Making your own gummy vitamins may seem intimidating but it is actually super easy! And if you are going to go so far as to make your own gummies, why not go one step further and use the grass fed (also called pastured) beef gelatin?
Animal products from animals that were raised on their natural forage are SO MUCH HEALTHIER than animal products that come from creatures that were fed genetically modified grain and corn, and really, they are often times fed much worse. We are what we eat, and in essence, we are what the animals we eat eat, there is no escaping it. Not to mention that pastured animals have a higher quality of life than animals that are raised in confined animal feeding operations, and a higher quality of life for animals is something I think we can all get behind.
Gelatin contains collagen which is great for helping out stomach issues like leaky gut and crohns (also did you know if you are having food allergies this can be a symptom of leaky gut and can sometimes be healed through diet?) it is awesome for hair, skin, and nails, can help regulate blood sugar, maintain healthy bones, ease joint pain, and can improve sleep. So let’s make gummy vitamins!
Grass Fed Gummy Vitamins
Make your own gummy vitamins with your favorite juice and powdered gelatin.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup juice
- 1/4 cup liquid multi-vitamin or reduced nettle tea
- 6 TBSN Powdered gelatin
Instructions
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If you are going to use nettle tea do this step first. If you are using a liquid multi vitamin skip to step 2. Brew 16 ounces of nettle tea using 1/4 cup of dried nettle. Then reduce volume of liquid by cooking on stove at medium heat until it is only 1/4 cup.
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Put gelatin in 1/2 cup of room temperature liquid you are using so it can bloom. Heat the rest of the liquid on the stove until it comes to a boil.
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Combine hot liquid with bloomed gelatin and stir for at least 2 minutes or until gelatin is dissolved. There may be a few rubbery pieces of stubborn gelatin that will not dissolve, that is ok. Skim them out and move on to next step.
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Coat silicone gummy molds with a light mist of non-stick cooking spray. place molds on a cookie sheet so they will stay stable. This recipe will fill four molds.
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Use dropper to fill molds. I let my children do this. It takes a little practice but after a few tries I have found even my 3 year old can do this with minimal mess.
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Place in fridge. Because the amount of gelatin is so high, they will gel very quickly. Carefully pop them out of the molds and keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks, if they last that long!
Why do I use nettle tea? Nettles have an amazing nutrient profile and many health benefits. It is a staple in my house and I always have a giant bulk bag of it in the freezer. Some things to try with the Gummies? To make them sweeter you can add a little honey to the recipe, or try reducing your juice on the stove to make it a more condensed sweeter version. If the gummies are too “gummy” for you you can also try reducing the gelatin a bit and see how that works. If you miss the bright colors of the store bought version you can add some food coloring with these vegetable based dyes. Remember, gummies don’t have to be just for children, I love them and I found they helped me with my nausea when I was pregnant. I hope you enjoy them!
