With fall upon us, we all feel the pull to visit our local farmers and collect the bounty of the fields! One way to preserve some of our most powerful immune-enhancing foods is to steep them in raw apple cider vinegar. The health benefits of raw apple cider vinegar are many. From live enzymes and bacteria, to a wealth of B-vitamins, what more could you ask for in a little immune enhancement?
We decided to add a little flare to the traditional fire cider recipe, to help better capture the summer energy of bright colors and vibrancy.
The possibilities are limitless and we encourage you to get creative with it. Featured: powerful and pungent fresh horseradish, ginger, garlic, onion and hot pepper.
Added enhancement: fresh, curcumin-rich yellow turmeric, deep ruby red dried hibiscus petals containing naturally occurring vitamin C, and peppery yellow, gold, red nasturtium blossoms that embody summer’s vibrancy!
Fire Cider is traditionally used for fast-acting support. The immune-enhancing effects of the veggies, herbs and spices in this formula support our bodies as we transition from the warmth of summer into the cool temperatures of fall and winter.
Whether you need an immune system rev up or want to spice up a salad dressing, this can be taken as frequently or as little as you want.
For immune support, take 15-30 mLs every couple hours. It can be diluted in water or taken straight. As Rosemary Gladstar recommends, a small shot glass daily serves as an excellent tonic. Take it more frequently if necessary to help your immune system do battle.
It is extra fun to cook with it and seeing how it enhances your meals…. To your health and bon appetit!
(Taken and adapted from: http://freefirecider.com/rosemarys-story/)
Fire Cider is like liquid summer warmth for the darkness of winter; the high point of summer’s bounty preserved for the cold months that are to come.
Ingredients:
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½ cup grated fresh horseradish root
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½ cup or more fresh chopped onions. (We used red onion.)
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¼ cup or more chopped garlic
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¼ cup or more grated ginger
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Chopped fresh or dried hot pepper ‘to taste’. (We used one whole pepper. Can be whole or powdered. ‘To Taste’ means should be hot, but not so hot you can’t tolerate it. Better to make it a little milder than to hot; you can always add more pepper later if necessary.)
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1 tablespoon fresh turmeric root
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1 tablespoon dry hibiscus petals
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Handful Nasturtiums flowers
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Optional ingredients; Echinacea, cinnamon, etc.
Recipe:
1. Place herbs in a half-gallon canning jar and cover with enough raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar to cover the herbs by at least three to four inches. Cover tightly with a tight fitting lid. If the jar has a metal top and ring, place a piece of parchment paper on the opening before closing with the lid, to prevent erosion from the vinegar.
2. Place jar in a warm place and let sit for three to four weeks. Best to shake every day to help in the maceration process.
3. After three to four weeks, strain out the herbs, and reserve the liquid.
4. Add honey ‘to taste’. Warm the honey first so it mixes in well. “To taste’ means your Fire Cider should taste hot, spicy, and sweet. “A little bit of honey helps the medicine go down……”
5. Rebottle and enjoy! Fire Cider will keep for several months unrefrigerated if stored in a cool pantry. But it’s better to store in the refrigerator if you have room.