Coconut Cherry Chia Pudding

If you follow food blogs and healthy vegetarian sites, you have undoubtably seen chia pudding recipes. It's no wonder it has become a healthy snack of choice because it is simple, fast and packed with nutrition. Chia seeds have come a long way from the spreadable paste to make fluffy green 'pets'. Today, chia seeds have earned the title of "superfood" for their high protein content, soothing affect on the digestive system and their cholesterol lowering omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, they make great pudding!

Spiced Vegan Rice Pudding

This vegan, refined-sugar free rice pudding is simple, fast, and one of my favourite treats. Made with creamy coconut (or almond) milk and warming spices like cinnamon and cardamom, it is sure to warm you up on a cool day. Sweetened only with bananas and dates, there is no added sugar, but it definitely doesn't lack in sweetness!

Dinosaur Kale

If you frequent Pinterest or any healthy/Paleo food blogs, you are aware of the recent Kale Chip craze. Picture after picture of crunchy, curly kale looked so good to me and I wanted to try it. But that lush, curly kale just doesn't exist in Italy. I certainly haven't seen it, even after searching far and wide. What I did find, however, was a very dark veggie with long flat spears that look just like, well, spears. I discovered that this "cavolo nero" or black cabbage, is called Dinosaur kale in English. The flavor is very similar to curly kale, but it is a bit stronger and mostly stalk with very little tender leaf. I'm not sure how it compares to the curly variety nutrition wise, but eating it makes me feel very strong and healthy! I even suspect this is what was in Popeye's spinach cans!!