Lemon, ginger and garlic cold remedy and immunity booster drink!

Okay so it's that time of the year again , no not Christmas, although that is coming up faster than I can prepare for. Happens ever year somehow I always run out of time getting ready for Christmas but that's a whole other story. I talking about cold and flu season. This immune booster drink is the perfect helper  It tastes good, is easy to make, it's all natural and most importantly it works. If you don't want to spend this winter indoors being sick then this wonderful delicious immunity booster drink is for you. Ever since I've started taking this drink (3years) I haven't had a cold or flu, that only makes this drink worth while.

You need fresh lemons, lots of fresh raw garlic, I used Russian garlic it's the best, fresh ginger and unpasteurized honey. You can leave out any of these ingredients if you like but you really get the best results when you use all of them and fresh ingredients is best :)

Lemons - Lemons are high in vitamin C which help support the immune system. The juice's  anti-inflammatory qualities help soothe sore throats. 

Honey - Honey is a great immunity system builder. Thanks to it's antimicrobial properties honey not only soothes the throat but it can also kill certain bacteria that causes the infection. Honey cures most coughs, colds and helps clear congested chest. It's best to use unpasteurized honey because the pasteurizing process removes many of the help benefits.

Garlic - Garlic is a natural antibiotic  Numerous studies have proven  it to be a bacterial, fungal and virus killing machine. Garlic promotes healthy immune system function, and strengthens the body's defenses. Do worry about garlic breath with all these health benefits it's worth while and worse case scenario pop a breath mint :) 

Ginger - Ginger helps stimulate perspiration  which cleanses the system and brings down the body temperature. Ginger is helpful for settling upsets stomachs, as well as nausea  vomiting and cold sweats. It also helps soothe a sore throat.

As you can see all these wonderful, natural and healthy ingredients pack a powerful one, two, three, four punch in combating any cold or flu. Try this recipe today and prevent any cold or flu bug from attacking you or your loved one. This immunity booster drink can be taken all year round just as a general immune booster.     

You'll need : A big jar, I use a 1 gallon glass jar

Food Processor

Spatula

1 1/2 cup honey

8 cups boiled water - cool to room temperature

5  fresh lemon

1 medium sized ginger

fresh garlic as any as you desire

Wash lemons and remove any blemishes, and stem. I leave part of the skin on, the skin contain many vitamins and oils. Peel the ginger and garlic cloves. I use a lot of garlic, I love garlic so the more the better.  
   

Place the honey into the glass jar. Put the lemon, ginger and cleaned garlic cloves into the food processor. Cut the lemons and ginger into smaller pieces in you need to. 

Grind all the ingredients on high.

Pulse until all the ingredients are finely chopped up. The aroma is so wonderful.

Scoop the lemon, garlic and ginger mixture into the glass container with honey already in it. 

Add the 8 cup of boiled water. Make sure you allow the boil water to cool down to room temperature.

Stir the ingredient for 2-3 mins. to combine all the ingredients.

Allow the lemon, ginger and garlic drink to stand and develop for 7 days in the fridge. Shake mixture once a day and continue to let stand for 7 days.  Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer and/or cheese cloth. The immunity booster drink is ready to enjoy.   Pour into smaller glass containers for easier pouring, just give the jar a shake before taking.

 I take 1 ounce shot every day in the morning and/or evening. It's so fresh, and lemony tasting. Anytime I feel like I need a boost of energy I make this drink. I hope you enjoy it!! 

It lasts up to 3 weeks in the fridge.

Wishing you all a healthy cold and flu season.

Thanks for stopping by,

Love Katya

Honeyed Cinnamon Pistachios....Oh Beehive!!

Well it's been a sweet month so far, literally speaking. The busy little bees have filled the hives with beautiful sweet honey and I have been spending my days extracting the liquid gold. Oh how I love honey! It's so yummy especially when you're extracting honey and snacking on fresh honey straight from the hive, there really isn't anything better than that. The smell of sweet honey fills the air with each cap you pierce, allowing the honey to follow freely. 

My mom and I love chewing on the cappings while we work, such a tasty job!! 

Next step load honey extractor with the uncapped frames. Turn on the extractor and let centrifugal force do it's work. I just stand and watch the frames whirl around and around, while the song Honey, Honey you are my.....swirls in my head.

And before you know it sweet liquid golden honey is flowing and ready to enjoy. 

Liquid Gold!!!

Pure unpasteurized honey.....

My son, eat honey because it is good...Proverbs 24:13

Fresh honey poured into glass jars and ready to sell at the market.

There's are so many songs, movies, bible verses and quotes that talk about or mention honey. One of my favorite "honey movie" is The Secret Life of Bees, it's a chick flick but it's a great movie.

 Honey is a miracle food ; it never goes bad and the benefits go beyond it's great taste. The 3 key health benefit of honey are:

1.  Honey is nature's energy booster
2. Honey is a great immunity system builder
3. Honey is a natural remedy for many aliments

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

I am so fortunate to have fresh unpasteurized honey to eat and bake with. The hot summer days kind of put a damper of wanting to bake but I have a perfect sweet treat that take minutes to make, no baking required and is so good. I think anyone would enjoy this delicious snack.

~ Honeyed Cinnamon Roasted Pistachios ~

Roasted Unsalted Pistachios

Sweet Delicious Honey

Cinnamon

Shell desired amount of pistachios, for 1/3 cup shelled pistachios I add 1 teaspoon honey and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. You can add less or more of each ingredient and use your favorite roasted nuts. I bet pecans or almonds would be so tasty too :)

  

Stir to combine all the ingredients.

And viola beautiful, tasty honeyed cinnamon pistachio!! 

Enjoy by itself or with your favorite yogurt. These honeyed nuts would probably be delicious serve over french vanilla ice cream too. See so simple but so good and good for you.....well back to the honey I go, after all I work for the Queen ;)

Thanks for stopping by and have a sweet day,

Love,

SweetBakedLove is off to the Market....

Today was the first day of the Farmers Market and after spending all day yesterday baking up a store like a mad woman I am happy to say that I pretty much sold out of everything....yay!! It was really cold this morning, which wasn't the best thing BUT it kept me awake so I can't complain. I had a great time at the market and some dear friends showed up to sell their homemade goods; it was a pleasant surprise seeing them there. Selling my home baked goods + chatting with friends + fresh air + blooming flowers + great music playing = a really great way to spend a Friday!!  

Tomato plants for sale, a vendor selling Grilled Souvlaki, pita and tzatziki... it smelled so good and a guy selling homemade Swiss sausage right across from my table....I sampled those...yummo!!

There something about Farmers Markets that I just love. No matter where it is or when it is, it's brings a nostalgic feeling of times when things were just simpler. Nothing fancy schmancy just some great home baking, farm fresh products, crafts, gardening supplies, live music and so much more. I love it. 

A little video I filmed at the market, the live music was great, I swear I felt like I was Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairies for a few brief moments, listening to that song. Only thing missing was a horse and buggy....

Once I had my table all set up, off I went to check out my fellow vendors. Before you know it I found a  lovely lady selling Linzer Torte (anytime you can buy Linzer Torte from a Swiss lady with an accent, do it...just saying) next thing you know I found a really pretty plant I just simply needed. Boy, I looked like a overgrown kid in a candy store....ah, the good ole' days .



 Well I could go on and on explaining to you how I feel about the Farmers Market and what it's like but the best way to find out is firsthand. It's Farmers Market time all over the province get out with your friends and families and go to one today!! When you shop at the Farmers Market you help keep BC farmers farming and BC bakers baking. Come join the fun :)

~ Homemade Apple and Strawberry Rhubarb Pie ~

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Pie

All my goods wrapped and ready to go...

I made homemade pies, cinnamon buns, sweet dough pastries with apricot and date filling, squares and cookies. I made different varieties of each kind of baked goods I listed BUT my favorite thing was a Russian sweet treat called Gorka aka Hill !!

Wonderful Sweet Squares called Gorka!

Okay if I translate it from Russian to English, it would be called "hill". How original hey, it's a Russian thing I think, when it comes to naming things we keep it simple. I had a few cats named "Kошка" which simply means cat. See simple! Well let me tell you when it come to these bars they are anything but simple, I mean taste wise. They are made out of a sweeten unleavened dough which is rolled out and cut into thin strips, then the strip of dough are deep fried till light, airy, and slightly golden, kind of like puff pastry . Once all the dough strips are fried you make a honey and sugar mixture that is warmed up, pour the sweet golden mixture all over the fried dough strips. Stir to coat all the fluffy dough strip with the honey mixture and press into a pan. Cool, cut into pieces and indulge. D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S. I can't even begin to imagine how to explain the taste all I know is once you try it you can't stop! 


These squares are so delicious I'm going to share the recipe with you today. Have fun making the "Hill" aka Gorka.

~Gorka~

First start by preparing the oil for deep frying. You can use a deep fryer, follow manufactures direction to deep fry. I use a normal cooking pot with tall sides. Pour canola oil or lard in the pot no more than half full. If you have a candy thermometer get it out and ready. Set pot on burner and leave till needed. Don't turn burner on yet!!

*Always be very careful while deep-frying.*

Ingredients:

  

1 dozen eggs

1 tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

Combine ingredients in mixing bowl. Beat well with mixer till light, foamy and frothy. Should be approx. triple in volume.

3-4 cups flour

Add 3 cups flour all at once and stir to combine to make a soft, slightly sticky dough. If this dough is really moist and sticky add the 4th cup of flour. The amount of flour used can vary depending on the size of egg I use large eggs, just keep in mind that the dough should be soft, slightly sticky not tough and hard.     

Sprinkle the work surface with a dusting of flour and lightly knead dough 2-3 minutes into a soft dough ball. Cut the dough ball into 6 even pieces and shape into balls. 

Start heating the oil at this time. Always be very careful while deep-frying. You can use a normal cooking pot (one with tall sides is best). Put the oil in the pot and put it on the stove. Begin heating the oil over medium heat. To control the temperature, you can use a thermometer. The best temperature is 350 to 375 degrees F. Just turn the heat up or down until you can maintain a consistent temperature.  While the oil is heating finish cutting dough into strips.

Lightly dust work surface with flour then roll out each piece one at a time into a round shape about 1/8 inch thickness, approximately 10 inch round. 

Cut the rounds in half and then the half in half again, length wise. You should have a circle cut into 4 lengthwise strips. Stack the strips on top of one another and with a sharp knife, cut into thin strips. See diagram. 

Carefully drop handful of dough strips into heated oil, stir lightly with metal spoon. Be careful as oil can bubble over, if oil starts bubbling up to much, stop and change the oil it will boil over and can cause a fire. **If the oil does bubble over carefully turn off burner, remove pot from burner and sprinkle baking soda on burning oil in burner.**

Fry all the dough strip till lightly golden. Remove from oil carefully with metal slotted spoon into a large bowl lined with paper towel. Finish frying all the dough strips, then set aside while you make the honey/sugar mixture.

~ Honey Mixture ~

1 cup honey

2 cups sugar

Combine the honey and sugar in a saucepan. Heat on medium high till mixture starts to boil. Remove from heat and pour all over the fried dough strips. Use a wooden or metal spoon to mix and coat all the dough strips well. *Careful mixture is hot don't mix with your hands!!*

Evenly press the mixture into a lightly greased 13x9x2 inch pan or mold into a hill shape as per tradition. Score and cut squares while still warm. Cool completely and remove squares from pan.

Enjoy!

Once all the baking was done I came up with the idea to make rustic signs to display my baking. Eight o'clock at night I was outside cutting down trees, I'm sure my neighbors think I'm a bit insane but hey, it was totally worth it they turned out to be pretty darn cute.

All said and done I had a great time and look forward to next week to another day at the Farmers Market.

Check your locally market out, you'll be pleasantly surprised :)

Pies, pies, pies....

All set up!

Sweet Dough Apricot Pastries 

Chocolate Puff Wheat Squares

~ White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies ~

Chocolate Chip Smarties Monster Cookies

P.S. I linked up all my favorite Farmers Markets. Just click each highlighted Farmers Market on my blog and it will open  a new page with some of my favorite Farmers Market's I've visited over the years. 

Have fun and thanks for stopping by,

Love 

Birdseed Squares

3 more days till springs!! Yay! Not only is spring right around the corner so are many birthdays, baby showers, weddings and more birthdays. It seems like everyone was either born in April or being born in April, all of a sudden I'm jam packed with making cookie favours, cakes, sugar flowers and party decorations. Eeeks!!...good thing I work better under pressure because it's gonna be BUSY:) The great thing about all these different celebrations is that I will be able to share my new projects will you all. There is one occasion in particular that I'm really excited about partly because it's for someone very special and partly because the colour scheme for the party is so COOL, I can't really elaborate more on this yet but it's gonna be GOOD!! You'll see!! :)


The snow is slowly melting and soon enough we'll able to start spending more time in the great outdoors although I must say I will definitely miss ice fishing. But the great thing about living in Canada is that with each season there is new and different activities to enjoy.  Ice fishing is going, going.... gone but hello fly fishing and hiking.


 So as winter turns to spring outside, the baking continue inside my kitchen. I thought I'd share a great recipe for homemade granola bars which I call Birdseed Squares. These bars are packed with healthy nuts, seeds, grains and honey, hence the name for Birdseed Squares, any birdie would be lucky to eat them ;) All natural no preservatives, these bars are great to take hiking, fishing or on any outing your planning. That's why I thought what better time to introduce this delicious, nutrition bar recipe to you than now. With spring around the corner you'll be needing a great recipe for all your on-the-go outdoor activities that's easy, delicious and healthy too :) 

~Birdseed Squares~  

2 cups sunflower seeds 

2 cups sesame seeds

2 cups shredded coconut

2 cups oats

 2 cups peanuts

2 cups granola

1 cup honey

2 cups sugar

2 slices of  lemon

Toast the sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, oats, and peanut in a wide non-stick frying pan. Heat the seeds, oats or peanuts on medium-high. shaking the pan occasionally. Remove the seeds (other ingredients) when they are toasted brown in colour and fragrant. It takes 3-5 minutes to toast each ingredients on the stove top. 

Pour the toasted sunflower seeds, toasted sesame seeds, toasted oats into a large mixing bowl. Toast the peanuts till golden brown, then coarsely chop peanut and add to dry ingredients. Add coconut and granola. Mix till all ingredients are well combined. Set aside.

In a pot combine, honey, sugar and lemon slices. Cook ingredients on medium-high for 10 minutes till sugar dissolves . Don't let the mixture come to a boil! Remove from heat and remove lemon slices, then pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir till the dry ingredients are well coated with the warm honey/sugar mixture.

Dump the granola mixture into a well greased 9x13 pan. Using a  buttered spatula or wet hands with water. then evenly press the mixture into  the prepared 9x13 pan. Score the granola bars while still warm, then cool completely. Cut into bars.

 Serve immediately or store in an air tight container. Store no more than three days at room temperature in airtight container. To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let stand  at room temperature for 1/2 hour before serving.  

Enjoy

Step by Step Instructions : How to Make Birdseed Squares

 Toast the oats in a wide non-stick frying pan on medium high. Toast till brown in colour and fragrant about 3-5 minutes.  

Pour into a large mixing bowl.

Oats are well known as being heart-healthy. Help to lower "bad" cholesterol, cutting the risk of heart disease.

Toast sunflower seeds till golden and fragrant. Add to mixing bowl with toasted oats. 

Sunflower seeds are packed with vitamins, including vitamin B1 and B5, vitamin E and folate. The fats in sunflower seeds are heart healthy fats. 

Toast sesame seeds till golden, add to mixing bowl with other dry ingredients.

Sesame seeds are rich in vitamins and minerals. The seeds are also a very good source of dietary proteins with fine quality amino acids that are essential for growth, especially in kids.

Toast peanut till golden brown, coarsely chop on cutting board with a sharp knife and then add to mixing bowl containing other dry ingredients.

Peanuts are rich in energy. They rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids that help lower "bad cholesterol" The nuts are a rich source of minerals like copper, zinc, calcium and many more.

Add shredded coconut to dry ingredients.

Coconut boost energy and endurance. It creates a nutritional boost of energy that lasts.Coconut increases the metabolic rate of the body, helping burn excess body weigh.

Add 2 cups of your favorite granola mix to the dry ingredients bowl.

Granola is a healthy combinaiton of oats, grains,nut, dried fruit and sometimes honey. It's a good source of fiber and vitamins.

Stir to combine all the dry ingredients. Set aside while you make the honey/sugar mixture.  

               Kinda looks like Birdseed right?  

In a  saucepan combine sugar, honey and lemon slices. 

Honey give an immediate energy boost. it has antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Honey has many amazing benefits!

Lemon -two biggest health benefits are immune boosting powers from vitamin C and their use as weight lose aid

Cook the honey/sugar mixture on medium-high for 10 minutes until sugar dissolves. Don't let the mixture boil, it kills all the health benefits in the honey and it will boil over and make a huge mess in your burner.

It's times like these that I'm thankful that my dad is a beekeeper and I have a stash of delicious unpasteurized honey at my disposal anytime I need it :)

Remove the lemon slices and pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients.

Use a wooden spoon or spatula  and stir till the dry ingredients are well coated with the warm honey/sugar mixture. Don't use your hands to mix the ingredients, you'll burn them.

Dump the granola mixture into a well greased 9x13 pan. Preferably one you don't mind cutting squares in. 

You can evenly press the mixture  down with a buttered spatula or slightly wet  hands.

Score the bars while still warm, then allow to cool completely, cut into bars and serve immediately or store in air tight containers

The best energy bars ever! Birdseed Squares.....

Great for hikes, long road trips and fishing. Keep fairly long in freezer unless you eat them all ;) These are so easy to make and have so many healthy nutritious ingredients, store bought granola bars sound healthy but at times are no better than a chocolate bar. The best part is that these bars have no preservatives, none will be needed because these bars are so good they never last long.

Variations:

Apricot Krispie Birdseed Squares: Reduce oats to 1 cup. Add 2 cup rice Krispies and  1 cup chopped dried apricots. 

This is just one of many variation that are possible. You can substitute sunflower seeds for pumpkin seeds and add dried cranberries, blueberries or cherries.. Try substituting the peanuts for almonds, pecans or any favorite nut. You can even substitute the sugar for raw sugar if desired, I have never tried Stevia sugar substitute but it might be a good natural sweetener for sugar in this recipe.  

Thanks for stopping by,

Happy Baking!

Love Katya