier, trust me. You can pick one up at Walmart.

See how easy that is? And then use your knife to peel your apple skin. *You could probably leave the skin on if you wanted to.

Ready?
Once you have all your apples cored/sliced/peeled place them in the crock pot.
In a small bowl, mix your brown coconut sugar, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. 

 Sprinkle the mixture over apples. Top with your honey and melted butter. Mix to make sure all apple slices are coated.

Cook on high for about 2 hours. Stir occasionally to make sure apples are evenly coated.

This isn't a necessary step, but I took this cute little egg guy and mashed my apples (some).

Like I said, this would make the BEST apple pie filling, applesauce or even served with oatmeal. I foresee myself making an apple pie in the very near future. This tasted super yummy served over some of my Gluten/Dairy Free Granola. 

Hope you enjoy as much as I did!! :)