Alternative to Holiday Cards

Since my husband and I started our family, I’ve been pretty good about sending out our holiday cards every December. I take the time to write a message on each card and my older son writes his name on each one. He also helps me with stamping and licking the envelopes. It’s so fun and so sweet and I love sending out cards. It’s not a burden or a time suck; I really love doing it. But here’s what I don’t love… after the holidays come and go, I’m an ass and rarely send out thank you cards. We have SO much to be thankful for and SO many wonderful people in our lives that I hang my head low whenever I think about not sending thank you cards. Then one day last month a super slick idea popped into my head- Kate! Send the freaking cards in January! It can be a Hope You Have a Happy New Year and/or Thanks for Being an Awesome card! I can send them thanks and postal service hugs and wish them well! Holy smokies, I think this is awesome.

So look for our card in January. While you're waiting patiently, you can reminisce over our card from December 2012, before our little guy became our big guy and I was 6 months pregnant. 

Elderberry Gummies

I was recently checking out the kid gummies/vitamin section at the market and was bummed out to find that there weren't any that didn't have sugar (in one form or another). I remember Amanda has made elderberry gummies before, so I decided to pick her brain... her version uses some ingredients I didn't have so I did a search on this computer and found a great one that I could modify slightly. These are sweet little treats- they're not super chewy like other gummies, but have more of a jello-like consistency. These little bits are packed with sweetness and goodness- great for flus and colds, but also just good for the body and keeping the immune system pumping. The gelatin is a pure collagen protein and the raw honey is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. Super great all around, y'all. Get on it :) 

I made the elderberry syrup first using this recipe. 
Here's the recipe for the gummies:
Ingredients
• 1 cup elderberry syrup (not super cold! it'll make the gelatin clump. but you don't want it super hot because the honey won't be raw anymore)
• ½ cup hot water (not boiling)
• ¼ cup Gelatin powder (I use this one)
• 1 teaspoon of raw honey (local is always better)
• silicone molds (if you don’t use silicone, use 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil for greasing pan)
Instructions
1. Grease with coconut oil to prevent sticking if you're not using silicone.
2. Mix hot water and gelatin and quickly whisk together.
3. Add the elderberry syrup slowly and stir or whisk until completely smooth.
4. Pour in molds and put in fridge for 2 hours or until completely firm.
5. Pop out of molds and store in air tight container with parchment paper between layers.
6. Take daily for fun or as needed to avoid flu. or you can take every few hours to help beat the flu faster.
7. Will last up to a week in the fridge in an air tight container.