How to make jello for your kids without the artificial food dyes or colors!

This week my daughter's preschool class made Jello with Swedish Fish, ack!!! We do not eat artificial food dyes, artificial flavorings, high fructose corn syrup or GMO sugar. Yikes! I let her make it with the class but did not want her eating it, so we made a replacement! To tell the truth my daughter does not even like jello but I didn't want her to feel left out so we made some at home to bring it anyways.

Her teacher was so surprised to find out you can make your own jello without the boxed mix. It's actually so easy and its such a shame that all these kids are being exposed to those terrible ingredients.

https://foodbabe.com/this-childhood-favorite-has-a-warning-label-in-europe-why-not-here/
Here is a link for more information on why we don't eat store bought Jello.

Well let's dive in!

Ingredients:

2 cups juice
bonus points if its cold pressed or freshly squeezed
1 tbs gelatin
where can you find plain gelatin powder? Well I always have bought it from the health food store or through my co-op, but you can easily get it on amazon.com. There are lots of good brands and we make sure to buy grassfed gelatin from cows that eat a clean diet. Vital Proteins and Great Lakes are two brands that come to mind

FOLKS THAT'S IT! Just two ingredients!!!!!

(Above) First, you will measure out 1/4 c of the juice into a separate bowl and add the 2 Tbs of gelatin to it. This is called letting the gelatin "soak" or "bloom". It will help to make sure that the gelatin doesn't clump up when you add it in. The gelatin will turn from white to grey as is "blooms".
Second you will add the rest of the juice to a sauce pan and heat to just before boiling. Little bubbles, not a rolling boil.
Thirdly you will return your attention to the soaking gelatin and mix it up. Then add in to the hot juice.
(Below) Whisk it all together and put into your jello container of choice. It will take several hours to set up. Overnight just to be sure.

I put sprinkles on top to try and make it extra special but they just got soggy and sank to the bottom so I don't recommend that, lol!

That little pink container was the perfect way to transport the jello to preschool! I poured some of the hot liquid jello into the little cup and placed it in the fridge overnight. In the morning we were all ready to go!

If you have children, what are some ways you navigate healthy eating at your child's school? We plan on homeschooling next year and healthy eating is one reason why!

Thanks for reading!