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I don’t talk about it a lot anymore as it is truly integrated into my routine/a no brainer for me, but apple cider vinegar (acv) is one of my hero products. I first started really using it back in 2016 as a way to help curb my chronic sinus infection problem. At the time, I would drink a cup of hot lemon water with acv and cayenne sprinkled in, but it was truly the worst part of my morning. HAH! I’ve come to be okay with the flavor, but like ashwagandha, it’s not something I really enjoy sipping on. I still drink a cup of hot lemon water, but choose to shoot my apple cider vinegar with warm water and cayenne. (You need to dilute it or it will burn your throat. Ouch!) There was a time where I stopped drinking it, but I found I didn’t feel as well and truly did notice a difference in my sinuses. Right now I’m not doing it religiously, as I didn’t want to buy a new bottle and then throw it away as we move across the country. Buuut for the record, we buy Bragg’s Raw Unfiltered Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and love it!

Another way I use it on the reg is with my skin! It is a main ingredient in my DIY Activated Charcoal Mask and Armpit Detox, but also a key ingredient in Primally Pure Everything Spray, which I use twice a day as my toner! It’s basically a magic spray, I tell ya. I wrote a whole blog post on it here with pictures to prove it, but the headline is that it is anti-bacterial and calming. Nick also uses it throughout his beard and on his neck, after he shaves. Try it for yourself for 15% off with code ELLEMULENOS.

My most recent discovery of an amazing way to use it, isn’t a new concept, but is new to me this year. I LOVE making Apple Cider Vinegar salad dressing. Not only is it yummy, but it isn’t super processed, doesn’t have too much sugar, and is honestly pretty easy to make. I love to make this weekly, as I pretty much put it on anything. Another food related use is to soak meat in just a bowl of ACV. I made chicken the other day and Nick was like WHAT DID YOU DO TO THIS BIRD?! All I did was soak it in apple cider vinegar for 4 hours, added some salt and pepper, and pan fried it up. SO EASY AND GOOD. If have time to make the full dressing, here is how I like to make it.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 small shallot or 1/4 cup onion, diced

• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar

• 2 teaspooons mustard (I like to use Trader Joe’s Aioli Garlic Mustard or a whole grain mustard)

• 2 teaspoons raw honey

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

• 3 garlic cloves, diced

• Dash everything but the bagel seasoning

DIRECTIONS

Mix all ingredients and serve! You can also put the ingredients in a blender and puree if you want it to be more smooth. I personally like the little crunches of onion and such, but to either their own! I like to make it once a week and store in a mason jar in the fridge, so I can use it whenever I want! It will naturally separate and solidify - just shake and let it sit out a bit and it should mix back together. I like to put it on greens, soak meat in it, and more!

Okay all these things are well and good, but why apple cider vinegar? Something that is cool about acv is that it is backed by science. Some things like celery juicing (mentioned my thoughts about it here) aren’t, but there are actually tests around acv that are proven! For example, it is good for acne, as it kills bacteria. It is said to fight cancer, as it contains antioxidants. Who knew that fermented apple juice could do so much! I encourage you to do your own research to fully learn, but here are some of my favorite benefits.

• Improves digestion (mentioned that within this post!)

• Reduce bloating (same reason as above!)

• Lowers blood sugar and cholesterol (typically I try not to consume processed sugar before noon, as I get a headache, but if I do, I immediately reach for acv!)

• Contains antioxidants (great for internally obviously, but it’s good for skin internally and externally!)

• Kills bacteria (hello! Good for acne for this reason.)

• Treats sunburn ( my everything spray goes on all my sunburns!) Try it for 15% off w/code ELLEMULENOS)

• Reduces dandruff (another benefit to the ever popular acv hair rinse!)

To recap everything I said above, some of my favorite uses are:

• Facemask

• Armpit Detox

• Toner

• Sunburn Saver

• Hair Rinse

• Brine for Meat

• Salad Dressing

• Kombucha-like Cocktail (here’s inspo on how I used elderberry in a similar way!)

• Apple Cider Donuts or Muffins (perfect for the upcoming fall season!)

Do you like apple cider vinegar? Let me know your favorite way to use it. Even if you don’t, I urge you to try to incorporate it into your routine or diet somehow. They make some acv packets that mix it with honey and such, which makes it a lot more palatable. They also make apple cider vinegar capsules. I have never tried them, but something about the raw form just seems to work better in my head. I mean if you don’t feel the burn of the acv is it actually working?! I’m currently looking into pills or gummies though that would travel well though, so I’ll keep you updated!!

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