Homemade vanilla extract requires only two ingredients and makes all of your baked goods taste amazing. Learn how to make vanilla extract with this easy tutorial.

A shopping trip to the grocery store a few years back to pick up some baking supplies for the holidays got me to thinking…

I know that imitation vanilla is really just a bunch of gross chemicals, including artificial flavors, caramel coloring, and corn syrup manufactured to taste like actual vanilla.

Continue reading How to Make Vanilla Extract at Grow a Good Life.

Give the foodies in your life something tasty for the holidays. Here are over 30 homemade food gift ideas, including baked goodies, homemade jams and jellies, and other edible Christmas gifts.

It’s the time of year to think about the perfect holiday gift for friends, co-workers, or family. Need some gift ideas? Consider something from the heart of your home — the kitchen.

Homemade food gifts are always remembered because they are personal and come from the heart.

Continue reading 30+ Homemade Food Gifts for Christmas at Grow a Good Life.

Did you know you could make apple scrap vinegar simply by combining apple peelings and cores with water and sugar, and let it ferment until it turns into vinegar?

Whether you are processing a bushel of freshly picked apples for applesauce, baked cinnamon apple chips, or apple pie, be sure to save those scraps!

The mild apple flavored vinegar is delicious drizzled on fall salads and roasted veggies, in a marinade for meats and vegetables, and added to soups and stews to balance flavors.

Continue reading Homemade Apple Scrap Vinegar at Grow a Good Life.

This homemade pickling spice recipe is a basic blend of warm flavors perfect for making your favorite pickled vegetables.

What is Pickling Spice?

Pickling spice is a mix of savory dried spices that are used to flavor pickling brine. When food is pickled, it is preserved in brine that infuses its flavor into the food over time.

You can purchase pickling spice at the store, but if you do a lot of picking, it makes sense to make your own using fresh ingredients.

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Almond milk is a plant-based beverage made from almonds and water. It is a dairy-free milk substitute for vegan diets or for those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to cow’s milk. Learn how to make your own and avoid the additives found in store bought almond milk.

A few years ago, we discovered that my husband has developed allergies to cow’s milk. It was a difficult realization since he loves milk in his morning cereal, ice cream desserts, cream in his coffee, and enjoys cheese.

Continue reading How to Make Almond Milk at Grow a Good Life.