Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
elderberry syrup
wanted to be able to make my own. i'll be totally honest, i am NOT convinced this actually works. we have taken it off and on this winter with no results, but it tastes good and i know it can't hurt.
my friend sarah got me set up with everything i needed to make my own first batch. here are her instructions and it came out great! for next time, i will follow her directions of making two batches (one for adults and one for the kids) because the addition of cayenne pepper was too hot for bowie (and i did not put a lot in, but apparently it is needed for preserving).
3½ cups water
2/3 cup black elderberries (dried, or 1 1/3 cups fresh or frozen)
2 TBSP ginger (grated fresh)-I actually usually just break off a 2 to 3ish inch piece of the hand and grate the entire things skin and all. I usually add a little extra
2 cinnamon sticks
½ tsp ground cloves-whole cloves work too
1-2 lemons -1 sliced in rounds one squeezed in and then I just drop the rind in as well after squeezing the juice
1 decent sized orange 1/2 sliced and half squeezed like the lemon- you can more or less depending on preference.
A pinch of cayenne(or whatever you prefer, I make two batches usually, one that I give a good yet light sprinkle across the entire top of the pot and it has a pretty good kick to it and one that I do just a dash in for the kids. But it’s an important ingredient none the less
About 1/4 to half of a nutmeg grated fresh but ground works too about 1/2 tsp
1 cup raw honey-I usually start with 1/2 c and tweak it until I get it to how I want. Make sure it raw honey though or you can use agave or any other sweetener but raw honey has the most benefit
Instructions
Pour the water into a medium saucepan and add everything except the honey or sweetener of choice.
Bring to a boil and then cover (it’s important to do it at like low-medium heat or else the elderberries will turn super bitter) it usually takes my stove about 20ish minutes to get it boiling and you want a light boil, cover and reduce to low heat for a simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
Remove from heat and let cool until it is cool enough to be handled.
Take the cinnamon sticks out and Mash carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil.
Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
Discard the elderberries and let the liquid cool to lukewarm.
When it is no longer hot, add the honey and stir well.
When the honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a mason jar or glass bottle of some kind.
Store in the fridge should last a couple weeks if you don’t get through it sooner
Adults take 1tablespoon daily to boost immunity. Kids 1tsp.
If you’re actively sick or around someone who it, increase dose to 3x a day. Take 15 minutes before or after meals so your body absorbs the most nutrients
Enjoy!
my friend sarah got me set up with everything i needed to make my own first batch. here are her instructions and it came out great! for next time, i will follow her directions of making two batches (one for adults and one for the kids) because the addition of cayenne pepper was too hot for bowie (and i did not put a lot in, but apparently it is needed for preserving).
3½ cups water
2/3 cup black elderberries (dried, or 1 1/3 cups fresh or frozen)
2 TBSP ginger (grated fresh)-I actually usually just break off a 2 to 3ish inch piece of the hand and grate the entire things skin and all. I usually add a little extra
2 cinnamon sticks
½ tsp ground cloves-whole cloves work too
1-2 lemons -1 sliced in rounds one squeezed in and then I just drop the rind in as well after squeezing the juice
1 decent sized orange 1/2 sliced and half squeezed like the lemon- you can more or less depending on preference.
A pinch of cayenne(or whatever you prefer, I make two batches usually, one that I give a good yet light sprinkle across the entire top of the pot and it has a pretty good kick to it and one that I do just a dash in for the kids. But it’s an important ingredient none the less
About 1/4 to half of a nutmeg grated fresh but ground works too about 1/2 tsp
1 cup raw honey-I usually start with 1/2 c and tweak it until I get it to how I want. Make sure it raw honey though or you can use agave or any other sweetener but raw honey has the most benefit
Instructions
Pour the water into a medium saucepan and add everything except the honey or sweetener of choice.
Bring to a boil and then cover (it’s important to do it at like low-medium heat or else the elderberries will turn super bitter) it usually takes my stove about 20ish minutes to get it boiling and you want a light boil, cover and reduce to low heat for a simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
Remove from heat and let cool until it is cool enough to be handled.
Take the cinnamon sticks out and Mash carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil.
Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
Discard the elderberries and let the liquid cool to lukewarm.
When it is no longer hot, add the honey and stir well.
When the honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a mason jar or glass bottle of some kind.
Store in the fridge should last a couple weeks if you don’t get through it sooner
Adults take 1tablespoon daily to boost immunity. Kids 1tsp.
If you’re actively sick or around someone who it, increase dose to 3x a day. Take 15 minutes before or after meals so your body absorbs the most nutrients
Enjoy!
pure sweetness
bath time is either a great idea and they have fun playing and get along or it can be total chaos and i immediately regret it, but this time it was the BEST!
Monday, March 2, 2020
clothes pin dolls
i'm digging deep and getting creative over here as we wait out all the sickness in our area and stick to playing at home or outside.
got some old fashioned clothes pins and hot glued buttons on as faces and gave bowie some posca paint pens and gel pens.
got some old fashioned clothes pins and hot glued buttons on as faces and gave bowie some posca paint pens and gel pens.
hopeless wanderer
this is one of my fav music videos, it is so funny to me and i could watch it over and over. not to mention it is a good song. tell me what you think?
"hopeless wanderer" by mumford and sons
"hopeless wanderer" by mumford and sons
Sunday, March 1, 2020
hot tubbing
we spent a lot of time this weekend in the hot tub...great way to pass the time when we are having a slow and quiet weekend on the mend.
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