The weather this week got me thinking about cool treats and how I could make them healthier, tastier and even less messy. You see, while I love a cool refreshing treat, I can do without the sticky mess that inevitably result with homemade popsicles. I had read that adding jello (ugh) to popsicles can help, but jello is not my favourite thing. I do, however, appreciate gelatin that isn’t neon blue or fuchsia (I know, no fun).

I have been enjoying favourable health benefits since adding gelatin to my diet. Gelatin contains amino acids that are important for connective tissue – think joints, tendons, skin, hair, nails….it makes sense to me to provide my body with the building blocks necessary to keep these tissues healthy. With my history of osteoarthritis in my spine, I’m very open to trying things that could help, or at the very least, curtail the rate of wear and tear. I personally like a product called Great Lakes Gelatin. And, since gelatin “gels”, I thought I’d add it to the popsicles (I’m a trickster); so not only would they be tidier to enjoy, we would benefit from the amino acids as well. I love win/wins!

I’ve come up with 2 recipes, and hopefully you will give them a try. For both options, you may find it helpful to dissolve the gelatin in some hot water prior to adding it your juice. This should help it blend smoothly.

Coconut Water Lemon Blueberry Ice Treats

Grape Raspberry Ice Treats