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What do the Holidays Mean to You?

I personally adore the holiday season, the festive decorations, the beautifulness in the chaos up until Christmas morning. I am always the first to wake up and impatiently twiddle my thumbs until the rest of my family is up. My husband and our 12-year-old doggie, Ralphie dress up in our red and white festive Disney ensemble and start our morning walk throughout the neighborhood. We come home and my sister and I start on preparing brunch for the family. As a Nutritionist at Choices Markets, there are so many nutritious and health promoting products available, and I absolutely love introducing new, local, and fresh ingredients to my family and friends. So, this year instead of twiddling my thumbs, I am going to be making a Spiced Ginger Cranberry Chia Jam (recipe below) as the nutritious side to my sisters waffles and scones, to be later enjoyed with Gingerbread Oat Mylk lattes and Hot Cocao drinks.

Although this holiday season will not be celebrated in a large family setting, we will take this time to slow down, be grateful, and hold on tightly to the ones we love most in this special season and make an evening out of appreciating the tree and reminiscing past holiday events, and possibly even make it through all the photos from the last. Our evenings in the past, were spent in the mountains, cross country skiing or snowing. This year we may just stay up late, watch movies at home as the candles melt down, and appreciate the beauty and challenges that 2020 brought.

Each year I am grateful to be a part of the Choices Market family, who have a distinct pride in the local community to help support their healthy and wholesome lifestyles, while following through on so many fundraising events during this time of giving.

Spiced Ginger Cranberry Chia Seed Jam

This ten-minute nutritious jam includes chia seeds, which are source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, calcium, antioxidants, and fiber.
Raw cranberries have higher levels of phytochemicals than cranberries that have been processed through cooking. Cranberries are a wonderful winter fruit with higher antioxidant levels than strawberries. Jam-packed full of vitamin C and are good for the immune system and can fight off bacteria found in the lining of the stomach and urinary tract.
All Ingredients can be found at your local Choices markets.

Ingredients:
Blend the following in high powered blender:
½ cup Patience Organic cranberries
½ tbsp. maple syrup
¼ tsp. Ceylon cinnamon
2 tbsp. Choices Markets Bulk Organic crystalized ginger, chopped
1/8 tsp. whole cloves
Soak the following together for 10 mins:
¼ cup water
1 tsp. Nutiva chia seeds

Transfer the mixture into a jar and mix in the chia seeds into the cranberry mixture, let sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
Sprinkle with any leftover chopped extra crystallized ginger. Enjoy.

Sharan is a Nutrition Consultant at our Yaletown location!