For those of you who missed it, I offered a free pop-up marshmallow making workshop, yesterday on Zoom. It was the perfect snow-day activity and it was such a joy to spend some time with you! Conventional marshmallows are loaded with highly processed and refined sugars, corn syrup and corn starch, chemical additives, artificial flavours and dyes. In other words, they aren't food, and as far as I'm concerned, they simply shouldn't be eaten. The WONDERFUL thing is, traditional marshmallows are by nature, nourishing and even healing! They don't need any preservatives, artificial ingredients, refined sugars or corn byproducts. They can be made to taste even yummier (believe it or not!), with safer, more nutritious ingredients right from the comfort of your own home.
Traditionally, marshmallows are made with gelatin. That's what gives them their bouncy, spongy consistency, and also why they melt deliciously over a fire, or on top of a hot drink. Besides gelatin's ability to whip into a perfect squishy pillow, it also happens to be an incredible source of collage. You know that expensive powder we are all putting into our coffee and smoothies these days? Yep, that's right, collagen is sourced from gelatin, and gelatin is sourced from the skin, cartilage and bones of certain animals, hence why it is so rich in amino acids. Glycine is the main amino acid found in collagen, and allows for its production to occur in the body. Collagen keeps our skin, cartilage, bones, ligaments and muscles healthy and strong. Glycine is also needed for the production of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that protects our cells against oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Glutathione levels naturally decline with age, so ensuring we get enough glycine in our diet helps preserve its production for as long as possible.
As well, glycine is an important amino acid and neurotransmitter. Our bodies use it to create proteins for growth, maintenance of structure, for the production of important hormones and enzymes, and for over all cardiovascular, cognitive and metabolic health. As a neurotransmitter, glycine affects cognition, mood, appetite, pain perception, and sleep. It has a calming effect on the brain and can promote better, more restful sleep by enabling and increasing the production of serotonin. It also works to increase blood flow to the body’s extremities; reducing the core body temperature and improve over-all quality of sleep.
Gelatin also improves gut health by increasing gastric acid secretion and nourishes a healthy mucosal lining in the gut. Because it absorbs water so well, it also helps to keep fluid within the digestive tract, which keeps transit time and bowel movements healthy and regular. There are many ways to include gelatin, collagen and glycine into your diet. Meat with skin, meat on the bone, the "gristly bits", slow cooked bone broths, gelatin made gummy bears and of course, marshmallows!
Although you might have missed my virtual marshmallow social, you can still create these nourishing treats on your own, whenever the mood strikes. They can be enjoyed on their own, as a layer in a cake, floating on top of a warm cup of milk, hot cacao or a matcha latte, and of course, roasted over a cozy fire!
If you don't know where to find gelatin and want to make sure you are purchasing a clean, high-quality product that you can trust, order through my online shop. I am offering 15% off to ALL customers until Friday December 4th, 2020. Click the link, create an account, and search for gelatin in the catalogue. Once ordered, it will be shipped immediately and directly to your door.
I would love to see your marshmallow creations! If you post photos on Instagram, be sure to tag me @caitmizzi so that I can share your beautiful photos with our wonderful community, and inspire others to do the same!
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