Tropical Kefir Chia Pudding with Mango and Coconut

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  • July 05, 2017
Tropical Kefir Chia Pudding with Mango and Coconut

A Recipe for Lifeway Kefir Chia Pudding

We are halfway into the year. We made that resolution to eat healthier this year. But how exactly do we do it? If you give everything up you love, your odds of staying on track may be challenging. My feeling is to go one step at a time with eliminating and altering your food choices. While I don’t have a solution to every question on this issue, I am looking for foods and recipes that focus on a healthier way of eating. Which is why I am sharing a new find but one that has been around Eastern Europe for a very long time. This probiotic, antioxidant rich milk called Kefir is made by Lifeway and may just help you feel better. 

What is Kefir?

Kefir is in a category similar to yogurt. This though, is a bit more tart. It is also 99% lactose-free, gluten-free and with no artificial hormones or antibiotics. Here is how Lifeway describes its Kefir:

“Lifeway Kefir is a tart and tangy cultured milk smoothie that is high in protein, calcium and vitamin D. Thanks to our exclusive blend of kefir cultures, each cup of kefir contains 12 live and active cultures and 15 to 20 billion beneficial CFU (Colony Forming Units). ” 

What I found intriguing are the number of different ways in which Lifeway Kefir is sold. You can find it in a bottle in the dairy section whether organic whole milk or nonfat (or many other varieties), farmer cheese cups and frozen kefir options. I had their frozen coconut kefir bar at an outdoor festival when it was super hot outside. It was so refreshing! Highly recommend!

Kefir Health Benefits

In addition, the health benefits to eating or drinking kefir resonate with me. After reading about kefir, my takeaway on its advantages are about how it can help my digestive and immune system (probiotics), helps you stay full longer, provides 11 grams of protein in the low-fat kefir (protein is a challenge for me, so this I like) and it provides 30 percent of daily calcium needs to help with bone density (important for all women!).  

Now that I know about the origins and benefits of Kefir, I want to get creative. I love coconut and saw a Lifeway Kefir bottle that I had to try. I make smoothies all the time using yogurt. But I had a new idea of something I really wanted to try. Have you heard about using chia seeds in a dessert? The seeds expand once they are able to absorb some of the liquid that they are mixed in with. They end up giving an almost gelatin like consistency to what you are mixing them with. If you aren’t familiar with chia seeds, they are rich in Omega 3’s, calcium, and antioxidants.  You can find them at many stores around you or online.I decided to make a Tropical Kefir Chia Pudding with Mango and Coconut as my first experiment with Kefir. And was it good! And very easy to make. The beauty of the recipe are all the variations that you can make with the choice of Kefir and fruit you choose. So, have fun and let me know what you think of Kefir and what dishes you have created.Tropical Kefir Chia Pudding with Mango and Coconut

 

Cheers to healthy desserts!     

Thanks for stopping by. 

 
Tropical Kefir Chia Pudding with Mango and Coconut
Serves 4
A sweet treat made with healthy coconut kefir and chia seeds topped with mango.
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Ingredients
  1. 1 cup Lifeway Organic Whole Milk Coconut Kefir
  2. 1/4 cup Kefir separated from cup above
  3. 3 tablespoons chia seeds
  4. 2 tablespoons sweetener of choice (honey), optional
  5. 1 mango
  6. Whipped cream, optional
Instructions
  1. Add kefir, chia seeds and sweetener (if used) to a bowl.
  2. Mix well. Cover. Refrigerate for at least 5 hours. Best if overnight.
  3. Cut mango in half. One half will be pureed in blender or food processor. Other half, cut in to bite size pieces that will fit in your dish.
  4. Blend pureed mango with 1/4 cup of Kefir that was separated.
  5. Mix diced mango in to mixture.
  6. Portion Kefir and chia mixture into serving dishes.
  7. Top with spoonfuls of the Kefir and pureed mango.
  8. Top with whipped cream, if desired.
Notes
  1. Add any fruit that you like to this pudding.
Adapted from Lifeway Kefir
Adapted from Lifeway Kefir
InspiringKitchen.com https://inspiringkitchen.com/

7 Comments

  • Brian Jones says:

    Looks great and such wonderful flavours, kefir is really popular over here.

    • Inspiring Kitchen says:

      That’s great to know. I knew it originated in Eastern Europe but didn’t realize it’s popularity in Europe. Thanks for feedback.

  • Mango and coconut are great combinations. Never tried Kefir but been hearing all about it

  • Dannii says:

    I keep hearing lot about this and I really need to give it a try. Sounds like it has lots of benefits.

  • Deanna says:

    This looks so healthy! Mmmmm

  • Tara says:

    Yum! I’ve heard of kefir, but havent tried it myself yet. Definitely need to now. I love that you included all the health benefits.

  • […] Sometimes treating yourself to a frozen dessert is just what you need. Doesn’t matter if it’s a Tuesday in the winter or a warm, sunny day. But no one wants the guilt that comes with that decadent scoop which is why stopping by Lifeway Kefir Shop (several locations around Chicago) will be your new go to dessert solution. Frozen Kefir has 10 probiotics (meaning good for your digestive system), is gluten-free and 99 percent lactose free. But you won’t realize how good it is for you as it tastes so delicious. Whether you choose a scoop of frozen kefir and top it with fruit, candy, nuts or other creative options, or get a smoothie or fresh juice, you will leave feeling good about your choice. By the way, you can buy Lifeway Kefir in numerous formats to eat as you would yogurt or use it as an ingredient in recipes like this Tropical Kefir Chia Pudding with Mango and Coconut. […]

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