Chia jam is…well, awesome. It’s easy to make, is ready in minutes, and is really delicious. And, if you’ve followed my blog at all, packed full of nutrition. I believe that food can and should be both good for you AND delicious. Fresh, homemade, real food beats anything you can find in the grocery store. My older daughter didn’t think she liked jam until she had homemade jam. She’s now a fan. In fact, according to journalist and author of “The Dorito Effect“, Mark Schatzker, flavor is intrinsically linked to nutrition:
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“The food problem is a flavor problem. For half a century, we’ve been making the stuff people should eat—fruits, vegetables, whole grains, unprocessed meats—incrementally less delicious. Meanwhile, we’ve been making the food people shouldn’t eat—chips, fast food, soft drinks, crackers—taste ever more exciting. The result is exactly what you would expect.”
Unfortunately this happens when we outsource who prepares our food. The solution – make your own! Thankfully, it’s incredibly easy to do and can be done in just minutes.
Why Chia Seeds?
I have used chia seeds for some time now, but only discovered recently how incredibly versatile they are. Not only do they pack a mighty nutritional punch, they can be used as a thickener, an egg substitute, and even a hair gel! They are high in minerals and a good plant source of omega 3 fatty acids.
Chia seeds up close
They are high in fiber and help to maintain a stable blood sugar. In fact, just two tablespoons of chia seeds nearly meets the daily fiber requirement for women.
Adding chia to jam is just a no-brainer. Chia seeds become gelatinous when wet and it’s a perfect mix with berries.
Some Concerns
There are a couple of drawbacks that I have found with using chia seeds. One of those is the phytic acid content. This acid can block the absorption of some nutrients. It can bind with minerals making it difficult for the body to utilize those important compounds.
If consumed in moderation then these concerns can be avoided.
Make Your Own Chia Jam
Ingredients
1 cup of strawberries
1 cup of raspberries
1 tsp of vanilla
2 tbs of chia seeds (find them here)
1 pinch of salt
juice from 1/2 a lemon
1/4 cup of maple syrup (or other unrefined sweetener)
If you’ve ever tried chia seeds, I’d love to hear how you liked them. Or even better, share a favorite recipe or use that I didn’t include already.
Wishing you all peace, health and happiness,
Susan
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