Have you heard of your endocannabinoid system? This system, better known as the ECS, is constantly working to help your body maintain homeostasis, or balance, at all times. Consuming CBD can be beneficial to help your ECS accomplish its goals, but we also can make cannabinoids on our own. They function just like CBD and help to keep you healthy. One of the best ways to optimize your wellness is to keep a healthy ECS, and following a healthy diet is the best way to do that. Taking CBD will help, but there are other foods that can also stimulate your ECS.

Some of these ECS enhancing foods are eggs, chia seeds, walnuts, hemp seeds, chocolate, cinnamon and turmeric. Here’s a new recipe I created to incorporate some of these ingredients into a delicious breakfast, snack or healthy dessert.

Chocolate Chia CBD Pudding

Makes two servings

4 pitted dates (softened)

1/2 cup hot water

1 cup hemp milk (or any unsweetened, dairy-free option)

1 tablespoon cacao or cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup chia seeds

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1 tablespoon cacao nibs

In a small bowl, pour hot water over dates to soften—about three minutes. Drain. Blend softened dates, hemp milk, cacao, cinnamon and salt until smooth. Combine “milk” and chia seeds in a refrigerator-safe container and stir well. Let sit four hours (overnight recommended) until thickened. Top with chopped walnuts and cacao nibs. Enjoy!