Sugar Free Gum Drops

     When I first started my THM journey I found that I was missing gum drop style candy you know like sour patch kids... gummy bears and worms...

     So I challenged myself to making some at home, my kids always loved Jigglers so I have a bunch of molds from when they were at home. I was hoping they would curb my urge to snack without tandem fueling.

     The first batch I made was a little squishy when I used 3 packets of gelatin which is equal to about 2 tablespoons. So I went searching some more and experimenting.

     Gelatin is a wonderful ingredient that adds a protein boost as well as collagen and other nutrients that help with healthy hair, nail and skin growth.

     Recently, I wanted to try the recipe that was available in the Trim Healthy Living, ezine but it wasn't available due to technical issues. So searching again I ran across this version that includes sugar...

  Part of the issue with using a sweetener like Pyure Organic Stevia is that they are mixed with erythritol and when that is concentrated it causes a weird cooling sensation, at least to me. This time I opted to use the sweet juice concentrate that I made. It worked beautifully!!!

     I adapted the above recipe to make it sugar free and it fits within Fuel Pull guidelines for Trim Healthy Mama.

 Here is the adapted recipe that I used:

Sugar Free Gum Drops

Printable Recipe

 4 Tbsp gelatin (that’s about 6 envelopes)
 1 cup cold sweet juice concentrate
 1  cup boiling water
  1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
 1/4 cup lemon juice
 1/4 tsp flavored extract like lemon or peppermint (I used strawberry)
 1-2 drops food coloring
  extra sweetener for coating or a combination of sweetener and citric acid for sour gummies

• In a large pot, soften gelatin in cold sweet juice concentrate for five minutes.
• Stir in boiling water until gelatin dissolves
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil for 25 minutes. Stir constantly.
• Pour mixture into 4 – 3X5 pans.
• Add 1/4 tsp extract and 1-2 drops food color to each pan.
• Stir until thoroughly combined.
• Cover pan and chill overnight in the fridge.
• Cut gelatin mixture into 3/4 inch cubes using a knife dipped in hot water.
• The gelatin may pull, but continue cutting.
• Separate cubes and roll in sweetener until coated on all sides.
• Place gumdrops on wax paper and leave at room temperature for two days to crystallize.

Store in an airtight container.
Makes about 8 dozen 3/4 inch gumdrops or 3 trays of jiggler molds.

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When the scale is stalling...

    

So I have been at this weight loss thing since February, and the scale is truly not my friend lately. Yes I have lost 34 pounds which is amazing considering my age, health and exercise.

     It is the holiday season, do I want to have to follow an eating plan, not really. However this year is a little different, I have options for family favorites as well as other on plan goodness, I just have to control my portions,be diligent in my exercise and drink my fluids.

     I have almost totally cut out diet Mt Dew which is a miracle in my life, prior to starting all of this I was drinking over 1 gallon of it a day. That is so crazy to think I was filling my body full of all the crazy ingredients, not to mention sodium and carbonation. I do still enjoy carbonated beverages but now they are herbal teas and small amounts of juice carbonated with water from my soda stream.