Fruit Snacks
I remember as a child loving what we called back then a fruit roll up. They came in various flavors but my favorite was strawberry. In the summer my friends and I would take a break from swimming, open a fruit roll up, wrap it around our finger and eat it off. Our tongues would be whatever color our roll up was. I don’t remember ever hearing concern from my mom about the colors or ingredients. I’m not sure if we knew the health problems and challenges then that we face now. The store bought fruit snacks are loaded with sugar, artificial colors and preservatives.
As a mom, I find myself always a little on guard when we are out, and moms offer a snack to my daughter. I m conscious that I am that weird mom I always feared I’d be. Trying to pull out my healthy snacks quickly and hoping my daughter grabs it and doesn’t grab the one that is new and shiny. In my effort to not make my daughter or myself feel awkward I try to make homemade swaps for favorite snack items. Here is our version of fruit roll up, minus the artificial colored tongue.
- 1 cup fresh organic lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups frozen fruit(your choice)
- optional honey 2 Tbs
- 10 Tbs gelatin
- In a medium pan, add frozen fruit and juice of a lemon. Heat on medium, stirring until soft. This is when you would add honey for sweetness if you decide.
- Remove from heat and whisk in gelatin, a small amount at a time. Until dissolved and incorporated into the mixture.
- In a food processor or blender add puree mixture until fine.
- Pour into 2 large cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate until set. Or at least 1 hour.
