When the Utah Senate met for the heated debate over what would become Utah’s official snack both Jello and Ice Cream were included in the discussion.

After all, Jello Belt residents love Jello and they love Ice Cream.  I think it has to do with the high concentration of non-drinking, non-smoking Mormons.  Their drug of choice is sugar.  Anyway, as we all know Jello won the contest.

Maybe the following comment by Senator Gene Davis gave Jello the lead:  ”Ice Cream is not sexy- it’s not wiggly and jiggly.”  Since when did wiggly and jiggly become sexy?  I am all over that trend.  My 3 month, post baby delivery stomach has just become sexy!

This yummy dessert combines these two favorites:  Jello and Ice Cream.  It can be chilled and ready to eat in an hour.  Can’t beat that!

Ice Cream and Jello Cooler

1 3oz. package Jello, any flavor

1 cup boiling water

1 cup cold water

1 pint vanilla ice cream (do not use ice cream with vanilla bean or you will have black specks in the bottom)

1.  Dissolve Jello in boiling water in a large bowl.  Stir until all the Jello is dissolved.  Then add cold water to Jello mixture and stir.

2.  Add ice cream by spoonfuls, stirring until melted.

3.  Chill until slightly thickened- about 30 minutes.  Stir for a few seconds, then pour into serving dishes.  Chill until firm, about 30 minutes more.

Makes about 4 servings

Now Go and Have Some Jello Joy!

Today we have chocolate curls and parsley, but I think lettuce must have been the garnishment of choice in the 30’s through 70’s.

Don’t you remember being served a nice helping of Jello on a lettuce leaf?

I remember one time as a young bride, I was asked to bring a salad to a dinner party.  What else was there to make but Jello?  I had recently sampled a new recipe:  Blueberry Jello and it was delicious, so I was anxious to share.  When we arrived proudly with our dish in hand our hostess looked at it curiously, apparently she was not accustomed to the culinary delight of Jello as a side dish.  Then as if she had solved a great dilemna said, “lets get some salad plates and put a lettuce leaf on it for the Jello.  Of course, what was I thinking?

I had seen Jello served on lettuce leaves.  Why had I not brought some lettuce to go along with my Jello?  I felt educated that night on the proper way to serve Jello.

Jello Without Lettuce Leaf: Pathetic Isn't it?

So there it is, my Jello memory.  No hideous recollection of eggs, olives, tuna or shrimp in Jello.  Jello memories are just a bowl of jiggly joy for me.  What about you?  Now go have some Jello Joy and send me your Jello memories:

The Good the Bad and the Ugly.

Now Go Make Some Jello Joy Memories!

In 1904 Jello girl made her entrance onto the advertising stage of America.  Just a little over 100 years later, it is time for an updated image don’t you think?  I mean America needs a new Jello Girl!  Never fear, I am here.  I feel duty-bound to step into that roll.  I am willing to take on that weighty responsibility.  I will take Jello to the world in a way never done before.

A gelatin ad once stated that the “transparency [of Jello] is proof of it’s purity.”  When Jello Girl entered the public eye, Jello girl represented this purity.

In a world where products are sold by scantily clad women and a sex sells era, we need to hearken back to a cleaner image.  We need to turn this iniquitous world around.

Jello is our answer as pointed out by a 1928 cookbook:  Jell-O brings dozens of answers.  Not just one or two, but dozens!

With 300 million boxes sold every day, there is nothing that can reach the hearts of the American public like a quivering bowl of green Jello.  What better person to be Jello Girl than a non-smoking, non-drinking, never tried drugs, un-tatooed Mormon?  Again, never fear I am here.  I will be your JELLO GIRL!  Now go Celebrate Jello Week with a little Jello Joy!

We Need Jello Now!

In 2001 Governor Leavitt and the Utah Senate made a significant decision that would change Utah forever.  After much thought, consideration and debate, Jello was made Utah’s official state snack and the second full week in February was determined to be know heretofore after as Jello Week.

I know what you are thinking and it didn’t come easy.  There of course were voices of dissent.  Ron Allen for one said, “The suggestion that Jell-O is the carrot sprinkled glue that keeps families together has pushed me over the edge.”  He apparently has not tasted my Jello- and as of this date it has never had carrots in it, but I plan to try that soon.

Top 24 Ways to Celebrate Jello Week

1.  Have a Jello Eating Contest

2.  Drink Jello Through a Straw

3.  Have a Jello Making Contest

4.  Have a Jello Wrestling Competition

5.  Make Jello Shots (if you are not Mormon) if you are, talk to your Bishop

6.  Buy a Jello Mold at a Near-by Thrift Shop

7.  Make Jello With Your New Jello Mold

8.  Buy a Jello Recipe Book

9.  Try Out a New Recipe

10.  Try a New Flavor- or Better Yet- Create Your Own Flavor.  Mix Kinds and Give a Nifty Prize to the Person that Can Guess the Flavors.

11.  Write a Letter to a Utah Congressman/Woman Telling About Your Jello Joys.

12.  Take Jello to a Neighbor.

13.  Take Jello to Work

14.  Congeal Your Co-Workers Stapler or Other Item in Jello.  See jellostapler.com for details.

15.  Congeal Your Husband’s Car Keys in Jello

16.  If You Have Had it with Your Teenager Texting, Congeal His/Her Cell Phone in Jello

17.  Play a Jello Joy Joke

18.  Have a Jello Buffet

Utah's Delicate Arch

19.  Fill Your Bathtub with Jello

20.  Make Jello Jigglers

21.  Try to Make a Delicate Arch Out of Jello

22.  Make a Jello Valentine

23.  Do Something Romantic with Jello

24.  Make a Mold of Your Face with Jello.  Google:  Eat Yer’ Face Gelatin Mold

Go and have some Jello Joy this week!  Let me know how you celebrate.