Strawberry Chia Jam

When  my kids were little I used to make all of our jams and jellies. In truth I rarely eat jam or jelly, so going through all of the effort to can a multitude of jars just isn’t worth the time, when all I need is one small jar. That’s why chia jams work so well for me. It’s ready in minutes, I can make as much or as little as I want. It’s also easy to make a variety of jams instead of having to finish one large jar, before I can open another. But  before we get to the recipe, here’s some info about the health benefits of strawberries and chia seeds.

 

Strawberries

Strawberries are a delicious food and a favorite in many households. They are also high in fiber, water  and a low calorie food.  Diets high in fruits and vegetables are associated with healthy  weight,  healthy hair and skin, as well as overall health and well being.

Boost immunity-One serving of strawberries contains 51.5 mg of vitamin C-about half of your daily requirement.

Cancer fighter-Strawberries contain ellagic acid, which has been shown to yield anti-cancer properties like suppressing cancer cell growth.

Fights LDL cholesterol-Ellagic acid and flavonoids counteracts the effect of low-density lipoprotein, or LDL-bad cholesterol in the blood-which causes plaque to build up in arteries. 

Reduces inflammation-Antioxidants and phytochemicals found in strawberries may also help to reduce inflammation. Quercetin in strawberries, is also a  natural anti-inflammatory that reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and helps to protect against the damage caused by LDL cholesterol in animal studies.

Regulate blood pressure– With 134 mg of potassium per serving strawberries are considered  a good source of potassium.

 

Chia Seeds

Per gram chia seeds contain:

8x more Omega 3 than salmon

6x more calcium than milk

3x more iron than spinach

15x more magnesium than broccoli

2x more fiber than bran flakes

6x more protein than kidney beans

4x more phosphorous than whole milk

 

Lakanto the zero calorie sugar
This recipe also uses Lakanto in place of sugar. Lakanto is made from Non-GMO erythritol and the supersweet extract of the luo han guo fruit, also known as monkfruit. Unlike sugar and the other sweeteners, Lakanto does not feed the harmful yeast (candida) and bacteria in your body. Lakanto is also safe for diabetics.
Lakanto all-natural sweetener, has:
Zero calories
Zero glycemic index
Zero additives
No influence on your blood sugar and insulin release
A one-to-one ratio with sugar — so it’s easy to measure and use
There are two varieties of Lakanto available Golden and Classic.  Golden Lakanto has a flavor similar to brown sugar or molasses. Classic Lakanto has a flavor similar to table sugar. Lakanto is available online and in health food stores.

Strawberry Chia Jam

Strawberry Chia Jam Recipe

Ingredients:

2 C. Frozen Strawberries

1 T. Lemon Juice

4 T. Chia Seeds

3 T. Lakanto Sweetener

Directions:

  1. Place frozen strawberries in pan with lemon juice over medium heat.
  2. As strawberries get soft, use a potato masher to mash the berries.
  3. Add Lakanto to berries and stir till incorporated.
  4. Remove from heat, stir in chia seeds and allow to cool. Pour into  jars and you’re done.

This jam will last about a week in the fridge, or you can pour the jam into freezer safe jars and save for later

 

 

 

 

Written By

My Health Maven offers information on a wholistic approach to healthy lifestyle choices.