Baobab, the super fruit from the tree of life (or upside down tree) that has reigned as a life giver possessing life giving and medicinal qualities with some that are 2500 years old.  Unfortunately, in large parts of Africa the baobab tree is struggling with worrying rates of decline linked to climate change.  This decline is even more significant as these trees as notoriously resilient.  After Maria, these stood tall and untouched.  These trees are impressive to behold, some as large as houses and with so many wonderful qualities embedded in most every part of the tree, this precious tree needs to be preserved.  I am grateful that beyond the African savannah, they were introduced to my home here on my island of St. Croix.

According to researchers, they are the largest flowering tree with the greatest longevity (3,0000 years!)  They call it the “upside down tree” due to its root-like branches and they call it the tree of life as its cultural significance has been cemented it its ability to store water in their massive trunks that in turn, can quench the thirst of both human and animal, especially during the dry season along with the fact that its leaves can be eaten as a green vegetable, its bark can be used for household goods like cloth, rope, baskets, etc and both its fruit and other components can be applied as medicine.

Being rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, it has quickly become a buzz word surrounding beauty and health care products in the states.  Today, I’m breaking down some fresh baobab to harvest the pulp and collect the powder.  I most often use it in smoothie bowls or chia puddings but I also like to use it in a tropical mask by simply combining freshly foraged papaya for its enzymes, raw local honey for its antimicrobial qualities, homemade coconut yogurt for moisture, probiotics and its ability to bind the mask and lastly, the star ingredient of fresh baobab powder.

Here’s the finished product that I store in a bpa-free glass in the fridge and here’s how I did it:

Fresh fruit will generally dry on the tree.  I bring it in and typically allow it to crack open on its own.

The interior will reveal a brain like structure with a webbing of fruit fiber.  You simply disentangle the white fruit pulp from it and set them into a colander.  You can set the velvet shell aside for decorative purposes.

I simply sift the powder into a clean bowl.  You can rub the seeds together to help it along.

The seeds are also edible and can be roasted.  The pulp itself tastes like apricots to me and have been described as having a lightly tart and sweet flavor.  Their natural creaminess can be harnessed into a mylk.  If you can’t obtain fresh baobab where you are, this is also a great alternative.

What results is a food that contains 3 times more vitamin c than oranges that is rich in potassium, fiber and alkalizing power with twice the antioxidants of goji berries, blueberries and pomegranates….combined!

You guys loved my whipped chocolate body butter so much, I felt it was high time for me to reformulate it with an even simpler recipe.  This rose body butter melts to the touch and glides on like…well, butter.  It penetrates deeply and with some studies showing that rose oil has the ability to allow the benefits of other ingredients to absorb more fully, it really harnesses the beautifying properties of both the shea butter and avocado oil.  The whipped version is super simple but this is even easier with a melt and mix format however, this one is infused with the beautiful aphrodisiac scent of roses.

There are two ways to go with the rose oil.  Rose absolute diluted with jojoba is the cost effective route while pure rose otto is the way to go if you’re looking for a potent therapeutic experience.  Keep in mind that with the more concentrated rose oil, a little bit goes a long way.  You may find that you only need a drop or two, even.  Pure, undiluted rose otto is ideal for those with trouble skin, anxiety or even low libido but don’t worry, jojoba blended rose absolute will still deliver the soothing and aromatherapy quality and can be used for multiple DIY’s like in my homemade candles.

I have dry skin and enjoy using avocado oil for this but if you have different skin care needs, you can certainly substitute it for something else.  I wrote an in-depth article about the best oils for every skin type.  Rosehip would be a great match for this body butter and is also excellent for mature skin while jojoba is a good for normal skin.

Rose Body Butter – Easy 3 Ingredient Recipe

 

Prep time

10 mins

Total time

10 mins

 

Author: The Squishy Monster

Serves: ⅓ cup body butter

Ingredients

• ¼ cup shea butter
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil {or oil of choice}
• 30 drops of diluted rose absolute {only 1-3 drops for pure rose}

Instructions

1. Melt the shea butter using the stovetop or microwave.
2. Transfer it to a bowl. Allow it to slightly cool for 2-3 minutes.
3. Pour in the avocado oil and mix to combine. You may need less oil if you live in a warmer climate.
4. Chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours.
5. When it’s solidified, begin breaking it up with a mixer.
6. Now you can add in your rose oil.
7. Blend it all up until it’s creamy.
8. It is ideal to store this in an amber jar with a tight fitting lid for 2-3 months.

3.4.3177

Natural living.  Let’s talk about it.  If you’ve been one of my blog readers or video subscribers for awhile, you’ll know that I’ve pretty much done an entire overhaul of what I eat to the products I use to be as natural and minimal on waste as possible.  To be truthful however, conventional deodorant was one of the last ones to go.  Maybe it was paranoia of a subpar DIY or that armpit real estate just wasn’t forefront in my mind but once I took the plunge, I never looked back, especially since conventional sticks contain a slew of toxic chemicals from aluminum to parabens.  After all, our skin is our largest organ and it absorbs much of what we expose it to.

The recipe I’ve formulated and am sharing with you today is a reincarnated one from years past that I neglected then abandoned.  I’ve since tweaked, simplified and tested my homemade deodorant for daily use.  To preface, I’m not a person who profusely sweats and everyone has a unique body chemistry but I’ve personally used this deodorant on hikes in tropical weather with success.  However, if you’re not used to using all natural products, you may have an adjustment period.

I really like tea tree essential oil in this {its benefits are below} but lavender or grapefruit are also excellent options.  The tea tree works double duty here but the secondary role of the essential oils is to fragrance your deodorant.  To bump it up, you could certainly pair two together.

Why these ingredients?

Shea Butter {unrefined} is a natural skin softener and much thicker and does not liquify at room temperature for ease in application without added wax.

Cornstarch {non-gmo} and Baking Soda help absorb moisture.

Tea tree EO is antibacterial and antimicrobial.

Easy Healthy Homemade Deodorant

 

Prep time

10 mins

Total time

10 mins

 

Author: The Squishy Monster

Serves: 4-6 ounces

Ingredients

• ¼ cup shea butter
• ¼ cup non gmo cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 30-60 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions

1. Place everything into a deep bowl {it can get messy} begin mixing it all up by hand with a fork. This is just to get some of the ingredients to begin clumping together.
2. Switch over to a hand mixer and blend well. It will seem very dry and stubborn but eventually, it will whip up into a fluffy consistency.
3. Scrape into a 4-6 ounce jar and use a dime size or two amount by rubbing in your palms and spreading into your skin.

3.4.3177

Love languages have been a hot topic of conversation for me lately and I’ve come to realize that ranking high on my list are words of affirmation and acts of service.  So it comes as no surprise that when I’m gift giving, it’s often with a personal, handmade touch {like an elaborate homemade meal with all of your favorite dishes accompanied by a handwritten, love-effusive letter}.  However, if it’s a tangible gift to be created, my act of service here would be to make something just for you.  Natural beauty DIY’s are my favorites so my go-to are always ones that I’ve made with wholesome ingredients that I can pronounce.

Lip balm

I’ve made both a vegan and classic version here before.  Both clock in at just 2 ingredients and can be made in less than 10 minutes.  If you’re feeling particularly festive, I even have a recipe for a pumpkin spice and hot cocoa flavored balm.  Bonus: the candelila wax from my vegan lip balm can also be used for my vegan friendly face lotion.

Scented Candles:

I remember when the “find a prize” candles were all the rage a few years back and I have to admit, I jumped on the band wagon too and created a few for my friends.  The difference was, I was able to gift them with natural, air purifying beeswax candles infused with specialized essential oils.  My favorite to diffuse, apply to my person or to use in these candles have to be frankincense for its multitude of therapeutic benefits.  Also, as a highlight, I was able to seal in a personalized gift for the receiver at the bottom of each candle versus a random piece that they may or may not have liked.

Body Butter

My chocolate body butter is so yummy that my friends wanted to eat it!  My formula is super luscious and indulgent, really making your skin feel pampered.  As our skin is the largest organ on our bodies, it’s nice to make sure that what it’s absorbing is so natural, you could actually eat it if you wanted to.

Pampering Facial Products

In the summer months, this light and silky serum was really all I wanted and with its potent anti aging punch, I didn’t even need anything else.

For those times that I have needed something extra, my multi-purpose noni-lavender salve always saved the day.  From cuts and bruises to a general emollient effect, it truly is multi-purpose.

Lastly, if it’s a particular area you’re aiming to target, my eye cream is great for combatting dark circles or fine lines and is ultra nourishing and protective.

Lastly, if handmade products aren’t your thing:

Rum Lollipops

2 Ingredient Fudge

or

Christmas Crack

I hope you all have a Happy Holidays, friends!

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

My anti-aging eye cream is silky, rich and effective.  It’s been fortified with some of my absolute favorite wrinkle fighters but in an all natural way.  Oh, and it only takes less than 10 minutes to make.

I turned 32 in September.  As I posted on instagram, I want this years focus to be on self love and self care -both of which I’m just terrible at.  I’ve always been complimented on my skin and the older I get, the more drawn I am to the homemade DIY route when it comes to pampering it.  Treating yourself has always meant quality versus quantity to me.  With my simple recipe, you can easily duplicate a higher end eye cream without all the colors, preservatives, fillers, etc.  I’ve eschewed makeup since we moved to our little rock as it’s neither functional or important to me.  Solid skin care is what it’s all about.  My minimalist routine revolves around simple, homemade products and lots of vitamin D and SEA!  This eye cream is pure whipped silk blended with essential oils that have consistently worked for me time and time again in so many different ways.

The magical quality about these essential oils is that they preserve and protect the skin while also providing an aromatherapy experience.  You guys know how nuts I am about diffusing.  I truly attribute it to helping me literally diffuse a lot of my anxiety.  Just a little bit goes a long way and each addition brings something important to the table.  Ylang ylang helps to regenerate cells while frankincense protects and promotes cell turnover.  Frankincense is probably one of my all time favorite essential oils.  It not only improves tone and elasticity, it’s one of my favorites to diffuse or use in my deliciously moisture-rich facial lotion.  Lavender increases blood flow and helps supports the production of antioxidants like glutathione, catalase and superoxide disputes which help fight free radical damage.  Finally, geranium improves circulation and is an effective anti inflammatory.  Together, they’re a powerhouse combination.

If you’re looking for alternative essential oils, I recommend myrrh, helichrysum, rose, neroli, clary sage and sandalwood.  For alternative carrier oils, I recommend sweet almond, jojoba, apricot kernel, rosehip, evening primrose and vitamin e.  The fun part is that you can get creative or personalize this for your own needs.  For example, jojoba is best for those with oily skin.  I enjoy my multi-purpose argan oil for this as I use its “liquid gold” for everything from hair to skin.

What results is a fluffy gel-like consistency that glides on like butter.  It’s a pleasure to use, delivering meaningful, lasting results without being too heavy.  Plus, a tiny bit goes a long way in both application and production meaning that it’s actually quite inexpensive in the long run.  You just new a couple drops each of the essential oils and after it’s all said and done, my recipe yields about 2 tablespoons of eye cream, which as you know lasts awhile.  I use mine pretty liberally and my last batch has lasted me well into 3 months.  Not too shabby for a quick and easy DIY!

Anti-Aging Eye Cream

 

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

5 mins

Total time

10 mins

 

Author: The Squishy Monster

Serves: 2 tablespoons

Ingredients

• ½ ts raw beeswax
• 1½ tb argan oil
• 2 drops each of:
• Ylang ylang extra
• Frankincense
• Lavender
• Geranium

Instructions

1. Melt the beeswax. Turn off the heat.
2. Whisk in the argan oil.
3. When it begins to cool and set, stir in all of the essential oils.
4. Transfer to your container and use for up to 3- 4 months.

3.4.3177

SaveSave

SaveSave

A natural DIY + anti-aging serum + Christmas gift idea?  Talk about a win, win win!

You probably already know how much I enjoy making my own beauty products whenever I can.  I’ve shared everything from my reef safe sunscreen to soaps and body butter with you and today, I’m sharing this feather light serum that naturally rejuvenates and nourishes the skin.  I enjoy handcrafting my own products for several reasons.  You know exactly what goes into it and can really control the quality of your finished product not to mention, it has a lighter environmental impact {cuts down on packaging, transport, etc} and it’s surprisingly cost effective.  An added bonus is that with the “raw materials” that I collect for these DIY’s, I’m often left with products I can then find a multitude of other uses for or use them on their own.  Organic beeswax has been used for my lip balms, candles and noni salve.  Talk about a multi-tasker!

Despite having a base of oil, this serum absorbs well, softening the skin and prepping it as a base canvas to layer on any other product.  I’ve actually used this on its own before and it performs just as well.  Not only do you have the moisture surge from the oil, you get reinforced action from the frankincense which promotes cell renewal and tones the skin, antioxidants from the carrot seed to nourish and replenish the skin with restorative properties from the jasmine infusion.  Frankincense is probably my favorite essential oil.  I frequently add it to any lotion that I’m using and really enjoy diffusing it as well.  Jasmine just happens to be growing wild outside my window and I wanted to find another use for it other than tea and found it to be perfectly suited for this recipe.

This recipe can be easily adapted for body use by doubling the beeswax and swapping out the delicate oil for a more heavy duty application like coconut {if your skin isn’t averse to it}.  For this particular serum recipe I like using argan, sweet almond, jojoba/etc.  Just as is, I like to apply it to a clean face by gently smoothing it in with soft circular motions to encourage blood flow then end by patting it into my skin.  When used at night, there’s something particularly refreshing about your complexion the next day as it soaked in the night before, doing its job to renew your skin while you sleep.  As I said in the video, game-changer.

5.0 from 2 reviews

DIY Natural Anti-Aging Serum

 

Author: The Squishy Monster

Serves: 2-3 ounces

Ingredients

• ¼ c oil {like argan, jojoba, sweet almond/etc}
• 1 tb fresh organic jasmine flowers {optional}
• ¼ ts melted beeswax {for a serum consistency}
• 3-5 drops of: frankincense and carrot seed essential oil
• Lavender essential oil {optional}

Instructions

1. To warm {not hot} oil, steep your washed flowers. Cover and allow to steep overnight in a cool/dark place.
2. Strain out the oil and add the melted beeswax. Add in ½ ts wax for a more lotion like consistency.
3. Heat both oil and wax quickly and gently to combine. You don’t want this to get too hot. It’s ready when the wax within the oil is melted.
4. Turn off the heat, cool slightly then add in your desired essential oils.
5. Whisk until it thickens.
6. Pour into a jar {amber colored is best} and store in a cool/dry place for up to 6 months.

3.4.3177

Check out my entire playlist of DIY’s.

When we first moved to St. Croix, though I noticed the abundance of tropical flora and fauna, I also noticed the wild noni trees that were growing everywhere.  With very little effort, I was told these “pain killer trees” flourished.  As the curious cat that I am {J is convinced that I am one}, I plucked some fruit off the shrubby little trees and asked some locals about them.  I discovered that it’s hailed as an adaptogen and that islanders have been using it for homeopathic remedies for ages.  It’s probably faster to note what it’s not used for as its benefits are plenty.

Before going on further however, I would like to point out that it smells of blue cheese and doesn’t have a taste to write home about either but never fear!  I have remedied this.  Today, I’m milking the ripe fruit and blending it with organic lavender essential oil for not only its pleasant masking scent but for its own benefits.  The locals in St. Croix have shared with me that they use the pulp for everything from sunburns to arthritic aches and boast of its many therapeutic qualities.  Apparently, they don’t call it the pain tree for nothing.  I’ve even heard of folks using it to boost their immunity to prevent colds/flu.  Perhaps it’s due to its myriad of phytonutrients, potassium and antioxidants.  All I know is that J has been just loving it as a massage lotion and my skin has been glowing since I’ve used it.

Today, I’m showing you just how easy it is to whip up this multi-purpose salve at home.  It’s a simple DIY that only calls for a few ingredients.  With the kiss of lavender {or any of your choice}, the finished product yields a nice smell that is enjoyable to use.  What I love about this salve the most is that it’s lightweight and isn’t greasy.  It mimics a water based product despite having a base carrier oil of homemade coconut.  You could also experiment with arnica, eucalyptus, rosemary, ginger, turmeric or peppermint.  Since it contains raw noni juice, I highly recommend storing this salve in the refrigerator.  Though it hardens {just like plain coconut oil}, it melts instantly on contact.  A little bit goes a long way which is particularly nice since I saw a 4 oz jar of noni salve at a local boutique for $28.  Better yet, this salve can also act as a hair treatment, scar/sting/bite ointment and lotion as well.

5.0 from 1 reviews

Noni Lavender Multi-Purpose Salve

 

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

20 mins

 

Author: The Squishy Monster

Serves: 4-6 oz

Ingredients

• 2 tb raw noni juice
• ½ c cold pressed coconut oil + 2 noni leaves
• 1 tb organic beeswax
• 5 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions

1. Obtain a soft, ripe noni fruit and press out the juice. Set aside.
2. Steep the torn noni leaves in the warm {not hot} coconut oil for 15-30 minutes. Muddle the leaves to release more of its oils. Strain and set aside.
3. Melt the beeswax.
4. Combine the juice, coconut/essential oils and beeswax. Heat the mixture if needed. Heat in short bursts, just until it melts as to not destroy the integrity of the ingredients.
5. Whisk to aerate and emulsify. As it cools, it will thicken.
6. Pour into a 4-6 oz container when it is still thin and warm. Cool and refrigerate {to extend the shelf life}.

3.4.3177

Don’t have fresh noni? Try these:
Noni Powder: http://amzn.to/2ckJXfn
Noni Extract: http://amzn.to/2cLfOVe

We currently call a cute, 2 bedroom cottage home.  What it doesn’t have in fancy countertops or ample storage, it makes up for in its vast natural beauty just outside our windows.  We primarily chose it for it’s duo mountain and sea view from our backyard.  Nestled high up on a mountain top, we enjoy cool trade winds that sweep through to counteract not having any air-conditioning.  Much like everything else we found, it’s been a give and take relationship with our new home and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

One of my favorite features of St. Croix is its variety of exquisite flora and fauna.  I’ve identified more than 2 dozen different types of birds, flowers and trees just in our backyard.  I went so far into the woods over the weekend that I actually got stung several times by some Jack Spaniard Wasps {ouch!}  Right by my window, are an abundance of hibiscus flowers growing that seem to possess magical regenerative powers.  No matter how many I harvest, a new batch will have bloomed overnight.  Needless to say, we’ve been really enjoying our iced hibiscus fruit chillers and popsicles around here.  It pairs well with any fruit but I personally love blueberry, pineapple or lychee but have been using up our bounty of starfruit.  I’m also currently experimenting with a hibiscus wine and will plan a video if all goes well.

Despite how many cups I’ve already enjoyed, I still get excited over its vibrant crimson color, made even more vivid with a squeeze of citrus.  Like a child, I ooh and ahh at its swirling transformation from a mulberry hue to a stark scarlet.  Containing vitamin c, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, it’s touted for more than just its aesthetic appeal.  I hope you’ll try it this summer.  I’ve had the taste of it described to me as reminiscent of cranberry or pomegranate.  For me, it’s refreshing, fruity and delicious.

5.0 from 1 reviews

Hibiscus Tea

 

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

20 mins

 

Author: The Squishy Monster

Serves: 4 cups

Ingredients

• ½ c packed hibiscus tea
• 4 c filtered, warm water
• ½ lime
• Optional: sweetener, ginger/cinnamon/etc

Instructions

1. To dry your own hibiscus, pick untreated/organic flowers.
2. Peel the petals off then rinse and pat them dry.
3. You can dry them in the sun in a single layer or use a dehydrator.
4. In my dehydrator, they take 45-60 minutes for 4 trays.
5. Steep ½ cup for 20 minutes {with ginger/cinnamon/etc if using.} For a stronger taste, use more tea versus brewing for longer so they don’t get bitter. You can also allow the sun to heat it for 6-12 hours.
6. Sweeten if desired and take warm or chill in the fridge. I like to infuse with fruit.

3.4.3177

As I’m moving from one beach to the next, sunscreen is something that is as important as ever but the idea of slathering on chemicals that are both harmful to both me and the environment isn’t something that appeals to me.  As you may already know, I’m a huge fan of simple and functional DIY projects for everything from 2 ingredient lip balms to 3 ingredient face lotion.  Both examples are ultra nourishing and all natural.  I feel particularly passionate about this when it comes to products that are being applied directly to your person.  After all, so much of it can be absorbed into your system.

This is precisely why for my recipe, I chose to use non-nano zinc oxide which is safer as it won’t enter the bloodstream however use caution that you don’t breathe it in while creating this sunblock as it can be damaging in that way.  On a side note, did you know that zinc oxide is the only active sunscreen ingredient that is approved by the FDA for infants under six months?

Beeswax stabilizes the sunscreen lotion while shea butter lends a buttery texture to it and the coconut oil helps to emulsify the zinc oxide as does the red raspberry seed oil.  Further more, both oils contain a bit of sun protection factor themselves.

Here’s the breakdown {depending on how much is used}:

• Raw Shea Butter:  5 spf
• Unrefined Coconut Oil: 5 spf
• Cold Pressed Red Raspberry Seed Oil: 25-50 spf
• Non Nano Zinc Oxide: 5-20 spf

As an alternative, you could also source carrot seed oil {35-40 spf} and drop in a capsule of vitamin e oil to further blend your homemade sunscreen and add an extra benefit.  As is, my recipe yields a sunblock with a spf of 20.  For one that is higher, measure out more than 2 oz of zinc oxide to blend in with your lotion.

The method for creating this natural sunscreen is very similar to my other DIY lotion recipes and is just a matter of melting and blending the proper quantity of ingredients.  Shea butter, coconut oil and red raspberry seed oil are all very wonderful moisturizers alone and the beeswax and zinc oxide can be used for several more projects.  You can alter the consistency of your finished product by adding more oil for a creamier lotion or less for a more balm-like product.  It’s best to store in dark or amber glass {I didn’t have any} or empty squeeze bottles and keep in a cool, dark place.  If it exceeds 70-75 degrees in your home, I would recommend storing it in the refrigerator.  Each batch has lasted me well into 6 months.

5.0 from 2 reviews

Healthy Homemade Sunscreen

 

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

5 mins

Total time

15 mins

 

Author: The Squishy Monster

Serves: 1 c sunscreen

Ingredients

• ¼ c beeswax
• ¼ c raw shea butter
• ¼ c unrefined coconut oil
• 2 tb cold pressed red raspberry or carrot seed oil
• 2-3 tb non nano zinc oxide
• Optional: 1 vitamin e capsule

Instructions

1. Melt the beeswax either in a double boiler or heat safe glass in the microwave. Go low and slow and allow the residual heat to melt the remainder of the wax when it’s ¾ of the way melted.
2. Stir in the shea butter, coconut oil, red raspberry seed/carrot seed oil, and vitamin e {if using} until when incorporated. It should begin to thicken.
3. Vigorously stir in the zinc oxide, taking care not to breathe it in. You can use a mask and work next to an open window.
4. Whisk until the mixture cools down and gets thick and creamy.

3.4.3177

These edible gemstone candy jewels clock in at 4 ingredients with an endless variety of colors and flavors.  Today, I created lychee candies but you could make blue raspberry, mango, strawberry kiwi, champagne, bubble gum {you get the idea}.  When using a sandy colored organic sugar, the results will be a beautiful amber burnt sugar aesthetic.  I used a bit of beet juice to impart an auburn touch of color to my gems so you can definitely opt out of using food coloring if it’s something you’re concerned about.  In my video, I show you two different natural coloring methods.

Hard candy is incredibly easy to make at home.  I’ve created it for you guys for my 5 minute glass candy, my blood splatter daggers and my 2 ingredient lollipops.  Making gemstone candy jewels is just as easy and you can fill any mold you want, really but today I used a multi-faceted jewel mold for a natural sparkle to recreate candy jewelry.  They create itty candies the size of a dime so it’s perfect to portion out. I’ve also been told they make great additions to minecraft or pirate themed parties or as cup/cake toppers.

As you can see, the multiple reincarnation of this recipe can only mean two things.  It’s a great multi-functional recipe that’s crazy versatile.  One of the top inquiries I receive regarding my glass candy recipe is how to best apply it for a Frozen themed birthday party.  I’d initially created it for a Breaking Bad viewing party but it’s since been so handy that I’ve used it over and over again and with its potential to become as many things as you have molds for {or no molds like for all 3 previous recipes} you’ll have so much fun adding in all the flavors or colors you want to your hearts content.  Have fun!

4.8 from 6 reviews

Edible Gemstone Jewel Candy

 

Cook time

5 mins

Total time

5 mins

 

Author: The Squishy Monster

Serves: Approximately 100 jewels

Ingredients

• ½ c sugar
• ¼ c corn or Lyles golden syrup {no exceptions}
• 1 tb lychee compound
• 1-2 ts beet juice

Instructions

1. In a microwave safe cup {I recommend a 4-6 cup capacity since it will voraciously bubble}, stir the sugar and syrup together.
2. In my 1.45 kw microwave, it took 4-4.5 minutes. Every microwave will vary. The most important aspect is to allow it to reach 300 degrees or the hard crack stage.
3. After it’s cooked, add the lychee and juice. Be careful, the mixture is very hot and it will steam and bubble.
4. Pour into molds {I had to grease this particular one} and allow to set.

3.4.3177