I've heard about "gut-healing gummies" for a while. I was intrigued, but I never made them. Since I was using collagen peptides in my smoothies I didn't see the need!
Then winter struck and I was totally over smoothies...but still wanted the awesome benefits I experienced with the collagen peptides. And so I circled back to gummies & fruit snacks. And now I'll definitely be keeping these as part of my routine.
I admit, when I first entered this holistic health world, I thought it was completely weird that people were talking about and eating "beef gelatin." So I'm certain that's what YOU are thinking right now. But once you get over that (and you should!), I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Why? Because gelatin has amazing benefits!
1. Gut Health
Gelatin, and one of my favorite foods - bone broth, are very important for gut healing as they help reduce inflammation and seal the gut lining. Gelatin can bind to water which helps keep water in the digestive tract and everything moving along smoothly. It also helps produce gastric acid in the gut; acid is essential for proper digestion (I'm making a mental note to post about this one in the future!).
2. Healthy Bones
Did you know that bones are living structures? They are constantly being broken down and built up every single day. When we think of bone health, we usually think of calcium, but the truth is, we must also think about collagen (and many other micronutrients)! Collagen is the most common protein in the body and is abundant in our skeletal system. Gelatin contains easy to digest minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus. These are essential for a healthy bone matrix.
3. Skin, Hair, & Nails
As we age, our bodies naturally produce less collagen, which affects our skin, hair, and nails. Collagen is responsible for keeping our skin tight (goodbye wrinkles!), our hair healthy, and our nails nice and strong. If you want a natural beauty product, start adding in gelatin and collagen to your diet! PS - the topical creams are too large to be absorbed by our skin...you are better off eating the collagen and using coconut oil for lotion. ;)
4. Joint Health
This one may be more obvious to those who have joint inflammation. Our connective tissue is made up of collagen and therefore increasing this is our diet helps manage joint pain. It also contains chondroitin, which is a common supplement given to folks with arthritis and joint inflammation.
5. Weight Loss
Yes, weight loss. Our bodies hang on to weight for many different reasons - a big one listed above was inflammation. If you can control or reduce inflammation, you will naturally lose weight. If you help heal leaky gut (also number 1 above), you will digest your food better, absorb more nutrients, and in turn, start to lose weight. Interested in learning more? Check out this book: The Bone Broth Diet by Dr. Kellyann Petrucci.
....and honestly, this list could continue on!
BTW...MOMS - these are AMAZING replacements to conventional fruit snacks that your kids may be eating now! (Gushers, fruit-by-the-foot, etc). Find some fun molds (like these!) and make these snacks with your kids. I have hearts, dinosaurs - which my father pointed out was the "Paleo" in me ha!, and funny pig faces. The kids will love how the gelatin "gels up" and then becomes liquid again when you add the hot water. (oh wait, maybe that was just me...but anyway...) Enjoy!
Where do I get it?
I have been using the Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides to make slushies/smoothies since about October and I notice a HUGE difference in my skin when I drink it regularly. You can also add it to beverages like coffee and tea because it has 0 taste. This container has the blue lid pictured here.
The Collagen Peptides, however, will not gel up to make these gummies, so what you would want to get is the Vital Proteins Beef Gelatin, which has the green lid pictured here. A similar product is Great Lakes Gelatin.
All are available in my Amazon Store (affiliate link).
Anyway...onto the recipes!
Sleepy Magnesium Gummies
Why tart cherry juice? It has been said to improve restfulness and better sleep. Mixed with magnesium, my favorite and a relaxing mineral, plus some honey, these make an excellent bedtime treat :) (and will help keep blood sugar stable through the night!)
What You'll Need:
1/2 cup tart cherry juice
3 tablespoons of beef gelatin
1/2 cup water, hot (but not boiling)
2 tablespoons of Natural Calm (would be great with Raspberry Lemon flavor!)
1 tsp of Stevia or 2 tablespoons of raw honey**
Glass Pan (5" x 7" recommended)
**can be omitted for more tart gummies
Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, mix 1/2 cup tart cherry juice and cold water together with a whisk. Let the gelatin sit until it gels (1 minute or less).
2. Heat 1/2 cup of water on the stove under low heat until hot, but not boiling.
3. Pour the hot water over the gelatin mixture and use the whisk to beat together.
4. Add the natural calm and sweetener of choice to the mixture and beat with whisk until combined. It will become "frothy" from the natural calm.
5. Pour into the glass pan.
6. Put in refrigerator for 1-2 hours or until it is set.
7. Store in a closed container in the refrigerator.
Vitamin C Fruit Snacks
What You'll Need:
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
3 tablespoons of beef gelatin
1/2 cup of water, hot
2 Tablespoons of raw honey
Silicone molds or glass container (5"x7" recommended)
Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, mix 1/2 cup orange juice and cold water together with a whisk. Let the gelatin sit until it gels (1 minute or less).
2. Heat 1/2 cup of water on the stove under low heat until hot, but not boiling.
3. Pour the hot water over the gelatin mixture and use the whisk to beat together.
4. Add the honey and beat with whisk until combined.
5. Pour the mixture into an "easy to pour" measuring cup.
6. Gently pour into molds or glass container.
7. Put in refrigerator for 1-2 hours or until it is set.
8. Store in a closed container in the refrigerator.
Let me know how they turn out!
xo, kate
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