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

  • Please do! This is a wonderful idea, as long as you keep posting beautiful pictures and delicious recipes while you are gone! You guys are amazing. I love traveling and always thought I could not travel anymore when I have kids, but you are proof it is possible! Thank you! Best Julie
  • How exciting!! When I was 10 years old my mother and her best friend took me and my 3 younger siblings (including my 10 month old sister) travelling around both the North and South Islands of New Zealand for 3 weeks in a campervan. Living campervan-style was such an adventure for all of us and we had so many wonderful memories of New Zealand to take back home with us to the UK. :)
  • Eva
    My god, the colours! Thank you for making my life a little more beautiful.
  • Annette
    I do not live in Australia nor New Zealand so I cannot give you tips about that. But as a mother of four I think I can say that it should be no problem whatsoever to take a 5 month old on a road trip. I would say: go for it!!! As long as you are comfortable with it I can't see any problems.
  • What a lovely berry power recipe and great video! Breakfasts that can be prepared in advance are the best. Also, I strongly encourage you to listen to your heart and find balance and spend some much needed family time in Oz and New Zealand! I traveled around Oz for 2 months and New Zealand for 3 weeks and fell in love with their people, culture, and nature. I really liked Melbourne, even more than Sydney so I can only recommend it to you four. P.S. Making the moussaka from your book tonight! The lentils are already soaking :)
  • A
    Hi! I'm a Kiwi living in The Netherlands. I just bought your book on the weekend and found my way to your blog. So it's a nice coincidence that this was the first post I read! I think one of the most special places in New Zealand is Milford Sound. Worth the trek. Stewart Island is also absolutely amazing if you really want to get away from it all and experience nature, bush, a thousand different native birds (including real kiwis!), kind people and amazing food. You would probably enjoy the Golden Bay area at the top of the South Island as well. Enjoy!
  • Jesse and I have been thinking about similar thinks lately – so much connection all the time for the fear of missing out or simply not being able to catch up with things the day after. Evenigns and weekends are loosing their spontaneity as everything is planned and meant for sharing. Balancing a full time job (and/or a family) with an online presence and a creative space that reaches out to people isn't an easy job, and sometimes I doubt if it really matters in the scheme of things. I read your words and your reflections make me realise we are all humans and all feel similar feelings at one point or another. We are planning a road trip down-under too, not a three-month long one but a good three-week one. There will be cameras but no phone or computer, rather notebooks to write down thoughts like we used to. I will treasure all comments and hope, who knows, to meet you there (London was closer but hey, you never know!) . x
    • Like Valeria, your post made me think. Thanks for sharing. I fully understand your feelings. It's not easy to try to live from a passion, not easy to drop 9 to 5 for the unknown, but what is life with a lost heart ? Problem is we need both : security and blood rushing through our hearts, brains, and life ! I guess when one doubts or is in a whirlwind the trick is to take it easy... One day at a time. Enjoy your trip ! Kisses from Switzerland !
  • Amelia
    As a Melbournian health freak, art obsessed foodie, I am totally biased in saying you guys would love it here. Having followed your blog for a while now, I think its safe to say we have very similar taste and style. Melbourne is this crazy mix of urban cool and historic Victorian charm. And the options are endless. You have the bay, with an open walking/ride track at arms length. You have botanical gardens. You have wineries and countryside an hour from the city. You have trendy fashion spots like Chapel st, bohemian artsy culture of the northern suburbs. You have the beautiful state library and the graffiti lined laneways of the hustling business district. There are so many places I could recommend. But you simply MUST try the following; Tall Timber Cafe Prahran, Yong Green Food, Morroccan Soup Bar, Veggie Bar, Chin Chin, Long Grain (the last two for amazing higher end Asian. Not all veg but plenty of veg options). Pressed juices are franchise everywhere). The best Indian is in my suburb and is called Roti Boti. For fancy raw food and medicinal superfood visit shoiku iku restaurant. And for the true melbourne 'experience' you must go for sunset drinks at the Rooftop Bar on Swanston st. There is a rooftop cinema in the summertime. You will also love the Queen Vic markets for fresh produce and gourmet cheeses/deli items.
  • Rohma
    Dear Luise and Dave, I am a long time fan of yours from Canberra Australia. I am absolutely excited by the thought of a workshop in Sydney. I would love to have the opportunity to come up to Sydney to see you all. Much love to you and your beautiful family. May you all spend lots of quality time with each other. I know it will be an incredible experience. All the best!
  • Elf
    My vote is for Melbourne as well, and definitely Adelaide. It was voted by Lonely Planet in the world's top 10 cities to visit in 2014. Adelaide is described as "a foodie's destination and ... it's incredibly parochial about its local produce."
  • Ella
    I'm from Brisbane (capital of Queensland) so no bias and I would say Melbourne for sure! The food is amazing!! As well as theatre, art, etc. (Sydney has good food and art too but Melbourne is just so... Melbourne.) A couple of memorable places from my last trip... Shopping: Vegan Wares for great shoes (not sure if you wear leather but they're just good quality, made in Melbourne shoes), and the whole Fitzroy/Brunswick area. Eating: Tofushop in Richmond, Little Big Sugar Salt in Abbotsford for breakfast, (while you're there check out the Abbotsford convent and have a wander) (and then have lunch at Lentil As Anything), Storm in a Teacup - tea-focussed cafe in Collingwood (a cool area generally), Moroccan Soup Bar (vegetarian restaurant which confusingly serves mostly not-soup but all very delicious), Chocolate Buddha for really nice Japanese food overlooking Fed Square, Feast of Merit in Richmond. To do: go see a show at one of the many theatres (Malthouse Theatre is my favourite), peruse any of the small galleries in Flinders Lane as well as the National (Art) Gallery. I think you would definitely get people interested in a workshop. If you think you might make it up to Queensland, I'd love to offer you some suggestions for around here! It's a little quieter than Melbourne or Sydney but some lovely towns. I would also second a vote for Tassie - again, no personal bias, it's just really pretty! and again, good food! It's a nice place to visit at that time of year especially.
  • Liberty
    I always read your blog post and was thrilled when I read that you guys are coming to Australia! You will absolutely love it. I am very biased towards Sydney because it is such a beautiful city with the harbour, beaches, food incredible weather too. Having said that though Melbourne is also a fantastic city to visit, so you cannot go wrong spending quality time in both. I would absolutely love it too if you guys did a cooking workshop, it would seriouly be a dream come true! Looking forward to reading the progress on the trip planned to down under :)
  • I totally know the feeling of wanting to be more present with my family...love the idea of traveling to escape the whirlwind! Beautiful simple recipe too, I love chia puddings <3
  • Anna
    Melbourne!!! Beautiful city filled with a growing foodie culture and the very best coffee in the world. And a great base to explore the rest of Victoria (eg. The Great Ocean Road, the Yarra Valley, the goldfields (daylesford, kyneton, bendigo) & many more!). And I will come to your workshop if you have it here :) In terms of finding great cafes/restaurants and lots of other generally good things about melbourne, broadsheet.com.au is a great directory to point you in the right direction (there's a site for Melbourne and a site for Sydney). Some of my favourite cafes: Monk Bodhi Dharma in balaclava (vegan/vegetarian food) and their sister cafe Admiral Cheng-Ho in Abbotsford, the Grain Store in the city, Lentil as Anything at the Abbotsford Convent, Combi Coffee in Elwood, Top Paddock in Richmond, The Kettle Black in South Melbourne...and so many others! Absolute foodie heaven down here (I am not about to leave!!). Thank you for this recipe - I gasped at the Instagram picture of it because it is so beautiful, and literally exclaimed in joy when I realised that I had all of the ingredients available in my kitchen! Thank you for your creativity and hard work - there are so many of us who appreciate and love what you do! Good luck and if you ever need a babysitter for an evening when you're in Melbourne feel free to ask ;)
  • Nikki
    Great recipe :-) travelling sounds amazing....if you decide to take a stop over on the way come and visit us in Chiang Rai! :-)
  • gourmet goddess
    I was born in Melbourne , then lived in Tasmania for 18 years, back to Melbourne for 13 years before getting married and moving to Chicago. Needless to say my heart missed a beat when I read about your travel plans. I would urge you to consider travelling to Tasmania as well, very family orientated, the scenery is unbelievable and the food scene with the main emphasis on farm to table is off the charts . Lots of young artisans rediscovering what food is all about. You will fall in love with Tasmania. It is also voted the cleanest waters and atmosphere in the world - that is a fact . I have never been to New Zealand , but I hear it does not disappoint. So my vote is for Melbourne,( I think it was voted the most liveable city for 2 or 3 years in a row) the food scene there is awesome, strongly urge you to visit Tasmania , maybe this blog will inspire you . http://www.hugoandelsa.com/. Looking forward to relive my youth vicariously through your blog . best of luck dimitra
    • gourmet goddess
      Hi There , me again , just read an article that Tasmania has been voted #4 in the top 10 places to visit in 2015 - just saying ☺ Dimitra Alexakos
    • Nicole
      Yes you definitely have to try Tasmania....you will love it. Melbourne also gets my vote.
  • NZ is great. People are very nice and nature is breathtaking. NZ is a food heaven too i can tell ya! Kumara is a sweet potato that you really should explore. It's lovely. What also would be worth exploring is the Maori food culture. You can find it on markets in Rotorua and surroundings on the northern island. We had authentic made "Hangi" from one of the stands. Once a year, in Hokitika on the westcoast of the southern island, they have the "Wildfoods Festival" that is known for their strange foods! (it is in march though, bummer) Last tip: get some good walking shoes and prepare them for some awesome hiking (called tramping in nz). Some walks easily doable with kids. The DOC office is located in a lot of towns and area's. These offices can inform you about any walks, attractions and stuff to see in their surroundings. Good luck!
  • Anita
    This looks so delicious! I am really exited every time you post a new receipe. I struggle a bit with the jelly consistency of chia seed puddings so I am wondering if it would work to mix some oats in it to make it chewier?
  • Maria
    I am currently in my kitchen preparing my soaked overnight oats from Green Kitchen Travels for tomorrow morning in Melbourne, Australia so you can definitely understand my delight reading this post. :) I am glad you guys are coming down under, it is definitely such a breath of fresh air down here which you guys will appreciate so much. I am only 17 and nearly finishing my final year of schooling so I too myself cannot wait for a pause from the whirlwind and stress. Despite not being able to vouch for Sydney having not experienced it myself enough, I can definitely vouch for the culture-infused Melbourne. I am definitely interested in a workshop were you to do one! :D A few must visit places to take note of for when you come are: Green Press on Little Collins Street in Melbourne, Combi in Elwood, Vegiebar and Yong Green Food in Fitzroy, and one of my absolute favourites which I think you guys will thoroughly appreciate is Monk Bodhi Dharma in Balaclava. Melbourne has such a growing health community as well. Best wishes Luise, David, Elsa and Isac! -Maria
  • AL
    I live in Sydney and would be thrilled if you had a workshop here!! Both Melbourne and Sydney are great cities, but Sydney is amazing in summer because of the beaches and the beautiful harbour. And Sydney definitely has just as many good restaurants and cafes as Melbourne :) I agree with Kate on all the restaurant recommendations. I'd also add: Nourishing Quarter (Cleveland St) which has delicious Vietnamese inspired vegan food - the rice paper rolls are excellent! Yullis (Surry Hills) - lovely bar with heaps of different vegetarian and vegan dishes (curries, pizza, tapas style food) Bodhi near St Mary's Cathedral - vegan yum cha (most delicious and colourful dumplings) Earth to Table (Bondi Junction) - raw food cafe AL
    • Kate
      Perfect additions! Can't believe I forgot Earth to Table! You have good taste :)
  • Maaike
    O New Zealand. Your post brought me back when I was standing between crazy green ferns looking out over the bay of Doubtful Sound. End of december 2013 I went to New Zealand for 5 weeks. I will never forget these weeks full of strange trees, ferns, quiteness, open space and crisp fresh air! A few tips: Coromandel Peninsula and especially the village Hahei, go in the early morning to hot water beach and ride the train up the hills at Coromandel town. For the kids and also for you: the glowworn caves at Waitomo.Easy going town Nelson and the beautiful surroundings at Abel Tasman NP. The smashing waves at Hokitika. And the beautiful views over Doubtful (!!) and Milford Sound.And if you're flying at Christchurch visit Akaroa for a few days, swim with dolfins. I could give you guys tips that would fill your whole journey, I secretly already did, but the best is to let it al happen and be suprised where you end up. Enjoy!!
  • I'm from Melbourne so biased, and say Melbourne over sydney! My husband and I have just finished renovating a 1974 kombi, and on his maiden trip we camped at Cape Patterson, a beautiful quiet caravan park on the coast with a very child friendly beach. Our second trip was to Lake Jubilee, near Daylesford which is a beautiful foodie mineral spa region. Both about 2 hours out of Melbourne. I think you'll have a great time. Regional victoria is full of foodie locations. Have a great time - maybe we will see you on the road!
  • This is completely gorgeous! Also, your plan sounds amazing, Oz and New Zealand are two of my absolute favorite places in the world!
  • Alex
    Hi there, I think you'd have a blast in Sydney and Melbourne. Melbourne is probably best for food and restaurants but Sydney's Northern Beaches are beautiful for holidaying. We also have some lovely cafes and restsurants. If I had to recommend one in Sydney it would be Agape. I think it's the greatest idea to travel around NZ in a camper van, NZ is one of the prettiest places with the friendliest people. A fantastic place to travel with your family. I also think you would have no problem filling a workshop, I know I would love to attend along with many other people I know. All the best with your travel plans. Look forward to hearing about what you decide one :)
    • Looking forward to making this recipe. I have never been here before, but your writing touched my heart. Please, know that the trip was the best thing to do. God bless you and guide you as you take your next steps. I have been caring for my in laws until just around the first of this year. I have realized that I have missed my 2 youngest child's growth since taking this caregiving on. I'm glad to have done it for the beauty of family, but I can never have the childhood time I lost. Now the little ones are in middle school and highschool. It is paramount for me to transition with the intention of enjoying whatever I will be able to do with these kids as they continue to grow. I am glad you stopped. Now you can reflect rather than keep moving. If we don't keep the right balance we will suffer. Others will too. It is important to stay in the balance we were created to keep. You have such great expression, talent all while having a precious family. Intertwine them if you can. And always stop, as you did this time. You guys will be great! You already are.
  • Kate
    I live in Sydney and think you would love it– I think the more appealing aspect of Sydney rather than Melbourne (especially in summer) are the beaches! Sydney beaches are the best and definitely a must-see! Sydney is more laid back and relaxed too which is nice :) In Sydney you must visit - Orchard Street Dispensary, a naturopathic juice bar and raw food cafe - Sadhana Kitchen, a raw-food cafe with delicious salads, raw cakes, smoothies, juices and chocolates - Bread and Circus, a whole foods cafe with a seasonal menu - Kitchen by Mike, seasonal canteen with a daily changing salad selection, pizza selection, freshly baked bread etc - Porch and Parlour, a wholefoods cafe by day and bar by night - Maya Da Dhaba, an all-vegetarian Indian eatery with the most delicious Masala Dosa You should also visit our Farmer's Markets in French's Forest (Sundays), Eveleigh (Saturdays), Warriewood (Fridays) they are really fantastic. I would definitely be interested and would absolutely love to attend a workshop with you in Sydney, I'd also be happy to travel to Melbourne for it :) Kate
    • Sarah
      Also Cornersmith cafe in Marrickville, where they make all their own cheese and pickles and use a barter system with the local community for produce!
      • Basically, what Kate said - cafes included (+ Earth to Table in Bondi, Iku Wholefoods, Kitchen by Mike, Three blue ducks in Bronte, Eveleigh Markets). Sydney is great, has the advantage of beautiful beaches in the city and has some fantastic spots out of the city, many walks and close by areas, like the Royal National Park, Jervis Bay... I would definitely be keen for a workshop / cooking class too... Melbourne is also great, but Sydney really has the beach lifestyle advantage.
    • Renee
      Thanks Kate, I too live in Sydney, but did not know of the places you mentioned, I'm looking forward to trying them. Tomorrow is Friday.... So I'll pack the kids in the car (2 & 4 yrs) and have a family farmers market day. Love the workshop idea GKSTORIES... Even if it's in Melbourne I'll be there. Renee
    • Eve
      What a great list! Bread and circus is one of my favourite cafes, we discovered it by accident when it first opened, before the crowds came! Now in Switzerland and missing the amazing Sydney cafes ...
  • A travel to interrupt this whirlwind is a good idea :) I'm not a chia pudding lover, but your video makes this one so yummy and special!
  • I guess this my very first comment here, even if I read every single post. I may have been too shy to leave a note! But I feel like I could be a little bit of help for you, guys and this feels great! I live in Australia and I _know_ that you will enjoy Melbourne more than Sydney. Melbourne is an awesome place, with lots of wonderful food markets, an incredible arty feeling and lots of designers, craft people, etc. If you go there, you could even meet friends of mine, Nougatine (http://www.nougatine.com.au/): they make French macarons from local Victorian ingredients, they sell them on markets every week-end and they are great people! Traveling around in a campervan with a little one should be easy: Australia and New Zealand have great facilities when it comes to camping. New Zealand would actually be perfect, weather is not as hot as it can be in Australia. I am sure people would be interested in workshops! People here are very much into healthy food, there is a lot of interest in gardening, many families have chooks in their garden, homemade beer/bread/mead is very popular. So, yep, definitely, having a Green Kitchen Stories workshop would be awesome!
  • This is gorgeous - all that colour! Definitely need this for busy mornings. Yum!
  • I love chia pudding and am always looking for new variations. What beautiful colors too!
    • YES! Come to Australia. If you need help promoting a workshop on the East Cost of Oz let me know. And it is definitely not a crazy idea to travel in a camper van with your kids, it will be easy and super fun. Big smiles :)

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