This pie-inspired Banana Cream Chia Pudding comes together quickly and easily. Plus, it’s healthy and oh-so delicious.
Before I show you this amazing Banana Cream Chia Pudding recipe, let me talk about last year for a moment. As I’m prepping myself to write this, is still feels like I have a pit in my stomach, but this will end in a positive light! Some of you may have read about my grandmother last year. I very briefly mentioned that she would be moving in with my family because she wasn’t doing well and had lung cancer. After that, I didn’t say anything else about her, and it wasn’t for no reason.
Soon after she moved in, she mentioned that she had felt bloated and never hungry, and really couldn’t eat much. I would give her a tiny smoothie and she would be full. I felt like I couldn’t help her nourish her body, so that she could heal, even just a little bit. But, two weeks or so after she came to California, we had to take her to the ER; turns out that she had a perforated ulcer (basically a hole in your stomach) and needed to be operated on. While doing tests on her, they found out that the cancer had already spread to her liver; which was, in a word, terrifying.
They decided to go through with the operation, and everything was going well for a couple of days. Then liquid started to build up in her lungs, they couldn’t stop it, then everything started falling apart. She ended up on life-support with failed kidneys and so many things wrong with her. And I’ll never forget the way she looked, and I would never wish that upon anyone. When it was clear that she would not be coming back from this, our family said our goodbyes and her soul left her body. It was a terrible day, less than a month before her 80th birthday. All of us were deeply affected by her passing, and as I type this, I am realizing that this still weighs very heavily on my heart.
My grandmother was a crafty woman, she’s the one that taught me how to crochet; but she was also an avid quilter. She had tons of quilting fabric, yards and yards of it in so many colors and patterns. Plus, some awesome kitchen ware, which her, my mom, and I share the same passion for. Support was something that my grandma often offered, with the turn of events in my life, which led me to where I am today (photography/blogging/etc.). She would tell me that I was capable and creative, which helped me immensely through some tough times. But, I don’t think she knew just how much she would help me.
Soon after we sorted through the fabrics, I got the photo gig with Happy Herbivore. Knowing that I would need to photograph 80 different recipes gave me a bit of anxiety. How would I make these shots so different? Then the light went on, Grandma’s fabrics! Without those, it would have been 80% harder for me to do what I did, and I just wish that I could thank her now. I’ve chosen this post to tell you all this, because three of the items in the photograph belonged to her. Two of the fabrics and this delightful dish, used for cooling food to be served. I’m so glad that I can have her continue to help me in my quest to become a better photographer, and I dedicate this post to her. <3
One Year Ago: Berry Chia Pudding // Two Years Ago: “How to Eat an Orange in 30 minutes”
Banana Cream Chia Pudding
Banana Cream pie-inspired chia pudding! Much healthier and so delicious.
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 52 minutes
Servings 1
Ingredients
- 3/4 C . Banana
- 1/4 C . Canned Light Coconut Milk
- 1 Tbsp . Water
- 1 Tbsp . Maple Syrup or Sweeten with a little Stevia
- 1/2 tsp . Vanilla Extract
- Pinch of Sea Salt
- 2 1/2 Tbsp . Chia Seeds
- Optional: A sprinkling of unsweetened coconut shreds
Instructions
- Place the banana, coconut milk, water, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt into a blender.
- Puree on high until completely smooth, then pour into a small jar or bowl.
- Add the chia seeds to the liquid and stir in completely. Leave in the refrigerator for at least 45-60 minutes. Or you can leave it overnight.
- Sprinkle with coconut shreds and serve chilled!
Thank you for reading my tribute, and I hope that you enjoy this Banana Cream Chia Pudding. It really is VERY delicious!
Jackie
I was so close to my grandma ….she helped raise me …I understand how you feel…. hugs
This recipe looks great . You got me interested in chia puddings 🙂
On another note I never get your emails I even resigned up last month but nothing 🙁
Thank you, Michelle! This recipe is really good, I made it for breakfast yesterday AND today!
As far as the subscription goes, that’s really odd. I get the emails every time I post (I subscribed so that I could make sure), so maybe they’re going into your spam folder? I can’t think of anything else it could be! 🙁
I’ll add it again… so weird not spam folder I checked…crazy yahoo email.
Too weird!
My thoughts are with your family. Your grandmother undoubtedly felt lucky to be surrounded by those who loved
So Sorry for your loss. Your granny will continue to live through what she has left you to pass on to us. thank you for your dedication.
Jackie,
Your banana cream chia pudding sounds so yummy! You create lovely recipes! And my thoughts are with you and your family. Thank you for sharing!
I am nominating you for the Liebster Award because you are a fantastic vegan blogger and one of my favorite reads!
http://veganmiam.com/awards/liebster-award-2013
Warmly,
♡ rika, vegan miam
http://www.veganmiam.com
★ i travel + i eat vegan blog ★
Thank you, Rika!! 🙂
I’m so sorry for your loss, Jackie, and I love that you’re honoring your grandmother through her fabrics and this post. My grandmother passed away almost exactly one year ago, but before that, she gave me her silverware. I sometimes use it for my blog photos and definitely think of her whenever I do.
Thank you, Amanda. That’s fantastic to hear about the silverware, we both have similar stories, it seems! <3
So sorry for your loss. Your grandmother sounds like she was a wonderful person and you’ve written a moving tribute. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Karen! I could have gone on for ages about her, but that may be a short novel. Thank you for sharing your condolences. 🙂
Made this on Monday– I can vouch that it is incredible! A lovely tribute to your grandma, too.
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I am so sorry to hear of your loss- I know that losing someone so close couldn’t have been easy. I love how you chose to remember your grandmother, though. I’m so moved. xoxo
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Wonderful story and tribute to your grandma. I love that you are using her fabrics for your photos.
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Was searching for this recipe and came across your post. Beautiful tribute to someone who sounds like a remarkable woman.
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So sorry for your loss. I miss my Grandmother so much as well and it has been quite a few years. She was such a savvy women that lived to 96.
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This is a beautiful tribute to your grandmother! I found your blog searching for something to make for church on Mother’s Day. Do you think this is thick enough to make a pudding pie?
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