Trim Healthy Mama is a book written by two sisters, Serene and Pearl. I’ve not read the book, but I have been following the Facebook page and learning a lot about combining foods to help with weight loss. While I don’t need to lose a lot of weight, I do need to trim down some (25 pounds gained in 25 years of marriage), and get back into shape. I will probably be prone to arthritis like my sweet mom was since I already have aches and pains. Keeping the weight down will help me in the long run. You can check out the web site here.
I came across this recipe the other day on the Trim Healthy Mama Facebook page and decided to give it a try today. Oh, my! The house smelled like Christmas as my son Sam and I began our Christmas decorating. I know that traditionally a wassail is an alcoholic beverage drunk while making a toast to a person’s health. This recipe is non-alcoholic and is actually very good for one’s health!
1 bag fresh cranberries
3 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp. whole cloves
3 whole anise stars (I didn’t have these, but I used a few drops of anise oil.)
2 quarts water
1 orange cut into slices or 2 tsp. pure orange extract
Pure Stevia extract to taste (I used honey.)
Put the cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and anise stars into a large pot. Add 1-1/2 quarts of water. Cover and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for about an hour.
Pour the wassail through a strainer into a 2-quart jar. Add the remaining water to make a complete half gallon. Add sweetener to taste.
Serve hot with a twist of orange.
Yum. Yum yum! Thank you THM!