{"id":12941,"date":"2013-07-05T00:30:42","date_gmt":"2013-07-05T04:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/?p=12941"},"modified":"2013-07-05T00:26:59","modified_gmt":"2013-07-05T04:26:59","slug":"at-home-with-gch-homemade-coconut-milk-and-coconut-chia-pudding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/2013\/07\/05\/at-home-with-gch-homemade-coconut-milk-and-coconut-chia-pudding\/","title":{"rendered":"Homemade Coconut Milk and Coconut Chia Pudding"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Coconut<\/a>
\nI think I speak for everyone who blogs for At Home with GCH<\/strong> when I say that we are not afraid of a little hard work. \u00a0Some things are worth the extra time, effort, or energy. \u00a0From Christi’s homemade laundry detergent, to Coleen’s gluten-free goodies, we all have tricks to share so you can give your family the safest, freshest, and healthiest choices possible. \u00a0I’d like to toss my hat into the ring and offer a recipe for Homemade Coconut Milk<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

Coconut milk is a key ingredient in many Indian, Thai, and other Southeast Asian recipes. \u00a0It’s also a great staple to have on hand if you are lactose intolerant, or if you are allergic to soy or almond milk. \u00a0And while you can find it in a can in many supermarkets, it is quite easy to make at home! \u00a0All you need is dried or desiccated coconut flakes, a blender, a colander, and cheesecloth. \u00a0Now, this is not the coconut you make into a pie – that stuff is full of sugar and preservatives! \u00a0Make sure it is unsweetened, dried coconut. \u00a0You can use fresh coconut too, if you can find one. (I can get them at my local Thai market, but you may not have one of those nearby.) \u00a0The coconut milk is good for about a week in your refrigerator. \u00a0I keep mine in a Ball jar with a lid, but I can’t make it last more than 3 days – it’s that delicious!<\/p>\n

What you do with it is up to you. \u00a0Pour it over your cereal (or Christi’s Granola<\/a>), use it in coffee in place of creamer, or make this delicious Coconut Chia Pudding<\/strong>. \u00a0Chia seeds can be found online at Amazon, at nearly all health food stores or Whole Foods, and at Trader Joe’s. \u00a0 Chia seeds are teeny, tiny, little health bombs! \u00a0Full of Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and other necessary things, chia seeds can add crunch to homemade crackers, or top sweet potatoes and salads. \u00a0Even better, when mixed with liquid, they create a gel, and make a delicious “pudding” that feels decadent, but is actually quite healthy. \u00a0Think tapioca or rice pudding, without all the diet-busting starch!<\/p>\n

\"Coconut<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Next week I’ll have more recipes that use coconut milk, but for now, here are the basics. \u00a0Check it out!<\/p>\n

Homemade Coconut Milk<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ingredients:<\/p>\n