HOW AND WHY TO DRY CITRUS PEEL

OK, I know with that title you are wondering what the heck.  Well, believe it or not, this is a great way to not waste and you can use dried citrus peel in so many ways.

USAGES 

• You can make homemade instant mulling spices.
• You can put some peels in a pot with water and slowly warm to make your house smell wonderful.
• You can put some in your trash can to eliminate nasty odors.
• You can infuse oil with citrus peel.
• You can put some in a spray bottle full of water for cleaning purposes.
• You can put it in hot tea.
• Put some in your bird feeder.  Birds are hungry too, especially in the winter time.
• Would you believe dried orange peel is a great fire starter?  Well, it is.   
• Bug repellent.
• Make a body scrub with some ground citrus peels.  Just add some to Epsom salt.  
• Add some to coconut oil for a nice way to soften and hydrate your skin.
• Candy your peels and use for as garnish for a dessert.  

See I am not crazy after all.  This is only a few ways to use dried citrus peels.  I bet I have you looking at your lemon or orange peels differently now, don't I?

They are easy to dry too.  If you have a dehydrator you can put them on it and set it for 135 degrees for a couple of hours.  Or you can put the oven on the lowest setting and dry them on a cookie sheet.  

You can keep them whole.

Or you can grind some up.  

Store in an airtight container for up to a year.  

I love no waste stuff!!!  I use lemons a lot and I always keep the peels.  Winter time is citrus time and I love clementines or mandarins.  Keep your peels next time and dry them if not for anything but a nice aroma in your home. 

ENJOY your Saturday.