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 Recipe
Ingredients:
2 C. Frozen Strawberries
1 T. Lemon Juice
4 T. Chia Seeds
3 T. Lakanto Sweetener
Directions:
- Place frozen strawberries in pan with lemon juice over medium heat.
- As strawberries get soft, use a potato masher to mash the berries.
- Add Lakanto to berries and stir till incorporated.
- 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
