Cha-Cha-Cha-Chia Pudding
Date: the day of the month/year as specified by a number; or a social or romantic appointment.
Thanks, Google. You left out my #1 favorite kind of date. The fruit that grows on some palm trees (which I also happen to love).
In recent years, dates have become common in trendy recipes tagged “healthy” and “paleo.” I’ve been eating dates since I was a kid, as dates are highly regarded in Islamic tradition mostly for the simple fact that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) loved and recommended them. I did some digging regarding the health benefits of dates and, turns out, there are many!
First thing’s first—why am I writing/talking about dates if this post is about chia pudding?
This is my blog, and I do what I want.
Chia seeds are more popular than dates and I tend to root for the underdog.
I’ll write about chia seeds in another post.
Why are you still reading?
I’ll try (and inevitably fail) to make it quick so that you don’t have to scroll past a bunch of text (which I put time, energy, and love into writing) in search of a recipe you might not find. 😏🤣
Low Glycemic Index: Though they are extremely sweet and very useful in naturally-sweetening all kinds of desserts, dates have a relatively low glycemic index. This means they won’t affect your blood sugar + insulin levels much.
High in Fiber: For a fruit, dates have a good amount of fiber. Two dates have roughly 3 grams of fiber, and let’s be real here…no one stops at two. Anyway, dates contain a type of soluble fiber that helps lower cholesterol. The fiber also slows the rate at which your body absorbs the glucose (tying back to the first point here).
Vitamins + Minerals: Namely potassium + copper.
LABOR: I put this in all caps because the thought of giving birth kind of terrifies me. Some recent studies show that eating dates in the last month of pregnancy result in more favorable labor conditions. These include but are not limited to: cervical ripening (dilation + effacement), lower likelihood of having to induce labor, and a lower chance of a membrane rupturing pre-labor.
I'm not even going to delve into the pain + trauma of childbirth, but I'd like to go back to the Islamic tradition of eating dates. I recall two situations in which dates are encouraged to be eaten: when breaking your fast and before/during labor. It is sunnah (a tradition of the Prophet) to break your fast with dates. The second instance points to verses in the Qur’an in Surah/Chapter Maryam (Prophet ‘Isa’s/Jesus’ mother)—
“And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, “Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten.” But [Gabriel] called her from below her, “Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. So eat and drink and be contented...”
I don’t really have a grand conclusion to this post. My intention was to connect the facts + resources I know of regarding dates. I find it fascinating that dates are beneficial to one’s health (in many ways) + that its benefits were hinted at and laid out in a holy text almost 1500 years ago + recent scientific studies also indicate as such.
I’m too lazy for a proper conclusion, so…recipe time!
Chia Pudding
6 tbsp chia seeds
1 1/2 cups almond milk
6-8 medjool dates, pitted
almonds, chopped/slivered (optional)
Directions: Pour the almond milk into a blender cup and add the dates to it. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the dates to soften. Blend the milk + dates until smooth. It’s okay if there are little pieces of date skin.
Pour the blended mix into a sealable (is that a word?) container; stir the chia seeds into the container. Seal the container and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Take it out, stir it again (you’ll notice the chia seeds have already begun to absorb the liquid and are beginning to puff/gel up). Pop it back in the fridge. Take it out 15 minutes later and repeat.
You can eat it after about another half hour or so (consistency-wise; health-wise you can consume it whenever because there’s no cooking involved), but I recommend letting it chill and sit for about 1-2 hours at least. Top with chopped or slivered almonds for a little crunch (I love contrasting textures in food, as you’ll soon learn) and serve!