| How to Make Gummy Bears Posted: 05 Dec 2020 04:00 PM PST Gummy bears are some of the simplest candies to make at home. At their core, they are just 4 ingredients: water, sugar, gelatin, and flavoring. Water and gelatin, when blended, heated, and cooled, naturally form a chewy candy, so you don't need any expensive equipment or odd ingredients to create homemade gummy bears. To get bear shapes, you will need gummy bear molds. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Quick and Easy Gummies - of cold water
- 2 tbsp (20 g) of unflavored gelatin
- 1 packet (85 g) of flavored gelatin
[Edit]Classic Gummy Bears - of gelatin, 250 bloom
- of water
- of sugar
- of sorbitol powder
- of glucose syrup, or
- of tartaric or citric acid
- of food grade essential oil, any flavor
Prep time: 20-25 minutes (active prep: 5-10 minutes)
Cook time: 10-15 minutes
Total time: 30-40 minutes [Edit]Quick and Easy Gummies - Place of cold water in a small saucepan on the stove. Don't start the stove yet. It is easiest to mix the ingredients right in the pan since the gummy mixture will stick slightly if you try and transfer it from another container.
- Add 2 tbsp (20 g) of unflavored gelatin to the water. You can find this at most grocery stores in the baking aisle.
- For a vegan substitute, try agar agar powder, which you can buy online or from a health food store. You can substitute agar agar for gelatin in the same amounts, so there's no need to adjust your measurements for this recipe.[1]
- Add 1 packet (85 g) of flavored gelatin and mix well. The most common brand is Jell-O. The flavor you use will determine the color and flavor of the final gummies.
- Flavored gelatin comes in many flavors and colors, so you can make a whole rainbow of gummy bears. For example, you could get strawberry, orange, lime, and blue raspberry.
- Heat up the mixture on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes. Just keep stirring occasionally so that all the gelatin is completely dissolved in the water. Go slowly so that none of the candy burns.
- Turn the heat off and pour the mixture into a mixing cup. Any cup that is easily poured is fine. You can also use an eyedropper or a candy pump for more intricate designs.
- Pour the mixture into your molds and put them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. Simply pour the warm gelatin mixture into your candy mold and freeze it until it is set. The gummy bears are now ready to eat.[2]
- If you don't have a mold, you can make gummy drops on some parchment paper instead.
- You can leave the gummies in the freezer longer, if you like. Frozen gummy bears are chewier and taste juicier than refrigerated or room-temperature gummies.[3] If you put them in an airtight container, they'll keep for up to a year in the freezer before their quality starts to decline.[4]
[Edit]Classic Gummy Bears - Pre-measure your ingredients to make classic "Gold Bears." To get perfect, store-bought texture and taste in your gummies, you'll need a few harder-to-find ingredients as well as high-end gelatin (known as 250 bloom). Measure your ingredients by weight instead of by volume for more accurate results. Weigh them out in advance and have them on hand to be quickly mixed in—timing in candy making is key. To make this classic gummy bear recipe, you'll need:
- of gelatin, 250 bloom
- of water
- of sugar
- of sorbitol powder
- of glucose syrup, or
- of tartaric or citric acid
- of food grade essential oil, any flavor
- Mix your gelatin and water. You can mix them together with a whisk or, like classic candy makers, in a water bath. If you're mixing with a whisk, combine the water and gelatin directly in the saucepan over low heat until the gelatin dissolves.[5]
- To do a water bath, warm a large bowl of water up so that it is hot, but not boiling. Mix the of gelatin and of water in a Ziplock bag and let it rest in the water bath for 30 minutes.
- The bag should be free of lumps or streaks when it is fully mixed.
- Blend your sugar, sorbitol, and glucose syrup on the stove at medium heat. Stir the ingredients well so that they're properly mixed up, but not boiling or bubbling. If you have a candy thermometer, get them to .
- Mix in your gelatin mixture slowly. With the heat still on, mix in the gelatin and water mixture from earlier. Stir until it is all completely mixed, then turn the heat off and move quickly to the next step.
- Add in your desired flavorings. You can flavor your gelatin with juice, flavoring acids (such as citric or tartaric acid), or flavored oils or extracts. You can also add 1/3 cup (about 77 g) of well-pureed fruit, like strawberries.
- For instance, lime, lemon, or orange juice are all good choices if you want to add a burst of citrus flavor.
- For a more unusual flavor, try a flavoring oil or extract, such as vanilla extract, orange rind oil, or cherry extract.[6] If you use an essential oil, make sure it's labeled as "edible" or "food grade," since some essential oils are harmful to eat.[7]
- This is also the time to add any food coloring.[8]
- Pour the mixture into your mold. You can use a light coating of cornstarch to prevent the final gummies from sticking, but many gummy-making pans are already non-stick. Simply pour the mixture into the mold then freeze it for 4-5 hours, or until the gummies are firm and completely set.[9]
[Edit]Flavoring without Packets - Sprinkle your gummies lightly with citric acid to get a sour coating. Citric acid is a preservative, and it is not great for your teeth, so go lightly. A small amount is enough for a nice sour kick.
- Use lemon and honey for citrus gummy bears. To make citrus gummy bears, you simply need to use some orange and lemon juice instead of a processed Jell-O packet. Honey also makes a healthier alternative to the corn syrup used in many store-bought gummies. To do this, mix the following ingredients in the saucepan, turn on the heat, then add 3 tablespoons (28 g) of gelatin. Continue like normal after the gelatin is added:
- of orange juice
- of lemon juice
- of honey
- Try pureed strawberries or berries in your gummies. This incredible, fruity gummy is a big hit. Make sure the berries are thawed before adding them. Simply mix the following ingredients, then add 3 tbsp (28 g) of gelatin slowly as you heat up the mixture like normal.
- ⅔ cup (174 g) of pureed strawberries/blueberries/raspberries
- of water
- of fresh lemon juice
- of honey[10]
- Replace the water with milk for a creamier texture. If you don't eat dairy, even almond, soy, rice, coconut, or oat milk works well and imparts a distinct, creamy texture and feel to the common gummy. To make creamy gummies, whisk half the milk in with the gelatin. Then heat it up like normal, whisking in the other half right at the end before it comes off the heat.[11]
- Adding a touch of vanilla or almond extract, or even some cinnamon, to the mixture can take it to new heights.
- This substitute works with basic gummies as well as the pureed fruit versions.
- The candy might stick to flimsy plastic molds, so try to get sturdy ones.
- A very light coating of non-stick cooking spray can be used to line the plastic mold to make it easier for the candy to release when it is ready. Some recipes use cornstarch as well.
- You can use 1 tsp (about 2-3 g) of Kool-Aid instead of flavored Jell-O.
- Try using fruit purée mixed with water to thin it down. It will thicken up and give you an awesome burst of fruity flavor.
[Edit]Warnings - Not all gelatin is vegan, kosher, or halal. Check the ingredients carefully before purchasing if you have any special dietary needs.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Quick and Easy Gummies - Small saucepan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Gummy bear molds
[Edit]Classic Gummy Bears - Kitchen scale
- Small saucepan
- Ziplock bag (for water bath)
- Whisk
- Gummy bear molds
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Fix Christmas Lights That Are Half Out Posted: 05 Dec 2020 08:00 AM PST The joy of decorating for the holidays can be dampened a little by a pesky half string of lights that refuses to glow. While your instinct may be to just toss the whole string and buy a replacement, there are some simple measures you can take to possibly repair the string. After identifying the problem, you can try replacing any bad bulbs or fuses, or repairing a bad shunt (in incandescent bulbs only). With luck, your holiday decorating will brighten back up! [Edit]Troubleshooting the Problem - Remove corrosion from the plug prongs and plug the string in again. If the plug prongs on your string of lights look dark or corroded, bring back their brass shine by rubbing them with a sheet of medium or fine grit sandpaper. Use a clean cloth or tack cloth to wipe away any sanding dust, then try plugging in the lights again.[1]
- Corrosion on the plug prongs adds resistance that may prevent the necessary voltage from flowing through the light string. Once you clear the corrosion away, your lights may work again!
- If this doesn't work, move on to other troubleshooting measures.
- Plug a light string that works into the half-out string. In other words, plug one end of your half-working string into an outlet, then connect a fully-functioning string to its other end. Before doing this, confirm that the second string is fully functional by plugging it into the outlet on its own.[2]
- If the second string still works, then you likely have a problem with a bad bulb or fuse in the first string.
- If the functioning string doesn't work when plugged into the half-working string, there's likely a problem with the wiring or, if you have incandescent bulbs, one or more shunts within the bulbs.[3]
- Run a bulb tester over the string to find any bad bulbs. If you've narrowed down your likely problem to bad bulbs or bad fuses, use a bulb tester if you have one. Plug in the string of lights, then test each dark bulb by either touching it with or inserting it into the tester, depending on your model.[4]
- Depending on your tester model, it may beep or light up when you find a bad bulb.
- If you find one bad bulb, keep checking for more. Mark each one with masking tape so you know which ones to replace.
- Move on to replacing any bad bulbs that you find. If you don't find any bad bulbs, move on to checking and replacing the fuses.
- You can get a bulb tester anywhere holiday lights are sold. Consider buying a combination model that includes a tester and repair tool.
[Edit]Changing a Bad Bulb - Pull up from the plastic seat of the bulb, not the bulb itself. If you tug on the bulb itself, you'll probably just pull it and its 2 lead wires out of the plastic seat that fits into the socket. Instead, work your thumbnail into the small gap between the bulb seat and the socket exterior, then lift the seat and bulb together out of the socket.[5]
- For your safety, always unplug the string of lights before replacing a bulb.
- Some bulb seats have plastic latches that snap onto the socket exterior. Simply lift up any latches before pulling out the bulb and seat.
- Use a replacement bulb that's an exact match. Holiday lights tend to look very similar, but they're not universal. Different manufacturers may use slightly different bulbs, seats, sockets, and/or lead wires, any of which may prevent a non-matching replacement bulb from working properly. If you have the replacement bulbs that came with the string, use them first.[6]
- When buying strings of lights, consider buying an extra string for every 3 or so that you buy—that is, buy 8 strings if you need 6. Use the extra string(s) simply for backup bulbs. Pull the bulbs from the extra string(s), put them in a labeled bag, and store the bulb-free string(s) for use if the wiring on one of your other strings goes bad.
- If you don't have an exact match, don't try to force a bulb that doesn't completely fit into place. Non-matching bulbs are far more likely to fail and, in very rare cases, may present a fire hazard if they short. It's safer to just buy replacement light strings.
- Press the new bulb securely in place, then test it. Check to make sure that the 2 small lead wires are snug along opposite sides of the bulb seat. Then, press the bulb straight down into the socket until the seat is snugly in place. Plug the string of lights back in—if the whole string lights up, you're all set![7]
- If all the lights don't come on, run the tester over your replacement bulb to make sure it is seated properly. If it isn't, try removing and re-setting it again. If it is, move on to checking for other problems with the string of lights.
[Edit]Replacing the Fuse - Slide open the fuse compartment with a small screwdriver. On the male-side end of the string of lights (the side with the plug prongs), look for a small compartment cover. Slide this cover out toward the plug prongs to expose the fuse compartment.[8]
- A small screwdriver comes in handy here, although you may be able to slide open the compartment with an opened paperclip or your fingernail.
- Use an opened paperclip or other small tool to remove the fuses. In nearly all cases you'll find 2 small fuses inside the compartment—they look like tiny glass capsules with metallic tips. Use the end of an opened paperclip as a lever to get underneath and lift up each fuse.[9]
- Check for signs that one or both fuses have blown. If the glass section of the fuse is dark or looks burned on the inside, the fuse has blown. If you can't tell for sure, it's best to assume the fuse has blown and replace it.[10]
- A blown fuse occurs when the small sacrificial wire within the fuse melts. It's meant to do so as a protective measure if an excessive current passes through the line, although fuses can fail for other reasons as well.
- Install replacement fuses that are the same size and amperage. Unlike bulbs, holiday light fuses usually are identical across brands. They're nearly always the same size and rated for 3 amps, as indicated by a "3A" notation on the fuse. For the easiest replacement option, use the extra fuses that came with the string of lights.[11]
- Push your replacement fuses down into the compartment until they are fully seated. The tip of a pen may come in handy to help push the fuse in place. Slide the cover back over the compartment, then plug in the string and see if all the lights work.
- If replacing any bad bulbs and fuses hasn't solved your problem, you likely have an issue with a bad shunt (in incandescent lights) or bad wiring.
[Edit]Fixing a Damaged Shunt - Purchase a holiday light repair tool. If you use a lot of light strings in your holiday decorations, a light repair tool can be a wise investment. Look for them wherever holiday lights are sold, and expect to pay around $25-$30 USD.[12]
- A good light repair tool is multi-functional. It should act as a voltage detector, bulb tester, bulb remover, and shunt repairer.
- The best-known option is likely the LightKeeper Pro, which looks like a small plastic pistol.
- Remove a bulb in or close to the section that won't light. If your light repair tool has a bulb remover, use it according to the product instructions. Otherwise, use your thumbnail to pry the plastic seat of the bulb from the socket.[13]
- You can remove any bulb in the darkened section, or even a lit bulb that's near the darkened section. Unplug the light string before removing a bulb, though.
- Insert the tool in the socket and send one or more pulses as instructed. The LightKeeper Pro, for instance, has a prong that fits into the light socket. Once it's in place, pull the trigger on the device to send a pulse of energy through the string of lights.[14]
- Follow the specific instructions for your light repair tool. You may be instructed to trigger several pulses through the light string.
- Shunts are small backup wires inside each incandescent bulb that are meant to take over if the filament in the bulb fails, thereby maintaining a completed circuit. The pulses from the light repair tool should be enough to melt the insulated coating and activate any shunts that aren't working.
- Replace the bulb and test the light string again. Remove your light repair tool and press the bulb back into the socket firmly. With any luck, the entire string will light up when you plug in the lights![15]
- If the string still won't light fully, it's probably time to just replace the whole thing.
- Most light strings are actually 2 separate strings that are wired together in the middle. This is the case if your lights have a section near the middle with only 2 coiled wires, instead of the 3 you'll find elsewhere. In theory, this means you can cut off the non-functioning half of the light string and splice in a new end plug or half string of lights. However, consider this only if you have moderate or higher electrical skills.[16]
[Edit]Warnings - Do not attempt to replace bulbs or fuses when a light string is plugged in. The risk of electric shock is real and should not be taken lightly.
[Edit]References |
| How to Cope With Pregnancy Discomforts Posted: 05 Dec 2020 12:00 AM PST Carrying a growing baby in the womb can bring about a lot of uncomfortable physical pains and irritations. Knowing how to alleviate many of these pains can make this part of the pregnancy process less uncomfortable, and help make your pregnancy as successful as possible. If you're experiencing any severe symptoms, talk to your doctor or your midwife right away. [Edit]Nausea and Vomiting - Go for small, frequent meals to avoid overloading your system. Large, heavy meals can make you feel nauseous or even throw up. Instead, go for 4 to 5 light snacks throughout the day to keep your stomach settled without overpowering it.[1]
- Fresh fruit, yogurt, granola bars, and crackers are all great foods to snack on throughout the day.
- Get out of bed slowly to avoid aggravating your stomach. If you're experiencing morning sickness, you need to be extra careful as you get out of bed. Spend about 20 minutes from the time you wake up to the time you get out of bed to gradually ease yourself into a sitting position.[2]
- Going from lying down to sitting up super quickly can upset your stomach, leading to nausea and vomiting.
- Eat carb and protein-heavy foods that are easy to digest. Carbs aren't too difficult for your body to break down, and they give you a quick burst of energy. Protein is great for your body, and you can find it without a lot of heavy grease. Go for foods like bread, crackers, oats, fruit, turkey, chicken, eggs, and almonds.[3]
- Rich, greasy foods that are oil-heavy can make you feel sick.
- Drink carbonated drinks to help settle your stomach. Soda water and sparkling water are nice light flavors that won't upset your stomach. You could also go for ginger ale or chamomile tea to help with nausea. Try to drink your liquids separate from your meals to avoid overloading your stomach.[4]
- Try to avoid sugary sodas, since they can overload your stomach and make you feel worse.
- Being dehydrated can make you nauseous, so it's important to drink as many liquids as possible.
- Fresh ginger can also help you alleviate your nausea.[5]
- Take your prenatal vitamins as directed. Some studies show that vitamin B6 can help alleviate nausea. Most prenatal vitamins include this already, but if you think you need more, talk to your doctor about increasing your dose. Always drink a full glass of water with your vitamins, and take it during a meal if it upsets your stomach.[6]
- The maximum amount of vitamin B6 you can take per day is 100 mg. If you go over that, you could make yourself feel sick.
- Wait 1 hour after eating before lying down to avoid heartburn. If you're experiencing acid reflux or heartburn, try to eat your meals 1 hour before bed. That way, your stomach has time to digest them before shifting positions.[7]
- If you deal with frequent heartburn, talk to your doctor before taking antacids. Some of them aren't good for people who are pregnant.
- Wear a sea sickness wristband to alleviate your nausea. Sea sickness bands add a little bit of pressure to the pressure point in your wrist, which can help to relieve nausea. Buy one of these bands from a pharmacy near you to try it out.[8]
- These bands don't work for everyone, so you should try them in conjunction with other remedies.
[Edit]Constipation and Frequent Urination - Eat more fiber to regulate your bowel movements. Fiber-heavy foods can help soften your stool naturally. Go for beans, apples, lentils, prunes, or whole grains to keep your bowel movements regular.[9]
- When you have a bowel movement, don't strain, as that can lead to hemorrhoids. Try propping your feet on a low stool to make it easier to go, which can help reduce how much you need to strain.[10]
- Eat prunes or figs as a natural laxative. Prunes, prune juice, and figs all help soften your stool and can relieve constipation naturally. Try eating or drinking these fruits throughout the day to keep your bowel movements regular.[11]
- Natural laxatives are a good choice, since many doctors recommend staying away from over the counter laxatives while pregnant.
- Drink a lot of fluids to stay hydrated. If you're dehydrated, your stool will probably be harder, which can lead to constipation. Try to drink about 8 glasses of water per day to keep your bowel movements flowing.[12]
- If you're already dealing with excessive urination, it can seem counterintuitive to add more liquids to your diet. However, staying hydrated is super important, and you should never limit your intake just to avoid going pee.
- Do some gentle exercise to get your bowels moving. Walking, stretching, and even yoga can help move your bowel movement lower. If you feel constipated, try doing a few simple exercises until you feel the need to go.[13]
- Only exercise if you're feeling up to it and your doctor gives you the okay.
- Empty your bladder completely to avoid constant trips to the bathroom. When you do go pee, make sure you sit on the toilet until every last drop comes out. If there's still urine in your bladder, you might end up back in the bathroom sooner than you'd like.[14]
- If you experience burning or stinging sensations when urinating, speak to your doctor; you may have a urinary tract infection.[15]
[Edit]Fatigue - Take cat naps throughout the day. Sometimes the best way to deal with fatigue is to give into it. If you're feeling really tired, take a short nap or rest your eyes for a while until you get your energy back.[16]
- Fatigue doesn't usually last forever—by your second trimester, you'll probably be feeling more like yourself again.
- Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. It's super important to get a deep, restful sleep to avoid being tired throughout the day. Go to bed early and try to get 8 hours of sleep (or more) at night.[17]
- Getting enough sleep is beneficial to your overall health, too.
- Do a relaxing activity before bed to wind down. If you have trouble falling asleep, try taking a bath, listening to soothing music, or reading a book. You can start your soothing activity about an hour before bed to wind down and relax.[18]
- You can also try drinking sleepy time tea to soothe your body from the inside out.
- Try some stress-relieving activities to keep yourself calm. When your stress levels are high, it's much harder to get a restful night's sleep. Try yoga, mediation, or exercise to soothe your mind and lower your stress levels.[19]
- Lowering your stress levels can seem impossible, but it will be better for your overall health and the health of your baby.
[Edit]Aches and Pains - Try yoga to stretch your lower back and pelvis. Lower back pain is very common during the later stages of pregnancy. Try doing yoga that focuses on your back to relieve some aches and pains in the area.[20]
- As a bonus, yoga is also a calming and relaxing activity you can use to soothe your mood.
- Put your feet up on a stool when you're sitting to help with back pain. If you feel a twinge in your lower back when you sit down, prop your feet up on a stool or ottoman. This will help stretch out your spine and take some pressure off your lower back.[21]
- Always try to find the most comfortable position for your body before sitting down for a long time. If your spine is crunched or your posture is hunched, you could be in for a sore back later on.
- Avoid standing or sitting in one position for too long. If you have to stand up for a while, keep a stool or a chair nearby to take a rest. If you sit for most of the day, try to get up and walk around for a few minutes. This will help stretch your muscles and relieve some pain.[22]
- Even walking for 30 minutes a day can give you some light exercise while helping with muscle pain.
- Increase your calcium intake to avoid leg cramps. Dairy, kale, soy beans, and oatmeal all contain dairy that can help you alleviate cramps. Try to incorporate these foods into your diet to avoid an annoying charlie horse in your legs.[23]
- When you're stretching in bed, try to keep your feet flexed rather than pointing your toes. This can help avoid a cramp before it starts.
- Treat headaches with a cold compress. Headaches and migraines are fairly common during pregnancy, but it doesn't mean they're enjoyable. If you have a headache, get an ice pack and press it against your neck or your scalp to help relieve some pain.[24]
- Talk to your doctor before taking any pain relievers. Paracetamol may be an option, but you probably don't want to take it for a long period of time.[25]
- Elevate your hands and feet if they get swollen. Lie on a bed or on the floor, then put your legs up on the wall, keeping your knees bent. Lift your arms up and rest them on a wall or a chair to keep them above your heart.[26]
- If your hands and feet are constantly swollen, you might be dehydrated. Try drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day.
- Add an extra pillow or two to your bed to aid sleeping.
[Edit]Warnings - If you have been vomiting a lot, drink lots of water to rehydrate.
- Any discomfort that seems abnormal, unbearable, odd or painful for extended periods of time is a signal to see your doctor or midwife quickly.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
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