Organic apple cider vinegar is an item you should always have in your home and your camping gear. It is important that you buy organic, like the brand shown below. Distilled vinegar doesn’t have the same healing properties. It can usually be found in the Health Food section of the grocery store.

Mix one part vinegar to four parts water and keep it in a spray bottle. Spray a little of the diluted vinegar on meats and vegetables to tenderize the food and kill bacteria that forms at room temperature. Spray it on your pots (Dutch ovens) to disinfect them and make cleanup easier. A little on your hands and the food prep surfaces will kill germs there as well. This handy spray bottle of diluted vinegar can also be used to disinfect wounds, bites, stings, scratches and sunburns.

It is fermented from sweet apple cider, and it contains over 30 important nutrients, a dozen minerals, over a dozen vitamins and essential acids, several enzymes and a large dose of pectin for a healthy heart. Mix a tablespoon of vinegar and a tablespoon of raw honey into some hot water, and drink this mixture every morning to relieve arthritis and give you a little energy. The uses are virtually endless. I found most of this information at Colleen Sloan’s website Log Cabin Grub and at The Vinegar Institute. Keep in mind, none of these tips will replace sound medical advice.

Here’s a quick tip for your next turkey dinner. Put a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of gravy. You won’t taste the vinegar, but it will enhance the flavor of the gravy. I also use it in my No Fail Pie Crust recipe, and it turns out perfect every time.

No Fail Pie Crust

  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup shortening
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 5 tablespoons cold water

Mix flour, salt and sugar. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl or mixing cup, lightly beat one egg. Add vinegar and water, then mix well. Pour the liquid into the crumb mixture and stir until blended. Makes two crusts. The secret to great pie crust is to keep the dough fairly cold.