Easy Homemade Apple Cider!

     
This is my simple recipe for homemade Apple Cider.  It's so easy, you make it in a crock pot! For this batch I used 6 apples of the same variety, but feel free to use a couple different types of apples if you want.  You can also mix together sweeter and tart varieties for a great flavor. You can also add a slice of orange for an unique citrus burst.   Besides being left with wonderfully delicious clean apple cider, making this will leave your home smelling amazing!

What you need: 
6 Apples
3 Cinnamon sticks or 2 Tbsp Ground Cinnamon
1 clove
1 tsp ground allspice
1 Tbsp Raw Honey








Quarter your apples and place all of your ingredients in your crock pot.  Then cover with filtered water.  Place the lid on top and set the crock pot to high.

After a three hours your apples will be soft, using a wooden spoon you can stir the apples to help them break down.  Mashing up the soft apples will help their flavor absorb into the cider.  Now let the mash simmer on high for another three hours.

Once your apples have fully broken down it's time to strain your cider.  I used my NUT BAG to strain my cider but you can use a fine mesh sieve or cheese cloth.  I first transferred my cider to a large measuring cup so it would be easier to strain.  You may also want to allow the cider to cool for about 20 minutes or pop it in the fridge for a few minutes since you will need to squeeze the mash and you don't want to burn your hands.

After removing the cinnamon sticks slowly pour your cider through your strainer over a large bowl, then begin to squeeze the liquid out of the mash. Continue to squeeze until all the liquid has been removed, you will be left with very little mash.

Now you have fresh homemade Apple Cider!

Since I use no processed sugars in my kitchen, this recipe only contains a small amount of raw honey. If you want want a completely sugar free cider you can omit the honey.  Apples are sweet on their own so your cider will still taste wonderfully. 

Now you can serve your apple cider! I prefer it warm but this cider taste great served warm or cold! You can store it in the fridge in an airtight container for about a week. I also add the cinnimon sticks back to the cider after I strain it.

ENJOY!

Golden Green Juice!

This is a delicious sweet green juice recipe chock full of vitamins, minerals and micro-nutrients.  It's a perfect way to start your day or as a nutrient burst pick me up midday.

 Ingredients:

•  1 Gold Beet
•  3 Carrots
•  2 Collard Greens
•  3 Kale Leaves w/ stem
•  Fuji Apple
•  1/2 Lemon 
•  Slice of Ginger

Enjoy!

How To Drill A Pumpkin Lantern!

Last year my mom gave me a great idea when it came to carving my pumpkin.  Instead of the traditional jack-o-lantern we instead made a beautiful lantern out of a fantasy pumpkin.  This is such an easy project that yields a unique and beautiful holiday decoration.  Using a power drill and simply making holes in your pumpkin you can create whatever type of design you want.  It doesn't matter what size bit you use either.  Large or small works, and you can even use multiple sizes to create a fun look.  The best thing about this project is there is no right way to do it.  If you want you can create a design with your holes, make symmetrical lines or just make holes at random.

 
What you need:
A pumpkin
A Serrated Knife
A Large Spoon or Scoop
A Bowl
A Power Drill
A Candle



Using the serrated knife carve open the top of your pumpkin on a diagonal angel, this will keep the lid of your lantern from falling into the pumpkin once its scooped out.  Then scoop out the "guts" and seeds into your bowl.  Make sure to save your seeds so you can make ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS. Once you have removed all of the insides, using the side of your spoon try to even out the inside lining of your pumpkin.  This will help the light to escape later.

 
 Using whatever size drill bit you choose begin making holes.  Larger bits, are the easiest and will produce more light.  If you want a smaller more delicate look i would recommend making more holes. I used a 1/4 inch drill bit to make my holes in a random pattern going around my pumpkin.  If you want to be more methodical in your design I recommend using a marker to make a stencil on your pumpkin.

 

Once you are through drilling holes you will want to wipe of your pumpkin and remove any debris that may have fallen inside your pumpkin.

Now you are ready to light up your lantern.  I used a large votive in my pumpkin but you can also use one or more tea lights depending on how much light you want to shine through.

Now place outside for all your neighbors to see and be in awe of.

 

I didn't get a picture of my pumpkin lite up at night but here are some great photos of what drilled pumpkins look like!

Homemade Clean Apple Crisp!

Recently I have been overloaded with apples after an Apple Picking adventure, so I decided to create some new fall recipes.  First I took on the beloved Apple Crisp, or as some may refer to it, Apple Crumble.  At first I wasn't sure if I could create a Healthy Apple Crisp that would still taste great, so while I made my new creation I had my husband make a traditional apple crisp.  Once done we let our family be the judges!  Not only did everyone love my Apple Crisp, they actually preferred it to the traditional recipe.  Now, nothing against my husband's cooking skills, but I think the clean ingredients made the difference.  Below is my newest recipe for delicious Apple Crisp that is Gluten free, Grain Free, Dairy Free and contains no processed sugar!

For this recipe I used 6 apples of different varieties.  1 Jonathan, 1 Golden Delicious, 2 Red Delicious and 2 Cortland. I also did not peel the apples.  After Coring the apples I sliced them into small chucks and placed them in a medium sized mixing bowl.

  Filling:

• 6 Apples
• 2 Tsp Cinnamon 
• 1 Tsp Lemon Juice
• 2 Tsp Raw Honey
• 1 Tsp Pure Maple Syrup 

 Combine all the filling ingredients in your bowl and stir until all the apples are evenly coated.

  

 Once your apples are coated spread them out into a large baking dish.

 

Topping:

• 2 Cups Gluten Free Oats
• 1 Cup  Almond Flour
• 2 Tsp Cinnamon
• 1 Tsp Salt
• 1/2 Cup Ghee (Clarified Butter)
• 1/4 Cup Raw Honey
• 1/4 Cup Pure Maple Syrup

Combine all the ingredients for the topping in your bowl and stir until mixed.

 

Crumble the topping over your apples until evenly coated.

 

 Bake the Apple Crisp at 350' for 45 Minutes.

 

ENJOY!

Golden Beet Juice!

 Today's fresh cold pressed juice is the healthiest Orange Juice you can drink to start your day right.  Without an Orange in sight, this juice is jam packed with important vitamins and nutrients your body needs.

Ingredients:

• 2 Golden Beets
• 3 Carrots
• 1/4 Lemon 
• Slice of Ginger 

 
Beet juice has many wonderful benefits like improving blood flow and helping to lower blood pressure.  Golden beets are also heart healthy! They are high in powerful antioxidants, can lower cholesterol, and help in the prevention of cancer. Golden Beets also contain high levels of numerous vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin C, Potassium and Flavonoids.

Fresh Carrot juice is another wonderful source of important vitamins and nutrients.  Carrot juice contains large amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Potassium and numerous B Vitamins.  Fresh Carrot juice also contains important Macro-nutrients which can help to Improve Digestion, Regulate Bloods Sugar, Improve Eyesight, Promote Lung Health and Prevent Caner.

Have A Great Day!

Green Juice Recipe #2

Today's green juice recipe is not only delicious, but full of vitamins, minerals and nutrients! So grab your juicer and start juicing!

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 Kale leaves w/ stalk
• 3 Purple Kale leaves w/ stalk
• 3 Rainbow Swiss Chard leaves w/ stalk
• 3 Carrots
• 1 peeled lemon
• 1 Fuji Apple
• Small Slice of Ginger

ENJOY!

How To Roast Pumkin Seeds!

I must admit, my favorite part about carving pumpkins is getting to roast and eat the seeds! They are so yummy and easy to make.  Below is my simple and easy recipe for making the perfect roasted pumpkin seeds.




What you need

• 1 Medium Sized Pumpkin
• Colander
• Medium Bowl
• Baking Sheet
• Tin Foil
• Paper Towel

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil  
• 1/2 Tsp Kosher Salt

Empty the "guts" of your pumpkin into a colander.  Under cool running water clean the pumpkin seeds, removing any pumpkin pieces.  Once your seeds are clean, lay them out on a paper towel and pat them dry.  This will help them bake easier and more evenly.  Once you are done drying the seeds place them in a medium sized mixing bowl.

 

Add the Olive oil and Salt, then toss or stir until the seeds are evenly coated.

Once coated, evenly spread out your pumpkin seeds on a baking tray lined with tin foil.

Bake your seeds at 300'F for 40 minutes, stirring after 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

 

 ENJOY!

Homemade Clean Granola!

Yes its here! Another ridiculously easy and delicious clean recipe from my kitchen!  I love sprinkling granola on my yogurt in the morning or even as a snack, but I hate everything that is added to store bought granola. For instance preservatives, processed sugar, artificial coloring, corn syrup, Soy lecithin, hydrogenated oils, etc! Even the healthiest of store bought products contain some unwanted ingredients. For a while now I have been making my own granola at home and I love it! I know exactly what is in it and it is less expensive compared to store bought products.  I prefer a nut free granola, but this recipe can be adjusted to incorporate nuts, seeds and more.  I love this particular recipe because it is great for everyone.  It is gluten free, nut free, grain free and contains no processed sugars.




What you need:
Large Mixing Bowl
Large Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper
Spoon or Spatula










In a large mixing combine all your ingredients.

• 3 Cups Gluten Free Rolled Oats
• 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil or Grape Seed Oil
• 1 Tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 Tsp Salt
• 2-3 Tbsp Maple Syrup (depending on desired sweetness)
• 2 Tbsp Raw Honey
• 1 Tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
• 2 Tbsp Flax Seed Meal 

Once your granola is evenly mixed spread it out evenly on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake at 300'F for 45 minutes, stirring after 30 minutes.

Again if you prefer you can add nuts, seeds, shredded coconut, whatever your heart desires!

Tip: If you have flax seeds you can grind them in a coffee grinder or small chopper to make flax seed meal.

 ENJOY!

Yummy Red Juice!

Juicing is a great aid in weight-loss or to detox and flush toxins from your body. Did you know, juicing can also improve your overall health and immune system?! Try my delicious immune building juice recipe!

• 1 Medium Beet
• 1 Large Sweet Apple
• 3-4 Celery or Bok Choy
• 1 Lemon
• Handful of Parsley
• (optional)  Small Slice of Ginger

  

Guilt Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies!

There's nothing better then fresh chocolate chip cookies! Even if you eat clean you can indulge in these sweet treats.  My Paleo Chocolate Chunk Cookie recipe is so irresistible, everyone I know can't get enough and I am always asked to make them!  These cookies are grain free, dairy free and made without processed sugar.





What You Need

• 3 Cups Blanched Almond Flour THIS is my favorite brand, it is the finest almond flour I have found and is great for baking!
• 1/2 Cup Pure Maple Syrup
• 1/2 Cup Unrefined Coconut Oil or Palm Shortening
• 2 Eggs
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Kosher Salt
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1.5 Cups Enjoy Life Mega Chunks

1.   Preheat the oven to 375'F
2.  In a mixer combine your melted Coconut Oil, Maple Syrup, Eggs and Vanilla
3.  While your mixer is on a low speed slowly add your dry ingredients

4.  Once the batter is combined stir in your Chocolate Chunks 

5. On a Silpat or Parchment Paper place balls of dough (I use a small ice cream scoop)

 6. Bake cookies for about 15 minutes or until golden brown

Serve your cookies with a glass of Fresh Homemade Almond Milk!