Making Mulled Wine or Cider:
An all-inclusivel list, from which you can choose, for making mulled wine or cider:
-Cinnamon Sticks
-Whole Cloves
-Broken Nutmeg (ground will create gritty dirnks)
-Dried or Fresh Citrus Rinds
-Star Anise
-Dried, Fresh or Crystallized Giner
-Allspice Berries
-Black Peppercorns
-Cardamom Pods
This spice mix makes an nice gift. The recipe makes 14 spice bags. If you are giving as a gift, be sure to include recipe instructions.
Ingredients:
-14 double layer cheese cloth in 5 inch squares
-14 pieces of string cut to 10 inches in length
-3 ounces whole cinnamon sticks
-6 whole nutmegs (1 ounce)
-1/3 cup chopped doired orange peel
-1/3 cup chopped dried lemon peel
-1/4 cup allspice berries
-1/4 cup whole cloves
-2 Tablespoons finely chopped, crystallized giner (1 ounce)
Place ingredients in gallon sized ziplock bag. Use meat tenderizer to mulch into smaller pieces. Divide evenly onto 14 squares of cheese cloth and tie securely with string. To use, place in pan with wine or cider as beverage is warmed for 20-30 minutes. Garnish with cinnamon stick. Serve and enjoy!
So much more than an ornamental, here are the benefits of real Christmas Trees and Branches for Wreathes or Swags...
Fragrant qualities of the natural tree can show effects common to how these are used in essential oil applications as follows:
1. Cedarwood: stimulates the limbic region of the brain ( the center of emotions), stimulates the pineal gland which releases melatonin, recognized for calming, purifying properties
2. Fir, essential oil can be diffused to assist in healing from respiratory infections
3. Pine, known to assist in relieving anxiety and revitalizing mind, body and spirit – an empowering and yet grounding fragrance
4. Spruce, assist in releasing emotional blocks, bringing about a feeling of balance and grounding
The availability of essential oils allows those who aren’t able or prefer not to have a “real” tree can integrate the aromas and fragrant influences otherwise absent.