Refreshing, Low-Calorie Gelatin Giggler Dessert

       &nb sp;               &nb sp;               &nb sp;   Gelatin Gigglers

• 4 boxes of low fat, no sugar gelatin (40 calories per box) (I buy an "off-brand"--38 cents a box)
• pour contents into a medium mixing bowl
• use a 13 by 9 inch baking dish/pan
• spray the bottom and edges of the pan lightly with cooking spray
• spread out a layer of thinly sliced strawberries, peaches, apples, pears, nectarines, etc.; (grated carrots or celery could also be used) (optional)
• or use blackberries, orange slices, etc. (calories from fruit approximately 50-80) (flax seed [45 cal. per tb.] and sunflower seeds [50 cal. per tb] can be used) (optional)
• pour 2 cups of bowling water into gelatin in mixing bowl--dissolve gelatin thoroughly (NO salt needs to be added to the water)
• add 1 cup of cold water and stir again
• pour gelatin gently onto layer of fruit (you DON'T have to put any fruit in)
• refrigerate for at least two hours
• cut into squares or whatever sized pieces
• dollop 2-4 tablespoons of Nonfat Cool Whip (15 cals. per 2 tbs.) on each piece

Overall, an entire pan of these treats with fruit and Cool Whip, generally, runs around 500-525 calories.  However, if you add no fruit or veggies like grated carrots or celery AND no Nonfat Cool Whip, the total calories are only 160 for the whole pan.  I divide the pan into between 16 and 24 squares.  Depending on portion size and ingredients the calorie content of each piece ranges from 10 to 30.

I like these better than regular gelatin because I can pick a piece up like a piece of cake; the flavor is more robost, and I like the texture better.

I don't eat gelatin because I'm a vegetarian... but the other problem with this is what it's got huge amounts of artificial sweetener in. Artificial sweeteners are extremely bad for human bodies.

I guess it depends on which health expert you use.  I found several sites that recommend artificial sweeteners over processed sugars.  But you may be right.  Two sites, including Calorie Count, however, give the lowfat Jello an A.  That works for me.