If you are looking for a healthy option to boost your families nutrient content with very little effort, I highly recommend making gelatin jellies. A variation of these gummies are something I make almost weekly for our family and try to eat them daily. They are so simple, nutritionally dense & a healthy ‘treat’ for the little (& big) ones.
Quality Gelatin is an excellent source of protein and amino acids. In nature we find it in perfect balance, with the full spectrum of amino acids when we eat a nose to tail diet. Unfortunately this is not very common or supported in our modern lifestyle. Whilst gelatin is not a complete protein, it is a beneficial option to boost protein intake for anyone needing it. Glysine is one of the most valuable amino acids found in gelatin which is hugely beneficial in so many ways such as:
- Reduces inflammation,
- Improves brain function & mood,
- Supports detoxification,
- Builds strong joints & bones,
- Heals leaky gut,
- Supports digestive health,
- Promotes hormone balance
- Supports Skin, Teeth, Nail & Hair health
What a love about these is how simple they are to make and that they are so supportive of anybody’s health from small children, to busy individuals, new mumma’s…anybody!
If you have some silicon moulds on hand, you can set the mixture in those OR you can line a baking tin with baking paper and pour it all in. After it sets, you can cut them up and store them individually. I highly recommend double batches to your favourite recipe combinations because it is difficult to limit yourself to just one! Kids often love them in fun and silly shapes so investing in a lego men or mini teddy silicone moulds is also a fun way to get them on board.
IMPORTANT NOTE ON QUALITY:
Bovine gelatin is derived from animals making the powder very concentrated so you want to make sure you source quality, ORGANIC gelatin with no impurities. Remembering, what ever animals eat ends up in their muscles, skin, tendons & bones, and therefore when we eat the animal, we ingest the qualities of that animal. So please, do your research. For quick reference, I personally I use Changing Habits gelatin powder.
I recommend eating around 1-2 gummies daily, which is really quite easy when they are so delicious.
TIPS AND OPTIONS
- INCLUDE FATS: Without getting too technical, I recommend substituting half the liquid in the recipe with organic pure coconut milk. Eating 1-2 of these 30 minutes before bedtime can be highly beneficial to encouraging a sound sleep because of the wonderful fat, protein, carbohydrate balance in the jellies which help to support energy for the detoxification & endocrine systems/organs whilst you sleep. Alternatively, you can add a teaspoon of coconut oil to the full mixture as the fat component.
- LIQUID: Use any combination of your favourite cold pressed, pure fruit juice (no additives please!) OR use organic coconut water as the liquid. You can even use steeped tea!
- FREEZE: Store them in individual portions the fridge to keep them jelly like OR in the freezer to enjoy as a lovely refreshing icey treat.
- INCLUSIONS: Don’t be afraid to adventure. Cocoa powder and coconut milk make a lovely chocolate treat, whole berries can be set inside the blended mixture before refrigerating, you can even use coffee as part of your liquid to make an adult version (combine with coconut milk to balance the coffee effects).
- SWEETENER: I like to use natural sweeteners such as raw honey or maple syrup. You can adjust the quantity to your taste.
- GELATIN/LIQUID RATIO: You can alter the ratio of gelatin to liquid to suit your preferred texture. More gelatin will give you firmer jellies.
Healing Gelatin Jellies
Gelatin Jellies are a healthy option to boost your families nutrient content with very little effort and they are so delicious.
Get creative with flavour combinations, set in fun moulds to really make it extra special.
A lovely nourishing snack for any time of the day!
- 3 tbsp Gelatin
- 2 cups Cold pressed fruit juice (I juiced a combination of carrot, orange, lime, ginger & mint. (other options in text above))
- 2 tbsp Raw honey
- 1 pinch Sea salt
Place the juice/liquid of choice in a pot and sprinkle the gelatin over the top in an even layer. Leave to absorb (bloom) for 5 minutes.
Heat the mixture in the pot over a low heat, whisking for about a minute or two until the gelatin is dissolved.
Remove from the heat once dissolved & add the honey.
Use a stick blender or regular blender to blitz it all together till smooth. Taste it to see if you need to adjust sweetener quantity.
Pour into silicon moulds or into a tray lined with baking paper. Then place them in the frdige for a few hours to set OR in the freezer for 20-30 minutes if you want to speed it up.