Have you ever looked at the back of a ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise bottle and wondered what the heck is in there?  Aside from huge amounts of sugar and salt, there are tons of unpronounceable preservatives and chemicals.  Do you really want these going into your body?  No way.  Aside from making you fat (sugar) who really knows what these chemicals are doing to your insides.  It’s easy, healthy, and tasty to make your own from scratch.  Follow these simple recipes.

Ketchup

Provides 2 cups

• 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 28 ounces of fresh tomatoes.  Canned is fine if you cannot get fresh.  Puree in a blender and strain to remove seeds
• 1 1/2 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Heat oil in large pan over medium-high heat.  Saute onion and garlic for 7 minutes.  Add the remaining ingredients and combine well.  Bring to a simmer and leave uncovered for 1 hour, with an occasional stir.  Remove from heat after 1 hour and blend until smooth.  Store in airtight container for up to two weeks.

Mustard

• 3 tablespoons yellow mustard seeds
• 2 1/2 tablespoons brown mustard seeds
• 1/3 cup drinking-quality white wine
• 1 shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• Pinch ground allspice
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper

In a non-reactive bowl, combine all ingredients and refrigerate overnight, covered.

Transfer the mustard mixture to a blender and process until mustard has obtained the desired texture and thickness; it is equally delicious whether you leave it chunky or smooth. Store in an airtight, non-reactive container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Mustard recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse

Lemon Tartar Sauce

Provides 3/4 cup

• 1/4 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1/2 dill pickle, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon lemon zest
• 5 drops hot sauce (or to taste)

Combine ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.  Store for up to three days.

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Matt

Co-Founder at Share It Fitness

Matt has been involved in the fitness industry for over 10 years and has worked with, and helped countless individuals improve their lives. After college, Matt started his fitness career working in the trenches as a personal trainer for a big corporate gym. It was here he saw how impersonal Big Fitness really was. Clients weren't people, they were just sales waiting to be made. After branching out and starting his own personal training business in San Diego, Matt soon developed the idea of Share It Fitness and started our (now highly successful) blog. A fitness junkie himself, Matt knows the importance of incorporating exercise into your life. When he isn't working at Share It Fitness, you can find Matt running, biking, taking yoga, or pumping iron around San Diego.

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