Sweet Sunshine

I finally got outside yesterday. Our poor landscaping has been under inches of snow all winter and looks like it needed some love. A few days previous I noticed that the weeds were abundant so I decided it was time to get after it. It didn’t really matter what I did in the yard, the task is endless. While I was out I contemplated my favorite thing that day. It wasn’t too windy. It wasn’t too hot. The birds were chirping- it’s been a long time since I paid attention to that.

Then I got excited! It’d been so long since I was out in te sun!  I remembered how good it feels to have the sun on my skin. Has winter been that long? How could I forget this?I have alway been so careful to shield myself from the sun. I always heard how bad the sun is for you, that is causes skin cancer, you will get wrinkles (egads!) and so on and so on. In my early 20s, I of course disregarded that nonsense but after some time I became religious about slathering on the sunscreen and always sat in the shade.  A good line of defense to be sure, but as it turns out, a little bit of sun exposure is really good for you.

With some sunlight we can enjoy:

• Increase in Vitamin D levels- don’t forget this is a fat soluble vitamin so we need to eat fat in our diet.
• Lower Blood Pressure due to an increase in nitric oxide productionwhich will reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.
• Improve sleep – morning exposure gets your circadian rhythm on track.
• Elevate Mood– sunlight therapy is used to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder, but you don’t have to suffer from SAD to reap the benefits
• Other lesser known benefits include: pain relief, treatment for skin diseases, & regulating body temperature

The takeaway here is to make sure you get back outside but be smart about it. Indirect sunlight is okay! In fact it’s probably the preferred way for a lot of people. Some people can only be outside for 10 minutes before their skin starts to get damaged. If your pink, you’ve been out too long. Take your sun exposure in increments. If your skin can handle a bit more, go for it! For more specific recommendations on sun exposure, this Dr. Mercola article is a good resource.

I’m pretty sure I will be singing a different tune once the Summer gets here, but I will try to remember this feeling.

Have Gelatin Will Cook

I have been anxious to supplement my diet with gelatin. I know I should be consuming bone broth instead, (whole food=better for you). That fact is this though- I used to really like jello when I was a kid. It was such a treat when I found it in the fridge, especially if there were little bits of canned fruit in it!  I seriously could have been my own commercial. Of course as I got older, I replaced the fruit in my jello for something a little more adult…but I digress.

I have seen in some spots where it is recommended to put the gelatin in a bit of water and down it to supplement. That would work for me for a bit but I really need something more. I need it razzled dazzled so I’m rounding up some possible kitchen experiments:

• Homemade Marshmallows– I’m so all over this. Coupled with some delicious Hot Cocoa– I’m going to look like a genius
•  Healthy Jello– A Classic
• Gelatin Jigglers– these give the appearance of gummy candies- I really do miss gummy candies…
• Panna Cotta– I don’t know if I’m this fancy, but this should be noted for good measure
• Crustless No-Bake Cheesecake: Who can say no to cheesecake? With strawberries? No one, that’s who.
• Silky Banana Bread Bites: Another spin on B-Bread. I’m all in.
• Banana Pudding: With Vanilla Wafers and a cafecito please.
• Easy Chocolate Gelatin Pudding

The previous list looks more like a dessert menu which is not the worst thing in the world because I’ve committed to only eating desserts made by hand, so I like having options.

Let’s try another list of possible sources:

• Homemade Bone Broth – this gets the gold star
• Head Cheese
• Crockpot Caribbean Oxtails– I’ve not been bold enough to attempt cooking oxtails but this recipe is promising!

Why am I so interested in gelatin?

Natural News has a brief article that describes how wonderfully therapeutic , gelatin is. Some of its benefits include:

• supporting digestion- it binds with food and moves it through the digestive system
• heals the gut lining thereby reducing food allergies
• contains glycine to assistthe liver in removing toxins (note: a healthy body produces it’s own glycine) and increases sleep quality
• contains lysine which helps the body absorb calcium and plays a role in the formation of collagen (think skin, connective tissue, etc.)

So what did I end up trying first? A variation on kombucha/kevita gummies…

The trick with cooking, at least for me, is I actually have to feel like it. Then, I have to have products on hand, which tends to be a road block. But I was bent. I was making something with gelatin in it no matter what.

Here’s what I had on hand:

1/2c Kevita probiotic coconut drink

3/4 c unsweetened applesauce

2 lemons

4T grass fed gelatin

I put the applesauce on low heat and added the juice of 2 lemons. I stirred in the gelatin until well blended then took it off the heat. When it was about room temperature I added the kevita. It fizzed up a bit which was kind of alarming but I just went with it. I poured into a small, greased (with coconut oil) casserole dish and put it in the fridge until it set.

So these aren’t bad. Here’s what I like: they are so thick! They are substantial little blocks to bite into and I appreciate that. It feel like it will satisfy. What I’m not too crazy about: they aren’t flavorful. That’s really not the worst thing though. The bit of lemon flavor (which I figure is all the vitamin C and whatnot) is refreshing, but it needs something else. I didn’t want to put to many items in the mix because I wasn’t sure what would happen.

The good news: I’m thinking that this is a pretty forgiving recipe (except for pineapple, figs ginger root, papaya, and kiwi-the gelatin won’t set unless the fruit is canned). Maybe I add more gelatin but probably not. I might find out what happens when I add less. Who knows!? There are plenty of options. I might get a little wild with the next batch.

What’s your favorite recipe with gelatin? Do you have any recommendations for my next attempt?