Apples and Abundance
Dear readers, Welcome to the first issue of Volume 2 of the Homespunspa Ewesletter. It's hard to believe we've been publishing monthly for a whole year now. If you want to check out past issues and topics, by all means, make your way to www.homespunspa.com and scroll to the bottom of the Request our Newsletter page. Show your friends and encourage them to subscribe. And check out the rest of the website, the photo gallery, the fantastic gifts boutique, the incredible ingredients page...all kinds of info for those of you looking for spa-style recipes for sleep and beauty. But before we continue with this month's theme of apples, I'd just like to say to all of you, thanks for reading Ewesletter, thanks for your on-going support and happy Thanksgiving.—Maria
Make sure apples somehow make their way to your Thanksgiving Day table this season.
- Arrange them in your centrepiece with other richly coloured fruits, vegetables and gourds
- Include them in your turkey stuffing
- Bake them in a pie for dessert. Do you like your apple pie with whipped cream, ice cream or cheddar cheese? Or just plain?
- Toss cubed apples in coleslaw or salad to add zing to your rich menu
- Carve apples into votive candleholders. Squeeze lemon juice onto the cut surface to keep the apple from turning brown, and insert a tea light. Make one for each place setting.
Hot Apple Cider Drink
And here's a recipe for hot apple cider to serve to your guests as they come inside from the crisp outdoors.
- 2 cups apple juice
- 2 cups water
- Fresh lemon and orange slices
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1-2 cinnamon sticks
- 5-6 whole cloves
- 1-2 tablespoons ginger, freshly grated
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- whipped cream, optional
- Simmer all the ingredients, except the lemon for 15-20 minutes in a covered pot.
- Prepare mugs by dipping the rims in lemon juice and then on a plate of granulated sugar.
- Strain hot cider and add fresh lemon juice. Pour into mugs. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and optional whipped cream.
Vinegar Bath
After a long weekend of visiting with family, friends and their pets, you might consider taking a long bath. Pour in a few cups of apple cider vinegar to your bathwater. The sweet and sour vinegar will:
- balance the pH and deep clean your skin
- treat acne blemishes
- add shine to hair
- curb itchy scalp and dandruff
- vanquish foot odour
- help breathing
- lift spirits
- relieve headaches
- soothe aching muscles and relax stiff neck
Thanks for reading Homespunspa's e-newsletter. If you like the content, ask your friends if they would like to subscribe and pass it on. If however, you wish to unsubscribe, email homespunspa@shaw.ca with REMOVE in the subject line. Questions? Email the Publisher, Editor, Writer and Photographer Maria Koropecky of Homespunspa Enterprises 2003 © or visit www.homespunspa.com