Eco Friendly Gift Ideas

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Holiday waste is a huge problem, both for our budgets and the environment. Americans spent around $15.2 billion on unwanted holiday gifts in 2019, and 4% of them ended up in the trash. Think about it - how many trash bags have you probably filled with just wrapping paper in your life? A lot of it can’t be recycled or composted even if we wanted to because it uses shiny plastic coatings or glitter that won’t break down. This is a huge problem that we can easily avoid by simply changing some habits and using fabric or kraft paper wrapping instead. The plus side is fabric wrapping can be reused year after year and kraft paper is totally recyclable and compostable!

That number doesn’t even include all of the wasted packaging and wrapping materials that end up in landfills. Each year Americans alone use 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper valued at over seven billion dollars. Fifty percent of that wrapping paper ends up in a landfill. That's 2.3 million pounds of used wrapping paper clogging up landfills.

I know I’m not the only one who struggles after the holidays are over to try and absorb all of the generous gifts into our home and our lives. As much as I’m grateful for the thought, and know that I am privileged to be loved by so many people who want to express that love through gifts, it is a challenge when the gifts themselves don’t fit into my life. An eco-friendly gift, however, will always bring me joy and be a useful addition to my home.

For a truly zero waste eco friendly gift idea, consider an experience instead. This can be anything from paint night to skydiving, a museum membership, massage or a baking class. Experience gifts allow you to deepen your bond with the gift recipient and create lasting memories that you can look back on for years to come.

Whether you’re looking for green gifts for your teenager, sustainable gifts for your parents or eco christmas gifts for your spouse, this guide has all the best eco friendly gifts you could need for everyone on your list.

Upgrade their disposable plastic water bottle to a metal water bottle that will last.

Upgrade their disposable plastic water bottle to a metal water bottle that will last.

Did you know roughly 2,480,000 tons of plastic bottles and other containers are tossed out (and not recycled!) every year. Plastic bottles make up a significant portion of this waste. They are also one of the main sources of pollution and pose a serious threat to our environment and the animals we share it with.

A reusable water bottle makes a great sustainable gift you can give to anyone on your list, since we all need to stay hydrated! You could pair this gift with a wellness journal and your favorite playlist for your friend or family member who likes to work out. My favorite water bottles are these black metal reusable bottles from Package Free.

Stock up their pantry with reusable glass food storage containers.

Stock up their pantry with reusable glass food storage containers.

Know someone who just moved into their first home, or is in the process of eliminating plastics in their kitchen? Reusable glass food storage containers are the perfect functional eco friendly gift idea! Make your green gift extra special by filling up those containers with a nice home cooked meal to get their gears turning on what sorts of things they could cook up to store themselves. I like these glass rectangular containers because they stack really well and utilize space in the fridge efficiently, plus they look great.

A zero waste drink kit you can make yourself

In the US alone, people discard 500 million straws every day, or more than 180 billion a year. That’s about 1.4 million kilograms of plastic sent to landfills (and the ocean) every day. Why not make a cocktail or mocktail kit that celebrates sustainability by including reusable straws, a travel tumbler and your favorite drink mix?

Help them carry their haul with ease

Help them carry their haul with ease

Did you know that plastic bags are used for only 20 minutes on average, but take hundreds of years to decompose? In that time, they can poison or kill countless wildlife. Grab some of these open market bags and a membership to a local CSA for a foodie gift that keeps on giving.

Tea is always the answer

Tea is always the answer

‘Paper’ tea bags almost always contain some plastic, and can be full of pesticides, toxins, and dioxins. Epichlorhydrine is the pesticide most often found in tea bags. It’s known to cause cancer in animals exposed to it. So why not introduce your friends and family to the magic of loose leaf tea with a gift mug full of your favorite herbal blends and a metal tea ball?

Make laundry time more pleasant with wool dryer balls

Dryer balls are a better option all around than toxic-rich fabric softener and wasteful, one-time-use dryer sheets. Not only are these products bad for the environment, their contents are also absorbed by your clothing, towels, and bedding, and then transferred to your skin.

Felted wool dryer balls are available here.

Clean up their act with Swedish dishcloths

Clean up their act with Swedish dishcloths

Single use paper towels are not the best option for cleaning up messes because they create a significant waste problem. 254 tons a year in the US, to be specific! One Swedish dishcloth can replace 17 rolls of paper towels.

I use these Package Free Swedish dishcloths, which are made of 70% sustainably forested wood cellulose and 30% organic cotton. They are 100% natural, biodegradable - and they’re much cheaper than paper towels!

Make mealtime more eco-friendly with cloth napkins

Cloth napkins make even a pb&j feel a bit fancy, and they don’t have to cost a fortune to make an impact. Get your family a stack of these cloth napkins along with copies of your favorite recipes and they’ll be set for meal planning too!

Help them reduce their water bill with self care that helps you skip the shower

Help them reduce their water bill with self care that helps you skip the shower

Dry shampoo like this one from Package Free allows you to wash your hair less frequently, lowering water consumption in the shower and allowing you to use less shampoo overall. Spending just 3 minutes less time in the shower can help save over 6 gallons of water. If you buy a dry shampoo, look for one like this that does not come as an aerosol spray. Add this to a self care themed bundle with your favorite essential oils, moisturizer and washable cotton face cloths. Somewhere around 20 million pounds of disposable wipes are thrown away every DAY in the US. Most end up in landfills, and despite claims to the contrary, most are not biodegradable and do not rapidly break down.

Make spring cleaning a breeze with a reusable steam mop and cleaning pads

Swiffer mops are convenient and user-friendly, but have you ever thought about how much trash those single use pads generate? Not to mention the chemicals in the cleaning solutions or the plastic bottles that contain those solutions.

Disposable Swiffer pads are made from polyester, which is derived from fossil fuels, which are, of course, contributing to the degradation of our ecosystems and wildlife.

A great replacement is a steam mop. I find them so much easier to use: just add water and you’re good to go. Steam removes dirt and bacteria, and leaves my floors looking and feeling much cleaner. Plus, every time they clean their floors they will think of you! Click here for the steam mop we use at home.

Keep their food fresh for longer with reusable beeswax wraps.

Keep their food fresh for longer with reusable beeswax wraps.

You can make beeswax wraps at home using fabric, beeswax, resin, and jojoba oil, but in my experience it’s a bit of a messy and time consuming project. Regardless of whether you shop or make, they are great for wrapping sandwiches or snacks and cover bowls. They should last for about a year, and most are compostable. Here’s a link to the beeswax wraps that we use at home.

Is wrapping paper eco-friendly?

There’s no point in negating any positive impact you might see from buying green gifts by wrapping your sustainable gift in traditional wrapping paper. Every year Americans use 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper. A good bit of that ends up in a landfill. Wrapping paper with glitter, foil, plastic, texture, bows, tape, or sticky tags on it cannot be recycled.

What To Use Instead of Wrapping Paper

It used to be common to use the comics from newspapers, and that’s still a fun option. Any part of the newspaper will do, really.

Save the brown paper that comes in the cardboard boxes shipped to your house. Everyone loves a brown paper package tied up with string! Brown shopping bags are also perfect for this look.

Sheet music, book pages, posters, and magazines can all make pretty wrapping.

Using fabric as wrapping is a fun option.

A pretty tin is a great way to package a present. You can often find them at thrift stores.

If you do use disposable wrapping paper, be sure it’s paper only. Use paper bows and tape and don’t forget to recycle!

Mason Jar Gift Ideas

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Mason jars can serve so many purposes. They’re the perfect blank slate for food, crafting, and gifts. Below you’ll find mason jar ideas for Christmas, Chanukah, birthday, or just-because gifts.

The History of the Mason Jar

Back when Mason jars were invented, they were made from a transparent, aqua glass. You can still find aqua mason jars at yard sales and antique stores. Because of their age, it’s probably best not to use them for canning, but they have lots of other uses. I like to use them as vases and oil lamps, or to hold dry food or craft supplies.

John Mason, who invented the jars in 1858, didn’t get a patent on the rubber ring he used to seal them until 10 years later, by which time lots of people were producing mason jars. In 1880, five brothers began producing them under the name of Ball Brothers Manufacturing. The rest, as they say, is history.

Antique Ball jars were made in a variety of colors and shapes, some of which are very valuable to collectors today.

As more and more jars became available, the American diet changed pretty dramatically, as people could eat canned fruits and vegetables year-round. Canning as an activity goes through periods of boom and bust, but Ball jars themselves are never out of style. They are a timeless staple.

Mason jars are made of tempered glass, making them not indestructible, but quite durable, which is why so many very old jars are easily found. While the antiques have their own charm, newer mason jars retain the mix of simplicity and usefulness that made the jars the instant hit they were.

At our house, we use antique Ball, Kerr, and Atlas mason jars as drinking glasses, fill them with leftover soup, arrange pretty things in them, and do lots and lots of canning.

DIY Mason Jar Gifts

Whether you want to craft a mason jar gift or create the perfect mason jar food gift, there are truly endless possibilities. Here are a few ideas to inspire your own creations.

Spa Mason Jar Gift

I recommend using a wide mouth canning jar for this gift, to better fit some fun and pretty self-care products.

These shampoo and conditioner bars from the Package Free shop would make a great foundation in the bottom of the jar. As would this Cocoa Butter Lotion Bar, also from Package Free. Add a refreshing peppermint lip balm, non-toxic nail polish and some reusable cotton face rounds for a DIY spa gift in a jar that will make a gift everyone can enjoy!

To top off your spa mason jar gift, consider using a natural loofah sponge on top of the lid.

Love Notes Mason Jar Gift

It is indeed the thought that counts. Come up with as many things as you can – big and small – that you love about your gift recipient, write them down, and stuff that mason jar tight. You could use handmade recycled paper, cut out into fun shapes, or even take it one step further with seed paper they can plant later for a garden gift that keeps on giving.

Snow Globe Mason Jar Gift

Here’s what you’ll need to make a dry mason jar snow globe:

• Pint-sized mason jar and lid

• Winter miniatures such as pinecones, repurposed old wooden ornaments, trees, snow-people, or other figurines

• Non-toxic glue

• Ribbon

Instructions:

• Glue your collected miniatures to the inside of the mason jar lid. Once dry, screw your lid onto your mason jar. Turn the mason jar upside down and embellish the ring of the lid with your ribbon of choice.

Terrarium Mason Jar Gift

You can make a terrarium with a mason jar in its regular standing position, but I think the upside-down look is more interesting.

What you need to make a mason jar terrarium:

• Mason jar

• Moss

• Very small plants (When purchasing plants, bring a mason jar lid with you to help in choosing the right size.)

• Spray bottle with water

• Optional additions are pebbles, acorns, tiny pine cones, shells, or other small materials found in nature

Instructions:

• Wash your jar thoroughly and be sure to rinse it very well.

• Remove your plant very carefully from its pot and moisten the soil with your spray bottle to prepare it for planting in the mason jar lid.

• Compact the plant’s root ball with your hand. You may need to remove some soil. Your goal is to be sure it will fit on the inside of your mason jar lid and that all the roots will be covered in soil.

• Place the plant on the inside of the lid. The soil should not overflow, and there should be a tiny bit of space around it for other materials.

• Press moss around the edges of the soil, filling the space to the edge of the rim.

• Add pebbles, an acorn, tiny pine cones, or shells if desired.

• Now comes the hard part – placing the jar over the plants. Use one hand to hold the plant upright and guide the branches into the jar. With the other hand, lower the jar over the plant.

• You can just place the jar on top of the lid, but if you’re a bit more daring, you can try to turn the jar onto the lid’s threads. This would make it easier to move around, but if you don’t screw it in you can just hold the lid and jar separately when moving the terrarium, and it will be a bit easier to lift the jar when the soil needs moistening.

• Include a small card with these care instructions with your terrarium gift: “Terrariums do best with bright but indirect light, so they shouldn’t be kept in direct sun. The soil should be checked every few weeks, and should be kept moist, but not wet.”

Sugar Scrub Mason Jar Gift

Mix up a batch of your favorite sugar scrub and fill a mason jar with it! My personal favorite recipe is this Lavender Oat Scrub.

Candle Mason Jar Gift

Who doesn’t want a warm and cozy candle to keep them company through the long winter months? This is more of an advanced gift in a jar project since it requires a fair amount of supplies, but once you have everything you need it’s a fun weekend project that will leave your home smelling amazing! Choose a natural soy wax and phthalate free scents for a non-toxic gift.

Mason Jar Recipe Gifts

Soup in a mason jar

There are tons of incredible recipes for ready to cook soups you can serve your friends and family in the form of a mason jar food gift. Personally, I think an edible gift is one of the best kinds of gifts since it is zero waste and creates a personal experience for the recipient. Layering your ingredients creates an appealing visual effect that is sure to impress! Just be sure to include a tag (either printed or handwritten is fine!) attached to your gift with cooking instructions.

Cookies in a mason jar

If there’s anything better than soup in a mason jar, it’s cookies in a mason jar! The same guidelines apply here. You’ll want to find a recipe that is specifically made to fit inside of a mason jar so the ratios are correct. These mason jar food gift recipes only include the dry ingredients, so the recipient will just need to add whatever milk, eggs, butter or other perishable ingredients can’t be included in the recipe.

Wrapping Your Mason Jar Gifts

You can package your mason jar gift in a reusable gift bag, but here are some prettier options if you feel like getting creative:

Burlap:

Use a Burlap Ribbon to tie a simple bow around the mason jar, or use it to create a sleeve by securing a length of it around the jar with glue.

Tissue paper:

Place your jar on top of a piece of tissue paper, right in the center.

Bring the 4 corners of the tissue paper together above the jar, then gather the excess tissue paper in towards the jar and up.

Use ribbon or raffia to tie the tissue paper to the space between the jar and the lid.

Fabric:

Fabric can be used in just the way I described using tissue paper above, or can be used in the most classic of mason jar decorating methods by covering or replacing the flat part of the lid, underneath the lid’s ring.

To accomplish this, use pinking shears to cut a piece of fabric into a 5 ½ “ square.

Remove the ring from your mason jar, lay the fabric over the lid, and then twist your ring back onto the jar over the fabric. If you’d like to add a bit of dimension, simply place a bit of batting between the lid and the fabric before you secure it.

You can embellish this with a bow tied just below the ring of the lid.

Raffia:

Raffia and mason jars are made for each other. I like to wrap it around multiple times before tying it off.

Ribbon:

Natural, plastic-free ribbons are a great alternative. Use any ribbon or jute twine you like to secure a sprig of evergreen branches to the outside of the jar for a timeless gift accessory.

Vegan stuffed butternut squash recipe

The Cottage Peach is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are our own.

Why Eat Butternut Squash?

Many varieties of squash have been eaten for thousands of years, but butternut squash didn’t make it to grocery stores until the 1940’s.  Since that time, it has become a staple of the American diet and a traditional Thanksgiving food.

Known as butternut pumpkin in Australia and New Zealand, butternut squash can be used to substitute for pumpkin when baking a pumpkin pie or pumpkin bread.

Butternut squash is a really versatile ingredient. It can be roasted, stuffed, boiled, sautéed, mashed, or twice baked, and it’s delicious in both sweet and savory dishes. Whether you’re making pumpkin pie or beef stew, the sweet, nutty flavor of butternut is always a welcome addition.

Butternut is not a stringy squash, which makes it useful for recipes that require a pureed squash, such as lasagna.

Is Butternut Squash Healthy?

Yes! Butternut squash is a low-calorie source of vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C, fiber, vitamin B-6, vitamin E, thiamin, niacin, folate, and manganese. 

It aids in digestion, and is beneficial to our blood pressure, skin, and hair, among other things.

Is Butternut Squash a Vegetable?

Butternut squash is one of those fruits we call, and treat as, a vegetable. So while botanically speaking it is a fruit, in common usage it’s fine to refer to it as a vegetable.

How to Choose a Butternut Squash

The best time to buy butternut squash is from September to November, as it will be freshly harvested. If possible, visit your local farmer, but if that’s not an option for you, butternut squash is readily available in grocery stores.

Butternut squash is peanut shaped, with beige skin and an orange interior. 

When choosing a butternut squash, pick one that is heavy for its size and feels firm. Be sure it has a smooth, hard skin without any bruises or blemishes. The skin should not be easy to scrape with a fingernail.

The stem of the butternut squash should be dry and tan. If it’s not, it was picked too early and the flavor will be lacking.

If you’re buying butternut squash to use in a pumpkin pie recipe, keep in mind that one pound of butternut will yield about two cups of squash.

Pre-cut butternut squash is more expensive than buying a whole, un-cut butternut, but some people don’t have time, or are intimidated by the thought of peeling and chopping the squash themselves. While butternut squash is a bit trickier to peel, solely because of its shape, it is easy to get the hang of, and there are ways to make it an easier process.

How to Peel a Butternut Squash

There are three basic ways to peel a butternut squash.

Peeling a whole butternut squash

The first way is simply to use a sharp chef’s knife or peeler to remove the skin. To do so, cut off the bottom of the squash so it can sit flatly on your cutting board.

If you think the curve in the squash is going to cause you trouble, you can cut the neck from the curve and peel them separately.

If using a knife, hold the squash against the cutting board with one hand, and with the other slide the knife from the top to the bottom. You may remove a bit of butternut meat this way, but not so much as to be a problem. And the more you practice, the less you will lose.

Using a peeler is self-explanatory, I think! You may have better luck using shorter strokes than you would for a potato.

Microwaving a whole butternut squash for peeling

Microwaving a whole butternut squash can make it easier to peel. 

To microwave butternut squash, first cut off the ends of the squash, then either make slits with a knife or poke it all over with a fork. This will allow steam to escape, which is important if you don’t want a messy explosion in your microwave.

Set the microwave for 3-5 minutes.

Let the squash sit for a minute or two to cool off a bit, then pull the skin away with a knife or your hands.

Boiling a whole butternut squash for peeling

To boil a whole butternut squash for peeling, put your squash in a large pot and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil, and let it simmer for 4-5 minutes, until you can pull the peel away from the squash.

Can You Eat Butternut Squash Skin or Seeds?

All parts of a butternut squash are edible. The seeds can be eaten raw or roasted as you would pumpkin seeds. The skin is rich in vitamins and fiber.

Butternut skin can be a bit tough depending on how you cook it. The skin of a slow-cooked squash will be soft, but on a roasted squash it can become unappetizing.

The skin of butternut squash can also be a little bitter, but if prepared well, by slow-cooking and seasoning it, it will taste very similar to the squash itself.

If you peel your butternut squash, you can bake the peelings with olive oil and seasonings for a butternut chip.

How to Cut a Butternut Squash

Once you have peeled your squash, place the cut, bottom edge on your cutting board and slice the squash in half lengthwise.

Use a metal spoon to scrape the seeds and any strings from the center of the squash.

You can then chop it to your desired size. Larger pieces will take longer to cook, of course. The important thing is that the pieces are consistent in size, so they will cook evenly.

How to Roast Butternut Squash

Roasting butternut squash will give it a much richer flavor than boiling it would.

To roast a butternut squash, you do not need to peel it. Simply cut it in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, and place the two halves of the squash on a cookie sheet.

If you want to add flavorings (brown sugar, butter, and a bit of vanilla is a favorite around here) put the squash cut-side up and fill the cup where the seeds were.

If you are roasting your butternut to puree or for the baked stuffed squash recipe below, place the cut sides down.

How to Store Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is harvested in the fall, but you can keep it throughout the winter very simply, or prep it to use in a few days' time.

Storing uncooked, peeled butternut squash:

If you’d like to prep your squash a few days before cooking with it, it will keep for 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Storing whole butternut squash in a cool, dark spot:

• The skin on butternut squash is fairly thick, which allows us to store it without refrigeration. Butternut squash stores best in a dark, dry place that’s about 50 degrees.

• It can keep for months. To prolong that period, do not store them with any other fruits, as some fruits emit ethylene gas, which can cause rot.

• Check your squash periodically to be sure no bruises or blemishes have appeared, and that the squash is still firm.

Freezing butternut squash: 

• Butternut squash can be frozen raw or cooked.

• Freezing raw butternut squash:

• While you can freeze it whole, it will be much easier to use with a bit of preparation before freezing.

• Peel your butternut squash and remove the seeds. You can freeze the peeled halves, or chop your butternut into cubes. If you cut it into cubes, lay them on a cookie sheet in the freezer for 2 hours, then transfer to a freezer-safe, airtight container.

Freezing cooked butternut squash:

The best way to freeze cooked squash is to puree it first. Put your cooled puree in a freezer-safe, airtight container. Let the squash thaw in the refrigerator before using it.

Recipe: Vegetarian Baked Stuffed Squash

Yield: 4

Author: The Cottage Peach

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Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash

This stuffed butternut squash is a great plant-based entrée for your thanksgiving meal. Inspired by the stuffed squash recipe by Minimalist Baker

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 1 H & 5 MTotal time: 1 H & 20 M

Ingredients

Filling

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 package Beyond Beef
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ⅓ cup cup sun dried tomatoes
• 2 cups loosely packed chopped swiss chard
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped pumpkin seeds (optional)

Squash

• 1 large butternut squash, halved lengthwise, seeds removed
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1 healthy pinch sea salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400F degrees
2. Line your dutch oven with parchment paper
3. Cut your butternut squash in half lengthwise.
4. Remove the seeds with a sharp edged spoon or melon baller. Brush the squash with olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon (optional), and salt. Place cut-side down in your Dutch oven.
5. Bake squash for 15 minutes, then flip the squash over to cut-side up. Bake for another 30-45 minutes (sometimes more depending on the size of your squash), or until a knife easily pierces the thickest part of the squash.
6. Sauté your cooked quinoa over medium heat to crisp and brown. Add half of the soy sauce. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
7. To the still hot skillet add the beyond beef and the other half of the soy sauce. Sauté for 8-10 minutes, or until browned. Then add garlic, sun dried tomatoes, swiss chard and pumpkin seeds(optional) and sauté for another 1-2 minutes or until chard is just wilted. Add quinoa back to the pan and toss to coat. Set aside.
8. Once your squash is roasted, place cut-side up in the Dutch oven and fill to the brim with quinoa filling. Then place back in the oven to roast for another 5 minutes.
9. Top with optional chives/green onion and balsamic glaze.
10. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for 4-5 days. Reheat in a 350F oven until hot.

Recommended Products:

Wood cutting board

Shun 8

Caraway Dutch Oven

Nutrition Facts

Calories

306.52

Fat

12.39

Sat. Fat

1.86

Carbs

46.03

Fiber

7.09

Net carbs

38.95

Sugar

14.37

Protein

8.56

Sodium

312.29

Cholesterol

0.18

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Recipe: Mulled Apple Cider

The Cottage Peach is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are our own. Products in this post were gifted.

Apple picking in our family often ends with us clutching blazing hot to-go cups of apple cider in an attempt to warm our numb fingertips while we sit between the apple trees, burning our tongues on the first sips impatiently taken before our mugs have a chance to cool. The bees are drawn to the sweet smell surrounding us and we listen to their buzzing song as we watch the people around us climb atop each other’s shoulders to reach the best apples at the very top of the tree.

As the days of apple-picking fade away, local farm stands are still stocking their shelves with the rich taste of fall in the form of fresh pressed apple cider waiting to be transformed into a hot mulled cider beverage made for fall days. November is a time to begin intentionally seeking connection with family and friends, and oftentimes that connection comes over the stovetop, making mulled cider together as the warm scent of apples fills your home.

How is apple cider different from apple juice?

According to Southern Living, “Apple cider is fresh, unfiltered, and often unpasteurized. It's also considered a seasonal drink and can be hard to find outside of the autumn months. Apple juice, on the other hand, is filtered and pasteurized, which gives it a longer shelf life, a sweeter taste, and a smoother texture.” so, it’s safe to say that apple cider is NOT the same as apple juice.

To me, there is no comparison between apple cider and apple juice. Apple juice is, at best, the bland counterpart of the richly flavored and fresh apple cider. I almost never keep apple juice in our refrigerator, but if apple cider were available year round I can almost guarantee a jug or two would find its way into my cart each time that I shop.

The taste of apple cider is much fuller and richer than apple juice. Apple cider tastes just like eating a whole apple, with a bit of extra tanginess from the oxidation process.

Why is apple cider brown?

Apple cider is brown because of enzymatic (polyphenol oxidase) reactions that occur in the presence of oxygen. Tiny apple solids floating in the juice turn color when exposed to air, giving cider that gorgeous caramel color and opaque look. Just like an apple begins to brown once it is cut, cider turns brown as the apples are pressed in the apple presser and are exposed to oxygen. This reaction also contributes to the depth of flavor that is present in apple cider.

On a related note, if you are slicing apples for a garnish tray to serve beside your mulled cider and need to keep them from browning before your guests have a chance to dig in all you need to do to keep your apples from turning brown is to soak the cut fruit in a saltwater solution (half a teaspoon of kosher salt per cup of water) for 10 minutes, then drain and store until ready to use. I promise you can’t taste any lingering saltwater flavor at all!

How is apple cider made?

Traditionally, apple cider is made at your local orchard by pressing fresh apples in an apple press, which crushes the apples into a mash or pulp. There are a variety of different styles of apple presses, from small countertop units you can operate by hand to professional grade equipment used by larger operations.

Can you make apple cider at home?

Yes! Many people use their countertop juicing appliance to make fresh apple cider at home. Since the resulting product is unfiltered and unpasteurized, it is considered cider even though you are using a juicer to make it. If you don’t have a juicer, you can throw your chopped apples in a blender and then strain out the pulp using cheesecloth. To make hot apple cider just transfer the strained cider to a sauce pan and heat on medium low until warm.

Why should you buy local cider?

The reasons to purchase your apple cider from a local farm are endless. Your local farm will almost certainly carry apple cider in the fall, whether they have an orchard and press of their own or partner with another local farm that may be further afield. Farms rely on seasonal income from fall activities like hayrides and corn mazes to keep themselves afloat during the winter months when their income is severely reduced or eliminated completely, so supporting your local farm all the way up until their closing date by purchasing any items for your fall activities from them can be a great help. When we buy local produce and groceries, we can be certain that the products on the shelves are as fresh as can be and generally of a much higher quality than is available in the supermarket.

Mulled cider spices

My favorite thing to do with my local apple cider is to make a big pot of hot mulled cider on the stovetop. This not only results in a delicious drink to gather around and share with all of your friends and family, but fills the space with a warm and cozy aroma.

When I’m feeling too achy and fatigued to participate in more involved fall traditions and cooking, mulling cider is a mostly hands-off way I can celebrate the autumn season without draining myself of my limited energy. Since I’m always looking for ways to enjoy seasonal living while being mindful of my own limitations living with chronic illness, mulled apple cider is the perfect way to respect my capabilities.

Hot mulled apple cider is special, because we only get to enjoy it for a small window of time each season. Let this be a drink that opens the door to celebrating seasonal living this fall in your home. This scent experience can be enhanced by incorporating different combinations of spices and fruits into your spiced cider recipe. This is a case where more is definitely more, so don’t feel the need to hold back in creating your flavor combinations.

Some spices and fruits to consider using in your hot mulled cider beverage:

• Whole cloves

• Cinnamon sticks

• Allspice berries

• Fresh ginger

• Star anise

• Allspice

• Nutmeg

• Cardamom pods

• Coriander

• Oranges

• Lemon

• Cranberries

• Apples

So why should you make mulled cider on the stovetop rather than the slow cooker? While I encourage you to utilize whatever cooking methods you need to in order to support your own body’s limitations, I consider the stovetop version to be an easy way to practice some mindfulness in my day. Simmering your hot apple cider on the stovetop forces you to pause and be present. Sometimes, coming off of autopilot is the best way to fully appreciate the brief beauty of fall in all its glory before it is time to move on to our long winter. So, pull up a chair if you need to, chop your fruits at the table while sitting down and truly allow yourself to savor the experience - from the fresh scent of citrus as your knife cuts into the rind, to the crunch of apples slicing.

Of course, when you’re finished making my best mulled cider recipe, the mug you choose to enjoy it in can be equally as important in determining how cozy of an experience you create. I like to put out an array of handmade ceramic mugs for my guests to choose from, alongside a tray with additional fruits they can add as a garnish to their drink. Make this mulled cider as the perfect refreshment for your Thanksgiving gatherings!

What does “mulled” mean?

To mull cider means to heat, sweeten, and flavor with spices for drinking. You can also mull ale, and wine. Changing the temperature of your beverage and adding spices increases the depth and complexity of flavor, as well as adding a warming element to bring coziness to your gathering.

How long does mulled cider keep?

You can cool and refrigerate your mulled cider for up to 3 days to be reheated another time. You should not keep it in a sealed bottle - since apple cider is usually not pasteurized it may ferment and cause the bottle to explode.

How to make mulled cider

non-alcoholic, hot cider, mulled drink, fall beverage

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Yield: 16

Author: The Cottage Peach

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Hot Mulled Apple Cider Recipe

To make hot mulled apple cider, all you need to do is add your apple cider and chosen spices and fruits to a large pot on your stove and simmer to allow the flavors to combine. Then you can pour into your favorite mug alongside some fruit to garnish and enjoy!

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 10 M

Ingredients

• 1 gallon apple cider
• 2 Apples, sliced
• 1 Orange, sliced
• ½ Cup cranberries (fresh or frozen is fine)
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 8 whole cloves
• 8 whole cardamom pods

Supplies

• Large dutch oven or soup pot
• Wooden spoon
• Knife
• Cutting board

Instructions

1. Measure out your spices into the bottom of the Dutch oven and toast them on low for one minute to bring out the flavors, being careful not to burn.
2. Slice the orange and apples.
3. Add the fruit and apple cider to the Dutch oven and bring to a simmer. You don’t want to turn the heat too high as it may cause the cider to separate (this won’t affect the taste just the appearance)
4. Cider can be mulled at a low temperature for up to 4 hours or at a simmer for about 1 hour, depending on your preference.
5. Ladle into festive glasses or mugs and enjoy with fruit and cinnamon sticks to garnish!

Recommended Products:

Wood cutting board

Shun 8

Wood Spoon

Caraway Dutch Oven

Nutrition Facts

Calories

178.7

Fat

1.16

Sat. Fat

0.34

Carbs

39.58

Fiber

2.11

Net carbs

37.45

Sugar

32.13

Protein

3.66

Sodium

21.68

Cholesterol

9.18

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Is Herbal Academy Worth It? + Lavender Oat Scrub Recipe [Review]

The Cottage Peach is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are our own.

Herbal Academy Botanical Skincare Course

This fall, Herbal Academy generously gifted me the opportunity to become a student and experience their Botanical Skincare Course. I have been passionate about using natural products in my skincare routine for many years now, and this was the perfect opportunity to take a deep dive into learning all about making my own DIY skincare products using natural ingredients.

What does the Herbal Academy Botanical Skincare course include?

The Botanical Skincare Course from Herbal Academy has everything you need to begin making your own natural skincare products at home. The course is separated into three units - unit one covers the anatomy and functions of the skin, providing a detailed but understandable scientific overview of exactly what and how our skin works. Some of this information will probably be common knowledge, but I found the included illustrations, charts and graphs extremely helpful.

Unit two covers skincare from the inside, offering a comprehensive holistic approach to skincare that went further than I expected a skincare course to go. But this is exactly what makes the Herbal Academy courses so special - rather than just throwing a bunch of great recipes your way and leaving you to fend for yourself, this unit really cements the importance of whole body care and all the ways that how we eat and live impact our skin health, with great tips for aiding digestion as well.

This unit also covered alternative wellness practices from other cultures including ayurveda and chinese medicine - these are of less interest to me personally, as I try to align my herbalism with my own celtic culture and avoid appropriating other cultures in my practice. I found it off-putting that the module on Chinese medicine in particular did not take the opportunity to feature an instructor from the Chinese community in the lesson - while the white male instructor seems to be very knowledgeable and qualified, I would have loved to see better cultural representation in this unit.

Unit three covers skincare recipe formulation and more of the technical creation of actual recipes. To be honest, I was so pleasantly surprised by how much the course included - for how small of an investment this course is, I would have been happy with just the content in unit three, so the other two units really felt like a huge bonus. You have access to the online coursework for one year after you activate it, but each unit offers the option to download a PDF version of all the content within the course to access indefinitely. The downloadable PDFs alone are over 600 pages of course material, so this one will keep you busy for a good long time!

Is the Botanical Skincare Course for beginners?

This course would be great for herbalists of all levels who are looking to expand their knowledge and explore natural skincare product creation. There is a good mix of basic to intermediate content.

Is Herbal Academy Worth It?

Yes, I feel Herbal Academy is definitely worth the investment. You can click here to enroll in the course. You’ll have the option to purchase the companion book alongside the course - I highly recommend you do so, as the book alone is packed with recipes that you’ll want to try during and after completing the course.

Since lavender is one of my favorite plants to grow and to work with, I decided to make the lavender oat scrub from the companion book that goes along with the course. You can purchase this book separately from the course, but together with the course you are able to really dive deep into the methods and skills needed to make your own non-toxic skincare products.

What Are the Benefits of Using Lavender on Your Skin?

Aside from its lovely scent, lavender’s anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties make it an incredibly useful plant for our skin.

It can soothe and calm skin, help fight acne, and even help heal minor cuts and burns. It is useful for rashes and skin irritations caused by medical conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema. Some studies have shown that the antioxidants in lavender may even help to reduce wrinkles.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil has a long history as a medicinal treatment. It is important to make the distinction between lavender oil and lavender essential oil. Lavender oil is purely a scent, while lavender essential oil is what we want for medicinal or herbal usage.

Lavender essential oil is made by steaming dried lavender flowers. The heat of the steam releases the oils from the blooms.

Uses for Lavender Essential Oil

Aside from home uses, studies have proven that lavender essential oil can increase the effect of antiseptics commonly used to combat staph infections for patients who are having surgery.

At home, the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of lavender essential oil can help cuts and burns heal faster and fight infection. It is very soothing for sunburn and insect bites, as well.

As an antifungal and anti-inflammatory, lavender essential oil can reduce the inflammation caused by eczema and help treat psoriasis, while helping to balance your skin’s moisture barrier.

One unexpected use for lavender essential oil is to prevent and treat acne. It may seem that adding oil to oily skin would be counter-effective, but lavender essential oil can help regulate your skin's oil production.

A common treatment for acne is to use a stripping product to remove oils from your skin. What happens when you do this is that your skin becomes too dry, and tries to compensate for that by making more oil. Pores become clogged, and combined with acne bacteria, you have the perfect environment for pimples.

Like these products, lavender essential oil can kill off the bacteria, but without drying out your skin and continuing the cycle of oil production. It is non-comedogenic, so it doesn’t clog your pores, and its anti-inflammatory properties help soothe any acne you do have.

Lavender essential oil is also useful as a hair product. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties protect your scalp against bacteria, and it can help with dry scalp and dandruff. As a bonus, it is also believed to boost hair growth.

How to Use Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil should not be applied directly to your skin, because it may cause irritation.

For use as a skin cream, add it to your regular moisturizer or combine it with a carrier oil to create your own serum. Jojoba is a good carrier oil for most skin types. For dry skin, argan oil is very moisturizing, while for sensitive skin it might be best to go with rosehip oil.

To use your serum, apply 2-3 drops to problem areas.

To use lavender essential oil for acne, dilute it with carrier oil and apply it to your skin after washing your face.

You can also make a skin toner by mixing 2 or 3 drops of lavender essential oil with 1 teaspoon of witch hazel. Gently apply it to your face with a soft cloth or cotton ball.

To use lavender essential oil for dandruff, dilute the oil and scrub it into your scalp. You can wash it out after 10 minute or wrap your head in a towel and keep it on overnight.

For sunburn, combine lavender essential oil with aloe vera.

What Are the Benefits of Using Oatmeal on Your Skin?

Besides being a powerhouse of nutrition for our bodies, oatmeal is a great choice to use on our skin. People have used oats for centuries to treat rashes, eczema, and itchiness.

Oats are all natural, suitable for all skin types, inexpensive, and easy to acquire. Their amino acids, antioxidants, and fatty acids are all beneficial to our skin.

Using oatmeal on your skin can help it to maintain just the right pH, which is especially helpful for sensitive skin, and also provides your skin with vitamin E, which helps to retain moisture.

Oats work very well as an exfoliator, gently removing the dry outer layers of skin and working to remove the dirt and oil beneath, leaving your skin smooth and glowing. If used on the scalp, oatmeal can help to reduce dandruff.

Because it helps clear your pores, oatmeal is an effective option for helping to treat acne breakouts and reduce the redness they cause.

The starches in oatmeal help maintain your skin’s moisture barrier by attracting water to the skin, and the saponins have soap-like properties that make it an effective skin-cleanser. They were used for that purpose as far back as ancient Rome.

An oatmeal bath is a cooling way to calm skin inflamed by chicken pox or shingles, and its anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe itchiness. Along with itchiness, an oatmeal bath can also be helpful for sunburn, eczema, and psoriasis.

How to Use Oats for Your Skin

To use as a body cleanser, make lavender oat scrub from the recipe below.

For dry skin, use colloidal oats mixed with a bit of rose water. Colloidal oats are a finely-ground oat product. You can make your own by pulverizing or grinding oats yourself. Let it sit on your skin for 5-10 minutes, then rinse.

You can make a face mask with 2 parts oatmeal, 1 part honey, and a bit of rose oil. Leave the mixture on your skin for 10 minutes, then rinse.

To make an oatmeal bath, use water that is not too hot. (Heat can irritate skin.) Pour a cup of colloidal oatmeal under the faucet as it runs. If you don’t have colloidal oatmeal, you can put oats into a sock, tie it up, place it in the water, and swirl it around until the water looks milky.

If you are ready to give oats a try on your hair, mix finely-ground oats with your shampoo and wash as normal.

Lavender Oat Scrub Recipe

Lavender oat scrub is the perfect way to combine the benefits of the lavender and the oatmeal. It can be used as an all-over body scrub to exfoliate and moisturize your skin.

DIY Lavender Scrub

It is quite easy to make lavender oat scrub, which makes it a nice way to try your hand at herbal remedies, if you never have.

Mix some up for yourself, or gift a friend with their very own lavender oat scrub!

The recipe below is from Herbal Academy’s Botanical Skincare Recipe Book. The book is a great resource, with 194 all-natural recipes for body care products from an herbalist perspective. Click here to purchase it alongside the companion course for a fully immersive experience.

What You Need to Make Lavender Oat Scrub

1/4 cup oats

4 tsp sugar

2 tsp lavender buds

¼ cup jojoba oil

Lavender Oat Scrub Recipe

Directions:

Grind the oats, sugar, and lavender into a powder. (You can use a food processor, blender, spice grinder, or mortar & pestle.)

Combine the powder with the oil and stir well.

Using Lavender Oat Scrub

To use your lavender oat scrub, apply it to your skin and scrub in a circular motion.

Rinse off with luke-warm water and pat your skin dry.

Note: This body scrub can make your tub slippery, so be sure to wipe it down afterwards.

Click here to start your herbalism journey with Herbal Academy!

Homemade Gifts For Everyone on Your List

The Cottage Peach is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are our own.

Most everyone loves a handmade gift, and in these times of over-consumption it is more important than ever to be mindful in your gift giving this holiday season.

Holiday waste is a huge problem, both for our budgets and the environment. Americans spent around $15.2 billion on unwanted holiday gifts in 2019, and 4% of them ended up in the trash. Think about it - how many trash bags have you probably filled with just wrapping paper in your life? A lot of it can’t be recycled or composted even if we wanted to because it uses shiny plastic coatings or glitter that won’t break down. This is an issue that we can easily avoid by simply changing some habits and using fabric or kraft paper wrapping instead. The plus side is fabric wrapping can be reused year after year and kraft paper is totally recyclable and compostable.

That number doesn’t even include all of the wasted packaging and wrapping materials that end up in landfills. Each year Americans alone use 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper valued at over seven billion dollars. Fifty percent of that wrapping paper ends up in a landfill. That's 2.3 million pounds of used wrapping paper clogging up landfills.

I know I’m not the only one who struggles after the holidays are over to try and absorb all my presents into our home and our lives. As much as I’m grateful for the thought, and know that I am privileged to be loved by so many people who want to express that love through gifts, it is a challenge when the gifts themselves don’t fit into my life. A handmade gift, however, will always bring me joy and be a useful addition to my home.

And who really enjoys the stress of holiday shopping? Dealing with shipping delays or crowded shopping centers isn’t my idea of a good time.

You can even take it one step further and choose to do experience gifts instead - this can be anything from paint night to skydiving, a museum membership, massage or a baking class. Experience gifts allow you to deepen your bond with the gift recipient and create lasting memories that you can look back on for years to come. 

Whether you’re looking for DIY Christmas gift ideas, Chanukah gift ideas, zero-waste gift ideas, food gift ideas, or just the best homemade gift ideas out there for anyone on your list, you’ve come to the right place.

50 DIY gift ideas for everyone on your list

1. Candles - Making candles is as simple as melting wax, adding scent if desired, and setting a wick into the wax before it hardens. Throughout the year, collect containers suitable for candles. This could include jars or tins, things you bought food in or found at a thrift store. Candle Science is a great source for purchasing candle-making supplies. I like to use their Golden Bran 464 soy wax when I make candles. 
   
   

2. Coasters: You can make coasters out of tiles or slices of wood. For instructions on making tile coasters with Mod Podge and paper, check out It All Started With Paint
   
   

3. Vanilla: To make homemade vanilla, simply slice vanilla beans down the middle and let them sit in vodka for a month. Distill into a pretty jar and tie a ribbon around the top.
   
   

4. Ornaments: You can make ornaments by doing small embroideries and framing them with mini embroidery hoops like these circles or these oval ones. Other ideas for ornaments are painting wood discs, or using colored air dry clay. 
   
   

5. Calendula balm: Use homemade calendula oil to create a balm. Package it in an attractive tin.
   
   

6. Playlist: In the old days, making a mix tape for someone was a big deal, and the same is true these days of making a playlist. Take time to choose meaningful songs, and the recipient will feel the love.
   
   

7. Wreath: With a wreath form, some floral tape, and dried flowers, you can put together a beautiful wreath for any season.
   
   

8. Tea: Make your own teabags using cloth drawstring sachets and homegrown or purchased dried herbs. Mountain Rose Herbs is my first choice when buying herbs. If disposable tea bags aren’t for you, mix your desired herbs and gift them in a Ball mason jar with a pretty reusable lid. 
   
   

9. Cookies: Who doesn’t want to get cookies? No one, that’s who. Package them in a compostable paper box or a reusable tin.
   
   

10. Plants: Take cuttings from your own houseplants, root, and pot up in a bowl, cup, or pot from the thrift store.
    
    

11. Cloth napkins: Use fabric scraps or repurposed fabrics to create cloth napkins
    
    

12. Beeswax wraps: Mountain Rose Herbs has instructions for how to make the very best beeswax wraps.
    
    

13. Rope baskets: Check out Happiness is Homemade for step-by-step instructions on making rope baskets, without sewing a stitch.
    
    

14. Hand warmers: Simply sew two pieces of fabric together to form the shape you want, then fill it with rice to make hand warmers that can be heated in the microwave.
    
    

15. Sugar scrub: Mix ½ cup coconut oil with ¼ cup sugar for a simple sugar scrub. Package it in a glass jar, like these from Mountain Rose Herbs.
    
    

16. Jelly: Homemade preserves are always appreciated! Get your Christmas gift-making done in summer and have more time for fun in December.
    
    

17. Granola: Follow my recipe for homemade granola.
    
    

18. Peanut brittle: Peanut brittle can be made in the microwave, making it a great gift idea to do with kids.
    
    

19. Write a story or poem: Give a little piece of yourself by writing something just for them.
    
    

20. Bind a journal: Binding paper can be done by beginners. Check out Skill Share for instructions. 
    
    

21. Knit a mug cozy: Ravelry hosts endless options of styles that are free to download.
    
    

22. Homemade game: Make a homemade board game. Think creatively – pretty pebbles make good pieces to move around the board, and sturdy cardboard can be used for the board itself.
    
    

23. Pendant: Make a pendant with polymer clay, and hang it on a pretty ribbon.
    
    

24. Macramé: A macramé hanging plant holder is a classic, and doesn’t need to be too complicated. Check out Sarah Maker’s simple tutorial.

25. Affirmation cards: Everyone could use some good thoughts to brighten their days. Use colored, blank index cards or pretty bits of decorative paper to share some.
    
    

26. Marbled greeting cards: Marbling paper is simple, fun, and only slightly messy.
    
    

27. Soap: You can make cold processed soap using lye, or create bars of soap with the melt and pour method, which uses a premade soap base.
    
    

28. Bookmarks: Use decorative or marbled paper and add ribbons, tassels, or other pretty bits and bobs.
    
    

29. Keychains:  Drill a hole in a good-looking, small rock or a sanded tree branch to make your own keychains.
    
    

30. Scrunchie: Scrunchies are a great beginner sewing project.
    
    

31. Stenciled tote bag: A simple white tote, some paints, a stencil and a sponge are all that’s needed to make a custom tote bag.
    
    

32. Ring bowl:  Make a small ring bowl using white air dry clay. Once it’s dry, paint it however you’d like.
    
    

33. Decorated glass: Use glass markers to decorate vases, glasses, or bowls.
    
    

34. Walking stick: Search out a stick of the right length, with a bit of a curve on one end. Sand until smooth and apply mineral oil.
    
    

35. Washi tape headbands: Check out The Crafting Chicks for instructions to make washi tape headbands. 
    
    

36. Bath tea: For a relaxing gift, make Pumpkin and Princess’ bath tea.
    
    

37. No-sew flannel scarf: This no-sew flannel scarf is simple enough for anyone to make.
    
    

38. Lavender eye pillow: Sew two pieces of fabric together and fill with lavender buds for a soothing, sleepiness inducing eye pillow.
    
    

39. Seeds: Save seeds from your summer garden and package in homemade paper envelopes. 
    
    

40. Pressed flower tray: Use craft glue to carefully apply your pressed flowers to a wooden tray. Arrange them in the way you’d like, then pick each flower up one at a time, brush it with glue, and put it back in position. When everything is placed, use Mod Podge to give it a clear finish.
    
    

41. Terrarium: Use a glass container and small plants and mosses to create a terrarium.
    
    

42. Recipes: Create a box of hand-written recipes to share.
    
    

43. Mittens: Use felted sweaters to make mittens by cutting to shape and sewing.
    
    

44. Chocolate covered spoons: Make delicious chocolate-covered spoons using this Betty Crocker recipe
    
    

45. Peppermint bark: All you need for this project is chocolate melted in the microwave and crushed up candy canes. Spread the melted chocolate on parchment paper and sprinkle with candy.
    
    

46. Butter: Impress someone with homemade butter. No one needs to know all you had to do was use a mixer to beat cream and add a little salt.
    
    

47. Decoupage soap: Count on Mod Podge to think of every possible item that can be decoupaged! 
    
    

48. Hot chocolate bomb:  Throw some chocolate their way with this recipe from One Good Thing.
    
    

49. Jersey knit bracelet: This is a neat way to repurpose t-shirts
    
    

50. Chalkboard coffee mug: Martha Stewart has a very simple idea for adding some individuality to a coffee mug.