Our pseudo-summer brought a new vibe, a fresh-ingredient-loaded diet, and new plans. We booked a two-week holiday in Cyprus, and although we’ll have a small kitchenette, I have to come up with a fresh and nourishing food plan to help us enjoy this island at its best. During our summer holidays, we usually have fresh and easy breakfasts on our appartment terrace facing the sea, then wander around the island all day long.
This first and most important meal of the day has to hydrate us, while providing nutrients to boost our energy and nourish our cells throughout the day without burdening the digestion. Layers of superfoods, antioxidants, and fiber alongside fresh fruits, all packed in jars, sound like the best choice for a summer holiday breakfast.
Eating fresh, seasonal and local is my first diet rule, but sometimes I find places for the superfoods in my pantry to increase the nutritional value of my meals, especially during summer when the heat challenges our cells, and we lose a lot of nutrients through perspiration. This time, I’ve chosen chia seeds because of their fiber (we always eat too little fiber during the holidays) and hydrating properties, and acai berry powder for its high concentration of antioxidants, which my body needs for protecting against increased free radical action.
Acai berries are also a great source of fiber and healthy fats. They increase energy production in the mitochondria, keep you hydrated, and help your body fight against oxidative stress, as it is said that their antioxidant benefits are higher than most of the other berry fruits, including blueberries. I don’t know if this is correct, but pairing as many fresh red, blue, and purple fruits in my summer breakfast jars is a good way to assure that my body gets the most nutrients from all of them.
Chia, Acai and Strawberry Layered Breakfast Jar
Ingredients
- Chia Pudding
- 4 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup almond milk
- Pinch vanilla powder
- Acai Smoothie Layer
- 1 tbsp acai powder
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 2 tsp unsweetened desiccated coconut
- 3-4 fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- *Optional: 2 tsp bee pollen use hemp hearts for the vegan version
- Fruit Layer
- Fresh mixed berries mashed with a fork to obtain juice and chunks (i used strawberries and blueberries)
- To Garnish: fresh fruits bee pollen (*optional), coconut flakes, mint leaves
Instructions
- Add the chia seeds, almond milk and vanilla powder into a medium bowl, mix to combine and set aside for 15 minutes, until the seeds absorb all the liquid.
- Add all the smoothie layer ingredients into a blender and process to obtain a creamy mixture.
- To assemble the jar add half of the mashed fruits, then a layer of chia puding, top with acai smoothie and garnish with fresh fruits, bee pollen, mint leaves and coconut flakes.
- Proceed the same with the second jar, then serve or lid the jars and pack to go.
Notes
April 21, 2016
These photographs are absolutely stunning! I love everything about this recipe, will give a go soon! 🙂 xo
April 21, 2016
That’s so great, thank you! Would love to hear how it turned out 🙂 xo
May 7, 2016
I agree! The photo is very appealing and beautiful. Can’t wait to try it!
May 9, 2016
Thank you so much, would love to hear if you enjoyed this 🙂
April 21, 2016
Sooo good!! 😀
Love, Natascha
April 21, 2016
Thank you!! 🙂
April 22, 2016
Looks great. Cool and healthy, thanks for sharing
April 24, 2016
Thanks for your kind words!
April 23, 2016
Wow, amazing phots combined with a very healthy recipe. A Great way so start in the day, after i´ve done the most important tsk of the day.
What´s your opinion to bee pollen and a vegan lifestyle, Ana?
April 24, 2016
Thank you, it really is a very healthy and nourishing breakfast. My diet is not vegan, I eat eggs and sometimes cheese, and I consider we should all eat in a way to feel comfortable, body and mind.
May 1, 2016
Really great photos. When I get back to clean eating I’m going to give this recipe a try.
May 3, 2016
Thanks so much, Brandon, let me know how it turns out 🙂
May 3, 2016
This looks so yummy! Can’t wait to try it 🙂
xoxo,
http://www.darlingindenim.com
May 3, 2016
Thank you! I’m pretty sure you will love it 🙂
May 4, 2016
This looks absolutely amazing!I’m dying to try it!
May 6, 2016
Thanks Bea for your nice words and your visit 🙂
May 14, 2016
These look gorgeous and SO delicious! Love your photography Ana!
May 15, 2016
Awwww, thank you so much!
July 6, 2016
Where do you get Acia powder & bee pollen. And what is discard coconut. This looks so good I want to make it. I love Chia puddings!
July 7, 2016
Renee, desiccated coconut is the dried flaked coconut, and you can find it alongside acai powder in health and natural food stores, or on Amazon. You can order bee pollen online too, but it’s better to find a local beekeeper to source for certified organic raw honey and bee pollen. I hope this helps!
July 6, 2016
I meant desiccated coconut?
January 8, 2017
Can these me made a head of time and frozen. Wondering if that would change the consistency of the chia pudding
January 8, 2017
To be honest I’ve never tried freezing chia pudding, it would make an interesting experiment. I usually eat it in huge quantities, I didn’t think of saving for later 🙂
January 25, 2017
Does this really have 58.8 grams of fat and nearly 500 calories?
January 28, 2017
I’m also thrown off by the nutritional facts??
January 30, 2017
The nutritional label states so, but do not worry about the fats – these are all nourishing and hormone production balancing!
February 6, 2017
I can’t wait to try your recipe!! Never tried chia pudding with acai before. Also, do you mind sharing where your jars are from?? I’d love to buy some that size. Thank you!
February 21, 2017
I have a serious obsession with chia seeds and acai right now so I can’t wait to try out this recipe! The pics are gorgeous.
February 21, 2017
Thanks so much Aimee, I’m seriously obsessed with chia too 🙂
March 22, 2017
Would these for a day or two in the fridge? I love meal prepping at the beginning of the week and these look amazing
March 22, 2017
*would these keep
(Probably should have pre read before posting that comment!) oops!
April 24, 2018
I’m wondering the same. Would they keep well overnight?
May 3, 2018
I didn’t try, but I’m sure they will keep well overnight if kept in the refrigerator.
March 29, 2017
What size jars did you use and where can I find them? Thanks.
April 4, 2017
I tried the recipe this morning with a mix of berries instead of strawberries for the smoothie (not quite the season yet in France)… And oh my ! This was sooooo delicous ! Thank you Ana for this excellent recipe !
April 5, 2017
Thanks so much Lumir, berries sounds great as a replacement! Lovely to discover your site too 🙂
May 5, 2017
This looks SO good!
May 8, 2017
Thanks so much!
May 30, 2017
Hi! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, I can’t wait to try it! Also, where did you get the small mason jars you used? they are absolutely adorable
June 7, 2017
Thanks so much Hannah! I actually bought the mason jars from a local Carrefour supermarket, they have all the sizes, maybe you can get these in your country too, otherwise I’m sure you can find them on Amazon.
December 6, 2017
Hey it look amazing!! Can I eat it overnight? If I don’t have time in the morning
December 7, 2017
Sure, you can have it any time you fancy 🙂
November 17, 2018
This looks amazing but I am concerned because your Acai Chia Breakfast Nutrition Label prints:
58.8 grams of fat ? (90%)
How is this healthy?
with only 6.8 grams of protein
What am I missing?
November 20, 2018
Hi Audrey, there were some typos in the nutrition numbers, I uploaded the correct version. Thanks for pointing out!
August 5, 2019
Hello,
I would like to meal prep overnight oats- can these be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for the week?
Thank you,
Natalie
August 6, 2019
Sure, as long as everything is maintained into the fridge, they would keep for 4-5 days, but expect slightly lighter colours after a couple of days – some of the ingredients might loose a part of the nutrients, but no worries – there’s a lot of nourishment left inside that jar!
November 4, 2019
This looks wonderful. Do you know if it would keep in the fridge for a few days? I am doing some meal prep for a health-conscious elderly couple, and I’m just wondering if the banana would brown if it hung around. Thanks for letting me know!