In 2016 the price of real vanilla CO2 extract sky-rocketed into another dimension.
The following year, it was unavailable to purchase, at any price, and has remained so up to this point. Vanilla supplies worldwide just can not keep up with demand for this rare plant.
I love the flavor of vanilla, and did not want to use synthetic vanilla flavoring. It is made from everything from Coumadin (a blood thinner that can cause liver and kidney failure), to wood chips, to secretion from the anal sacs of beavers!
And most real vanilla extract is 40% or more alcohol, which is another thing I did not want to use. So I began to experiment with making my own extract, with simply vanilla pods (which are still available on the market at a fairly reasonable cost), salt, and water.
Eventually I settled on this recipe. I love it, Michael loves the flavor in his yogurt, and now I believe I really can live without the CO2 total extract the we used to carry! (I do promise to keep on looking for the CO2 extract, and to carry it again if I ever do find a small producer who can sell it to us).
ALCOHOL FREE VANILLA EXTRACT
INGREDIENTS:
8 to 10 Vanilla Bean Pods
1/2 tsp Salt
1 cup Filtered Water
DIRECTIONS:
1. Cut the vanilla beans so they can fit inside the bottle you are using. I find that 1 quart mason jars work exceptionally well for this purpose. Slice the beans lengthwise, just enough so that you pierce through one side. The intention is to expose the tiny vanilla seeds but keep them attached to the bean.
2. Place the sliced vanilla beans inside the bottle, add the salt and completely cover with filtered water. Place the lid onto the bottle and shake vigorously.
3. Place the bottle in the fridge and shake once a day for 4 weeks.
4. For the next 5 weeks you can shake it less often, like 2 to 3 times a week. The vanilla will be ready to use after 9 weeks (although waiting longer is even better). You can strain out the vanilla pods, or leave them in the extract until it is used up. Shake well before using.
NOTES:
Once the vanilla is done steeping, the vanilla extract will keep in the fridge for 3 months.
Now that you have made your vanilla extract, let us know how you like to use it!
Michael adds 1 teaspoon to a bowl of home made yogurt, with a few ground almonds and raisins.
I like to add 2 teaspoons into a coconut milk drink with our own home grown powdered stevia leaf.
It is also great in muesli or oatmeal, and in freshly juiced orange juice.
Please let us know how you are using it at your house!
This downloadable booklet–13 Power Smoothies for Life–comes as the realist of Michael and I making a new agreement in January to commit to our daily (often twice daily) smoothies.
Wow what a difference we both feel, with all of these nutrient dense foods in liquid form, nourishing our bodies every day! Want to try it yourself? Download our booklet of 13 Power Smoothies for Life. Commit to 30 days. Your body will thank you!
What can these recipes help with? The real question is, “what can they not help with”. They are made with power rich food ingredients that provide many vitamins, minerals, enzymes, omega-3 fats, and antioxidants–elements that we need every single day to keep our vibrant health.
Most of us do not get enough of these on a daily basis, and as we age or go deeper into depletion, our bodies need ALL of these critical nutrients even more.
We can be eating a very healthy diet, and still not getting enough nutrition from our foods. Most Americans are getting only a tenth of the omega-3 fat that they really need, and 96,000 deaths in the USA annually are linked with omega-3 deficiency.
Only 20% of Americans are getting enough vitamin B12; and vitamin B12 deficiency is not just for vegetarians. Under acid conditions in the stomach can keep us from absorbing vitamin B12, even if we are consuming enough.
Some experts in the field believe that nutritional deficiency is pandemic throughout the world. Over 50% of Americans are deficient in vitamin A, vitamin C, and magnesium. And these are but a drop in the bucket of daily nutritional requirements for acquiring and maintaining vibrant health.
If you think that you can take a few pills and bypass the need for smoothies, think again! Many experts agree that the nutrients provided by Nature, in whole foods (fruits, vegetables, raw seeds and nuts, herbs, etc.) is far more complete and effective than popping vitamin pills. In fact, many nutritional supplements can create toxicity in supplement form, but do not have this effect when taken in whole food form.
Conditions that the power smoothies can improve or eliminate over time:
- Degenerative diseases such as cancer, arthritis, diabetes, etc.
- Vision loss
- Hearing loss
- Liver, kidney, heart, and lung issues
- Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rashes, dry or scaly skin
- Aging symptoms
- PMS and hormonal imbalances
- Fatigue
- General body pain
Once you get the hang of making the smoothies, you can make up your own recipes with the formula provided in the booklet. You will be knowing that you are covering many if not all of the necessary nutrients to build health, in one drink. And by adding essential oils in tiny amounts, you will never be bored with the flavor of your smoothies!