Super Chia Seed Jam

Chia seeds are tiny powerhouses packed with essential nutrients. Rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and various vitamins and minerals, they offer so many health benefits. Adding chia seeds to your diet, aids in digestion, promote heart health, and boost energy levels. Additionally, their high antioxidant content can help reduce inflammation and protect against chronic diseases. Try this instead of your regular jam. You ( and your body) will be hooked !

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh or frozen berries (such as strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries)

• 2 tablespoons chia seeds

• 1-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions:

In a saucepan, combine the berries and honey or maple syrup over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the berries begin to break down and release their juices, about 5-7 minutes.

1. Mash the berries with a fork or potato masher to your desired consistency.

2. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the chia seeds and lemon juice, if using.

3. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the chia seeds to gel and thicken the jam.

4. Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary.

5. Transfer the jam to a clean jar and let it cool completely before refrigerating. The jam will continue to thicken as it cools.

6. Enjoy your homemade chia seed jam on toast, yogurt, oatmeal, or as a topping for pancakes and waffles.

Banana Chia Pudding

Ingredients

3/4 cups of unsweetened Almond milk

1 Ripe banana

3 Tbsp of white chia seeds (you can use black but white is prettier)

1/4 tsp of vanilla

1/8 ground cinnamon

1 tsp of maple syrup (optional)

Mash banana well with a fork, add in chia, vanilla, cinnamon, and almond milk (and maple syrup if using).

Stir well and combine. I also have used a blender as well to make it smoother, but not needed.

Put pudding in a glass covered jar or another air tight container and refrigerate for at least 5 hours. The chia seeds will absorb 9x its size and create a nice pudding texture.

Options: Top with berries, sliced bananas, seeds, chopped nuts, etc

This will last 4 days In the fridge.

Enjoy

Wholesome Carrot and Banana Bread

This bread recipe is maybe one of my all time favorites. It’sa recipe that covers all the bases, especially if you are looking for some recovery food to add in after a long workout, a long day, or even a slice at tea time. Delicious!

Ingredients

• 2 cups ground oats

• 1 cups Whole oats

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 3/4 tsp. salt

• 3/4 tsp baking powder

• 3 mashed overripe bananas

• 3 good sized carrots, finely shredded. *I puree my carrots in the Vitamix with the maple syrup!

• 1 tbs. coconut oil/olive oil

• 1/3-1/2 cup honey, agave, or maple syrup (depending on desired sweetness)

• 2 tsp vanilla

• Optional add ins/toppings: Dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, another sliced banana to top

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350degrees

2. Mix dry ingredients, mix wet in a separate bowl, combine altogether

3. Grease bread pan with oil

4. Pour batter into pan and top with oats, sliced banana, walnuts, as you wish

5. Bake for 40 minutes then turn off oven and let bread sit in the hot oven for other 10 minutes!

6. Let COOL, slice and enjoy!

Recipe by: Endurance runner Kelly Wolf