Flash back moment… to making jam when I was a little girl in my Mam’s kitchen. Beautiful! Such a joy to see fruits magically turn into a little jars of sweet deliciousness. But, oh goodness me, it did seem to take forever to make (and involved an unfortunate amount of sugar – yikes!).

Easy healthy alternatives to regular jam with chia & fruit

As I started to embrace the benefits of healthy eating, I turned to sugar-free, yet naturally sweet, ‘fruit spread’ as a jam alternative, from the health food store. My favourite was always raspberry.

However, it wasn’t until I discovered chia seeds many years ago that I thought about making my own!

I noticed that chia seeds, when soaked, created a jelly-like effect. Turns out that is excellent for a super healthy jam alternative! Perfect.

Why we all could do with chia seeds in our lives?

If you’ve not yet discovered the culinary magic of chia seeds, then you are in for a real delight. Chia seeds thicken, in a jelly-like fashion when soaked, making the perfect super healthy thickening agent in this ‘jam’ recipe.

Soaking these seeds also makes them easier to digest and assimilate their nutrients. As well as being one of the richest plant-based sources of essential fats, chia seeds are also a high-quality protein food and loaded with antioxidants. The fact that Aztec warriors ate them for high energy and endurance speaks volumes too.

Chia seed benefits

Promotes healthy skin

Excellent for digestion

Good for bone health

Helpful for diabetes

Great for energy boosting

Excellent protein food

Antioxidant benefits

Insanely easy to make and this jam freezes too!

Not only is chia jam insanely easy to make (you’ll have to pinch yourself!) – it tastes delectable! It stores for a few days in the fridge (being fresh and all).

The good news is that it freezes too! So if you want to make up a large batch with your freshly harvest fruits – just pop them in the freezer until required.

How to serve it?

You can use this pretty much any way that you’d use regular jam – reassured in the knowledge that not only is it tasty, but it is also jam-packed to the rafters with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein, and essential fats.

Chia jam is a world apart from the traditional, sugar laden stuff!

In the picture, you can see me serving it on my gluten-free scones. My favourite way to enjoy it at the moment.

My super quick Raspberry Chia Jam video guide

Play my short video first for a visual guide and more tips…



Easy Raspberry Chia Jam Recipe Yield: 1 jar Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes An easy chia jam recipe using fresh raspberries. No cooking required. Only 5 ingredients and free from regular, nasty sugar. Print Ingredients ½ lemon

200g fresh raspberries

3 tablespoons of chia seeds

2 tablespoons coconut sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract Instructions ***Please check out my quick video above first for a quick visual guide on how to make this and more tips*** Juice lemon and discard the rind. Add lemon juice, raspberries, chia seeds, coconut sugar and vanilla extract to a jug blender, food processor or a jug for hand blending. Blend for about ten seconds or until everything is mixed together. It really is THAT easy. Pop it into a clean jar with a lid. Pop into the fridge. The chia seeds will allow this 'jam' to thicken over about half an hour. When ready take it out of the fridge, give it a stir. This works well on crackers, toast, scones, on granola or mixed into porridge. Serve as desired in the place of regular jam. Enjoy! Recommended Products As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. USA: Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Black Chia Seeds, 2.5 Pounds

UK: Sevenhills Wholefoods Organic Chia Seeds 1kg

from my heart to yours

Anastasia

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