My Favorite 5 Uses For Apple Cider Vinegar

My Favorite 5 Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar

Ah, apple cider vinegar. One of the darlings of the holistic health world. While it’s not the magic cure-all that some people claim it to be, apple cider vinegar is pretty useful stuff. And since it’s all natural – containing no preservatives or synthetic chemicals – it’s generally considered safe for a variety of applications.

Here are my favorite 5 uses for apple cider vinegar

1. Digestive aid. I used to think my acid reflux was caused by my stomach producing too much acid. Turns out most people who experience acid reflux produce too little stomach acid. This causes food to sit in the stomach longer than it should. In my case the fix was simply to take 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar before meals! Bonus: it blunts my appetite too!
2. Facial astringent. I use a mixture of 3 parts water to 1 part apple cider vinegar on my face about every other day. I definitely notice my skin has a smoother texture with fewer breakouts in my T-zone.
3. Hair and scalp treatment. I get dandruff. There. I said it. But I hate using harsh shampoos that are filled with chemicals. Apple cider vinegar solved my problem! My scalp no longer itches and my hair is shiny and flake-free! I use the same ratio of water to vinegar as the facial astringent, put it on my hair in the shower, leave on for a few minutes, then rinse.
4. Homemade dressings and marinades. Try soaking steaks, chops, or chicken in the vinegar before grilling. It also lends a sweet/tangy taste to homemade dressings. My favorite salad dressing: 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger, 1 clove minced garlic, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon honey. Mix well, serves 1. (Amounts of each ingredient are approximations – I don’t typically measure!) Want another great recipe that utilizes ACV? Check out this Akron Ohio Mom’s post from 2013!
5. Fruit fly trap. No matter how well I store my fruit or clean my kitchen I always have fruit flies in the spring. Last year I noticed that if I didn’t put a tight-fitting cap on my ACV facial astringent, fruit flies would get into the bottle and drown. Light bulb moment! I now leave a small jar of apple cider vinegar on a kitchen windowsill in the spring.

What kind of apple cider vinegar should I buy?

Buy raw apple cider vinegar with “the mother” and make sure it’s organic. You want raw with “the mother” because it hasn’t been heat-treated and will contain beneficial bacteria that are good for the gut. (This is why raw apple cider vinegar is cloudy instead of clear – it hasn’t gone bad – the cloudy stuff is the good stuff!) Buy organic because apples consistently test high for pesticide residues. You don’t want to put pesticides on or in your body. My favorite brand is Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar.

I’d love to hear from you! Have you used apple cider vinegar? What’s your favorite way to use it?

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Kelly Bailey

Kelly is wife to one wonderful (and lucky) husband, mom to an audacious and strong-willed 8 year old girl, and fur-mom to 15 chickens, four cats, two ponies, two ducks, and one dog. She enjoys outdoor pursuits including hiking, camping, kayaking, and fishing. Kelly is a certified personal trainer and certified holistic nutrition coach, and she owns and operates Kelly Bailey Wellness. Her passion is helping women find true happiness with their bodies and in their lives through a multi-faceted approach that integrates intuitive eating principles, nutritious foods, movement, sleep, and smart supplementation. You can read her blog and reach out to her at kellybailey.fit.