Homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Jam Recipe has no Added Sugars, Great for Weight Loss & Overall Health

As a child, I used to spend several summers in Canada with my close friend and her family. The location was truly a step inside the pages of a travel publication, a quiet destination spoiled only by our mischievous antics. The town was saturated with rolling hills, cows and elaborate gardens. Ah, those gardens. Daises. Roses knowing nothing of spider mites. Rows of veggies, including one of my favorites, rhubarb.

Yes, rhubarb. I loved strawberry rhubarb pie, even more if it was topped with vanilla ice cream. Tasty, but also one of the many culprits that undoubtedly led to my childhood weight fluctuations and ultimately a 70-pound weight gain that plagued my high school, college and even much of my career. Well that, and lots of Snicker's bars and garlic knots and . . . sigh.

That's why when I found a recipe on ThankfulExpressions.blogspot.com yesterday for strawberry-rhubarb jam minus the added sugars and additives, I was in my glory. Healthy, tasty and possessing the ability to bring back fond memories? Get to the kitchen, pronto! Pure magic.

Getting ready to make a strawberry-rhubarb jam.

The strawberry rhubarb jam recipe

Ingredients:

1 & 1/3 cup strawberries (no need to cook first)

2/3 cup raw rhubarb stalks (no need to cook first. Be careful not to include leaves...they're toxic)
 
2 Tablespoons raw honey (more or less based on preference)
 
2 Tablespoons chia seeds (chia seeds easily absorb and expand; this will help thicken the mixture)

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients in blender.

Transfer to a jar and refrigerate overnight.

Feel free to add more fruit to create a chunkier jam.

The delicious results after refrigerating overnight.

Why this jam is healthy

Not only is this some seriously tasty stuff that also happens to look pretty in a glass jar, but it's healthy too.

First of all, rhubarb can help play a role in weight loss. Just 3.5 ounces of it contains about 21 calories, plus it has compounds that boost the body's metabolism.(1) Yay to keeping off the pounds with this delicious jam!

Also, rhubarb is a great source of vitamin K, which is known to stave of problems associated with Alzheimer's disease by boosting brain function.(1) It's also good for maintaining heart health, improving vision, helping blood flow, and even fighting certain cancers.(1)

As for strawberries, studies have shown they have the ability to help reduce inflammation in the body, improve blood flow and like rhubarb, fight a range of cancers.(2) Read here to learn more about the health benefits of strawberries.

To your health and happiness!

-Jen

I love this jam!