A Family Friendly Challenge
So my girls have been asking me for jello for quite some time now. I will not buy the junk at the grocery stores because it is made from gelatin that is clearly not from a grass fed source and it has a ton of sugar and artificial flavors and coloring in them.
So this week when I asked my girls what they wanted to do for Family Friendly Fridays, they all said Jello, mama! 🙂 So the challenge was on, I had to create a delicious jello that everyone would enjoy.
A Little Information About Gelatin
Let’s talk about gelatin for a minute. I remember the first time I heard that gelatin was made from animals and I was shocked. Then I was told that is was the cows, pigs, and horses hooves, bones, nails and such…I about lost my cookies, for real. I did some research and quickly found some great information.
According to the Wikipedia,
“Gelatin is a mixture of peptides and proteins produced by partial hydrolysis of collagen extracted from the skin, boiled crushed horn, hoof and bones, connective tissues, organs and some intestines of animals such as domesticated cattle, chicken, horses, and pigs. The natural molecular bonds between individual collagen strands are broken down into a form that rearranges more easily. Gelatin melts to a liquid when heated and solidifies when cooled again. Together with water, it forms a semi-solid colloid gel. Gelatin forms a solution of high viscosity in water, which sets to a gel on cooling, and its chemical composition is, in many respects, closely similar to that of its parent collagen. Gelatin is also soluble in most polar solvents.”
Did You Know…
Gelatin is an incredible source of protein. It has been known to help with:
- muscle growth,
- creating a stronger metabolism,
- losing weight
- aiding in improving your digestive health.
- helping prevent sore joints
- creating longer and healthier nails and hair
- creating healthier skin.
Who knew gelatin had so many health benefits?
Where To Buy Quality Gelatin
But let me stress, you need to buy a healthy source of gelatin, preferably from a grass-fed source.
I have looked high and low and the only quality gelatin that I recommend is from the company Great Lakes Gelatin. Their gelatin is from grass fed healthy animals and is truly a quality product.
You can purchase some Great Lakes Gelatin directly from the company but you have to buy it by the case through the company.
Amazon has started selling Great Lakes Gelatin by the pound and it is pretty affordable. You can purchase Great Lake Gelatin through Amazon here: Gelatin-Regular/Unflavored Porcine-Type A – 1 lbs – Powder.
I also use gelatin in my bedtime tea and as a daily supplement. Check it out, you might be surprised how healthy and wonderful gelatin really is.
An Amazing Recipe Using Gelatin
Family Friendly Fridays ~ Finally A Jello That Is Good For You!
Prep Time: 10 minutes- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: dessert
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: american
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Who knew that jello could be so good for you. Read about all the amazing benefits of gelatin, you might be surprised!
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp grass fed gelatin (Great Lakes Gelatin is what i recommend, link to website is below this recipe)
- 1/2 cup cold filtered water
- 2 heaping cups of frozen or fresh berries
- 3/4 cup water (may vary)
- 1/4–1/3 cup rapadura (unrefined organic whole cane sugar)
Instructions
- Place 1 tbsp of gelatin in a bowl with a 1/2 cup of cold water. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes, and allow the gelatin to soften.
- Over medium heat, place the berries in a small saucepan. Heat slowly and press the fruit down with a potato masher as it is cooking down. Bring to a slight simmer (but not a boil) and remove from heat.
- Strain fruit through a sieve or fine mesh sifter. Cheese cloth could also be used. You should have 3/4 cup of puree left once you are through. If you do not want to strain it then you will most likely have 1 1/2 cup fruit puree left. You want to have a total liquid of 1 1/2 cups including your sweetener. Add enough water to this mixture to make 1 1/2 cups liquid (in my case I only had 3/4 cup strained fruit so I will add 3/4 cup water to make it 1 1/2 cup total liquid).
- Return back to stove and bring back to slight simmer.
- Add sugar and stir until dissolved, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the softened gelatin and stir until dissolved and combined, about 1 minute.
- Pour into your favorite jello mold or a glass pyrex dish.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Great Lakes Gelatin
Great Lake Gelatin can be purchased here: Gelatin-Regular/Unflavored Porcine-Type A – 1 lbs – Powder.
Resources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelatin
Share Your Thoughts
What are some of your healthier snacks?
Do you use gelatin regularly?
hello
I live in canada and have talked to great lakes. they cant ship beef gelatin here but will ship the pork. do you know if it is just as good quality- ive been looking and looking and canmt find any other good source of gelatin!!!!! thank you (i cant wait to make this for my kids-and us grownups too!!)
kelsey
I am definitely to try the gelatin. I need help with the joint pain and it will be good for the grandkids. I am ordering from Amazon today with your link. Thank you.
I wonder what people think Jell-O and Knox gelatin are made from???
I’ve made this recipe a couple of times – the last time I used frozen sweet cherries and pureed them in my VitaMix. Any idea if xylitol (birch sugar) can be substituted for cane sugar?
Has anyone in Canada found an affordable way of buying Great Lakes Gelatin? I’ve been searching for deals for quite some time now. Not so affordable for Canadians 🙁
Have you tried purchasing Bernard Jensen Gelatin? That is the other company I recommend. You can purchase it here. Let me know if it is a more affordable option. We have a lot of readers from Canada!!
Hi:)
Thank you sooo much for this recipe..you know, this is along the lines of Edgar Cayces readings…he also recommended cane sugars usage..and the use of gelatin. I can’t wait to try this. V.
Are you serious !!!!! Crushed bones, hooves and nails. Please forgive me if i seem to have become undone. But why isnt this stuff printed on the ingredients. You mean to tell me that we have been eating this stuff for an eternity , and that thats what we have been eating all along!!!! It feels like I have just lost my appetite forever. I have been getting rid of everything in my kitchen that has high fructose corn syrup in it. But that just isnt enough is it. I really believe and know without a doubt that is is the food and drug administrations desire to kill us through food . It is absolutely discusting what they do to and put in our food even down to infant formula we really have to be cautious!! Thanks so much for this information my stomach will be nautious for a long time to, come. And I will definitely be getting rid of all the many boxes of jello I currently have in my kitchen immediately! !!!!!!!!!!!!! Just Disgusting!!!!
To a.johnson….you need to reread the original post. All that ground up hooves and stuff is the good stuff. It contains the collagen and all the good things that keep us well and pain free. The bad gelatin is made from corn products, that’s why they use the beef based gelatin. Often times the old fashioned way is the best. Healthier and less processed. No artificial crud. BTW, find yourself a good dictionary, spelling is important. lol
Im a little confused by the recipe. For the fruit, do i used the strained juice or the pulp left over from being stained in the jello? And hav u successfully made jigglers?
Hi Ruth,
I have not made jigglers with this, but I bet it would be easy…just add a little more gelatin. In regards to the fruit, I just left the pulp out of the mix.
Do you k ow how long this would last in the fridge if I made a big batch?
porcine is pork, pig, not beef or chicken
★
Am confused so the Jello brand is unhealthy? I just purchased the brand you recommended from Amazon and it should arrive in a couple of days. I just need a simple recipes I can put together quickly and have been eating that jello stuff
It’s best to stay clear from the Jello brand and stay with a good quality grass-fed source.