Vanilla

Vanilla
This journey of unprocessing food actually began with finding out we could make our own vanilla extract. That was 3 years ago and we are presently on our 4th bottle of home-made vanilla extract.

So many baking recipes require vanilla. Oh sure, you can buy the cheap vanilla extract, and you get exactly what you paid for - a cheap tasting product. Have you ever tried the real thing? It is more expensive, but the difference in taste makes it so worthwhile!

It is the expense of the real vanilla extract that is tough to swallow. Sure, the taste is worth it, but it is hard on the wallet.

I cheered when I came across a recipe to make your own! The recipe calls for vanilla beans which I had been using in recipes for a few years now. Vanilla beans aren’t cheap either. I found Costco had the best price on them (found with the baking goods and spices, usually in the fall, closer to Christmas). As I remember, I paid $10 - $12 for 2 tubes of vanilla beans and there were 5 beans in each tube. Safeway was $6.99 for a tube of 2. Definitely worth going to Costco! If you don’t have a Costco membership yourself, find a friend who does and join them on a shopping day.

The downfall to making your own vanilla extract is the time for the vanilla beans to infuse their flavor, about 4 to 6 months. Oh, the taste is so worth the wait! I started the second bottle when I was 1/3 of the way through the first bottle so I wouldn’t run out.

Cost Comparison

With the price of the Real Vanilla Extract being so high, it is certainly worth making your own vanilla extract. Home-made Vanilla Extract will cost you ½ of what it costs in the store.

Store Bought	Home-made
Artificial Vanilla Extract: $1.64 for 100 ml ($0.0164 / ml)	Vanilla Beans: $4.00 Vodka: $14.00 for 375 ml bottle Total Cost: $18.00 / 375 ml
Real Vanilla Extract: $10.00 for 100 ml ($.10 / ml)	($0.05/ml)

　
Here lies the problem with Artificial Vanilla Extract. It contains the additive Sodium Benzoate. Definitely an additive that you don't want to be ingesting.
Here lies the problem with Artificial Vanilla Extract. It contains the additive Sodium Benzoate. Definitely an additive that you don't want to be ingesting.
　

Health Issues
Sodium Benzoate (aka E211)	- Forms a chemical known as Benzene when in the presence of vitamin C, which is a known carcinogenic substance. - Has been found to damage an important area of DNA in the "power station" of cells known as the mitochondria. DNA damage is known to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, and more generally, is likely to speed up the entire aging process
Here is a source: http://handblender.us/sodium-benzoate-side-effects Feel free to explore some more on the health problems associated with these additive.

　
　
Here is the Recipe
　

Let me know when you make this and what you think of the flavor!

Not Cool (er) !

After doing my research on Sodium Benzoate and finding out that if mixed with Vitamin C, a chemical reaction happens and Benzene is formed. Benzene is a known carcinogen. That knowledge is very scary and it certainly has me looking closer at other items in my home.

A week or so after finding out the problems of Sodium Benzoate, my husband discovered that it is an ingredient in my favorite vodka cooler (starts with a S and ends with an F). Adding insult to injury, another ingredient is Citric Acid. Tell me that Citric Acid doesn’t have Vitamin C in it.

That means that my favorite cooler is OFF the list!

ARG!!!! I so enjoy my cooler, especially on a hot day or after working on the house we are building.
Now I am beginning the search for a replacement ‘hot day’ or ‘after working hard‘ drink. I do enjoy beer, but I have to admit that I really prefer coolers. Any suggestions? What do you prefer to drink on a hot day or after putting in some serious physical work?

Teriyaki Sauce

Who doesn’t love Teriyaki Sauce? On rice, with chicken, beef, pork or salmon, it is always a favorite!

Teriyaki Sauce has been a favorite of mine too since I was a little kid, and I still love it today. I think it is so popular because of its gentle touch of sweetness along with a very nice, unique flavor. No wonder most kids are happy to put Teriyaki Sauce on so many things!

One of our favorite salmon dishes is Teriyaki Salmon. Of course, it calls for Teriyaki Sauce both as a marinade and a sauce to be baked in.

Here lies the problem. Teriyaki Sauce bought in a bottle in the grocery store includes the additives of Xanthan Gum, Disodium Inosinate, and Sodium Benzoate. You won’t believe the affect on our health these additives can have!

　

Health Issues
Sodium Benzoate (aka E211)	- Forms a chemical known as Benzene when in the presence of vitamin C, which is a known carcinogenic substance. - Has been found to damage an important area of DNA in the "power station" of cells known as the mitochondria. DNA damage is known to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, and more generally, is likely to speed up the entire aging process
Disodium Inosinate (aka E631)	- Frequently contains MSG (E621). - Allergy reactions: - flushed skin or burning sensation; - numbness and tightness in the upper body; - migraine headaches; - profuse sweating; - a sense of swelling, usually accompanied by gastric discomfort.- Asthmatic people and Gout sufferers should avoid
Xanthan Gum	- Intestinal bloating and diarrhea. - people with allergies to wheat, dairy, corn, or soy are advised to avoid
Here are some sources: http://handblender.us/sodium-benzoate-side-effects http://www.energydrinktruth.com/dangersofpreservatives.html http://www.mbm.net.au/health/620-640.htm http://randebordart.com/pain_relief/disodium_inosinate_side_effects/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xanthan_gum Feel free to explore some more on the health problems associated with these additives.

　

OMG!!!!
I can’t believe Sodium Benzoate is allowed to be used as a food additive. There is a very good chance of it being turned into a carcinogen if consumed with Vitamin C... What if you had an apple after school? Or apple pie for dessert? We probably don’t even know if it is causing us problems until it is too late!

STOP BUYING PRODUCTS THAT HAVE Sodium Benzoate IN IT!

　

Making home-made Teriyaki Sauce
　
To prevent further health issues by using bought Teriyaki Sauce, I began researching if making it is possible and how easy it would be. Well, it is not only possible, but very easy! Who knew?

You don't even have to be that good in the kitchen - it is that easy to make!

Cost Comparison

There is the issue of cost as well. Home-made Teriyaki Sauce will cost you ½ of what it costs in the store. Plus, you only have to make exactly what you need. There is no more wondering how long that bottle has been in the fridge and is it still safe to use? There will be no more waste and you will be a lot healthier!

Store Bought	Home-made
$3.79 - $4.48 for 296 ml	$1.41 for 175 ml
average: $4.14 for 296 ml
$0.14 / ml	$0.008 / ml

　　
Recipes:

Here are 2 recipes.  The first is the basic Teriyaki Sauce.  It can be used as a marinade, as a dipping (or drizzling) sauce,  or used to cook whatever food you like to have with it - chicken, beef, pork, or salmon for example.  It literally only takes a few minutes to make and voila, you have a superb and tasty Teriyaki Sauce!

The second is our Salmon Teriyaki recipe. 

Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

Salmon Teriyaki Recipe


I have no doubt that you will love this sauce!  It is very easy to make and so darn tasty too.  We have even impressed guests with it.

Let me know when you try it and what you think of it.