The Apple Cider Vinegar Companion by Suzy Scherr

Imagine there was one magical elixir that could do it all, from curing a sore throat to killing weeds, from clearing up skin troubles to sanitizing a cutting board. This miracle product is real, and everything you need to know about it is in The Apple Cider Vinegar Companion: Simple Ways to Use Nature’s Miracle Cure by Suzy Scherr.  50 color photographs.

Step aside, kale and chia seeds—apple cider vinegar is the original superfood. Inexpensive, easy to find, and astonishingly versatile, ACV can be used everywhere, from kitchen to bathroom to garden, as well as in everything from barbecue sauce to donuts to all-natural energy drinks. Saving money, going green, feeling and looking better—this book is the ultimate guide to making the most of every bottle!

The multitasking superfood is delicious, too!

Generations of devotees have sworn by apple cider vinegar: cooking with it, swigging it by the spoonful, and using it as a remedy for just about any ailment. Why? The tart, fermented flavor certainly can add a punch to any recipe, but it’s also great for weight-loss, digestion, and overall good health. It makes a mean natural cleanser, relieves muscle soreness, and even treats bug bites. The Apple Cider Vinegar Companion is the essential guide, with information on how to make your own, and tips and tricks for using it for household tasks. This book stands out from similar titles because of the wonderful recipes, such as:

Dill Pickle Potato Salad
Easy Homemade Farmer’s Cheese
Homemade Spiced Ketchup
Raspberry-Peach Shrub
Green Tea and Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic

About the Author:

Suzy Scherr is a chef and culinary instructor with nearly 20 years of professional experience. In addition to starting Brainfood, a still-thriving culinary arts program for teens in Washington, DC, Scherr has written articles and developed recipes for cooking schools and publications, including Parents and Every Day With Rachael Ray. She lives with her family in New York.

Keep up with Suzy Scherr on www.suzyscherr.com, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. 

Purchase The Apple Cider Vinegar Companion on:

Amazon

W. W. Norton & Company

Booktopia

Our Thoughts
I keep a variety of vinegars in my house, and specifically two kinds of apple cider vinegar - the good kind, and the cheap kind.

The good kind is for eating and natural skin care.  The cheap kind is for cleaning and fruit fly traps. 

I keep the fruit fly traps out all summer long - been doing it for years and let me tell you, it works! The only thing I add to Suzy's recipe is a wee bit of maple syrup - seems to attract the fruit flies faster.  The flies tire of the trap after 2-3 days, so you need to refresh it often to keep ahead of them.  (Find All-Natural Fruit Fly Trap on pg 160 of The Apple Cider Vinegar Companion.)

Almost every single recipe in The Apple Cider Vinegar Companion's section on Household Uses is used in our home - from cleaners to deodorizers, ACV is a must-have.

I don't know about you, but I can taste the difference between the good stuff and the cheap stuff - hence why I keep the good stuff for eating and skin care. The good stuff has, well, a more rounded flavor. Plus it's full of all sorts of beneficial bacteria, enzymes, and nutrients!

This book is filled with tasty recipes from the super easy basic AVC vinaigrette into marinades, chutneys, salads, pickles, drinks, smoothies, on into baked goods.  And there's even a section on how to make your own ACV! (It's really easy!)

The recipe highlighted here is the Crab Salad with Apples and Chives (pg 75). My mom, who shares a love of cooking, brought over some fresh crab legs so we of course did one of our favorite things - tried a new recipe!  We both enjoyed it, although we used a small, early Harrelson apple off of my tree instead of a Granny Smith.  We both enjoyed the dish, but agreed the apple would have been better as a tart-sweet apple rather than just tart.

The drink recipes (Fire Cider, Shrubs, Spiced Berry Warmer) have me looking forward to the cold weather and a new variety of tasty tonics for spring.

Want to get started using (and making!) apple cider vinegar in your home? Get The Apple Cider Vinegar Companion - you won't be disappointed!  Perfect holiday gift!

Clean chemical free with Force of Nature

Force of Nature is a new, non-toxic cleaning and disinfecting solution to help parents protect babies and young children from harmful germs— without the use of harsh chemicals! It’s a must-have for any parent as it safely eliminates dangerous bacteria and disinfects baby gear (pacifiers, highchair trays, toys, etc.)

The appliance uses patented technology to transform a premeasured capsule of salt, water and vinegar into a completely non-toxic, all-purpose cleaner, deodorizer, and disinfectant. Up to 10 times more effective than bleach yet safe to use on hands and literally every surface in the home (company has third-party testing to backup these claims).

Other features include:

• Eliminates the germs that cause flus and cold viruses
• Removes tough odors and easily cleans up any mess
• On-the-Go bottle easily sanitizes germ hot spots such as shopping carts and doorknobs
• How-to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQgJbmI1xtw&nohtml5=False
• SRP: $89.99, Starter Kit includes Appliance with 5 Capsules, 12 Oz. Spray Bottle, 2 Oz. On-the-Go Bottle (Costs less than half of most conventional cleaners: $.05 per ounce cost, which is 80% savings vs. other natural brands)

Connect with Force of Nature

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My Thoughts

I'm always curious about the various cleaning products out there that don't require one to use chemicals. So when I got the opportunity to give Force Of Nature a try, I was willing to. This came with one spray bottle, one bottle I made the mixture in, several more packets to make more solution. As well, the base that mixes it all together has a countdown on it.

The cleaner is only good for 14 days after it's mixed. It's tap water with their solution of white vinegar and salt. I'm not quite sure why it goes bad after 14 days and I'd like to learn a little more about why. The info that came with the kit didn't explain why. Just basics on how to make the solution.

It took about 10 minutes for the solution to be made and then it was ready to use. I poured it into the spray bottle and decided to give it a try on my counters and sink first. The sprayer works a little different. You press it in and it sprays automatically until the handle comes back up. It was nice, but took some getting used to.

I was impressed with this when it came to basic cleaning such as counters, tables, and even windows. It worked well on the litter box also when I tested it for getting rid of the smell. I did attempt to use it in my shower to clean it, but it didn't seem to work as well as my usually cleaner.

Back to it only being good for 14 days. I had half a bottle left when my 14 days were up and it was time to dump it out. I was disappointed that it didn't last longer and felt almost wasteful to be getting rid of it. I'd prefer to be able to make less cleaner at a time so I'm not wasting as much. Especially since you have to use their pre-made packets of vinegar and water.

Over all I did like this product and found it to be a really good cleaner and deodorizer.