Whether you’re prepping school lunches, making a quick snack, or spreading a topping on your morning toast, jam is an easy and delicious pantry staple to reach for. It adds a punch of sweetness and flavor to otherwise ordinary dishes. However, most store bought jams are packed with added sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and juice concentrate. What seems like a light topping results in a big sugar crash later in the day. Plus, none of those ingredients are actually needed to make a good jam.
I love making strawberry jam for my family. Strawberries are full of vitamin C and are consistently ranked among the top sources of phenolic antioxidants. Studies have shown that phenolic antioxidants are important for limiting damaging oxidative reactions in cells. The phenolic antioxidants found in strawberries have levels two to 11 times greater than other fruits. Antioxidants have also been known to prevent some of the damage free radicals cause that can lead to cancer or heart disease. Another perk to incorporating strawberries in your diet is that they have anti-inflammatory effects.
As a busy mom, I know that it’s not always easy to make your own products from scratch, but trust me when I say this jam is insanely simple to make. I like to add chia seeds to my jam since they’re full of omega 3s and fiber. Most Americans are lacking in both omega 3s and fiber and this is an easy way to get in more of each.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of strawberries
- 2 tbsp of sweetener (I use 100% pure maple syrup)
- 2 tbsp of chia seeds
Directions:
- Wash and slice your strawberries
- Place the strawberries in a pan over medium heat
- Add 2 tbsp of sweetener
- Let it simmer for a couple of minutes then begin mashing the strawberries
- Remove from the heat
- Add 2 tbsp of chia seeds
- Stir and set aside to cool before storing in mason jars
That’s it! It really shouldn’t take you more than 10 minutes to make this 3-ingredient jam and it’s so fresh and tasty. I usually double or triple the recipe so I have lots of jam on hand.
Remember that you don’t have to cut out your favorite foods or treats in order to live a healthy lifestyle. Instead, many of the products we love can be made in a healthier way at home. Foods can be so nourishing if you prepare them a certain way—and this jam is proof!
