I don't know about you, but sometimes the task of putting together a lunch box for my kiddo to take to school with her seems like a daunting task, if not only for the fact that it's a daily task. Poor kid, she has a nutritionist for a mom. DOUBLE WHAMMO. We have come up with some pretty yummy lunches over the years she and I (oh yes, she is an integral part of the lunch time planning. Meal planning and gathering is one of those important things we impart to our children as they grow, from the early days of imitation and modelling to these current days of co-planning she and I do on a weekly basis.) Regardless. I still sometimes come up (near) empty when it comes to food things that pass my ok for her lunch box or so it seems at the end of a long day. Enter, the fun insta-dessert: JELLO.
Sure, she has the fresh fruit, and the fruit-buried-in-yogurt dessert. There is the occasional baking too, but most of the time it's just fresh fruit. But then I thought up today's concoction, and voila, easy-peasy-lemon-squeezie homemade jello cubes. I don't think they'll last past two days in our fridge, they're pretty stinking delicious.
THE PLAYERS:
2 cups raspberries (you can use whatever fruit/berry you like here, fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup local honey
3 tbsp grass-fed beef gelatin (I use this one; you can find at The Light Cellar or online)
1 cup water kefir or kombucha or water
juice of 1 lemon
THE HOW-TO:
-In a small pan, meld the berries and honey together until warm. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a separate bowl, use an immersion blender or a strong arm to whip together the gelatin and water kefir or kombucha, along with the lemon juice. Add the raspberry/honey mixture to the mix, and thoroughly mix or blend. Pour into molds, ice cube trays or a glass dish.
- Tuck the dish in the refrigerator for a few hours. Cut into cubes and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Try not to eat them all at once.
WHY I LOVE THIS:
- it's so easy. and takes NO TIME. (Would I lie to you?)
- I left the whole berries in there, didn't strain to just use the juice. So the fibre is still there. (Fibre is so good for you, helps elimination, binds to spent hormones so they don't re-circulate in your system, and helps sweep your innards clean.)
- Not to mention lots of vitamin C from the berries. Yes please!
- And honey is of fabulous support to your immune system and has been shown to contribute to the reduction of allergy symptoms.
- I added the probiotic beverage there in order to help inoculate our gut with the good guys, helping keep our immune system in good running order and reducing inflammation everywhere.
- The gelatin! So good for the cells of your intestinal lining, good for your skin, for strong nails and hair, amazing for bone health too. Gelatin is of great benefit to help support healthy connective tissue, so is of benefit to those suffering from arthritis, joint pain and inflammation. I mean the list goes on and on!
Bon appetit, les petits et petites! Make sure to leave some for the lunches, my friends. Remember the lunches.