By: Denise Zingale / D’MAZ Lifestyle Salon

While I did not invent these amazing snacks – the discovery of them and sharing some of the health and beauty benefits of them could not be kept a secret!

Most know the overall general health benefits of red wine but do you know the benefits of drinking red wine for your hair? Red wine helps increase the blood flow to the scalp which helps to eliminate the occurrence of dandruff. It contains Resveratrol which has the capability to reduce inflammation, thereby reducing hair loss and promoting hair growth. The bioflavonoids help keratin growth and the antioxidant properties of red wine make it an ideal choice for rejuvenating and repairing damaged hair.

Gelatin is largely composed of the amino acids, glycine and proline, which many people don’t consume in adequate amounts as they are found in the bones, fibrous tissues and organs of animals and as a population, we don’t consume these parts as much anymore. These amino acids are needed not only for proper skin, hair and nail growth, but for optimal immune function and weight regulation. Other benefits of gelatin are it supports skin, hair and nail growth; it is good for joints and can help joint recovery.  It can improve digestion since it naturally binds to water and helps food move more easily though the digestive tract and is a source of protein (not a great one) but its specific amino acids can help build muscle.

Now that you know some of these amazing benefits – let’s make Wine Gummies!

Wine Gummy Hearts Recipe!

1 cup wine (red, white or rose)
4 Tbsp gelatin (ex: Knox)
1/2 tsp stevia / sweetener (optional)
2 -4 Tbsp maple syrup

Note: The amount of maple syrup you use will depend on (1) how dry your wine is and (2) how sweet you want your gummies! You’ll have to taste it as you go and add more as needed.

In a saucepan, warm the wine on low heat. It is recommended to use a thermometer to make sure it does not go much above 90 degrees. Wine boils at 159 degrees Fahrenheit so you definitely wanted to keep it well below that so the alcohol wouldn’t burn off.

Add the gelatin one Tbsp at a time, and stir very well before adding more. After the gelatin has completely dissolved, add the other ingredients. Taste the mixture after adding each one – you’ll have to use your taste buds as a gauge for how much sweetener to add. Keep in mind that the more sweeteners you add, the less you’ll taste the flavor of the wine! These should be a little less sweet than a regular gummy bear … Sweeter gummies get eaten faster, and portion control is recommended for these to avoid getting drunk!

Once your mixture is ready, either use a spoon to fill a mold or pour the whole batch into a pan (for square cut gummies). It can be done it both ways and the hearts are pretty especially for Valentine’s Day!

Put them in the fridge to set. You don’t have to do this, but it speeds up the process. They’ll be the texture of Jello jigglers pretty quickly or if you want them to become the texture of gummy bears, let them chill for 2-3 hours. You can keep them in the fridge (or not) – they will not un-gel. ENJOY!!!

 

 

D’MAZ Lifestyle Salon Disclaimer: This article is provided solely for general information only. It is in no way intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any type of thinning hair, hair loss problems, scalp and/or health issues and should not be depended upon as a substitute for any consultations with qualified health professionals,

Before using Gelatin in a recipe or as a supplement, check with your doctor or medical professional, especially if you have a medical condition. People with liver or kidney disease should not add gelatin or any other amino acid supplement without first consulting their physician. Getting too much of any one amino acid can throw the citric acid cycle out of balance, which can make the liver and kidneys work harder to eliminate toxins. ~ Denise Zingale, Owner, Master Hairdresser, Certified Personal Trainer, EFT/Reiki Master Practitioner