Ch-ch-ch-chia! (bonus: vegan friendly french toast recipe!)

The chia seed is a happy little powerhouse that makes it easy to make almost anything just a tiny bit healthier and more nutritious. They have a mild taste so they can be added to your morning smoothie, oatmeal, sprinkled on yogurt... Or spread over a clay mock-up of the bust of your favourite Disney character, sing it with me: ch-ch-ch-chia (www.chiapet.com)!!

If you're not using them to make goofy harrier, add them to your favourite recipe in place of eggs, which I promise will make the resulting concoction lighter and easier to digest than if you had used eggs. Other benefits include; omega-3 fatty acids, they are a source of complete protein, calcium, vitamin C, iron, potassium... I could go on, but I don't think I need to, you get the picture... They're good for you!!

Try this!

Note: For vegans who prefer not to use honey, you can use brown sugar or your favourite sweetener in place of honey

French toast
1 tsp chia seeds or chia seed meal
2 tsp water
1/4 banana
1 tbsp raw honey (or favourite sweetener)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1.5 cups vanilla almond milk
1 pinch salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 pinch nutmeg
Bread

Soak the chia seeds in water for 15 minutes. The mixture will turn into a sort of gel. Chia seeds and water prepared this way can be used as an egg replacer in recipes.

Add soaked chia seeds, banana, almond milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, baking soda, honey and salt to blender or mix with a hand mixer. Pour mixture into tray. Dip bread in mixture, coating both sides. Let soaked bread rest for 15 minutes and grill'em up! On a griddle (a frying pan will do) greased with earth balance butter or coconut oil, fry each side until golden brown and outside is no longer moist/sticky to the touch. Garnish with fruits, jam, maple syrup, honey............. Let your imagination be your guide!

Pictured with strawberries, shaved chocolate and real maple syrup. Served with Yves vegan breakfast patties.

Bon appétit!!
Talia