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

  • Happy trails! Chia never looked better!
  • This looks AMAZEBALLS! Reminds me of this chia pudding recipe I shared recently: http://www.owlyouare.com/blog/2014/9/3/a-recipe-for-chia-pudding?q=chia. Tasty & filling is such a good combo! Much love. Xo
  • verena
    Wonderful idea and totally doable. We just travelled trough Portugal for one month with a four months old and two year old. The good thing is that with four months the baby won't move away and Elsa is already some kind of autonomous. Two great examples, allthough only with one kiddo. :-) http://vimeo.com/100748287 & http://vimeo.com/107068169 You'll have a wonderful time!
  • An
    I think you'd enjoy Melbourne a lot more, after all it is THE food mecca in Australia. And I agree with previous comments made about the atmosphere and food culture in Melbourne vs. Sydney.I love Melbourne! The food culture in Australia is on the move, also in more remote areas like e.g. Margaret River in the southwest of Western Australia or Tasmania. Actually, maybe the guys from Fair Harvest would be interested in a sort of exchange... http://www.fairharvest.com.au/ They have their own organic garden and offer all kinds of different workshops...
  • We would so much like to welcome you to the Otago Farmers Market in Dunedin, New Zealand. We have a thriving farmer's market that many consider to be one of the very best in the country.February is a peak time for us as all the gorgeous stone fruit from Central Otago is avilable as well as wonderful, summer vegetables. Every week we have a chef demonstrating how to use seasonal produce in our mobile, market kitchen. This is very popular with the public as they get to taste the offerings and take home the recipes to try themselves. We get upwards of 8,000 people to the market each week so the market chef is kept busy. We would absolutely love it if you would be interested in taking this role one Saturday morning in February - we would pay you a little and also it would be a wonderful opportunity for you to promote any workshops that you might have coming up in the south island. I would love to hear from you!!
  • Timmy
    Another awesome recipe, I've got some ready for tomorrow morning :) I'm from Melbourne and I'd definitely go to a workshop! Melbourne has a wonderfully unique culture and the city is food obsessed! A restaurant called Smith and Daughters is really amazing - it's all vegan and cooking food in really creative ways (their mushroom pate is insane!!). The suburb that it's in - fitzroy (brunswick street especially) - has a lot of wonderful food and is a nice place just outside of the CBD to get a feel for the cool parts of the city - lots of amazing graffiti work and brilliant cafes. Healseville is about an hour and a half from Melbourne by car and has an amazing wildife sanctuary where you can see some koalas and wonderful protected land. And driving along the Great Ocean Road is a must!! Hope to be at your workshop soon :)
  • Hellie
    Fantastic plan guys. Our family is in a mini whirlpool compared to yours but we know the feeling nonetheless. By now you may have sensed a joking rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne! I'm from Melbourne so clearly biased but I do think you'd love it. It's family friendly, easy to get around, and full of hidden foodie gems. It's not visually as stunning as Sydney's harbour but we make up for it in character. We have a three year old and a 4 month old and love nothing more than exploring the country side with them. It's all about how you time the drive with kids. It's worth noting that wether you choose Sydney or Melbourne it's a huge country so there maybe long distance drives to negotiate. NZ is spectacular too! Anyways, I'd love to come to a workshop if you hold one in old Melbourne town. Good luck with the downtime.
  • I would most definitely attend a workshop in New Zealand, and be willing to travel to it within the North Island. If you come to New Zealand, one place you must go is Hawkes Bay. The have the most lovely food, wineries and places (their farmers market is a must). Taupo is also nice, but during the summer months it is very busy. South Island is gorgeous, and I would recommend to spend a lot of time down there. Queenstown is very touristy, but has some amazing places. Marlborough is also apparently lovely as well. If you are able to, make the most of the walks through the bush (DOC has a lot). Short walks in can show you the most amazing places. I don't think you're crazy for taking Isac round when he is that young. Your children are very lucky to have the chance to travel and experience different cultures.
  • Coconuts
    This came out perfectly, thanks! Been looking for an actually good recipe for a while. Just sweet enough and not too stiff. Btw, I higly recommend using fruit juice. It makes it dessert appropriate with no need of dates!
  • Will be there will bells on for a New Zealand workshop. If you're coming around the New Year you'll get the best of summer xx
  • jason ververgaert
    Love this recipe. If your looking for a cheap way to travel this is a good site for next to free relocation camper vans: http://www.imoova.com/ save your money on travel and spend it on food! =^J
  • aMi
    Looks like we have all voted you are coming to Australasia! There are lots of great things to do in the South Island of NZ. Most towns and cities have Farmers' Markets that during February are bursting with summer fruit. Most cafes/restaurants have vegetarian/vegan options. Down the east coast of the South Island you can experience dolphins at Kaikoura and on the Otago Penninsula, Elsa would get to see some Yellow eye Penguins. Stewart Island is amazing, Catlins-gorgeous, Fiordland-majestic. Queenstown is VERY touristy (and pricey);as another person informed you, Arrowtown may be better. Definitely contact Annabel Langbein. Would love to attend a class in Dunedin, NZ. Dunedin's Farmers' market is at one of the world's most photographed railway stations on a Saturday morning. Contact their website and offer to cook at the market chef's caravan!
  • Elii
    I was so excited to see that you're coming to Australia! I live in Adelaide, South Australia, and I'd choose Melbourne over Sydney (only bias being that it's closer to SA, so I could fly over to any workshop!) I do hope you'll consider even visiting Adelaide, though. Good food and wine is so important to us in South Australia! SA is one of the two states that have a ban on genetically modified crops. We have so much beautiful produce and so many markets - the Organic & Sustainable market every Saturday, the Market Shed on Holland each Sunday, our Central Markets open 6 days a week - and that's not even mentioning our gorgeous wineries (many biodynamic and organic). As a vegetarian, I've seen an explosion of vegetarian, vegan, raw, and gluten-free options over the past few years. I'm even attending a vegan festival in a few weeks. Well, after that pitch, I'd just like to say I'm very glad you'll be visiting Australia - no matter where you go. It's a beautiful country, and I'm sure your family will love it.
  • Melanie
    Please do a workshop in Auckland! I'd highly recommend checking out a local raw food cafe, Little Bird (http://littlebirdorganics.co.nz/) and visiting the various beaches and islands around Auckland if you do visit.
  • Alma
    This recipe is so delicious. I prepared the chia-pudding yesterday in the evening and had it just a few minutes ago. yummy!
  • I have a ton of chia here and raspberries at the moment, so i think i will give this recipe a try for tomorrow's breakfast. Thanks for sharing :).
  • Candice
    I am originally from Melbourne currently living in Munich. Maybe I'm biased but I think you would prefer Melbourne. Sure Sydney has more of a fun beachy vibe, but Melbourne is much more European and has a great cafe and bar culture similar to Stockholm. Speaking of which, at the start of the year I travelled to Stockholm for a weekend and relied almost exclusively on your tips in the blog from some time ago! I would really love to repay the favour! So the best news is that I'm going home for Christmas this year and would ABSOLUTELY attend a workshop if it coincided with my travel dates (and I would seriously consider changing my flights if it didn't). Sydney or Melbourne, you'll live it! And New Zealand is pretty much the most beautiful country in the world..
  • Just bought some chia seeds so this breakfast is going on my to do list. Putting them in the jars is so simple but looks so effective! Can't wait to try this out ! L x
  • Clémentine
    Hello Luise and David! Such a great & crazy idea... I love it! I lived in Australia for 6 months a few years ago. I went to Melbourne and Sidney, I must admit that I'd rather live in Melbourne, such a lovely/european atmosphere with lots of book/coffee shops, wine bars, & restaurants. Sidney is nice as well but more touristy... Of course I will recommend you to experience that city with the opportunity of having lovely beaches like Manly and Bondi at its heart. I have heard so many nice things about NZ where Nature is so buoyant... Definetly another experience worth to live. Anyways I guess that trip would be great for you four to step out from your frantic daily pace and focus more on enjoying life: here and now.
  • Beautiful and yummie ;) hihi
  • Mia
    Absolutely contact the photographer who works with Annabel Langbein!!!! Annabel is BIG in NZ and is passionate about good, fresh food. Check out her website. Every Kiwi and a lot of aussie know her name and have seen her series The Free Range Cook. do contact her website. Tell her that some of her fans hace recommended her to you!
  • Jennie
    Here are a couple of places in Sydney (Northern Beaches) you can contact to host your food photography classes if you need tips... http://sydneycookingschool.com.au http://www.accoutrement.com.au
  • Joanne
    I was so excited when I read this post and you mentioned coming to Australia. Melbourne would be the perfect place for you to spend some time. Melbourne has a huge food culture and also a strong culture around healthy eating. A workshop would be amazing and I know of so many friends who would love to come along as well.
  • I can't describe how excited I am about the fact you might be coming to Melbourne and doing workshops! There is such an incredible food scene in Melbourne with so many people passionate about healthy living and eating. You would love it here. Oh and the coffee is ah-mazing too! x
  • Lisa
    So great to hear you are going to take some time out (or time away at least), you are so lucky to be able to dedicate the time to little ones. I am a regular to your blog (it is beautiful and inspiring), but never get a chance to post (we are in our own whirlwind...) Being a mum (to a 7 year old and 4 year old) and having traveled to many parts of Australia, there are of course lots of must see places. Melbourne is great (and I agree with all the foodie comments) but it can be very very hot over Dec-Feb. Sydney is a little milder and with its beaches there is plenty of escape. There are lots of other regional places outside of the cities that would be great too. For easy kangaroo spotting and close encounters I can recommend the south coast of NSW (just south of Sydney) and Canberra region. Everyone is quick to criticise the capital (which is more like a big country town), but like the other cities we have a thriving foodie scene with farmers markets, real local producers (apple orchards in the city) wineries, distilleries, trufferies etc. I have been part of organic food coops, soup swaps, etc. We also have access to some amazing natural reserves where wildlife is abundant! My children, partner and I all adore your food inspiration and we regularly refer to your recipes to prepare our food from the garden. Your buckwheat porridge has converted us to a different breakfast regime, which is so nurturing and satisfying! I would be so excited to attend a workshop if you were able to fit that in to your schedule. Probably more likely in Sydney though... Oh and if you want a play date, my 2 would love to show your littlies the "hoppies" (kangaroos). Have fun !!
  • Hi there! I am a food photographer living in Auckland, New Zealand. I work for Annabel Langbein (www.annabel-langbein.com). We would love to arrange to meet you when you are in Auckland and potentially do a combined workshop or similar! Please do get in touch! Kirsty
  • Jennie
    I live in Sydney and would love to sign up to a food photography class!
  • dalia
    Well, like someone said in one of the comments, you should be aware of the Sydney-Melbourne rivalry. (Melbournians are particularly keen to emphasize how cool their city is...) I am a foreigner living in Sydney, and really love the city. It is the perfect combination of urban life and nature, with its fine beaches and amazing bush walks all within short distance. It has great food, and an excellent cultural life. Of course Melbourne has lots to offer, but I just think it is unfair to claim that Melbourne is a *better* place for food or culture. They are both great. And of course Sydney is much better for nature. I have friends in Melbourne who think that Sydney is much more child-friendly given the accessibility to beaches and bush walks. This is worth checking out in making your decision! http://www.buzzfeed.com/simoncrerar/sydney-ruins-you-for-life#2y1e2yo

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.