Homemade Ketchup

Hello Everyone, and happy Fourth of July!
I have a last minute recipe for all your barbecues today, which works out well because this is the type of recipe perfect for last minute needs!

This homemade ketchup is not only easy, but it's also at least a million times better than store bought. Not only is it more delicious, but also, it's waaaay more healthy. No high fructose corn syrup and no preservatives. Hallelujah!

This condiment also is a bit thicker than the stuff you buy at the store. If the thickness bothers you, maybe add a bit more water about a teaspoon at a time, until it's to your liking.

The contrast between this recipe and Heinz Ketchup is so huge even in appearence. Below is a picture of Heinz.
Notice how it lacks texture and the deepness of color that the homemade retains. Well, if this discussion hasn't convinced you, it's convinced me! I'm never going back!

Of course, I could brag on this ketchup all day because, it's not really my own recipe, I've just veryslightly modified it. To try out the legit recipe and visit the totally awesome blog from which I extracted the formula, visit Edible Sound Bites.

Homemade Ketchup        Makes about 1 cup.
1/4 cup water
2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
2 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 tsp. Cumin
1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tiny pinch cloves
1 larger pinch salt
1 can tomato paste

1) In a small saucepan over medium- low heat, dissolve sugar in water.
2) Stir in vinegar, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, and salt until they are dispersed throughout the sugar water.
3) Remove from heat and stir in tomato paste.
4) Store in an air tight container in the fridge.

Enjoy!
~Danielle

Skittles: Friend or Foe

Okay, I'll just say it up front: Skittles are nasty! Sure, they may taste OK (although they've never be my first choice in candy), but the taste isn't necessarily the nasty part. Flip the package over and take a look at the list of ingredients. Yep. If you do not have any skittles in your house, you may already be on the right track. Here's the list of poisons:
Sugar, corn syrup, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, apple juice from concentrate, less than 2% - citric acid, dextrin, modified corn starch, natural and artificial flavors, coloring (includes yellow 6 lake, red 40 lake, yellow 5 lake, blue 2 lake, yellow 5, red 40, yellow 6, blue 1 lake, blue 1), ascorbic acid 

First I'd like to point out that there's not one element on this list even remotely healthy. All apple juice from concentrate is is sugar, in case you were wondering. Sugar and corn syrup play a big part in weight gain. They also raise blood sugar levels which will lead to a crash. Hydrogenated palm kernal oil? Stay away. Try to exclusivelyconsume hydrogenated oils that have been processed minimally, such as extra virgin coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado oil. The following ingredients are a series of chemicals that should no be in ones body. For the whole scoop on the dangers of these chemicals, visit here.

You've been warned......
~~{~@ Danielle