So Pretty, But So Wrong

The colors of the juice were so pretty and appetizing, but the flavors were oh, so very wrong!

It was primarily the rosy pink that seduced me. The pretty drink in the very earth-conscious bottle made of 100% recycled plastic looked positively delicious. It even had the word "Berry" in its name: "Berry Veggie" to be exact. I should have paid more attention to the "veggie" and less to the "berry." The rosy pink shade was not only reminiscent of raspberries, strawberries and cherries, but also of purple carrots (?) and beets. As in borscht from beets.

If you haven't experienced Naked Juice, well, I'm not really sure words can do it justice.

It comes in more colors and corresponding flavors, of course. The "Green Machine" doesn't have the same appeal as the blushing "Berry Veggie," in fact, it's sort of a noxious pond-scum green. But unlike the deceitful pink stuff, "Green Machine" actually tastes pretty good. Think kiwis and green grapes. It's not bad at all.

So, true to form, I figure that if this Naked Juice is so healthy (and each unique flavor does pack its own jackpot of vitamins, fiber, anti-oxidants and other nutritious stuff) that it was something I wanted to work with. What to make from juices?  Why, gelatin molds, of course!

The good news is that Naked Juice takes to gelatin like salt to nuts. It's a perfect match. And I'm not talking the pre-sweetened, chemically colored and laboratory flavored brand-name stuff, but the unadulterated, no nonsense packs of plain gelatin. Soften two envelopes of powdered gelatin in half a cup of cold water, then dissolve it thoroughly in a cup of really hot water; stir in about two cups of which ever Naked Juice strikes your fancy, and by the next morning you'll be turning out perfectly jiggly, shiny fruit-colored molds.

For the sake of honesty, though, I must admit one unfortunate fact.
The rosy pink molds still taste exactly like purple carrots and beets.