Tummy Tonic

I saw this post a few weeks ago on Food in Jars. I thought it was a great idea, as I already had a minor obsession with simple syrups last summer before I had figured out the whole canning thing, and I thought this sounded like a good idea. I also know both ginger and mint are great stomach soothers, but I never have anything on hand in advance if I come down with something.

I decided to make something similar to the Food in Jars ginger syrup/"Ginger Ale" with mint, too.


Tummy Tonic
3 cups water
3 cups chopped ginger 
4.5 cups sugar
1 cup fresh mint


Pictures of the whole process are below, but here's the quick summary. Boil the ginger in water for 10 mins. Add sugar. Add mint. Continue boiling for 20 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Let stand for an hour. Strain the ginger and mint out. Return to a boil before filling hot jars. Process in a boiling water bath for ten minutes.

Mix with seltzer water for a ginger mint soda. It would also make a great drink mixer with any clear liquor.

I already tried the stomach soothing aspects last night when my bus ride home was super lurchy. It was great!

Happy Anniversary!

Our three year anniversary was in November. I didn't finish this creative gift in time for my anniversary visit, so I said I would mail it the next week. He gave me an engagement ring..... sooooooo my plans to make a good anniversary gift got put on hold with the excitement. My gift was "three jars of awesomeness for three awesome years."

I finished the gift in time for Christmas, though, but I forgot to take pictures. I was there again for Valentine's Day, though, so I took some pics!

I made Sweet Apple Butter, Spicy Banana Peppers, and Sassy Blackberry Jam. The apple butter apples were from apple picking together back in September, the banana peppers were from my summer porch garden, and the blackberries were from Costco. The blackberry jam was my first attempt at making jam, and it set really well and tasted incredible! I added lime juice for a unique kick :)

His parents gave me a new giant pot for canning for Christmas, but since there's no fresh food out right now, I'm just waiting to break it in!