Nothing is worse than an overstuffed stomach searching for a dessert and finding only an assortment of heaviness adding to the misery of overindulgence. Shining like crown jewels, gelatin molds are one way of alleviating the bloatedness resulting from the usual holiday meal.

Served attractively in a gelatin mold, a cherry cola salad glows like a ruby necklace while resembling something sinfully richer. For the sugar restrictive, a sugar-free product is substituted. For the carb and the cholesterol conscious, a low-fat cream cheese is substituted.

Cola Salad

1-6oz package black bing cherry flavored gelatin
1-8-oz.can crushed pineapple in syrup
1-8-oz cream cheese, softened
1-12 oz can cola
1-8oz can black bing cherries, in syrup

Directions: In a saucepan: drain the juices of the black bing cherries and the crushed pineapple setting aside the fruit.On medium heat dissolve the black bing cherry gelatin in the fruit juices. Into a large bowl: refrigerate the gelatin mixture until it is thickened. Mix in the softened cream cheese until it is well blended. Fold in the black bing cherries and the crushed pineapple, stir in the canned cola. Pour into a mold that has sprayed with a canned cooking oil. Refrigerate until the mold is well set.

Emerald green congealed lime gelatin salad shimmers as a light alternative to the more weighty desserts as well as a delicious addition to a holiday meal.

Congealed Lime Gelatin Salad

1-large package lime flavored gelatin
-cup of shredded cabbage
-cup of diced celery
1-small can of crushed pineapple

Directions: Mix the lime flavored gelatin as directed on the package. Add the four ingredients to the gelatin stirring well and then pour into a plastic mold. Refrigerate until the mold is well set. Unmold the gelatin serving it on a bed of shredded lettuce with a side dish of mayonnaise. For the carb and cholesterol conscious, a sugar-free flavored gelatin and low-fat mayonnaise is substituted.

Brassy oranges, toasty coconut and crushed pineapple hang on the fringes of the more established elements. Yet, they have always managed to impress even the most jaded tastebuds.

Orange-Pineapple Gelatin Salad
1-small can mandarin oranges,the slices cut into fourths
1-large box of orange flavored gelatin
1-medium sized can of crushed pineapple
1-medium carton of sour cream
1-large carton of whipped topping

Directions: Sprinkle the orange gelatin into the bottom of a plastic mold. Drain the juices from the pineapple and the mandarin oranges mixing the fruits into the orange flavored gelatin then letting the mixture chill for two hours. Add the sour cream and the whipped topping mixing it well with the gelatin and the crushed pineapple. Let the ingredients chill until it is well set.

Gelatin like diamonds is usually dull unless it gleams with strawberries, cranberries and sliced apples that gives the mold the essence of something much grander.

Strawberry Gelatin Salad

1-large package of strawberry flavored gelatin
1-large red apple
2-cups of cold cranberry juice

Directions: dissolve the gelatin in two cups of boiling water. Add the cold cranberry juice. Peel the apple and dice it into small pieces stirring it into the gelatin. Pour into a mold that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Let chill and serve.