Shrubs: Make This Healthy Drinking Vinegar Cocktail or Mocktail The Easy Way→

A Traditional Healthy Easy Cocktail Or Mocktail Recipe

Ever Heard of One Of These So-Called Shrubs? Let me give you the definition.

Ahem...

”A shrub is a non-alcoholic syrup made of a combination of concentrated fruit, aromatics, sugar & vinegar.”

Basic right? Fruit, herbs, sugar (honey or agave) and vinegar; all things you probably have on hand.

This wonderful concoction has been around for centuries and was extremely popular before refridgeration was invented. Preserved, the mixture would slowly ferment and be used in spirits to bring back the flavors of past seasons. Aside from its popularity in history, one should know there are huge health benefits sipping on a shrub. Drinking just a tsp a day of apple cider vinegar can lower blood sugar levels, help people loose weight, reduces belly fat, lowers blood pressure and even lowers cholesterol!

Now before you make that sour face, like there is NO way you would even entertain the thought of a drink with vinegar, let me share my experience, as I doubted it too. Generally speaking, I am not a big fan of “healthy” detox drinks. You know the ones that are generally green, bitter or naturally carbonated. I am a simple girl, I like coffee, tea, water & wine and usually in that order. Years back, I worked at a place that was very big on making kombucha (Hi to The Ecology Center) and I seriously do not know how anyone can drink that stuff as there is a live organism growing right before your eyes in there. Also, I hate the smell and taste of apple cider vinegar in anything. Some people can drink it straight! BLAH! YUCK! However, the vinegar taste in a shrub is like a little fizz/tang afterthought. It just adds a little zing at the end. In fact, if you were to make up one of these cocktails for someone not familiar with a shrub, I would guess they could not breakdown the ingredients or believe it was vinegar based. Scouts honor!

So it seems there is no exact way to make these. Just as everyone seems to have their own take on “how to grill,” everyone seems to have their own take on making shrubs. Some people cook theirs down, others make them quick and some let them sit for weeks before straining. I happen to be in favor of the quick version. I will be honest, they usually don’t last very long in my house, hence, the quicker I can make it, the quicker we get to enjoy. The nice thing about shrubs is there are endless possibilities on flavors. In fact, I have yet to meet a shrub flavor I didn’t like.

In terms of how I use my shrub mix, I usually add it to soda water along with a slice of citrus during the day but during cocktail hour, this elixir gets mixed in with a little vodka, soda water and garnish of course. Ooh, one more, sparkling wine is good with it too!

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Just to name a few, here are ones I have made:

Strawberry Basil & Orange

Blackberry Sage & Lime

Mango Mint & Orange

Raspberry/ Strawberry/ Blueberry & Rosemary

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Sold! So how do you make it Sarah?

Ok, before you watch, there are 3 tricks I believe to making the BEST shrub.

Trick number 1#: Use fruit, just at, or even a bit past its prime. In short, you want to pull all of that extra juicy sweet goodness out.

Trick #2: Try different recipes and measurements to get it just right for you. As mentioned before, everyone makes these differently, thus, you really can’t go wrong.

Trick #3: Store it in the fridge. My way is NOT intended to sit on the counter or cellar but rather in your fridge during the waiting game & after.

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For more Ideas, check out my Shrub Board on Pinterest. I have saved a million!

So easy right? I suppose by now you have given some thought to what fruit you have in your kitchen. Perhaps a pomegranate and a lime? Maybe a pear, sage and kumquats? Yum! I hope I have inspired you to give it a try. I would love to know how it goes!

All the best,

Sarah

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6 STEPS TO REFRESHING YOUR HOME FOR FREE

Before you give up…

Let’s Mix It Up!

It’s been a long and hard year for most of us. The house you once loved to come home to, now seems so uninspired and frankly, tired. After all, you’ve been home for over 10 months! Since redecorating is not in the near future, this is an easy and free alternative. Let’s do a Home-Decor-Refresh-Shuffle. Some of you may be thinking, “how fun, move a few things?” but I am about to make your head spin. In the spirit of a REAL Home-Decor-Refresh-Shuffle, we need to strip it ALL down and start fresh. Are you ready?

6 STEPS TO REFRESHING YOUR HOME FOR FREE

Step 1. CLEAR THE SPACE

Pick 2-3 rooms in close proximity and clear them of all accessories. This would include lamps, rugs, art work…all of it! Clear it all to another room so you can look at your room as a blank slate.

Step 2- (Optional) MOVE IT!

Re-think your floor plan and shuffle around the furniture if you dare.

Step 3- REARRANGE

Starting in one room, begin placing a few of your favorites in a new spot, preferably the larger ones such as lamps, rugs and art work. Try your hardest not to place things where they were before. Remember to mix your textures and use your groups of odds. Balance your wood, metals, hard and soft goods. For anyone who is a true rule follower, here are the “Golden rules,” (guidelines) of Interior Design.

Step 4- PONDER

Once everything is in a new spot, take a break. I mean literally pour yourself a glass or cup and sit in your space. Let it all settle for a bit and work out your problem areas. Perhaps you need a different texture or size to fill in. Perhaps there is something in another room that would be perfect! This is also a great time to take pictures. Sometimes, to see your space in a photo, can help you evaluate color, balance and space. Try it!

Step 5- FIX IT

Once you have sorted out an action plan, tackle it! That might mean stealing from another room or simply filling a vase with some greens cut from the garden. The idea is to make it feel new, fresh and use what you have.

Step 6- LIVE WITH IT

Often times, this is the point in which people go into shock. Honestly. I have worked with countless clients who were so excited to make a change but then on delivery day, they are freaking out! They begin to stress that we must have measured wrong, the color looks different in person, or I just hate it. Calmly, I would have to plea to just give it a few days to adapt. 99.9% of the time, I would get that phone call a few days later telling me they LOVE their new space. Change is hard.

So there you have it. It’s simple, but effective! Give it a try and be sure to share your experience!

Want the QUICK version?

Let’s Make a Gnome!

I realize these little guys (or girls) have been a bit over played the last few years but honestly, once you make one, it’s hard not to fall in love.

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Here is what you need:

• Sock

• Stuffing

• Rice

• Scissors

• Scraps of fabric, ribbon and buttons

• Rubber band

• water color paint or blush makeup

• Hot glue

• Fur

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Watch the Tutorial

Make a Gnome!

It's Chili Season!

The last few days, we have gone from a brutal heat wave to thunder storms and rain. So take this new gloomy weather, add in floral work this week in all of Autumn’s best colors and that is how we get to Chili season… naturally.

Growing up, I can remember coming home to the smell of chili slow cooking in the crock pot. I think I always assumed my mom was slaving away over this chili while I was at school, continually stirring and adding a little of this and a little of that. However, when I went away to college, my mom shared with me the recipe and to my surprise, it was mostly cans of this and that.

…delicious, comforting & feels like home.

I grew up in a house where canned food was not a big thing. I mean, we had some basics like olives, tomatoes, corn and refried beans but no other vegetables at least that I can think of. My mom just bought fresh stuff, so maybe that is why I was so surprised to find so many cans of stuff in chili.

Recently, my mother-in-law gave me my husband’s grandma Noni’s recipe box. Noni was a very proud Northern Sicilian who took great pride in her heritage. I couldn’t wait to open this recipe box and find some authentic Italian dishes from her childhood. Well, that was the furthest thing I found among her recipe’s! Everything was a can of this, a can of that and a dash of this… I mean we are talking a can of ham or a can of green beans. I was so disappointed. I had pictured Noni’s mother and her mother’s mother in some cute old world kitchen in Italy and passing the recipes down to our sweet Noni. Well if that actually happened, there is no trace in this stack of handwritten recipes nor on the torn pages of newspapers and magazines.

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Now, don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with canned food! My mom’s chili is amazing and the main ingredients are canned beans and tomatoes! I just had to be reminded that Noni came from a time of war. Canned food was a means to eat peaches in Winter and prepared meat without any refrigeration or heck, even prep. Now, I can get on board with tomatoes and olives but I am not a fan of canned veggies and fruit. We live in California and our market is packed full of fresh food without any preservatives. But when it comes to soup and chili, I tell you, skip the fresh stuff, crack open a few cans and let everyone think you have been slaving away all day.

My Family Chili Recipe:

2 cans of diced tomatoes
3 cans of beans ( I like to mix them up; black beans, white northern & white kidney)
small can of green chilis or a real Poblano or Serrano pepper
2 cups of beef broth (or 12 oz of beer and beef or chicken bouillon)
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons of chili powder
Salt to taste
3 whole cloves
1 onion diced
1 lb of lean ground beef or turkey

Saute the onions and ground meat and drain. Add in beans, tomatoes and everything else… Slow cook until ready.

Garnish: Cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onion and a cheesy toast point (if you want to get fancy)

Note: As great as chili is, it will taste great the first night but trust me when I say, it is the only dish that actually tastes better on day two! Reheat and enjoy!!