homemade vinegar & honey sore throat and cold remedy

02/27/2011 by · Leave a Comment

Being pregnant and/or nursing for most of the last 3 years has made cold season a little more miserable than usual…

So when my friend Nazra (who blogs over at MakeItBakeItCreatIt.blogspot.com - go check her out!) gave me this recipe that her family has used for years to soothe sore throats and help combat cold season, I had to give it a try!

I have already been taking straight shots of organic apple cider vinegar (or diluted in water) for the health benefits this cold season, but let me tell you… it’s not so fun. So when Naz mentioned that she takes this remedy of honey and vinegar mixed with hot water, I just had to try it!

I immediately fell in love (well, as much as one can love a cold-remedy that is!) as it tasted great and every sip soothed my very sore throat!

And since I already know the health benefits of raw organic apple cider vinegar and honey (and I added a little salt to her recipe for the additional throat healing!) I know this recipe is a keeper and will be used for years to come in my family!

Thanks Nazra!!

**Click here for a website with more information on the health benefits of Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar, for those of you who hadn’t heard this before!!**

Vinegar & Honey Sore Throat and Cold Remedy Recipe

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons organic raw apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons raw local honey
pinch of kosher or sea salt
boiling water, to taste

Directions:
Measure out the first three ingredients into a mug. Pour in the boiling water, stirring well to combine. Drink as soon as it has cooled off to ‘drinkable’! (This makes one serving.)

Take at least once a day during cold season, or more often if you have a sore throat!

Filed Under: recipes - beverages, recipes - natural ·

my secret…

02/26/2011 by · Leave a Comment

I have struggled with Postpartum Depression (PPD) since my first child was born almost 2 years ago. Only, I didn’t know until recently what I was really struggling with.

I blamed my emotions, emptiness and mourning on tangible things… like my first son’s birth not going as planned (or rather, not knowing enough to plan and being let down by the journey), his illness the whole first year of his life, having 2 kids under 2, my husband’s long hours at work leaving me home alone too much, financial burdens and guilt, my family and friends being so far away, my ‘new’ friends being too busy with their lives for one more thing… and the list goes on and on.

But I realized recently that all those things are just that… things… and that the true problem lies within myself. I am a mom who suffers from Postpartum Depression. I spend my days riding waves of emotion… from sadness, to anger, to emptiness, and occasionally joy… but mostly the others.

I find it hard to think straight, even though I get plenty of sleep, and I am always walking around in a fog. I feel like an observer in my life… watching everything happen around me, but not really participating. I put up walls and keep people at arms length, even though I am screaming inside for them to break through.

I am lost. I am broken. I am not me. I don’t even know if I really even know who “me” is anymore. But I do know who I want to be, and I will spend every day of the rest of my life striving to be that person… one tiny step at a time.

And one day… I will be whole again.

Filed Under: mama musings, postpartum depression, PPD ·

slow cooker beef & mushrooms

02/25/2011 by · Leave a Comment

The snow just keeps on falling… which in my world means the slow cooker must keep on cooking! There’s just something cozy about the smells and warmth a slow cooker gives off all day that I just love.

Today I was craving some good hearty beef. I found some beef stew meat in the freezer and this meal was born. Similar to a beef stew, but with more meat and mushrooms and less ‘gravy’… perfect for a cold snowy day!

Slow Cooker Beef & Mushrooms Recipe

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb whole button mushrooms
1/2 cup beef or chicken stock
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
salt & pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
splash of red wine (optional)

Directions:
Throw everything into the slow cooker, stir to combine, and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Serve with noodles, rice or mashed potatoes… whatever you’d like!

Filed Under: recipes - crockpot, recipes - dinner, recipes - make ahead, recipes - slow cooker ·

slow cooker cinnamon applesauce

02/23/2011 by · Leave a Comment

It’s dumping snow outside and I needed to put something in the slow cooker to warm up the house and fill it with cozy smells.

This applesauce did the trick… filling my house with amazing smells! And the best part? It took all of 5 minutes to get this into the crockpot and my toddler is going to love it!!

Slow Cooker Cinnamon Applesauce Recipe

Ingredients:
6 medium apples, peeled, cored & sliced
juice of 1 large lemon
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt

Directions:
Dump eveything into the slow cooker, toss to combine and cook on High for 2-3 hours or Low for 5-6 hours. Turn off the slow cooker and mash the apples with a potato masher to your desired consistency. Serve warm or cold!

Filed Under: recipes - baby, recipes - crockpot, recipes - slow cooker ·

slow cooker lemony chicken noodle soup

02/21/2011 by · Leave a Comment
I’m re-posting this recipe in honor of its mention on today’s Tasty Kitchen blog! :o)

—

(You can also find this recipe over here on Saveur.com where it was featured several months ago!)


“Adding Parmesan cheese rinds adds a richer texture and extra umami to soup stock, which can be used in this easy chicken noodle soup.” - Saveur

This is a perfect use for leftover turkey or chicken, especially when you are looking for comfort food with a twist… something a little different than you’re used to!
This soup is satisfying, comforting and fresh… and best of all, simple!!

Slow Cooker Lemony Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Ingredients:
8 cups turkey or chicken stock
3 carrots, peeled & chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 cups chopped leftover cooked turkey or chicken (or raw, cut into small pieces!)
Juice of 2 lemons
1 parmesan cheese rind*
1/2 lb noodles - short, or long and broken**
salt & pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions:
Throw everything into your crockpot, stir to combine, and cook on low for at least 4-6 hours, until the soup is hot, rind is melted, and noodles are soft.

*If you don’t already save your leftover parmesan cheese rinds… PLEASE do! Toss them in the freezer and add them to your soups. They add such a great layer of flavor to your soups!

**If you want use egg noodles, please cook them separately and add them into each bowl of soup when you serve it… they dissolve when cooked too long!

Filed Under: recipes, recipes - crockpot, recipes - dinner, recipes - make ahead, recipes - slow cooker, recipes - soup ·
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