Skip to main content

Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

Palo-Santo-Candles

Sweet Potato Gummies

Nov 30, 2022 09:30AM ● By Tonya Wilhelm
Paw print shaped gummies made out of sweet potatoes

photo by Tonya Wilhelm

This recipe is cat-friendly, but a kitty may not dive into the delight.

Yield: Depends on mold size

3 cups water
½ cup sweet potato
3 Tbsp beef gelatin
Silicone molds and cookie sheet
Measuring cup with a spout for pouring 

Boil 2 cups of water. Remove the skin from a sweet potato. Dice the sweet potato and place ½ cup into the boiling water. Boil until the sweet potato is soft and then drain it. Mash the sweet potato into a smooth consistency and set it next to the stove.

In a small saucepan, boil one cup of water. Once the water reaches a boil, quickly whisk in the gelatin. When the gelatin is dissolved, lower the heat and add the mashed sweet potato and stir over the heat. Pour the mixture into the measuring cup. Then quickly pour the hot liquid into the silicone molds. Don’t fill to the top. Because many silicone molds are floppy, place them on a cookie sheet prior to filling them. 

The molds will need to be refrigerated to cool, so find a spot before pouring. Be ready: The gelatin will start to set up very quickly. Carefully place the molds into the refrigerator to set up for approximately three hours.

Remove the treats from the molds and break them into bite-sized pieces before feeding to pets. Store the gummies in a glass container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze until ready to serve. Thaw completely before serving.


More Festive Recipes to Delight Pets 

pAlexAdobeStockcombrp

Healthy Cranberry Muffins for Pets

These muffins are full of flavor and nutrition, and are healthy for both dogs and cats. Read More » 

 

pphoto by Tonya Wilhelmbrp

Easy Turkey Jerky for Pets

This easy turkey recipe is a healthy snack for a cat and a great dog-training treat for the clever pooch. Read More » 

 

In-Print recipes National Content December 2022
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

Upcoming Events Near You
Follow Us On Facebook