Healthy "Tapioca" Pudding

I like tapioca a lot, but I'm also working on that New Year's resolution to watch my weight.  And the other New Year's resolution to clean out my cabinets of all the weird stuff I've bought and not finished because I don't know how to use it.  Viola!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons brown sugar (you can adjust this to taste)
about 1/4 tsp vanilla
3 tablespoons Chia seeds (you can get these at a health food store, usually)

Directions:
Heat the milk on a stove or in the microwave until just short of boiling so you can dissolve the brown sugar in it.  Stir in the vanilla.  Mix in the Chia seeds THOROUGHLY! Let the mixture set, covered, overnight and enjoy!

It lasts quite a while too, so you can make a larger batch and enjoy for a week or so.

Gentler, Easier, Microwave Brownie

This brownie, unlike the last one, does not punch you in the taste buds.  It caresses you.  Teases you.  Leads you to your favorite movie, comfortable pants, and a cozy spot on the sofa.  It is the light cousin of that dark brownie.

Ingredients:
2 tbsp. butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla (give or take. I always eyeball it)
2 tbsp. cocoa powder, or 3 heaping disposable spoons
1/4 cup all purpose flour
up to 3 tbsp. chocolate chips, if desired

Directions:
Put butter and brown sugar in microwave safe cup and heat on high 30-45 seconds, or until butter is melted.  Stir with fork.  Mix in egg and vanilla, then cocoa and flour.  Fold in the chocolate chips, if you're using them.  Microwave 1 to 1 1/2 minutes (if you overcook, it gets a little tough and rubbery, but still tasty)

Mug Brownie of the Aquapocalypse

Mug brownie, Aquapocalypse style!

Ok, we all knew I couldn't manage to wait out the water crisis without figuring out SOME way to cook! I was going crazy! (No comments about my probable sanity, please.) Sure, this isn't ideal, but it gets me by.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup flour...
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder (not the instant cocoa kind, Swiss Miss or the sort, but baking cocoa powder)
pinch of salt
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter
2 large eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
Chocolate chips (optional

Directions:
Melt butter in a microwave safe disposable cup, then mix with milk, eggs, and vanilla.

In a disposable bowl, blend sugar, cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Beat in liquids and fold in chocolate chips, if using.

Divide evenly between two microwave safe disposable cups (I reused the butter cup) and microwave for two minutes.