We’re on Day 5 of a successful cleanse!
16 to go.
Honestly, it hasn’t been hard. It’s been so great having the friend support, and seeing them feel good makes me even more determined.
Results come quickly! My friend sent me the following message yesterday morning:
I have an inordinate amount of energy. This from a girl who consumed no less than 6 servings a day of caffeine… I’m like, let me clean the whole house, do laundry, and work all day with my kid on my hip. WOO!
I’m so proud of my best friend!!!
The daily breakfast smoothies continue. I do love smoothies. With all of the random things I throw in them, I rarely end up with the same concoctions (except my favorite Liquid Sweet Potato Pie).
Atlanta finally get cold(er) this week and the thought of a cold drink for breakfast was too much to handle. Then I remembered – seeds are allowed on the cleanse… that makes chia pudding legal!
I typically make fruit-based chia puddings like this peach cobbler chia or this banana cashew… but there was a giant sweet potato staring at me. With my favorite smoothie in mind, I decided to try it as a chia pudding.
Sweet Potato Pie Chia Pudding. Sweet chia, it was good.
Nuts aren’t allowed, so that ruled out adding my usual nut butters… again, seeds are legal… sesame… tahini! Turned out to be a genius mix-in. The nutty, toasty flavor came through subtly, adding a cool dimension.
The martini glass certainly added something as well. 
Cheers to Friday! (Recipe at the bottom of this post.)
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Oh yeah… we need a WINNER for the “Be My Veggie Valentine” giveaway for 1 of 3 boxes of Almond “Heart Beet” cookies and Grapefruit Fennel cookies from Cookie Underground!
Thank you for all of the creative veggie cookie suggestions! It seemed like a carrot and/or sweet potato ginger flavor was the most popular. You know I loved that with my orange-food obsession.
Winner #1:
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat
Winner #2:
Ashley @ Freckles & Spice
Winner #3:
Jen
Please email me your addresses ASAP in order to receive your cookies for V-Day!!!
*Sorry for the crap-tastic photos… my screen shot tool isn’t working, but I promise the numbers were randomly generated via Random.org!*
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Sweet Potato Pie Chia Pudding
- 1/4 large sweet potato, baked
- 1 T chia seeds
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 C unsweetened vanilla coconut milk (or other liquid of choice)
- 2 tsp tahini
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ginger
- 2-3 drops vanilla stevia
- Shake of salt
- Pinch cloves
In a bowl, mash up the sweet potato until smooth. Mix in all other ingredients and refrigerate at least 1 hour (or overnight). If it looks too thick, add more milk or water as needed.
Stir and enjoy!
***
Weekends are always my clean-eating weakness, so I’m really excited to have a dinner and game night with my cleanse buddies!
Have you made chia pudding before?
Are you celebrating Valentine’s Day this weekend? Share your plans – let me live vicariously!
40 comments
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Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean
February 10, 2012 at 7:42 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
for some reason i just really don’t like the texture of pudding. but you may have inspired me to put some sweet potato in my smoothie!
Laura
February 10, 2012 at 8:54 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yay! Let me know how you like it.
Tiff
February 10, 2012 at 8:28 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The pudding sounds good and all, but it look fantastic in that martini glass. Classy pudding?
Laura
February 10, 2012 at 8:56 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Totally! Being on a cleanse doesn’t mean I can’t use fun glassware.
Parita @ myinnershakti
February 10, 2012 at 8:29 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have yet to try sweet potato dessert anything! You’re slowing convincing me to take my love for this veggie to the next course…hahaha! I think (like Lindsay) I’m going to start with a smoothie and go from there! Happy Friday!
Lisa ♥ Healthful Sense
February 10, 2012 at 8:33 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You know my weakness… chia seeds and sweet potatoes =) I believe I have never tried that combination lol!!
Def making this for sure! Have a great weekend!!
Laura
February 10, 2012 at 9:01 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Our palettes were separated at birth.
Let me know if you try it!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat
February 10, 2012 at 8:48 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I know it was random, but this still makes you my favorite person! So excited to try the cookies!
Laura
February 10, 2012 at 9:03 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I was excited to see you wonI was excited to see you won! Can’t wait to see what you think – they are soooo delicious.
Kelly
February 10, 2012 at 10:29 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This looks so delicious and I love the presentation in a martini glass!
Laura
February 11, 2012 at 10:30 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you! I’m a firm believer that everything tastes better cocktail-style.
Carol @ Lucky Zucca
February 10, 2012 at 11:17 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve never made chia pudding before but it sounds so tasty!!
Choc Chip Uru
February 10, 2012 at 1:40 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
So creative – love the flavouring combinations and that cute presentation!
You are too good
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Three Layer Brownie Cheesecake
Laura
February 11, 2012 at 10:40 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks! I’m pretty sure I could eat sweet potato for every meal.
Suzi
February 10, 2012 at 3:37 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
sounds good and looks even better in a champagne glass. Good luck on the cleanse. What exactly does that mean?
Laura
February 10, 2012 at 3:51 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That cleanse? I talked more in detail on Wednesday, but it’s basically a 21 days of veggies and fruits… and some protein shakes.
Cucina49
February 10, 2012 at 4:28 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That looks so good–I can’t believe you’re doing a cleanse. You are a rock star, because I could never handle it. The lack of caffeine alone would send me into a stupor.
Laura
February 11, 2012 at 10:31 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That’s what I thought, but the funny thing is we have all commented on how much MORE energy we have. Craziness.
Laura @ LauraLivesLife
February 10, 2012 at 4:41 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve got to try chia seeds – I’m reading about the Tarahumara and how they use them to fuel their incredible stamina in runs!
Laura
February 11, 2012 at 10:34 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
They are pretty awesome – super hydrating and I swear they give me energy.
Balancing Sylvia
February 10, 2012 at 6:04 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Sweet Chia that SOUNDS good!
Sarah
February 10, 2012 at 8:13 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This is very interesting indeed, and I would love to just have it overnighted to me here because it got really cold and I am feeling like being pampered. I have never used chia seeds. think it may be time? is this pudding sweet or more neutral?
Laura
February 11, 2012 at 10:36 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It got cold here too! I’m not happy… being pampered sounds awesome.
The pudding isn’t too sweet, but you could add more stevia (or sweetener of your choice) to adjust to your tastes.
Kiri W.
February 10, 2012 at 10:29 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Nooooo, my cookiiiiiies!
The pudding looks yummy, though I’ve never actually had sweet potato pudding. Or chia pudding, for that matter.
Laura
February 11, 2012 at 10:37 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You have to try it! Some people have to get used to the texture, but I find it to be a good alternative to yogurt in the morning.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
February 11, 2012 at 9:44 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This looks delicious! I love sweet potato oatmeal/smoothies/pudding but I’m always too lazy to wait 45 minutes to bake a sweet potato. And I never think to bake one ahead of time.
Laura
February 13, 2012 at 10:54 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I bake them 3-4 at a time, otherwise I’d be wayyyy to lazy to wait.
Maggie @ kitchie coo
February 11, 2012 at 10:44 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love how you classed up your cleanse pudding with martini glasses. I swear you can make anything look fun! While I am still scared of doing a cleanse (I’m afraid I’ll be hungry all day!), I am inspired by all of the bloggers I’ve seen doing them lately. So, maybe, just maybe I’ll buck up and do one soon. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Laura
February 13, 2012 at 10:56 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This one really isn’t bad. I eat a pretty plant-based diet anyway though. It’s nice because you an still eat food and can eat unlimited amounts of veggies, so you aren’t ever starving.
Healthiful Balance
February 12, 2012 at 9:23 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I need to get my hands on some chia seeds soon so I can make this. I’m going to make an iHerb order soon!
Congrats to the winners!
Eliot
February 12, 2012 at 3:18 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love anything with Sweet Potatoes! Great post.
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
February 12, 2012 at 10:45 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve never had sweet potato pie, but no doubts that this pudding is absolutely delish!
Laura
February 13, 2012 at 10:41 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You’ve never had the pie?! You have to try it – it’s like pumpkin, but better.
Baker Street
February 13, 2012 at 7:17 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wow! Never tried a sweet potato pie but would absolutely love to.
Laura
February 13, 2012 at 10:42 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I can’t believe you and Stephanie haven’t had it! Maybe it’s a Southern thing? They are really good!
Bonnie
February 22, 2012 at 4:36 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wow…what a concoction! I would love to make this sometime for a healthy treat/small meal…so creative, Laura! And I loved hearing your how your friend is feeling b/c of the cleanse – way to go, best friend!
Laura
February 22, 2012 at 11:08 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
A concoction, it was!
Please let me know if you try it!
I’ll pass the world along to her – I am SO proud of her and her mamma who has changed her eating habits as well. Cheers to healthy living!
Jackie
March 22, 2013 at 12:06 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
What can we substitute tahini with? Would we substitute equal amounts?
Laura
March 22, 2013 at 1:03 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Any nut butter would work – equal amounts. You could add more or less, according to your preference.
Cole
May 18, 2013 at 2:20 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
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Provençal Tomato Spread + WIAW » Sprint 2 the Table | Sprint 2 the Table
February 22, 2012 at 12:33 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
[...] This Sweet Potato Pie Chia Pudding I posted earlier this month made an appearance. I added a pinch of cardamom to the mix last night, which was fabulous. However… [...]