My life will never be the same – I’ve just created a new snack dessert that has changed my world!

I grew up on peanut butter and jelly.  It’s quite possible that ate that food more than all other foods combined…pretty sure.  However, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a distant memory to me at this point – giving up bread long ago for gluten and the carbs/insulin spike.  I also very rarely ever have any jam or jelly since there is so much refined sugar added to it. Typical peanut butter also has sugar added to it, and hydrogenated vegetable oils.

So, combining sugar, sugar, sugar, and hydrogenated oils is not a food that will contribute to my health, so it didn’t really exist for me as a “food” anymore…

But PB & J is BACK IN MY LIFE! How?

I’ve been making mixed berry gelatin for quite a while – made only with WHOLE berries (from the freezer), some stevia, and grass-fed beef gelatin. 

Gelatin, real gelatin,  is has a whole host of health benefits. From blood sugar benefits, to improving hair, skin, and nails. It is a great source of protein and has a good selection of amino acids (e.g. our body’s building blocks). But the two benefits I’m most interested in are the upgrades to my gut and my joints:

Gelatin contains glutamic acid, a substance that may help promote a healthy mucosal lining in the stomach. This could help with digestion. It may also help digestion by stimulating the production of gastric juices. Gelatin also binds to water, which might help food move through the digestive system.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319124

Research shows that gelatin may have a beneficial effect on cartilage metabolism and inhibit the breakdown of collagen in bone. It may be effective in treating both osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. (8, 9, 10) Its amino acids glycine and proline are anti-inflammatory and are likely responsible for research results finding gelatin effective in reducing arthritis-associated joint pain. Lysine, also in gelatin, strengthens bones by helping the body absorb calcium and form collagen. 

https://chriskresser.com/you-need-to-eat-gelatin-here-are-the-reasons-why/

So, I already liked my jello. It was a little tart, fun, and jiggly and was a nice snack to mix things up.

BUT somehow it never occurred to me to put peanut butter on it!  It is incredible. It is like frosting for a cake and a perfect complement to the tart of the whole berries!

Omg, try it!!

Keep in mind, I’m talking about topping this with real, actual peanut butter. That means NOT JIF or Skippy – you want a peanut butter whose only ingredients are peanuts and salt. We buy the BJ’s Wellsley Farms brand, which takes this a step further to organic peanuts and sea salt.

So, essentially, when I’m eating this gorgeous culinary experience, I’m eating peanuts, berries, and gelatin. This is a perfect example of how there can be a very healthy substitute for things we used to love. I love the nostalgia of this, and I love that now it is something full of whole foods and nourishing ingredients, and that it has no added sugar or toxins that are detracting from my health.

I think I’m going to go eat some more right now!