Chia & Raspberry Breakfast

Chia_berry_porridge

It has become more and more obvious to me that Luise and I have lived these last years inside the eye of a whirlwind. Life seems calm when we sit here in our Stockholm kitchen, but recipes, apps, emails, comments, books, raising a child, freelancing, workshops, photography and social media are spinning around us faster and faster every month. Our old professions and lives have been swept away and new things have come along. It has been unreal, in the best kind of way. All of a sudden we are working with our passion and with each other. We are constantly learning new things and have no idea how the next month will look like. It is everything I dreamed about but never dared to hope for.

But living in a whirlwind also makes me dizzy. This pace. This flow of information. This constantly updating instagram-pinterest-email-life that we are so addicted to. It’s hard to find balance. Luise and I talk too much about food, answer emails too late at night and sometimes forget to just eat dinner because we are so busy discussing or shooting a recipe. I am sure we are not alone in this. The feeling that you want to be more present and not always watch your kids laugh through the lens of an iphone.

The theoretical solution is easy. To work on the day and turn off our phones during evenings and weekends. But it is so hard to change our habits, so we have talked about also taking a physical step outside of the whirlwind for a little while. Our rough plan is to spend two months in Melbourne, Australia, and then drive around New Zealand in a campervan for a month. We plan on being together. Watch Isac grow. Teach Elsa some English. Watch kangaroos. Play and hug a lot. But we will most probably also blog from the road. Perhaps do a food video from a camp kitchen. We might even do some kind of cooking class or food photography workshop somewhere on the way. As long as we are spending more time with each other than with the computer.

We are still not sure what we can afford or where we will end up, but we will probably be traveling from the beginning of December to the end of February. We would love to get some advices from you guys. You think we would like Melbourne more than Sydney? Great food, cafes or restaurants that we shouldn’t miss? Would anyone be interested in attending a workshop, if we arranged one in Sydney/Melbourne or New Zealand? Is the idea of driving around in a campervan with Isac when he is only five months old too crazy? All input is appreciated. Thank you friends!

Chia_berry_porridge_2

This recipe is a variation of a chia pudding with a flavorful raspberry twist. It’s a simple, satisfying and very delicious breakfast or mid-day snack. Or even dessert. You can prepare it a day in advance and keep it in the fridge. If you are not yet familiar with chia seeds, they are filled with protein, omega 3 fatty acid and calcium, have a very mild flavor and are incredible at binding liquids. They are therefore great as egg replacers in baking recipes and in desserts and breakfasts such as this. The only disadvantage is the price. They are rather expensive, but you don’t need so much each time so they last long.

I almost forgot, here is a video from our youtube channel where Luise show how to make this recipe and tell you why she likes it so much.

Chia_berry_porridge_3

Berry & Chia Breakfast
Serves 1

Feel free to play around with this recipe. You could replace the raspberries with other berries or mashed fruit and the milk with freshly squeezed juice. Or you could blend some dates with the milk and serve it as a dessert. Use whatever toppings you prefer. We do recommend including some kind of nut butter, it adds a nice balance to the sweet and tangy fruit flavors.

1 cup / 125 g fresh or thawed frozen raspberries
1 pinch ground vanilla
3 tbsp desiccated coconut, unsweetened
3 tbsp chia seeds
1 cup / 240 ml plant milk (we prefer almond, coconut or oat milk)

Topping
nut butter
hemp seeds
kiwi
fresh mint

Mash the berries in a bowl using a fork. Add vanilla, coconut and chia seeds and combine. Pour over the milk and mix. Set aside to soak for minimum 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge. Serve in a bowl or jar topped with nut butter, hemp seeds, fruit and mint.

194 Comments

  • I loved watching the video of this chia breakfast. In fact, I love all of your videos and hope you continue them for a very long time! Would love to see some videos from the road and your trip sounds wonderful. Teaching children adaptability and flexibility through travel is a precious life lesson that you are giving.
  • Paula
    Great! Yes, come to NZ! I'd love to attend a workshop of any sorts that you guys might run here if you chose to do so. I'm not sure how big your name is in NZ as I don't know anyone else here who follows your blog but we can spread the good word easily as plenty of green/raw/nutrient dense/orgnic/holistic/friendly health bunnies sprouting up amongst our population. If you decide to just come here to chill and travel then you'll love plenty of places (Mountainous/Beaches/cute little towns/trendy cities) and there is so much to see. As for Australia, my recommendation is Melbourne if you had to chose between the two. Look forward to hearing of travel and adventure... and can't wait to get to Copenhagen myself one day soon!
  • Dianne
    Hello, I live in Adelaide, South Australia and I think you would enjoy a visit here. The produce is excellent. Very fresh and local. We have a wonderful LARGE fresh food market in the City. Many "Farmers Markets" around. It is a smaller city than Melbourne and Sydney. Not far to travel to excellent Wineries, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra etc. The beaches are great for swimming and walking in the white sand. It can be quite hot from December to March. I moved for work and lived in Melbourne for 7 years and Sydney for 17 years. Both are great but in my opinion very different from each other. I think you may have to visit Adelaide,South Australia: Perth, Western Australia: Hobart & Launceston, Tasmania: Melbourne, Victoria: Sydney, New South Wales: Brisbane, Queensland. I truly believe you would have crowds of people at each workshop you did in our wonderful Australian cities. I can hardly wait for you to come to Oz!
  • Hello David, Luise, Elsa, and Isac : ) So exciting to hear you want to come to Australia; you're sure to love it. I'm from Canberra, the capitol, which is right between Melbourne and Sydney, so hopefully I can give an un-biased opinion : ) Sydney is a beautiful city, but if you're set on spending a length of time in one or the otherm I think you'd enjoy Melbourne more. There's a wealth of culture, art, music, and good food in Melbourne. If you go, you won't have any trouble finding fantastic restaurants, but I recommend Fitzrovia- beautiful food with a beautiful atmosphere. However, if you can spread out during the two months, do that. Sydney has much to offer, and a road trip in Australia is personally one of my favourite things- you could even make your way up to Brisbane. All the best; take care.x
  • This is beautiful! And I will be making this for breakfast (or any meal) this week, thank you :) On another note I think you should visit the Blue Mountains and the Byron area in NSW- both would be right up your alley! x
  • Hello I am a follower on your Instagram and love all your recipes I also have you on my sidebar on my blog Thanks for this wonderful recipe , although finding berries other than strawberries i.e seasonal is very difficult here in India. What substitution do you suggest. thanks...
  • Olivia
    I am 14 and from Australia and have fallen in love with your blog and just you guys as well. I live in Sydney but would save up and travel to Melbourne happily for a workshop. Everyone says that Melbourne food and creative scene is incredible, so I reckon there, even though I love my home city more than anything hehe. Sydney does have the most beautiful beaches though while Melbourne doesn't have any, so even if you wanted to stop over in Sydney for a few days and spend the day at Bondi Beach, where a lot of Sydney's whole foods/vegetarian food scene is based anyway. I hope you love Australia and New Zealand, you deserve a break more than anything :)
  • Amy
    I think you would love NZ, and a campervan is the best way to see this beautiful country. I live in Nelson, a sunny little city at the top of the South Island. We are surrounded by the sea, mountains, orchards and rivers - it is incredible. There would be huge interest in a cooking class here!
  • Jo
    I am in Sydney and would love to come to a workshop - keep me posted x
  • Rachel
    It is a fantastic plan - not crazy at all!! Let me know if you need an suggestions or help with plans in New Zealand - I'm based in Nelson, South Island. Cafe suggestion in Auckland: http://littlebirdorganics.co.nz/collections/unbakery Holiday suggestion - fantastic with a campervan and perfect with little ones - http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/conservation-campsites-by-region/nelson-tasman/golden-bay/totaranui-campground/
  • MMM
    I've lived in Melbourne for over 10 years now and I truly believe that you will love it! Melbourne is known for its food. We have a fantastic emerging 'foodie' culture with lots of fresh produce in farmers markets. There is also a lot of demand for knowledge and experience in health food. I, for one, would attend your workshop in a heart beat and would spread the word around. Having camped all over Australia, also with small nieces and nephews, I don't think you will have much trouble at all. Australia has great camping facilities and lots of families travel with very small children. I would personally recommend you stick to the coast as the vast, empty red center maybe a little too much with your little one. You will absolutely love the Australian adventure!
  • Sasha
    By coincidence I just received my copy of Green Kitchen Travels as I opened your email! I live in NZ and am a frequent visitor to Australia. Melbourne has a better food scene, but in my opinion Sydney is the most beautiful city in the world (the harbour is breathtaking), so it depends what you're most focused on. I think Elsa would love the ferry rides on the harbour. With regard to spending two months in Austalia and one in New Zealand, my advice comes from what I've heard countless visitors say - that they spent more time in Australia than New Zealand but wished afterwards it had been the other way around. Bear in mind that summer in Australia is incredibly hot - it's more moderate here in New Zealand, which may make a difference to the comfort of the children (as well as you!). It's also easier to let children run around in the wilder parts in New Zealand, as we have no snakes, crocodiles or poisonous insects. A campervan sounds like a terrific way to see New Zealand, especially with Isac. Although there are many wonderful things to see in the North Island, I suggest planning to do most of your travel in the South Island, which is quite ridiculously beautiful. Don't plan to drive too far in a day - the roads here are very twisty and difficult compared to European roads, and the South Island in particular is beautiful every inch of the way, so there's nothing to hurry for. Our cities are nothing special at all, so unless you need to be there, I'd advise planning to spend as little time in them as you can.
  • Jess Lockhart
    YES PLEASE COME TO MELBOURNE!! The culture in Melbourne is amazing and diverse.A hour any side of Melbourne are smaller towns with oozzing with character, markets and lush mountainous scenery and beaches. I am sure that there are a whole convoy of people passionate about you guys that would attend your workshops!!I know I will be the first one to sign up. I've followed you for the past 4 years and literally scream at the computer screen every time you announce a new book, project or recipe. Your view on food has influenced my life to the point of no return. Thank you.
  • Claudia
    If you are making a workshop in rather Melbourne of Sydney I will be there!!! I live in Melbourne but travel a lot to Sydney, both cities are great, they offer very different things. Melbourne is more “arti” lots of live music, festivals, designer shops and crafts. It probably has more interesting places when exploring food. Sydney is a stunning place! The harbor is just breathtaking, and beaches are incredible. I hope the info helps in your destination and if there is anything I can do to help let me know. Claudia
  • Eva
    Would love to do a workshop in Sydney. Hope we can meet up in Sydney your dad had got our number . Have a good trip Eva
  • Marina
    I can understand you need a break to live away from computers and phones for a while... I say come to Sydney, I would love to join one of your workshops!! All the best for your travel decisions, and thanks for the great recipes, I just got your second book and Im drooling over it ; ) Marina
  • Yasmin
    PLease come to Melbourne! I would definitely come to a cooking class or workshop. People have already listed some of the great food options available in Melbourne but I don't think Brothl has been mentioned. Brothl has vegetarian options but is a completely waste free restaurant and uses other restaurant off cuts and leftovers and makes incredible vegetable, meat and fruit broths. The farmers markets are incredible and there are plenty of them all over Victoria. If you need places to stay in Melbourne, please let me know. Because it's Summer, lots of people go to beach houses or away so there is always lots of house sitting available. If you wanted to do a talk, I could also help you with venue options if you needed. Australians have a really relaxed way of life, we love a good bbq and great food so I think you will enjoy visiting. The other thing is the weather. Our Summer is SO hot but I know how much you need it after Swedish Winters. Hot like 44 degrees last summer. That's hot! Are you silly to do it with a 5 month old and Elsa? Not at all. I think you say it in your new book, that it's harder and difficult to travel with kids but you won't regret it. Plus I'm sure you will have plenty of babysitters if you need them AM SO EXCITED - you will love it here!!
  • Celina
    Yes, I live in New Zealand and it would be great if you could come! I would love to attend a workshop :D
  • madeleine
    Tasmania is Australia's organic wonderland! Visit if you want to try all things artisan, foodie and beautiful (they have a great country side to boot!). Hope this helps xx ps. I'm not from Tasmania nor do I live there so I'm definitely not bias! (But don't worry I am Australian ha ha)
  • Renee
    Hi David and Luise First and foremost I love your blog and recipe app! Speaking as someone who lives in Wellington,New Zealand, you will not be disappointed. O.k so I may be a little bias but New Zealand is so beautiful, I find myself taking photos of my surroundings every day. Travelling New Zealand in a camper-van is a must do on every travelers list. It would be such a great family adventure where you can really get outdoors (away from technology for a bit). I was just talking to a work colleague who took her family travelling around New Zealand when her children were very young and she said they had the best time. I know myself and many others would love, love, love to attended one of your cooking and photography workshops if you chose to do one. Please come to New Zealand! x
  • Amanda
    My husband and I traveled from the states to Australia and New Zealand when our son was 8 months old for a month. We rented a campervan in Wellington and rode it to Auckland stopping and camping along the way. It was a blast and when I look back at our pictures I am so thankful for that time. I carried my son in an ergo when we hiked and he slept in a travel infant bed at the foot of our bed at night. The only thing I remember struggling some with was the cooler temps at night. We were there in August. Your blog is beautiful and your recipes are amazing. I have tried many of them. Have a great time!
  • Katharina
    Great plans for travel!!! I live in Adelaide and will fly over to Sydney or Melbourne in a heartbeat if you decide to do a workshop there. Adelaide has some lovely organic markets btw..... :-) NZ is one of the most beautiful places on earth so I'm sure you'll love it there. Make sure to plan enough time, trying to travel both islands will probably feel quite rushed in 4 weeks. If you have to decide between islands I would advise to focus on the south island, many amazing spots (you will like Akaroa) and lots of whales and dolphins to see. Let me know if you should make it down to Adelaide!!!! I'd be thrilled to show you some local spots! Kathi
  • Sarah
    I've lived in NZ my whole life and I can safely say that you will love travelling here, very excited to hear you want to visit this part of the world! To put my two cents worth in: spend as little time as you can in the big cities. As awesome as they are and as much as they have to offer, the wilderness and small towns of NZ are what make it such an awesome place. -Definitely spend as much time as you can in the South Island. --The highway running through Kaikoura is beautiful at that time of year. --Try and do one of the alpine passes - Arthurs Pass or Haast Pass are probably the most stunning. --If you are heading to Queenstown, stay in a little place nearby called Arrowtown - it's less touristy but equally nice. --Stewart Island, Doubtful/Milford Sound, all worth taking the time to see. --Abel Tasman national part up near Nelson is worth visit; spend a night in one of the cabins right on the beach front and get up early to see the sunrise over the golden bay - absolutely stunning. --The small towns on the lake fronts are all worth visiting, although I doubt you'll make them all - Cromwell (for amazing summer fruit), Te Anau, Tekapo (for beautiful views of a glacial lake). -If you choose to go down one coast of the North Island, I would recommend the West coast - New Plymouth isn't visited as often by tourists but it is a stunning place with mountain and sea less than a half hour drive apart. Hope you enjoy it!
  • So true what you say about living in a whirlwind with a business and social media - I have taken a step back from just this in the past few weeks and I feel so much better for it - it does mean however that you just can't do as much work on the business but sometimes that is best! I am from Sydney Australia and your plans sound wonderful. The idea of a camper van is perfect and you could have an amazing trip from Sydney to Melbourne and catch the best of everything - our facilities here are great for this type of thing and coming over summer you will love it! I think a workshop idea is perfect and would love to hear more - happy to help with venue suggestions if you need as I also run a few workshops. Best of luck. Leanne x
  • Conor
    Melbourne has the best food/events/liveability, but Sydney has the best weather. I live in Melbourne and would be at your workshop with bells on :)
  • another beautiful post! ... fab idea to chill; you can't buy time or recapture your children's childhood. treasure every moment together. don't expect grown up behaviour 'till they're grown up! you will blink and they will be adults and you'll grieve for those lost times together! i wish you joy. X
  • Lyndal
    All very good recommendations already given above for both Sydney and Melbourne - they are very different cities so it is hard to say which is 'better'. I would be interested in attending a workshop in Sydney, it would be fabulous!
  • Wow, that sounds like an amazing adventure! I wish I could do the same, haha! Maybe one day :) I can't put any input on the surroundings as I've never been to either Australia or New Zealand (top of the bucket list, though!), but it sounds like a really good idea. Especially if you are finding your habits hard to break. And this meal in a jar looks so beautiful and delicious! I'm inspired and want to recreate it!
  • Utterly gorgeous! I wish you guys all the best in your future endeavors. And I know there's more deliciousness going to come our way, no matter the outcome of your decisions :)
  • Adele Chenoweth
    PLEASE COME TO MELBOURNE! Id love to attend a workshop!

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