In searching for a recipe for Wassail or something similar, I found many of them had LOADS of sugar! Seriously! Why do you need to add sugar to apple juice.  Apple juice is already sweet!  

In desperation, I bought some pre-packaged spice mix to add to apple juice… not realizing this also had sugar as the main ingredient.  

But as luck would have it, I picked up the package of cinnamon sticks, and there was a recipe on the back for “Spiced apple juice” with NO SUGAR!! Thank you McCormick.  Sometimes the best recipes are on the packages, don’t you think?

So I decided to do a taste test with the kids.  McCormick’s spiced apple juice, vs. the sugar laden spice mix package.   The Spiced apple juice won!!! Super delicious!!

• 64 oz apple juice
• 2 TBL honey
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp whole cloves
• 1/2 lemon, sliced.

simmer in large sauce pot for 30 minutes, or until hot.  Remove whole spices before drinking!!!

Less sugar than hot cocoa, and I actually like it better.  And perfect for today!  It’s finally snowing- clearing out several weeks of stale, polluted air!

Seriously in 2010 I am going to spend $100 per week on groceries.  It is ridiculous how much money is spent at the grocery store.  I am going to be super diligent, super prepared, plan super well, and NOT GO SHOPPING every time I need one thing!  Not even for bread!  Which, that sounds good right now. I think I’m going to make some bread.