Best of the Weekend 8.26.16

Hey there, hi there, ho there!
It's time for Best of the Weekend!
This is the final week of summer vacation here in NJ.
Someone in this house is not too excited about going back to school next week :(
Someone else, on the other hand, is looking forward to getting back to a routine :) 
As a last hurrah, the whole fam went to see Bruce Springsteen this week.
Best. Concert. Ever.
EVER.
Post coming soon!

Okay, it's party time!  

We'd love it if you would follow the BOTW co-hosts...

Cindy - Little Miss Celebration | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | G+

Amy - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | G+ | Instagram

Ginnie - Hello Little Home | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | G+ | Instagram

Paula - Sweet Pea | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | G+ | Instagram

Jenna - 24 Cottonwood Lane | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | G+ | Instagram

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We feature all kinds of posts -- 
 recipes, home decor, DIY, gardening, travel, whatevah! 
so link up your best stuff! 

Non-Bloggers: There are hundreds of fabulous ideas collected here each week;
just click on the links under the thumbnail photos,
and you will be taken directly to the blog post.  

All of our features are pinned to our Best of the Weekend board! 

Last week's most clicked:

Watercolors For Beginners - Run To Radiance

A few of my favorites from last week:

 Make-Ahead Cranberry Baked Oatmeal Cups - Art From My Table

How to Make A Simple Barn Door - Twelve On Main 

Touring a French Farmhouse - Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Italy Vacation: Rome, Day 1 - Curly Crafty Mom

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An InLinkz Link-up

Pineapple Basil Chia Smoothie

Have you jumped on the chia train yet?

Chia seeds are all the rage lately.

Never mind that they've been around since the ancient times of Aztecs and Mayans.

Today, chia is the new flax.

It seems that these little tiny seeds pack quite the nutritional wallop.

Supposedly, they're good for the heart, teeth, bones, skin,  
metabolism, and digestive system;

as well as fight cancer, treat diabetes and aid in weight loss.

I wonder if they help grow hair.... 

Source

Ch-ch-ch-Chia!

After reading about the health benefits of chia seeds,

I've been on the hunt for different ways to use them.

I already put them in my granola recipe, and the other day,

 I made a chia pudding.

 It was very tasty, but SO UGLY,  

I'm still debating as to whether or not I should put the recipe on my blog!

Certainly, the pictures won't persuade you to give it a try!

An easy way to use chia seeds is to put them into smoothies

(and yes, it makes for much prettier photos than the pudding).

I used just a teaspoon, since I don't want my smoothie to taste like it has gravel in it.

That would be an oxymoron.

Adding herbs to smoothies has become a bit of an obsession with me.

Basil is a great compliment to the sweet pineapple;

the taste is perceptible, but not overwhelming. 

I feel so healthy when I make a smoothie for lunch. 

I know they are supposed to be a meal in and of themselves,

but honestly, sometimes they just don't fill me up for long.

The yogurt in this smoothie makes it a bit more substantial, 

but two slices of pizza as a side dish would be even more satisfying :)  
 I used fat-free yogurt........that way I don't feel as guilty when I add the pizza, heh heh.
Feel free to use whatever type you like. 

PINEAPPLE BASIL CHIA SMOOTHIE

1 1/2 cup frozen pineapple tidbits
8 basil leaves
1 container vanilla yogurt (approx. 5.3 oz)
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tsp chia seeds

Process in blender until smooth. 
Makes one large smoothie.

I wonder how it would taste if I put chia seeds into chai tea.....

It has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

"I'd like a cup of Chia Chai tea, please.

It would be the perfect drink for after a tai' chi class.

Or, maybe I'll just stick with the smoothie. 

Linking with:

Best of the Weekend
Share Your Style
Home and Garden Thursday  
Wake Up Wednesday
Healthy Living Link Party 
Share Your Cup 
Wow Us Wednesday