SPICED APPLE GUMMIES (SCD, SCOPE PREP OKAY)

Steps:

• 1. If using the spices, simmer them in 1 cup of the apple juice for awhile, to infuse the flavors. Filter/strain through an unbleached coffee filter to remove the sediment. (Warning: as delicious as ginger is, it can make the gelatin not set, so don't add ginger, as tempting as it may be!) Re-measure and add enough water to make 1 cup again, to replace what boiled off.
• 2. Heat all 2 cups of apple juice until steaming. Do not boil. Stir in honey until dissolved. Very slowly whisk in the gelatin. Do not add more until the last spoonful has dissolved. Continue to whisk until all dissolved. If having trouble dissolving, low heat may be used to help, but do not boil.
• 3. Once all dissolved, pipe into gummy molds (we like silicone gummy molds in cute shapes). If you don't have that, you can pour into any container, and then cut into bite sized pieces once it has solidified. When placed in gummy molds, they solidify quickly in the fridge or freezer. These are best stored in the fridge, though they can be frozen & later defrosted, as well. People often prefer the texture if they've been allowed to come to room temperature before eating.
• 4. To make jello, I follow the same recipe, but only use 1 Tbsp. of unflavored gelatin, and 1 Tbsp honey, or sometimes skip the honey entirely. This same base recipe can be used to make savory chicken broth gummies. This helps give variety on scope prep days, if your kid wants something they can chew that isn't sweet. It's not everyone's preference, but some appreciate it. Replace the juice with filtered clear chicken broth, and leave out the honey. I get clear chicken broth from making the intro diet chicken soup using only boneless skinless chicken thighs (no bones keeps the sediment and darkness/cloudiness of the broth down), and tying up any veggies & herbs in a cheesecloth so the fibrous parts don't get into the soup. I have a link to how I make the soup here: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/soup/chicken-soup/chicken-soup-in-8-qt-ip-good.html?new=1 After cooking & removing the cheesecloth with veggies & herbs, I refrigerate & let the broth settle, then I use a baster (avoiding the fat & chicken pieces) to pipe out the broth & filter it through 2 layers of unbleached coffee filters. Once you have gotten your broth, season to taste with salt, and portion up and freeze until ready to use. The leftover chicken can be revitalized into soup again just by adding water and salt...it remains surprisingly flavorful! I usually add some soft green beans & butternut squash to the soup, and it can be eaten on days that aren't scope-prep days, and it's even perfect for the 2 days before the procedure when you are on a low-fiber diet. All jello, gummies and broth should be discontinued 8 hours before the scope procedure, at the point when you are instructed to only have water, apple juice or Sprite. You do not want anything with protein at that point, for anesthesia safety reasons. Of course consult your doctor and follow all instructions given to you by them.
• 5. If you want a lower sugar option, use my Apple Lemon Electrolyte Drink recipe ( https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/drink/other-drink/apple-lemon-electrolyte-drink-scd-scope-prep.html?new=1 ) in place of the apple juice and honey, or just omit the honey & replace some of the apple juice with water.