The best thing about gifting a DIY project is the “extra special touch” you give.

If you enjoy spending time in the kitchen, creating a seasoning salt may be the ticket. Fair warning! Once you’re tried making your salts, you’ll never stop! You’ll want to continue to make your own for years to come. They can make great gifts for the holidays, weddings and any special occasion.

Customizing seasoning salt blends makes excellent gifts and primarily contains a “super salt” known as pink Himalayan salt. This ancient find can be traced back for centuries in several healing practices as it has many health benefits. In this blog, we’ll talk about the benefits of pink Himalayan salts and why it makes a great gift!

What is Seasoning Salt?

For starters, seasoning salt (sometimes known as “seasoned salt”) combines salt, onion, and garlic. Adding additional ingredients depends on the “eaters” preference.

Pro-tip: When making the salt, make sure all ingredients are pulverized to a fine grain. For instance, pepper tends to be more course. As a result, it separates from the rest of the mixture.

How to Make Seasoning Salt

Measure, combine, and mix. It’s that easy!

• Salt:  When salt is finer (ground smaller) in size, it tends to produce the best results, mixing better and seasons more evenly with additional ingredients. See pro-tip above.
• Seasoning: Make sure all ingredients are of similar grain. This makes it easier for distribution. You can use a pestle or spice grinder to achieve this goal.
• Storage: Where you put your spices is essential! Place herbs in an air-tight jar and store them in a cool, dry area.

To help prevent the dissipation of impactful volatile oil or essential oils and flavors, make small batches. If you desire, double up on the recipes to make more!

Pro-tip: Make sure the pink salt you purchase comes from Pakistan. This middle-eastern country is the only true and pure location where the source of real Himalayan pink salt.

Stay away from cheap versions of the salt. A low-cost price may look appealing but often indicates the salt is a collection from higher elevations (not deeper, more pure salt mines). Salts found in higher elevations may contain higher levels of impurities, which makes the health-benefits decrease.

It is best to find local ingredients when possible. Check the back for the label or ask a vendor to find out more details of where they procured ingredients. Many herbs and spices are readily available at the farmer’s markets. As always, we recommend running down to Holistic Sanctuary Kitchen or (Deb’s recommendation) to find “no-hassle” ingredients.

Why is Pink Himalayan Salt better than Table Salt?

Making food not only taste better, pink Himalayan salt naturally contains healing properties. It has over 84 minerals and trace elements, like Calcium, magnesium, Potassium, Copper, and Iron. You’ll love to learn more about the wellness benefits of pink Himalayan. See below:

Wellness Benefits of Pink Himalayan Salt

• Improves respiratory concerns
• Natural digestive aid
• Balances body’s pH
• Reduces signs of aging
• Regulates blood sugar
• Increases libido
• Helps with sleep issues
• Encourages healthy blood sugar levels
• Reduces leg cramps
• Supports healthy sinuses
• Promotes kidney and gallbladder health

Many people sleep with a “Salt Lamp for respiratory care and overall night sleep. These inventions should not be confused with regular old table salt.

The Harsh Facts of Table Salt:

Table salt is very different from Himalayan Salt. First off, it’s a natural resource collected from 5,000 feet below the Himalayan Mountain Range. In comparison, table salt is heavily processed and made of many unnatural interferences. These may include sodium, a little bit of iodine, and perhaps some health-hazardous anti-crumpling agents (yellow prussiate of soda).

Commercial grade salts often contain aluminum derivatives and are made white by bleach. Yuck! These unsafe, highly-toxic to human health ingredients “sprinkle” a bit of reality upon us.

Conclusion

Add a personal touch to any special occasion. Seasoning salts make terrific gifts for the holidays, weddings, and house warming presents.

There are so many different “do it yourself” or DIY seasoning salt recipes right at your fingertips. Make these recipes in batches for your pantry or friends and family. Use organic ingredients for a better tasting, fresher outcome, and a happier giftee.

Below are a few helpful recipes to get you started:

Homemade Ranch Seasoning for Dressing Mix

How to make the best ranch dressing seasoning? Look no further! Spend with Pennies provides an easy recipe for adding a little extra “zest” to recipes, dips, and dressings. It’s a pantry staple because it’s so versatile. Add to chicken or fish, sprinkle on popcorn, or add softened butter for a unique twist on Texas toast.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup buttermilk powder
• 2 tbsp parsley
• 1 tsp dill
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tsp onion flakes
• 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¾ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 2 tsp chives

Combine all ingredients and mix them well. Divide out into air-tight containers and store up to 6 months for optimal flavor. Check out the full recipe here at Spend With Pennies.

Cajun Seasoning Salts

If a flight to New Orleans is not in your near future, but you’re in the market for zingin’ dinner, read on! This Cajun Seasoning Salt recipe adds a “world-famous kick” to any southern dish. Blacken on grilled or fried meats or veggies or use it as a dry rub on almost any meats. You might be interested in crashing into rice to give it a new “dirty” nickname!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp seasoning salt
• 1 tbs paprika
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (add more for an increase of heat)
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp thyme
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes

Combine all ingredients and mix them well. Divide out into air-tight containers and store up to 6 months for optimal flavor. Check out the full recipe here at Spend With Pennies.

Keep in mind pink Himalayan sea salt does contain many minerals, but it’s still a grain of salt and naturally high in sodium. As with any salt, please do not overdo it! Overconsumption of salt in a diet can lead to high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney disease. This happens especially if the body does not have enough potassium for a well-balanced diet. Enjoy safely! Contact your physician or medical advisor for any thoughts, questions, or concerns that you may have or before making significant changes within your diet.