Immune Boosting Yummy Gummy Bears

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Kids are tough enough to get food down, let alone vitamins or anything else! Can I get a raise of hands moms and dads out there? While my son is finally showing signs of improving on the eating front, my daughter has decided if it’s not a mandarin, cookie, or hot dog she wants no part of it. At least we have the mandarin going for us. I know the eating paradox is a frustration I share with many of you. That’s why I wanted to share this super simple, immune boosting gummy bears recipe today!

For the last year, inevitably whenever we went to Costco my son would spot the huge container of fruit snacks from across the store. One he saw it, it was over. “Please mom please, gummies!!!! Please!?!”

Gummies from the store have so many unnecessary ingredients though, so I was always hesitant but did give in from time to time. I knew there had to be a better option though, and a cheaper one than Annie’s organic bunny fruit snacks. I might have to mortgage my home over if I was going to buy them often! If you’ve been following me long, you will know my first thought is how can I turn these homemade gummies into good for you ones. Stuffed with things my kids need, all in a little sweet bear they would enjoy. I researched and came up with the perfect solution that received rave reviews from my two picky food critics, oh wait, I mean kids.

Let’s cover the health benefits of these sweet little guys quickly so we can get to the recipe! These colorful little bears are filled with four powerhouse ingredients that make a big impact on health.

Beef Gelatin

The gelatin in these isn’t used just because it’s the thickening agent, beef gelatin is packed full of collagen and protein that:

• Keeps bones healthy and strong
• Has natural glycine which promotes healthy immune, digestive, and central nervous systems
• Supports skin, healthier hair, and stronger nails
• Supports joint health

I use the Vital Proteins Bee Gelatin because I know it’s the highest quality. The gelatin comes from pasture raised, grass-fed beef. You could use a gelatin like Knox, but all they list on their ingredient label is gelatin, so you have no idea how it was sourced and know nothing of the quality, which immediately sends up red flags to me personally.

Black Elderberry Syrup

Elderberries naturally contain A, B, and C vitamins and stimulate the immune system. It’s a great preventative for the cold and flu if taken daily throughout the winter months. If you do come down with it, double up by taking it twice a day for faster healing time. I use Gaia Herbs Black Elderberry Syrup, 5.4 Ounce.

Vitamin C Crystal Powder

Vitamin C is great for the immune system, this is a universal truth we don’t argue with. However, it also has a great leg up on cancer as well!

“Vitamin C crystals can help flush healthy cells of toxins, effectively reducing inflammation and the possibility of cell mutation. In fact, the Cancer Treatment Centers of America successfully lobbied the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to use vitamin C as an alternative cancer treatment.” Via Live Strong

Plus, the Vitamin C has a subtle tang that I think makes the gummies that much better!

100% Grape Juice

You may be thinking hu? Grape juice? Yep! I give it to my kids every day because it’s a great preventative for the stomach flu! You might think it’s a little crazy, but google “grape juice and the stomach flu” and see everything that comes up. Lots of people swear by it as a preventative, and so do I!

Grape juice helps keep the pH of your intestines (where the virus lives) alkaline which doesn’t allow the stomach flu, or norovirus as it’s truly called, to grow well. I’ve been giving my kids grape juice (Welch’s sugar free 100% frozen concentrate) for the past two years and have avoided any sign of the flu. Even after my sister who lives with us kissed my son goodbye and was home hours later sick as a dog! And if your child or you do contract it while being on grape juice, it seems to not be as severe.

Now that we know how amazing the ingredients are, let’s get to the fun part, making and enjoying these Gummy Bears!

I used one similar to this: Bekith 5 Pack Gumdrop Jelly Molds, Chocolate Molds, Gummy Bear Candy Molds, 265 gummy bears total +5 Droppers – 100% BPA Free and FDA Approved. If you don’t have molds you can grease a cookie sheet or use wax paper and slice them up into cubes once set.

I placed the molds on a cookie sheet since the silicone is bendable and you need a hard flat surface when filling the molds.

Easy and Tasty Immune Boosting Gummy Bears

The kids can enjoy these sweet treats daily, never realizing the health benefits stored inside each little purple bear. You as a parent will feel good knowing your picky eaters are actually getting some sort of nutrition inside their little bodies. I call that winning!

Makes 250 gummies

Prep time: 30 minutes total

Ingredients:

• 1/4 Cup 100% Welch’s grape juice concentrate
• 3/4 Cup water
• 4 Tbsp. honey
• 4 Scoops Vital Proteins Beef Gelatin
• 2 Tbsp. Gaia Black Elderberry Syrup
• 1 Tbsp. Vitamin C Crystals

In a small saucepan combine the juice, water, and honey. Stir and let heat until almost boiling, then remove from heat and add in gelatin, one scoop at a time stirring between scoops until dissolved. Once gelatin is  completely dissolved whisk in the elderberry syrup and vitamin C crystals until mixture is smooth and transparent. Place molds on a cookie sheet to keep flat, and use the dropper provided to fill up the molds. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or until firm. Pop them out and store in the refrigerator. I usually give the kids 10 each for snacks once a day!

If you make them make sure to let me know how it went in the comments!

*Thanks to Vital Proteins for providing the product for this post! The content and opinions expressed here are my own.

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