Fire Cider - Part 2

You can read Part 1 here.

I waited six weeks to strain my Fire Cider. I guess because I wanted it good and strong!

Before and after...

October 10, 2017 - Day one

November 28, 2017 - Six weeks later

I had another gallon jar to put my strainer bag in so I could transfer it all over.

I squeezed out as much as I could from the strainer bag. The next photo shows the bulk of vegetables I had after six weeks.

And here is the unsweetened amount of liquid I got today below. The straight Fire Cider, to which I added honey to taste. I would've used maple syrup, but I am out at present. Honey is a good soother when dealing with sickness. 

These are quart jars. After I added honey, I netted about 2 ¾ quarts total of Fire Cider. The leftover strained vegetables are in my freezer, because I figure it can give good flavor to other recipes. Today we used some in a dressing to add some zing to a cabbage and zucchini slaw we made for lunch. I can add them straight from the freezer/partially thawed to blended salad dressings, hummus and other sauces and blended soups to add flavor. Nothing goes to waste if I can help it! 

Freezing the vegetables for other uses. 

So that is how things turned out. Now I am officially ready for the cold season that is now upon us. This week ends in December, so none too soon. I hope you stay warm this season. If not, make a little Fire Cider for your own house! Just an ounce or two will do, every day.  Enjoy!

Fire Cider - Part 1

Today I was excited to receive a gift of horseradish! I know it might not be everyone's idea of a fun time, but I got chopping this evening to make something I have wanted to make for a long time - Fire Cider!

Looking up recipes, I found something very interesting about it's history. If you are curious about it all, you can go to freefirecider.com and read it for yourself. The recipe can be found here.

So you know, this recipe is not my own. Recipes for Fire Cider, and it's various names, abound on the internet. I have made something very close to Rosemary Gladstar's recipe, found above. You can even watch her talking about Fire Cider and making it here in this video.

I put my prepared ingredients (varies from the recipe above) into a gallon size jar. It will need about 4-6 weeks of wait time. I used the following organic ingredients:

Fire Cider

1 cup chopped fresh organic ginger root, do not peel

1 1/2 cup peeled, chopped fresh local organic horseradish root

2 medium organic onions, chopped

1 small organic fresh turmeric root, chopped (about 2 Tablespoons), do not peel

approximately 10 cloves of fresh organic garlic, chopped

2 organic chili peppers, chopped (your preference, cayenne is common)

1 organic whole lemon, chopped, with peel on

2 quarts organic raw apple cider vinegar

And this is what my batch looked like before I added the apple cider vinegar... 

...Then I added the vinegar to cover. I will be shaking it a bit every day or two. Part 2 will include what I will do when the Fire Cider is done, around the 4-6 week mark. It will involve straining the mixture and adding honey for a sweeter and more palatable taste. 

I can't wait because it's both a great food and remedy. I know my sinuses feel better when I use this! Goodbye, colds!  =) And the taste is delicious!

Read about Part 2 here! 

Ivy's Colon Cleanse

This colon cleanse recipe comes from a woman named Ivy Bridge. We've been using this for many years, so it's definitely a tried and true recipe, although not for food, rather to clean out the colon. Please read thoroughly and gather your ingredients/supplements all ahead of time. Give yourself a week or two to find what you need, if you are not used to keeping these things at your house (see note below). I offer this as information that has proved helpful in my experience.

Ivy's Colon Cleanse

1/2 cup unfiltered apple juice (organic, or freshly juiced organic apples)
1/2 cup purified water
2 Tablespoons liquid chlorophyll*
2 Tablespoons aloe vera juice* (best is whole leaf*)
1 heaping teaspoon psyllium hulls*
2 teaspoons hydrated bentonite clay* (optional, not in original recipe)

My recipe says to blend the above ingredients in a blender. I have stirred them together in a glass without trouble. After they are mixed, drink immediately (or you will have an extra thick gel). Drink another glass of water immediately after, with 2 cascara sagrada capsules*. Take first thing in the morning. My recipe then says to continue for at least two months (first thing each morning), then use as desired. Drink plenty of water during the day.

* - these ingredients are available from Nature's Sunshine Products. Please check out their website, if you don't know how/where to buy their products. They are a reputable company and have been in business since 1972.

As an added tip, I have found that adding digestive enzymes when I'm eating meals helps greatly with digestion. Taking probiotics are also very helpful to restore your gut's heath (and very good to use when/if you've ever taken antibiotics). Nature's Sunshine also has these items.

Please note my disclaimer: I am NOT a doctor. This page is for education only, and is NOT intended to be medical advice. Always talk with your health practitioner before taking any herbs or supplements.