vegan coffee-spiced overnight chia pudding with peaches

i have eaten this for breakfast for the past few days, non-stop. it keeps you full but not heavy, and the nutritional benefits of chia seeds are out of this world! they are easy to digest; rich in fiber; full of healthy omega-3 fats; protein-packed; high in calcium, potassium, and magnesium-- the list is endless. on top of it all, the best benefit is that exactly no work goes into preparing it. it just goes into the fridge and sits there! wow.

this breakfast can be enjoyed in so many different ways-- yesterday, i enjoyed it as written in this recipe, but today i had it with strawberries and blackberries. next i think i will try adding a tablespoon or so of cacao powder and some coconut flakes. or maybe pumpkin puree and sunflower butter. or maybe apricots and orange segments with lemon juice and zest!! stop me now, please, before i have chia seeds coming out of my ears.

i guess my point is that this ridiculously simple recipe can be tailored to your preferences so easily that anyone can- and should- enjoy it. it is delicious cold, right out of the fridge, and would be equally delicious warmed up and eaten as dessert with some banana n'ice cream.

INGREDIENTS (serves 1)-

pudding:

• 2 Tbsp chia seeds

• 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk (i use almond)

add-ins:

• 1 tsp instant espresso

• pinch of cinnamon

• pinch of ginger

• pinch of turmeric

• very small pinch of black pepper (aids body in absorption of turmeric)

• pinch of nutmeg

• pinch of allspice

• 1 tsp ground flax

• 1/2 of a peach, sliced thin

• 1-2 Tbsp walnuts

• 1 Tbsp pepitas

• 1 Tbsp craisins (dried cranberries)

warm peaches:

• 1/2 of a peach, cut into chunks

instructions-

1. combine chia seeds and milk in a small jar or tupperware (or whatever vessel you choose). add any dried spices you are using, along with the instant coffee. stir well, and put in fridge overnight.

2. now it's morning, yay! chia pudding time!! take your peach and cut it in half. one half of the peach should be sliced thinly, and one half should be cut into small-ish chunks. put the sliced peach aside. now, the chunks must be cooked. you can cook these in a saucepan on the stove (which is more involved) or you can be like me and add a teaspoon of water to the peaches and microwave them in a bowl for a minute until they are warm and softened enough to mush them with a fork into a baby-food like consistency which sounds gross but is really yummy.

3. pour out your chia pudding into a bowl or dish. garnish with peaches and any desired add-ins.