The weather outside is officially cold, and we just want something warm, healthy, and down-right tasty! When a sweet craving hits, we make our wellness cider! Homemade cider is a perfect pick for curbing your sweet tooth and will keep your health in peak shape. Here is our go-to, healthy cider recipe.
Apples - Full of fiber and antioxidants, this sweet fruit is a perfect co-pilot to your daily fruit intake needs. Apples also help lower your cholesterol and are a heart healthy fruit.
Cloves - These spicy little treats pack a powerful punch. Packed with vitamin K, vitamin C, and manganese, cloves provide the body with the tools it needs to detox daily pollutants plus they perk up the immune system!
Cinnamon - This metabolism boosting spice not only adds great flavor to this cider, but it also has anti-microbial properties and helps control blood sugar.
Cardamom - This naturally detoxifying herb helps jump-start your digestive system. This is the perfect, sweet and spicy herb to use in the morning to wake up your body.
Tarragon - This wonderful herb is a powerhouse. It's light licorice taste will not only add a subtle something special to this recipe, it will also help your body fight free radicals with it's high antioxidant properties. This herb also helps soothe mouth pain, anxiety, and supports cardiovascular health. Rich in vitamin A, C and B-6, your body will be thanking you for adding this to your daily intake.
Ginger - This stomach soother adds a spicy freshness to any beverage or meal. This root provides the body with cancer fighting properties, soothes inflammation, and helps boost your immune system.
Lemon and Orange - High in Vitamin C, these citrus fruits give your body the power it needs to fight free radicals.
4 cups freshly made apple juice (for a tart taste use granny smith, for a sweeter taste use gala). Keep the pulp from the juicer for the cider.
5 whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
4 whole cardamom pods
2 sprigs of tarragon
1-inch piece of fresh ginger
½ teaspoon fresh lemon zest
½ orange, thinly sliced
Juice apples setting juice and pulp in a medium sauce pan. On medium-low heat warm juice, adding the cloves, cinnamon sticks, cardamom, tarragon, ginger, and lemon zest.
Cover and let warm for 20 minutes. Add orange slices near the end. Strain and serve immediately. Sip and enjoy!
Summer is a time for being active and surrounding yourself with growth. The best way to do that is to plant a simple garden and take in its beauty every day! Gardening can be a soothing and rewarding activity. But did you know that you can grow your own wellness right in your own backyard? Many seem to forget about starting an herb garden and go right for the flowers instead. Herbs play a key role in your health and most are very easy to grow and maintain. Here are our top 8 herbs to grow in your garden for the best health benefits for internal and external use!
Basil has long been used medicinally to treat inflammation and bacteria and it provides high doses of vitamins K, A, and C. This tasty powerhouse can be brewed into a facial toner, or tea and of course tastes great in any number of summertime dishes. To brew your own Basil toner, steep 12-15 stems and leaves in boiling water for 3 minutes. Pour "tea" into a heat safe bowl and allow to cool. Mix 3 tablespoons of basil water with 2 table spoons of which hazel and rub onto skin with a cotton ball. This mixture works great on acne prone skin.
Cilantro - This earthy herb aids in harmonizing digestion and relieving gastric upset. Its high concentrate of Vitamin C makes this herb a great antioxidant to put into any meal. Cilantro also promotes a healthy liver which can help promote balanced insulin production. Mix cilantro in rice dishes or top white fish with this fragrant herb.
Mint is the perfect addition to any garden. Not only does its scent deter spiders and other critters from getting into your garden, it provides a whole lot of internal well-being. Steep mint in hot water for two minutes, drink and find relief from menstrual cramping, stomach upset, headaches, and stress. Mint also makes for a great addition to your daily water intake. In a large pitcher, add water, mint, and lemon to create a great detoxifying water to enjoy every day. You can also add five pumps of your favorite Harmonized Water to this recipe for boosted results!
Thyme is an all star when it comes to killing bacteria in the body. Thyme is a great alternative to treat colds, coughs, and sore throats. Steep it as a tea or press the oils from its leaves to treat acne and eczema. You can also add it's oil to an Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse to combat oily scalp and dandruff. High in Vitamin A, this herb is great to treat your skin from the inside out.
Sage - This tasty herb helps balance symptoms caused by brain and nervous disorders. Feel relief from stress, anxiety, and depression by sipping on some sage tea. Sage also helps kill bacteria in the mouth and throat. Rub a sage leave on mouth sores to lessen the inflammation and pain. Sage makes for a great seasoning on many meat dishes. It also tastes great when browned in Ghee! Top your summer pasta with that mixture and get ready to rejoice in tasty goodness.
Lavender - Lavender is one of the most versatile herbs out there. Use it in baking or cooking for a unique layer of flavor! The best way to use lavender is to find relaxation and induce sleep. Trim a large amount of lavender from your garden and dry it out. Once its dry, place it in a small sachet to place under your pillow to gain its benefits as you drift off to sleep.
Rosemary - This pungent herb helps deter pesky garden critters from entering your sanctuary, this includes mosquitoes! The heavenly scent can help clear the mind and help you feel grounded just by taking a whiff. It's oils can help treat hair loss, dandruff and irritated skin. You can also infuse your water with it for a tasty, anti-inflammation treatment.
Lemon Balm - Stay alert and clear your mind with lemon balm. This herb can be used to treat a wide variety of issues and daily disruptions. Lemon balm, when ingested, helps treat gas, cramping, and stomach upset. It also helps with muscle tension and inflammation. Used as a poultice, it can help induce faster healing and reduce swelling and inflammation caused from wounds. Add fresh lemon balm to salads or light fish meals to give a little citrus spice!
Get out and plant these herbs and get ready for some serious holistic healing. These herbs are easy to maintain with daily watering and proper trimming. How does your garden grow?
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Apples - Full of fiber and antioxidants, this sweet fruit is a perfect co-pilot to your daily fruit intake needs. Apples also help lower your cholesterol and are a heart healthy fruit.
