Happy 5th Birthday Tasty Yummies!!!

This week we are celebrating Tasty Yummies’ Birthday / Anniversary / Blogaversary!! I seriously cannot believe it has been 5 years since I sat down to share the first gluten-free recipe here. Where, oh where has this time gone? From the deepest depths of my heart, I thank each and every one of you for supporting me and this website over the last 5 years. I can say in all sincerity, this blog and my life wouldn’t be what they are – without all of you!!

Besides the usual feelings of excitement surrounding a big anniversary like this, it has also stirred up some unique emotions, as well. Given the state of things currently, I am reminded fondly on this special day of the idea that this blog was built from my desire to create a space, a virtual community where I could share my journey and my creations! I also always had the hope that in the process of sharing, I might help to empower others to find strength amidst a less than ideal situation with their health and diet. Here we are, 5 years later, continuing our journey together, with new struggles and challenges unique to us, yet still reminded that we are not alone.

Sometimes in life, you have to shift your focus and your energy, finding the positive in whatever situation you are in, no matter how challenging. Being in the middle of the autoimmune protocol, I have actually been finding so much joy in the restrictions. I get so excited I find myself dancing around the kitchen when I can pull together a delicious recipe that not only fits the long list of things that are not allowed but actually tastes good and makes me as happy as any other recipe would. This has all been so much more rewarding than the usual creations. With each recipe I develop, it feels like I have completed the most challenging board in a video game, I get my gold crown and I get to move on to the next level. I’ve actually have been quite enjoying this forced shift in my perspective, the encouragement and motivation to be creative in the kitchen – it’s all so invigorating and it makes each step and each day easier!

I won’t lie to you though, with all of the many restrictions on my diet currently, I nearly let this special celebration pass. I was worried that without some grandiose, pinterest-worthy baked good, a layered cake or dainty little cupcakes with cute little number 5s on them – that it wouldn’t feel much like a birthday. But that just simply isn’t true! So what, I can’t have my favorite grain-free chocolate cake right now? There is still so much celebrate and it’s just as special of a holiday, chocolate or not!

Sometimes amidst these strange health journeys we are all on, we find ourselves doing (or eating) things we never thought we would, replacing habits and traditions for the newness that better fits our current needs. It would be easy to let that destroy you or take the joy out of life, and trust me, at times it can feel like it is, for even me. But, whether or not it’s traditional, important milestones like this deserve celebration. It isn’t just about how you celebrate or what with, but that you still celebrate. Life can throw us some curve balls along the way and the best thing to do is come at them swinging, with a big huge smile on our faces (and maybe some bright red jiggly jello in our tummies).

This Strawberry Hibiscus Jello is not just beautiful and vibrant, playful and fun, it also tastes incredible and has wonderful healing properties, too. No, it’s not sprinkled with sparkly magic fairy dust – but it does contain gelatin. Kinda the next best thing. Gelatin is a secret weapon for healing your gut and the bonus is that you can create sweet desserts like this one. Gelatin’s healing powers come from two amino acids that are typically lacking in our diets, glycine and proline. These amino acids are super important for healthy skin, nails, hair, as well as connective tissue, immune health and more. Sure you can continue eating your bone broth daily or maybe even take a collagen supplement (which is insanely expensive in comparison), but when you can have Jello as part of your healing, why the heck wouldn’t you?

Where to buy high quality grass-fed gelatin:
I recommend this gelatin. In addition to making jello you can also create homemade gummies, too. (Do a quick google search, so many great recipes) They also make a non-gelling collagen peptides that will not produce the think gel that like this, that is great for mixing into drinks, hot or cold. A great way to add additional protein and all that gut healing goodness!

NOTE: For my vegan readers, clearly gelatin is not vegan. If you wish to try your hand at a gelatin-free Jello, maybe follow this recipe and opt for the hibiscus tea instead of the pomegranate juice. Obviously you will not receive the gut-healing properties, but it’ll still be yummy. (Please note: I haven’t tested this recipe myself)

• 2 cups filtered water
• 1/4 cup dried hibiscus flowers or 2 tea bags
• 3 tablespoons grass fed gelatin (I use this one or this one)
• 2-3 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup strawberries, sliced
• whipped coconut cream or other whipped topping of your choice

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and pour over the dried hibiscus flowers. Allow to steep for 5-8 minutes. Strain out flowers or discard bags. Take about 1/2 cup of the tea, pour into a bowl and allow to cool. When cooled, sprinkle the gelatin over the top, whisk together. Set aside.

Add the remaining tea to a medium saucepan over a medium heat, once heated, but not boiling or simmering, add the thick gelatin mixture and heat until the gelatin is dissolved and there are no lumps. It should be fairly thin at this point. Don’t bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add honey and lemon juice. Whisk until dissolved and combined. Skim any foam from the top and discard.