Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Cue the angels singing. Elderberry syrup has skyrocketed in popularity over the last several years as more folks are turning toward home healing and learning what they can do on their own to support their family's bodies. This homemade elderberry syrup is very easy to put together and can last for up to three months.
We take elderberry syrup during sick season and if we've been exposed to someone who was sick as a standard does of 1-2 teaspoons for kids and 1 tablespoon for adults, once a day. If we are sick, we take the same dose every 2-3 hours until symptoms disappear.
Elderberry Benefits
Elderberry has traditionally been considered a medicinal plant. It can support a strong immune system and may even alleviate respiratory conditions such as cold and cough. High in flavonoids, elderberries are thought to reduce the risk of heart disease and are beneficial in lowering blood pressure and managing diabetes. Add in my homemade fire cider and have the double whammy of natural immune support - there's even a kid-friendly fire cider version!
[mv_create key="26" thumbnail="https://hayfield-farm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/HF-Pinterest-Pins-35.png" title="Homemade Elderberry Syrup" type="recipe"]Reusing elderberries: If you'd like to keep the berries, you can simmer and strain them one more time to make a tea.
Sourcing quality ingredients: Be sure that you are sourcing quality elderberries. Ideally, your honey should come from close to home for you in order to receive the seasonal allergy relief that local honey offers.
Be sure to never eat raw dried elderberries, as they are toxic when dried.
Homemade Garlic Powder
Homemade Garlic Powder
Who knew homemade garlic powder could be so easy? If you're anything like me, when a recipe calls for garlic, you use twice the amount - okay, three times. Making your own homemade garlic powder is not only incredibly simple but it tastes wildly better than store-bought.
Want to take it a step further? Grow your own garlic. Garlic is easy to grow and store. There are many varieties available for any zone. Garlic is a staple to the homestead and has many medicinal uses, even topical uses.
[mv_create key="25" thumbnail="https://hayfield-farm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/HF-Pinterest-Pins-34.png" title="Homemade Garlic Powder" type="recipe"]If you don't have a dehydrator, you can use your oven on its lowest heat setting; however, this method isn't ideal as the garlic is more prone to burning and the higher temps denature the beneficial enzymes and antioxidants. A dehydrator is an incredible investment. This is an affordable option.
Kid-Approved Fire Cider
Kid-Approved Fire Cider
If you've ever had a traditional fire cider, it can be a little spicy, a little vinegar-y. Not something that's easy to compete with bright purple, bubblegum flavored mainstream medicine when it comes to convincing your kid to take a swig. This kid-approved fire cider adds a great bit of raw honey to soothe those intense flavors.
Getting your kids involved in making the fire cider may also encourage them to want to try it! Still a no? Try adding a few tablespoons to some warm tea. Have a tea party.
Either way, this fire cider is antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiviral, making it a perfect choice for fighting off any sickness.
This recipe is simple, measure with the heart. Add a lot of raw local honey to sweeten it up.
Kid-Approved Fire Cider Recipe
- Large glass jar with a lid
- Orange slices
- Lemon slices
- Fresh Ginger Slices
- Garlic Slices
- Raw Honey
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Add orange, lemon, ginger, and garlic to your jar to fill, leaving 2-3 inches of space at the top.
- Muddle/smash ingredients down for a minute or two to release juices and flavors
- Add 1/2 cup or more of raw honey
- Top off with apple cider vinegar
- Screw on the lid and give it a good shake
- Leave it on the counter for 3 days
- Strain
- Compost scraps and store liquid in the jar in the fridge.
- At signs of cold symptoms, take a few tablespoons a day.
How to Clean Your Wood Cutting Board
How to Clean Your Wood Cutting Board
We use our wood cutting board for everything. I snagged a gorgeous, heavy, heirloom-style cutting board from a local woodworker and I've never looked back. I vowed that I would put time and effort into cleaning my wood cutting board since we all know that funk can get trapped in the grooves.
I've only ever used soapy hot water, until I learned that that's not cutting it - pun intended. When you make grooves in the wood, bacteria can get trapped underneath. If you're using one cutting board or cutting meat where you cut your vegetables, bacteria can easily form in your cutting boards.
I love a beautiful wood cutting board. It ranks up there with my cast iron in my favorite kitchen items. Like cast iron, if you take care of it, you can ensure it is clean and extend its life dramatically.
Here is a simple way to clean and sanitize your wood cutting board. This is great to do every couple of months to ensure your wood cutting board is clean and in good shape for long term use.
Step-by-step to cleaning your wood cutting board
First, wash and scrub your cutting board with hot soapy water.
Next, pat dry and spray your cutting board with white distilled vinegar. If you don't have vinegar in a spray bottle, simply pour some on and wipe it around.
Third, pat it dry again and sprinkle your board with salt. I use a coarse celtic sea salt.
Next, cut a lemon or lime in half and rub the salt into the board with your citrus. Small circles. You'll find out if you have any cuts on your hands now. Do this until most, if not all, of the salt is dissolved.
Then, pour on some olive oil and rub all over the board.
Let your board completely dry, then brush off any excess salt.
If you want to take it a step further, you can add a bee's wax based board balm after your board is completely dry and cleaned off. I like to use a bee's wax board balm since it is all natural and very effective at sealing the wood to prevent moisture and bacteria from hanging out in the grooves of your board.
Hormone Healing Chamomile Latte
Hormone Healing Chamomile Latte
Looking to heal those hormones and reduce your caffeine intake, but don't want to lose out on your five minutes of morning peace with your coffee? This hormone healing chamomile latte is the perfect alternative if you're trying to go caffeine-free with a creamy, dreamy latte.
Maca powder will add hormone support and healing since it is an adaptogenic herb. Try making your own vanilla extract it's so easy!
By cutting out caffeine you can dramatically reduce the stress on your body and reduce the amount of time your body spends in a parasympathetic state.
I started to notice that in the mornings, when I was working from home, before the nanny my stress was high. Very high. I felt panicked, I was irritable, and it started my day off so poorly. It is a stressful situation to try to get yourself ready for the day, a baby ready, breakfast, coffee, fire up the laptop for work, get through a few emails. I'm already pretty high-strung. The absolute last thing I need is caffeine.
I switched to organic swiss water process decaf coffee at first. Having that hot mug in my hands while I distract my babe with scrambled eggs and smushed blueberries is just bliss. I needed something. Then I decided I wanted to support my body with my morning drink, that's when I switched to these hormone healing chamomile lattes. Still creamy and delicious just like my coffee, but supports my body instead of depleting it.
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How to Cook the Perfect Steak
We're going to talk about how to cook a perfect steak each and every time. Straight from the beef farmer. Crack a window, you're going to smoke up your kitchen and it's going to be 100% worth it. Need a quick meal? Steak only takes a few minutes.
The Pan
The cast iron pans are the work horses of our kitchen. A nice, seasoned cast iron pan is worth it's weight in gold. Cast iron pans are going to give you that perfect even sear on your steak. If you don't have a cast iron, use a regular non-stick skillet. If you are looking for a solid, heirloom style cast iron, check out Lodge cast iron products.
The Steak
Ribeye, NY strip, filet, Porterhouse - whatever cut you choose, make sure it's a premium dry aged cut straight from your local farmer or butcher. The quality of the steak is going to make all the difference in tenderness and flavor. We cook to a medium rare temperature.
The Prep
Take it out and get it to room temperature for 10 minutes. Season it heavily with coarse salt and pepper right before you cook it. Get your cast iron pan HOT. We usually go for medium high heat. When you see the pan just start to smoke, it's ready. When you drop the steak in, you'll want a very loud searing noise.
How to Cook the Perfect Steak
For medium rare, we shoot for about three minutes per side.
Once your pan gets hot, drop in a tablespoon of olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Let that heat up and drop the steaks in.
Let them sear for three minutes, then drop in a spring of thyme, three pads of butter, and two crushed garlic cloves. A few times over the next three minutes, take a spoon, tip your pan, and baste all that butter goodness on top of the steaks. Finally, take your tongs and flip your steak up on the sides for a few seconds. If you don't have the thyme, try rosemary. If you don't have rosemary, skip it.
Give it one last good baste. Then take it out and set it on a plate. Spoon a little of the butter on top.
How to Tell it's Done
Here's a fun quick trip for temperature. Touch your thumb to your pointer finger tip (like you're giving the "OK" hand sign), feel the inside pad at the base of the your thumb, that's what rare feels like. Touching your thumb to the tip of your middle finger, medium rare. Thumb to ring finger, medium. Thumb to pinky, well done.