I have been somewhat on a gelatin kick for the past few months. Since having our fifth little blessing, I have experienced numerous benefits of healing from pregnancy.
I wanted to share some of these benefits with my children. Yet I couldn't find a consistent way to do so — until they were sick earlier this winter.
Plagued by terrible coughs, I feared that whooping cough might be invading our home. I researched natural methods of treating whooping cough head on. Over and over I found research showing that Vitamin C — given in (safe) high amounts and dosed frequently — can shorten the duration and severity of whooping cough.
So, I reached for our fruit derived Vitamin C, made batch after batch of these gummies, and safely pumped my ailing ones full of Vitamin C.
By the end of a week, the coughs lessened, and some children were even cough free. We never got to the point where I felt going to the doctor was absolutely necessary, so I do not know for certain if we were infected with whooping cough. Through the grace of God, we overcame whatever it was.
As a side note on Vitamin C, I am not a fan of the ascorbic acid form of vitamin C. Whenever possible, I like to find food sources of our needed nutrients and vitamins. So our Vitamin C of choice has been acerola powder. This powder is a bit expensive, yet it is derived from fruit (a whole food). I feel it is much less taxing on our body compared to the ascorbic acid form of C.
(As a side note — a bit strange — look at your urine if you're taking ascorbic acid C and then compare it to taking a natural form of C such as acerola powder. You will be surprised at the difference!)
Vitamin C Gummies
Our Vitamin C of choice is acerola powder. This powder is a bit expensive, yet it is derived from fruit (a whole food). I feel it is much less taxing on our body compared to the ascorbic acid form of C. I usually triple this recipe for our family of 5 kids.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Acerola powder lessen or strengthen depending on serving size/dosage you are wanting
- 1 cup homemade juice of your choice or organic pure juice, not from concentrate
- 2-1/2 tablespoons sustainably-sourced gelatin
- silicon mold optional
Instructions
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Warm juice on stove -- not boiling, but warm enough for gelatin to dissolve.
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Remove from heat.
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Once warm, briskly whisk constantly while you add the gelatin, a bit at time, to the juice.
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Let the juice-gelatin mixture cool to room temperature.
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Depending upon the temperature of your home, you will need to watch during this step that the juice mixture does not cool too much that it gels.
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Once at normal room temperature, whisk briskly as you add the Vitamin C powder, again bit by bit.
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When finished, pour the mixture into molds.
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Pyrex cake pans work wonders for gummy squares (add coconut oil to bottom and sides to avoid sticking) or you can use cute silicon molds add some fun to gummy time. Either way, decorative or just square, my kids thoroughly enjoy the gummies and beg for them when I open the fridge.
Recipe Notes
I have not tried adding other supplements or vitamins to these gummies, but the possibilities are endless!
Enjoy! And be well!
*Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. You are responsible for your own health and for the use of any remedies, treatments, or medications you use at home.
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I bought all the ingredients Nd will be making them in a pan cut into squares. Do you have a recommendation on what size to cut the squares for an average serving of vit c?
Hello Lee,
I am not sure what type of Vitamin C you are using, and the dosage you desire- each one has different mg dosages. For our family, when I use the pan to cut squares, I estimate about 5 rows and 8 in each row- around 40 in all. With that said, I figure out the correct dosage of vitamin C for 40 squares. For example, if I want each square to have 50 mg of C- then I would add 2000mg. of C to the juice which equates to about 4 tbsp. of the C I am using. Does that help?
I think this is a great recipe I’ve been searching for one to use for Vit C and elderberry syrup…I think I will use the homemade elderberry syrup in place of the juice and kill 2 birds with one stone! Thanks so much!!
Hello AJ!
What a good idea. I have wanted to use elderberries, but have yet to find them in my neck of the woods when they are ripe. Will heating the elderberries destroy any of their good properties?
Tracey – this is the recipe I use to make elderberry syrup: http://jillshomeremedies.com/?s=elderberry.
The berries are heated in this process anyway, but I would probably make the syrup and add it directly to the gummy recipe (as opposed to making the syrup, refrigerating, and then using for gummies later) to avoid heating it twice. Hope that makes sense :).
I get my elderberries here: http://www.bulkherbstore.com/Dried-Elderberries-Whole?s=elderberry
Thanks for sharing AJ!
Thank you for this info!!!! I live about 1 hr. away from the bulk herb store so need to make a visit one of these days! Now you’ve given me more of a reason to. : )
I noticed when I clicked on the link for the Acerola Powder that it says it has added ascorbic acid, which you state above that you avoid. Do you know a source for this powder without ascorbic acid?
Hello Ann,
Sorry about that link- try the link again, I think it is now updated. : ) There is also one other brand that I know of, however the acerola berries in that brand are mixed with other berries like Camu camu, and tend to be a bit more expensive. I would love to hear if you find a worthwhile source.
Blessings!
Where would you find the little molds at?
I just searched online and ended up getting them through amazon- BPA free. I must say, I use the molds sparingly just because I do not like to use any plastic-like material too much- silicone in this case. I am often boring and just cut squares from a pyrex dish. : )
This may seem like a silly question but do your children chew these gummy’s or do they suck on them to make them last longer? And how many a day do they have? Thank you.
Hello Katie,
Not a silly question. Being that I have four kiddos consuming these, they of course all consume them differently. Some suck on them, some chew them right up and beg for more, and another one nibbles away at it for a few minutes. : ))) The number a day depends on the vit c dosage I am wanting them to have. More when they are exposed to illness and maybe just one or two a day when not. Hope that helps.
How long will these keep? Where can you store them?
Great post…We were wondering how long they keep, do they need to be refrigerated or do you have to eat them right away
I used silicone molds for my gummies and they totally stuck! I have used the molds for elderberry gummies with no problems. Anyone have any idea as to why they would stick?