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How to Make Weed Ghee in the Ardent Nova, Mini or FX (Lab Test Infusion Results)

Clarified butter, also known as ghee, is popular for infusions since it is shelf-stable without refrigeration because the water and milk solids have been removed. 

Ghee has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic practices. In India, they’ve combined cannabis or bhang with ghee to increase bioavailability for just as long. It has a higher smoke point than other oils and butters, and boasts a naturally nutty, sweet flavor. It doesn’t need to be used in cooking or baking – it actually can be eaten and enjoyed by the spoonful, with pretzel sticks, or in bulletproof coffee to help you stay full for longer. 

We know that you’ll love the flavor and efficiency of our ghee, but we decided to put it to the test with cannabis infusion. Let’s figure out the infusion rate of ghee.

Cannabis-Infused Ghee Test Results

We began with THC-rich cannabis decarboxylated inside the Ardent FX on the A1 setting. We tested our decarboxylated material at MCR Labs, and found that after the activation cycle, our one-gram of cannabis tested at 16.26% THC. So, let’s move the decimal point over one place to the right to determine how many mgs are in our gram of cannabis. Our one-gram nug yielded about 162 mgs of activated THC. 

We then placed the decarboxylated cannabis inside an ounce of ghee and allowed it to infuse on the FX’s infuse setting. We also brought the infused ghee to MCR Labs to see how many mgs made it inside! It tested for 147.7 mgs of THC. 

A huge amount of our original 162 activated mgs have ended up in our ghee. Let’s figure out the infusion rate of ghee by dividing the 147 mgs found in our infusion by the 162 mgs that were placed inside the solution to start. Then, move the decimal point over two places to the right. 

Ghee has about a 90% infusion rate.

What could you do with this potent ghee?

  • Bhang saag
  • Buttercream 
  • Cakes and cupcakes 
  • Popcorn 
  • Roasted vegetables 
  • Cookies
  • Rice
  • Corn 
  • Pancakes 
  • Crab 
  • Toast
  • Bagels 
  • Steak 
  • Potatoes

Cannabis-Infused Veggie Soup

The colder, damp weather means that stuffy noses and labored coughs are kicking in, too. The great news is that soup season is here, and we’re ready to get the dual benefit of edibles in the form of a favorite comfort food that has its own immune-supporting properties.

In this recipe, we’re showing you how to make a vegan, nutrient-rich, inflammation-reducing infused soup right inside your Ardent FX device.

How to Get Started

The infusion base of this recipe is extra virgin olive oil. We’ve learned that the infusion rate of EVOO is close to 90%, making it a great medium for all types of edibles, with very little loss! Plus, high quality EVOO is extremely high in antioxidants.

And as a variation on this recipe, feel free to replace the cannabis-infused extra virgin olive oil with cannabis or hemp-infused coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or anything else you have on hand. 

You can also make this plant-based soup using the Instant Edible method, to avoid any loss at all. With this method, you would simply grind up your decarboxylated material, and place it in the soup just as you would any other spice. The beauty of the instant edible method is that you can always add more or less decarboxylated cannabis, kief or concentrate to your meals without having to alter the recipe or worry about if you used too little or too much oil in order to get your perfect dose.

You’ll notice in the recipe below we included both infused oil and cannasalt, in order to show the variety in ways you can infuse your cuisine. You can use either or, or both!

Let’s get cooking!

Equipment Needed

Ingredients

  • ½ cup diced onion 
  • ¼ cup sliced carrot sticks 
  • ½ cup chopped kale 
  • 2 sliced baby bella mushrooms 
  • 2 grated garlic cloves 
  • ¼-½ inch ginger knob 
  • 2-3 cups of vegetable stock (or enough stock to sit right below the FX’s full line) 
  • Rosemary, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Cannasalt, to taste 
  • Chili powder, to taste 
  • 1 tablespoon of cannabis-infused extra virgin olive oil

How to Make Cannabis-Infused Veggie Soup

  1. Add the vegetables, garlic, ginger, stock, and seasonings to the FX device. 
  2. Place the FX on the A2 setting and allow it to cook, covered for 1-2 hours. 
  3. Pour in the cannabis-infused extra virgin olive oil, stir, and cover for another 10 minutes. 
  4. Pour the soup out of the unit and serve. Enjoy!

Trying out our cannabis-infused in-unit veggie soup? Tag us on Instagram for the chance to be featured on our page!

11 Ways to Use Cannabutter for Dinner

Cannabutter is an ultra-diverse infusion base that can help you turn hundreds of meals into elevated treats. The best part is that you can make cannabutter directly inside your Ardent FX, Mini or Nova device, from start to finish. 

Looking for something more shelf-stable and pure than standard butter? We offer ghee right on our website, which unlike butter, doesn’t contain water and milk solids and can be stored in room temperature conditions without spoiling. 

We also recommend one of our best-selling tools for straining out your spent plant material from your infusions: the FX Infusion Press or Frainer. For extending the shelf life of your infusions with proper storage, and to accurately dose out your butter by tablespoon, check out our Infusion Mold.

Copycat IKEA Swedish Meatballs

The beauty of the infusion in this recipe is found in a simple roux. Lightly saute your cannabutter with a bit of flour (or cannaflour if you want some added cannabinoids in your meal,) before adding vegetable stock, heavy cream (which can also be infused,) and Worcestershire sauce.

Burger Night

Take burger night to the next level by adding a fried (or poached) egg and some hollandaise made directly inside the Ardent FX.

Arroz con Gandules

This Puerto Rican rice dish tastes extra yummy with some of the burnt, crispy bottom served hot and fresh. Make this dish without adding any cannabutter to the recipe, and when it’s time to serve yourself and your guests, allow everyone to mix their desired dose of cannabutter into their plate.

Vegan Seared “Scallops” in Infused Brown Butter and Leche de Tigre

HiVi’s Darlene Tran makes these vegan scallops using a vegan cannabutter infusion. Hearty, plant-based, and full of so much flavor. The vegan cannabutter can of course be substituted for regular cannabutter, if that’s what you have on hand.

Hasselback Potatoes

Infused hasselback potatoes are the perfect side for a steak, chicken cutlet, meatloaf, or salmon main course. More exciting than a standard mashed potato, hasselback potatoes both look good, and contain plenty of crevasses for packing a cannabutter punch.

Bhang-Infused Saag

Yogi Maharaj of Luv Kush Co. shared a delicious infused ghee and saag recipe to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, this year! Though it can definitely be enjoyed during special holidays, this infused vegetarian delicacy is great all year round. If you prefer ghee to butter in your cooking and baking, especially since it’s more shelf stable, grab some on our website.

Irish Soda Bread

If you’re going for a classic Irish dinner, like corned beef and cabbage, or brisket, cabbage soup, and anything hearty, really, you might want to serve your dinner with some Irish soda bread. Infuse it up with some cannaflour to add even more potency to your bread.

Other Ways To Dose Up Dinner:

  • Spaghetti bolognese with butter 
  • Elote 
  • Asparagus 
  • Garlic butter brussel sprouts

Using cannabutter for this evening’s dinner? Tag us on Instagram for the chance to be featured on our page.

The Ardent Guide to Cannasalt

The Ardent Guide to Cannasalt

Cannabis-infused salt is a handy ingredient for any time you want to discreetly elevate at mealtime. You can even store your cannasalt inside its own *labeled* shaker to remember to use it when you sit down to eat. 

This cannasalt recipe is also customizable in dose and coarseness – you can even infuse epsom salts for infused bath soaks! 

Feel free to add this cannasalt to recipes of all kinds, avoiding any direct burning or browning of the salt, and enjoy it responsibly. Here’s how to make your own:

How to Get Started

The base of cannasugar, cannasalt, and other infused powders is generally a strong cannabis tincture made from a grain alcohol like Everclear. This magic actually happens when the alcohol gets evaporated off of the salt. Then you’re left with the THC or CBD molecules attached to the salt itself. 

Like you would with any other infusion medium, the first step is decarboxylation. Place the plant material inside your Ardent unit. If using the Nova, press the single button interface and wait for the button to signal green once it’s finished. With the FX or Mini, begin the A1 setting to decarboxylate material rich in THC or CBG, or the A2 setting to decarboxylate material rich in CBD. 

When working with alcohol, we don’t advise heating your infusion medium at all. Through time, the alcohol, since it’s such a strong solvent, does all of the work with none of the risk.

To make a cold alcohol infusion, pour your decarboxylated cannabis material into a glass jar. Pour the alcohol over your activated herb, submerging it completely, until you’ve reached the desired amount for y our infusion. Cap your infusion and store it in a cool, dark place, such as a cabinet, for 24-48 hours, agitating it as often as possible by giving it a vertical shake.

Equipment Needed

  • Plate
  • Spoon 
  • Ardent MINI, FX or Nova
  • Ardent Frainer or the strainer of your choice

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons salt 
  • 2 tablespoons Everclear tincture. Our Everclear tincture blog using CBG is here; you can use the same method to extract your decarbed THC flower, CBD flower, or a customized mix.

How to Make Cannabis-Infused Salt

  1. Place your salt on a plate or flat inside another container. We use a 2:1 ratio of salt to alcohol tincture. You can use less if you want a less potent cannasalt. For more information on dosing, check out our dosing guide.
  2. Pour the Everclear tincture over the salt, coating it completely, and then use a spoon to spread out the salt and make tracks for airflow.
  3. Let the mixture air dry until the tincture has absorbed into the salt and it has become dry again.
  4. Use in any recipe as desired!

Storage

Cannasalt can be stored in an airtight, moisture-free, light-safe container such as the Ardent Vessel, and will retain its potency and shelf life for around six months to a year.

How to Enjoy Cannasalt 

  • Margarita glasses and other canna-cocktails and mocktail rims 
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Custom spice blends 
  • Baths and foot soaks 
  • Cookie recipes 
  • Herbed cannabutter 
  • Breads
  • And so much more!

Trying out our cannabis-infused salt recipe? Tag us on Instagram for the chance to be featured on our page.

How to Make Gummy Edibles (Easy THC Infused Gummies Recipe)

Infused gummies are where many edible experts draw the line. Too many variables, very precise temperatures, and endless equipment makes many otherwise savvy edible makers give up and give in to premade gummies from the dispensary. We couldn’t have that happen to all of you! 

THC Infused Gummy Edibles Recipe

One of our community members, Lisa O’Connor, was determined to bypass the difficulties of homemade infused gummies, and came up with a foolproof THC gummies recipe using MCT oil infused in her FX and Albanese World’s Best Gummies. Below she shows us exactly how to make gummy edibles perfectly. The recipe below uses the Ardent FX, but you can easily do this with Ardent Mini and Nova, too!

Here’s How to Make Gummy Edibles

🌿Put 75 gummies in the FX silicone sleeve, start the A1 cycle and let the gummies fully melt.
🌿Stir in 1/2 tablespoon of MCT oil at 300mg
🌿Pour the liquid infusion into molds

🌿Allow to cure in the fridge for the day
🌿Voila! 30 gummies at 10 mg each

How Much THC in These Edible Gummies?

To test the efficiency of the gummies, Lisa took things a step further, and verified her gummies were properly dosed by testing them at MCR Labs. Indeed, each gummy came out to 10.2 mg! 😉 Check out the results below:

If gummies are still too much work, we’ve got two other easy edible hacks that take less than 2 minutes total in preparation after decarb!

Grilled Peanut Bud & Jelly

All you have to do is spread peanut butter and jelly on two halves of sliced white sandwich bread. Sprinkle ground, decarboxylated cannabis flower over the peanut butter side, and combine the slices into a sandwich. Using regular butter or cannabutter, grill the sandwich on medium heat, flipping until both sides are golden brown. Slice in half and enjoy. 

Infused S’mores

Smear a tiny dab of decarbed concentrate on a graham cracker stacked with chocolate and marshmallow over top. Blast the marshmallow with a blow torch (shout out to all the dabbers) to melt, and enjoy an easy, instant edible dosed your way. Watch a video on how to make these infused s’mores with your decarbed concentrates. 

Know another easy edible hack? Let us know, and your recipe might be featured next! Get decarbing, infusing, and making any cannabis product you can imagine with Ardent’s tools and accessories.

How to Make Infused Store-Bought Chips

Whether it’s game day, a rainy day, or just Tuesday, we know that a crunchy snack like chips can bring you comfort while pairing perfectly with a delicious sandwich. 

Did you know that infusing store-bought chips can be done pretty painlessly using the power of Ardent technology? Here’s how, and scroll all the way down for a video demo:

How to Get Started

The base of these infused recipes is a cannabis-infused oil. For these recipes, you can choose to infuse a more neutral oil like grapeseed oil, or use something more flavorful like our Tuscan Herb EVOO, or even coconut oil for sweet snacks.

To make infused oil, just start by decarboxylating your flower, concentrate, kief, trim, etc. inside the Ardent FX, Mini or Nova. In the Nova, place the material inside the inner canister, close it up, and press the single-button interface. Once the light returns back to green, your material is ready for infusion. In the FX, place the material inside the inner canister, close it up, and press the A1 setting for THC or CBG-rich material, or the A2 setting for CBD-rich material. Once the light returns back to green, your material is ready for infusion. 

To infuse, pour your infusion medium over the activated material, fully submerging it. Use the Concentrate and Infusion Sleeve or an unlidded Vessel inside the device to make cleanup ultra easy. Press the Nova’s single button interface or start the FX’s Infuse cycle. Strain using the Ardent Frainer, Infusion Press, a cheesecloth, or a standard kitchen strainer.

Dosing

In this recipe, it’s nearly impossible to get every single piece dosed in the same way. Our advice, if you’re strict on dosage, is to half, third, or quarter this recipe into smaller batches to control the dose over your entire snacking portion.

Equipment Needed

Ingredients

  • 3 cups of store-bought chips 
  • 1/4 cup cannabis-infused cooking oil (we like EVOO)

How to Make Cannabis-Infused Cheez-Its

  1. Scoop Cheez-Its out of the box and into your bowl. 
  2. Pour infused oil over the Cheez-Its, and gently stir until they’re fully coated, as evenly as possible.
  3. Preheat the oven or air fryer to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. Pour the oily Cheez-Its onto a parchment lined baking sheet and spread them out as much as possible. Place them inside the oven or airfryer.
  5. Allow the Cheez-Its to bake for around 25 minutes, or until almost all of the oil has baked into them. Enjoy!

How to Make Cannabis-Infused Doritos

  1. Scoop Doritos out of their bag and into your bowl. 
  2. Pour infused oil over the Doritos and gently stir until they’re fully coated as evenly as possible.
  3. Preheat the oven or air fryer to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. Pour the oily Doritos onto a parchment lined baking sheet and spread them out as much as possible. Place inside the oven or airfryer. 
  5. Allow the Doritos to bake for around 25 minutes, or until almost all of the oil has baked into them. Enjoy!

How to Make Cannabis-Infused Chex Mix 

  1. Scoop Chex Mix out of the box and into your bowl. Break down pretzels into smaller pieces. 
  1. Pour infused oil over the Chex Mix, and gently stir until they’re fully coated, as evenly as possible.
  2. Preheat the oven or air fryer to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. Pour the oily Chex Mix onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread them out as much as possible. 
  4. Allow the Chex Mix to bake for around 25 minutes, or until almost all of the oil has baked into them. Enjoy!

10 Self-Love Practices to Implement this Year

As a self-proclaimed self-love activist, keeping my self-love practice is always at the forefront of my mind. Partially because as we’re still living in this pandemic, we need to pay better attention to ourselves and the love and care that comes with it, but mainly because there once was a time when I depended on outside sources to shower me with the love that I desired, rather than looking inward.

Historically, self-love has been synonymous with bubble baths, spa treatments, solo dates, self-acceptance, and shopping sprees. But there’s so much more to it. Self-love includes how we care for ourselves both internally and externally. It has to do with what we subject ourselves to, how we show up and advocate for ourselves, and what we feed our minds, bodies, and spirits. Of course this also includes rituals with cannabis and hemp, which are largely individual, and can be used as a checkpoint to discovering and manifesting your own desires and needs.

I know that for myself, especially within the last few years, I have been hyper-focused on my intentions, listening to myself more, being gentle to myself, and coming to terms with what matters I need to release. Since redirecting my focus towards those areas, I have noticed changes in myself that I am now proud of.

I’d like to share 10 self-love practices that you can implement now to ensure a lighter and more fulfilling life:

  1. Opening up – Yes, it’s time for you to open up more. You have been holding on to so much for so long, causing you to feel heavier with each passing day. The weight of everything that you have been carrying has been weighing you down, holding you back, and interfering with every facet of your life. And it’s time to stop. It’s time for you to understand that there is nothing wrong with sharing the most intimate details of your life with those who you hold close. There’s nothing wrong with freeing up that space in your mind that once housed your pain, your trauma, and your worries so that you can welcome better, happier, healthier thoughts to receive the clarity that you’re seeking.One of my favorite rituals for opening my heart and mind is by taking a hit of a bong or a few hits of a joint and doing a 5 minute meditation. 
  1. Take that leap of faith – Because some of you are wandering through life wondering what if. What if you did that thing that had been on your heart for years? What if you took that opportunity when you had the chance? What if you bet on yourself? What if you choose yourself? And what if you just have said to hell with your plans and jumped? The sad reality is that due to a lack of faith, a lot of you are frustrated, feel unfulfilled, and always think you’re missing out on something. So for once, try getting out of your way, and say yes to what you don’t see. The outcome may not always be what you expected, but at least you would have found satisfaction knowing that you tried. I like to start anxious days with a low-dose edible, so I’m still highly functional, but more at ease when I take conscious leaps of faith.
  1. Invest in yourself – And it doesn’t always have to be monetary. Some investments include improving your diet and implementing more exercise, words of affirmation, drinking more water, using cannabis or hemp in your wellness routine for its anti-inflammatory effects, enlisting some accountability partners, taking your vitamins, less screen time and more books, taking that class that you’ve been interested in, strengthening your spiritual practices, adopting a ritual, taking an audit of your friend circle, and aligning with people who fall more in line with your purpose. These investments, while small, can make a huge impact on our day-to-day lives.
  1. Leave people where they are – Simply put, everyone isn’t equipped nor are they assigned to join us on our journeys. And we are not obligated to stay where we are to make the people around us comfortable, happy, or secure. Also, understand that leaving people where they are, has to do with choosing to turn the other cheek when their toxicity becomes too much. Sometimes going tit for tat with folks does more harm than good, and we have to understand in our quest to have the last word, sometimes it’s best to walk away and leave them to wonder what went wrong.
  1. Release our control – Understand that our constant need to be in control of a thing can cause it to become out of control. Sometimes it’s not our place to have a solution to every problem. Sometimes it’s not our place to fix everything. Sometimes it’s best to enlist the help, suggestions, and input of others. And sometimes it’s best to leave things alone to work themselves out.
  1. Practice better discipline – Because sometimes it’s not our goals that are unattainable, it’s our lack of discipline that hinders us from reaching the heights that we’re supposed to. With cannabis, this could even mean a conscious tolerance break or making that 8th stretch a little longer using the Ardent FX to fit cannabis into your budget.
  1. Mind the business that pays you – I hate to say it, but a lot of us are more focused on what others have going on, and that is severely impacting our ability to live life to the fullest. We can sometimes become so consumed with the next person’s moves that we fail to realize how much time is being wasted. And that’s a problem. Some of us need to spend less time concerned with the thoughts, opinions, and actions of others, and more on our hopes, dreams, wishes, and goals.
  1. Practice stillness – How can you tell what your next move is supposed to be if you’re constantly on the go? How can you hear your intuition when you’re always distracted? How can you be sure of a thing with all of the clutter and chaos that’s taking place in your background? It’s time to take a minute and ground ourselves and become still to receive those downloads from the Universe. So that we can receive our next instructions and get the confirmation that we’ve been searching, asking, and praying for.
  1. Live – Because we only get one chance at this thing called life. And we can’t enjoy it to its fullest if we’re always in a perpetual state of worry or concern. Learn how to live. How to love the hardest. How to laugh the loudest. How to dance like nobody’s watching. How to smile the widest. How to enjoy each day as if it’s your last. And how to be unapologetic, unfiltered, and unbothered with what anyone has to say about it.
  1. Breathe and find your happiness – With so much going on in the world around us, we must pause to inhale the good, exhale the bad, and find the little bits of happiness sprinkled in between.

Know that your self-love practice is a never-ending, evolving journey that can also include giving yourself grace, practicing forgiveness, feeling your feelings, practicing boundaries, and so much more. However you choose to practice self-love is completely up to you. What’s most important is that you are patient, open, and honest with yourself about what you need and pour that into you as often as you need to. Because self-love is a necessity.

About Racquel Coral

Racquel Coral is an experienced lifestyle writer focusing on self-love, growth, body positivity, living life unapologetically, and profiling various Black owned businesses and business owners across America. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Defender (check out her Ardent feature), xoNecole, The Everygirl, and a myriad of other publications. Follow Racquel on Instagram and learn more about her work by visiting her website.

3 Awesome Easy Cannabis Topicals You Can Make

A lot of people do not understand cannabis topicals.  They find it hard to believe that rubbing cannabis on your skin can possibly provide relief.

It might sound like magic, but there is solid science behind it.  That’s because our skin contains a proliferation of cannabinoid receptors.  The cannabis in the topical binds to the cannabinoid receptors in the skin and provides localized relief from pain, inflammation, and various skin conditions.

Topical cannabis does not cross the blood barrier.  That means you won’t get high or fail a drug test from using it.*  This is also why cannabis topicals provide localized, as opposed to systemic, relief.

The exceptions to this rule are the specially-made transdermal patches that do have ingredients that allow cannabis to penetrate beyond the skin, but that is not what we are talking about for the purposes of this article.

You might think it’s complicated to make topicals.  But once again you would be mistaken.  If you can make cannabis-infused oil, you can make cannabis topicals.  And if you don’t know how to make cannabis-infused oil, this link will show you how.  Using the FX or the Mini it’s super simple!

*while it is unlikely that you will fail a drug test from using topicals if the topicals contain THC and are inadvertently ingested, it could cause them to show up on a drug test.

Oil, the Key to Cannabis Topicals

Cannabis-infused oil is the key.  Most topical products contain oil.  When making topicals, we infuse the oil to carry the cannabinoids and other beneficial compounds from the plant into the topical.

The Best Oil for Topicals

There are a seemingly endless variety of carrier oils that can be used to make topicals.  

For those who want to do a deep dive, each of these has slightly different characteristics.  Some are better for aging skin, others better for those with skin conditions such as acne or psoriasis.  Some stay solid at room temperature while others remain liquid.  Some absorb into the skin quickly, others slowly.  And all variations in between.

Don’t get overwhelmed by the options.  And stay tuned for more guides on various oils and topical butters like cocoa and shea butter.

If you happen to have a favorite oil for your skin, by all means, use it.  If not, for someone just beginning to experiment with cannabis topicals, coconut oil makes an excellent all-around choice.  

Why coconut oil?

  • It works well for most types of skin
  • It’s moisturizing and soothing
  • It’s antibacterial, antiseptic, and antifungal
  • It has a pleasant scent
  • It’s inexpensive
  • It has the longest shelf life of all carrier oils – as much as 2 years!

Who should not use coconut oil topically?  

Anyone with an allergy to coconuts and those with EXCEPTIONALLY oily skin.  While coconut oil is generally beneficial to those with acne, those with SEVERE acne or oily skin may find it can clog pores.  But for the rest of us, coconut oil makes a great choice when making topical cannabis products.

One other important note  

Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature fat.  For many topicals, such as the salve formula below, this is a big plus as it helps firm the consistency.  

Other formulas, like the Bath Soaks below, work well with either solid or liquid oils.  

For the massage oil formula, on the other hand, you will want to maintain a liquid consistency. Regular coconut oil would not work.  For topicals like this, substitute MCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides) Coconut Oil, as this will stay liquid at room temperature.  Find it at natural foods stores.

Notes About Using Essential Oils

Adding scents with Essential Oils can customize cannabis topicals to your own personal preferences.  Not to mention, using these oils to create your own fragrances is lots of fun.

You can use a single scent such as lavender, rose, or peppermint, or combine several to make your own blend.  

You could also purchase premade essential oil blends meant to deliver specific therapeutic effects such as congestion relief, stress reduction, relaxation, etc.

Be cautious and never add too much essential oil as they can irritate skin.  For all over body formulas like those on this page, a 2% dilution is best.   This converts to 12 drops of essential oil for every ounce of carrier oil.  Of course, you can always add less.

If you use multiple oils you can use whatever ratio you like.  Just make sure the total amount of essential oil does not exceed 12 drops per ounce of cannabis-infused carrier oil.

One more tip, when using essential oils, take a pin and poke a hole in a Vitamin E capsule and squeeze the contents into your topicals mixture.  This is an optional step, but doing so will help preserve the scent.

3 Easy Cannabis Topicals Anyone Can Make with Infused Coconut Oil or MCT Coconut Oil

The first step in creating the topicals below is to prepare your cannabis-infused coconut oil. Don’t worry the process is easy, just follow the instructions in our guide. Now you’re ready to make some topical products!

The 3 projects below are super easy to make and will provide a great introduction to making and using cannabis topicals.  But don’t let their simplicity fool you.  They can provide significant relief from pain, inflammation, cuts, burns, and more.  

They also make terrific DIY gifts, even for people who don’t normally use cannabis.

Project #1 – Cannabis Massage Oil

Cannabis Massage Oil is the easiest of all topicals to make.  Honestly, you can simply use any cannabis-infused oil, as is, as a massage oil.  But it is so much fun to add your favorite scents. 

As a double bonus, both the person getting and giving the massage will receive therapeutic benefits.  Giving massages can be tough on the hands, but by using a cannabis-infused massage oil you can simultaneously relieve some of that stress.

Also, don’t limit the use of this topical to ONLY when you get or give a massage.  You can rub some into your skin anytime right where it hurts: knees, shoulders, elbows, hands, etc.  

Packaging options for cannabis massage oils:

  • Funnel into decorative bottles, especially nice for gifts.
  • Plastic squeeze bottles make easy access when giving a massage, plus they won’t break.
  • Rollerball bottles are handy for carrying along and let you roll on relief anywhere. 

Cannabis Massage Oil Formula

  • 4 ounces (1/2 cup) cannabis-infused MCT coconut oil or other liquid at room temperature oil
  • contents of 1 Vitamin E capsule (optional but recommended if using essential oils)
  • up to 48 drops of essential oils of choice (optional)

Add Vitamin E oil and essential oil to cannabis oil and mix.  Package as desired.

Project #2 – Cannabis Bath Soaks

For the most soothing bath ever, treat yourself to a soak with cannabis bath salts!

Even without the addition of scents or colors, the combination of cannabis oil and Epsom salts provides relief for sore muscles, joint aches and pains, and even menstrual cramps.

A word of caution!  These bath salts contain oil, which means that they can make your tub extra slippery.  As with any bath oil, or oil containing bath product, take care getting in and out of your tub when using.

Cannabis Bath Soak Formula – enough for 4 baths

  • 4 cups Epsom salts
  • 1/4 cup cannabis-infused oil
  • Contents of 1 Vitamin E capsule (optional but recommended if using essential oils)
  • Up to 24 drops essential oil (optional)
  • 2-4 drops liquid food coloring (optional)
  • Dried herbs or flowers can add scents and visual interest to your bath salts but again, are not essential for function.
  • In a small bowl mix together cannabis oil and if using, Vitamin E oil, essential oils, and food coloring.

Place Epsom salts in a larger bowl and pour oil mixture over them.  Mix until everything is well combined.  Package in jars.

Optionally, divide the mixture and add different colors and or flowers and dried herbs to different bowls; layer the colors and herb blends into jars for a decorative look.

Project #3 – Cannabis Salves

Salves are a semi-solid topical that soften as they touch the skin.  Because of this texture, they are less messy than oils and easy to put into small jars or tins and take along. 

You could eliminate the beeswax in the formula below as coconut oil is a solid at room temperature fat.  However, it does turn to liquid pretty easily.  Adding beeswax will hold the salve’s texture, except under extreme heat. It also adds even more moisturizing properties.  

Packaging for Cannabis Salve

Package salves in small jars or tins.  Your best option is dark glass or opaque plastic or metal in order to protect from sunlight.  Clear containers can be ok too, but store them out of the sunlight to retain maximum benefits the longest shelf life.

  • 3/4 cup cannabis infused coconut oil 
  • 2 tablespoons beeswax pellets, or carnauba wax if you prefer a vegan salve
  • contents of 1 Vitamin E capsule (optional but recommended if using essential oils)
  • up to 72 drops essential oils (optional)

Place the infused oil in a small jar that’s placed on a small towel in a pot of simmering water.  Stir in the beeswax (or carnauba wax) and simmer, stirring occasionally, until all the wax is melted. 
Remove from heat, cool slightly, and stir in vitamin E oil and essential oils and pour into clean containers.  Allow to cool completely.  Use salve within 3 months.  Store in the fridge for a longer shelf life.

Get the most out of all your edibles, topicals and other DIY products with Ardent’s precision decaboxylators. Not only do they activate all of your desired cannabinoinds (THC, CBD, CBG and all the others) so you can use less to make your favorite products, you can also infuse and cook/bake right inside the devices. Grab your Ardent decarboxylator today!

Tiny Doses, Big Focus: Psilocybin’s Little Secret

Focus. It’s what we’re all trying to do, basically all the time. It is the solution to having more time, to having more energy, to generally getting more done in less time so you can spend as much time as possible on the things you most enjoy. It’s not just you; people today have more on their plate than ever and focusing is HARD. Stressful jobs, financial challenges, families with needs, friends you want to be good to, and that’s if you’re lucky enough to not have medical or mental helath issues you’re handling for yourself or someone else you love. And all that doesn’t even take into account the fast-paced world we live in – constantly throwing information our way and expecting us to absorb, assess, move on, and repeat 🥵

Believe it or not, psilocybin is often used in micro-doses to help focus! It might seem odd at first glance because in macro-doses psilocybin can help you not focus on the world around you and just let go. But if you get that right, small dose – it can do wonders!! And without the side effects of things like high doses of caffeine and ADHD pharmaceuticals.

Want to just skip to getting the device that can help make your psilocybin dreams come true? Get the FX or Mini here!

The Adderall Generation

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room around focus – pharmaceuticals. We’ll use adderall as the example here, but we’re referring to the entire category of pharmaceuticals that are prescribed for focus & ADD. It is absolutely true that there is a relatively small group of people (compared to those getting these prescriptions) who have a serious chemical imbalance and these pharmaceuticals are incredibly helpful and often necessary in their treatment. That being said, the vast majority of folks using them are likely experiencing a milder form of ADD, one that can be supported alternatively.

Many are currently talking about the adderall manufacturing shortage being experienced in this country, but what is being spoken about less is the real effects of these meds. Yes, they will get you focusing. But oh me oh my the side effects! A complete disruption to your digestive system, often resulting in ongoing pains and abnormal bowel movements. Sleep issues abound when taking an upper like this, people get moody and irritable, and that’s not even mentioning the less common but more serious heart issues that can arise. I could go on (and on!), but most importantly when it comes to the goal of getting-things-done what often happens to those using these meds is that they start to not be able to get anything done without it. Dependency in a way that can leave you much, much, MUCH less productive over time. So you up the dose, increase the side effects, eventually the efficacy reduces again, and on through the cycle you go.

If we’re being honest, energy drinks and the supplements that imitate them lead to very much the same pattern. And often the same disruptions to the happy life you are trying to live by increasing your productivity. So isn’t there another way? You already know we’ve got one for you!

Psilocybin: The Way Of Future Generations

There is no doubt that as a society we are moving more and more towards natural and holistic treatment options. It’s true that we’re using pharmaceuticals at the highest rates in human history, but we are simultaneously (and finally!) doing more scientific research to add validity to what so many have experienced anecdotally; some of the most effective treatments for the day-to-day struggles we experience are natural and plant based.

And so, in the community forging forward with this amazing psilocybin plant medicine, there are so many that have replaced the often difficult impact of adderall and similar meds with small, micro-doses of psilocybin. And they’re reporting amazing results! Most report an uptick in energy about 30 minutes after consumption, and are then able to sit and focus on the task at hand much easier. Now, it is not magic. It is not a pharmaceutical upper. It will not do the work for you. But if you are willing to work along with it, to put the structures in place to help focus happen, it will be your cheerleader and give you the support you need to stay focused.

Tips & Tricks To The Best Focus With Psilocybin

Creating associations in your brain will be a massive, and fairly easy help. Have a place, or a couple places, that mean focus to your brain. By this I mean, taking a micro-dose of mushrooms and then trying to work in front of the tv on your couch, where you are not productive already, is not going to be the answer. Psilocybin helps the brain form new pathways, so if you take your dose, and go sit at your desk with focused music. (Gerald Albright or Classical are a great place to start – but go with anything you don’t listen to when you’re not working!) Create an environment for yourself that means focus, and then add in this extra boost to help build that pathway in your brain.

Time of day matters. If you are most productive in the morning, then that’s likely your best time to dose. If evenings are your time to shine, try it a bit later in the day. BUT do be aware, many report that the boost of energy they experience also makes it hard to sleep. Until you know how your body reacts we recommend treating it like coffee in terms of a cutoff time.

Dosing Psilocybin For Focus

Dose is everything here, so we cannot emphasize enough how important is it to start small and slowly titrate up. What is small you ask? Start with .1 of a gram. And if that doesn’t do it, the next day try .2 grams. We do not recommending titrating up in the same day as the uptake time can vary widely and if you have limited experience with psilocybin you want to stay cautious and curious. It is an amazing tool, but no one wants to have too intense of an experience; it will simply make you lose faith in it for no good reason.

Unlocking the Potential with Ardent

For those interested in exploring the benefits of psilocybin, Ardent’s innovative technology provides a safe and controlled way to extract psilocybin from mushrooms. Unlike cannabinoids, psilocybin is water soluble and can be brewed into tea or extracted into water that can be used in various recipes. Extracting to get the most out of mushrooms without destroying the active compounds takes precision heating. With its dual sensors and precision heating core, Ardent tech creates psilocybin-infused teas without any hassle. That means you can focus on your therapeutic journey without any worries.

Harnessing the Benefits of Psilocybin Tea

Beyond straight consumption, extracting psilocybin into tea offers unique advantages. Consuming mushrooms straight can lead to nausea or upset stomach. Extracting into a tea can create a smoother experience in addition to the relaxing ritual that tea service provides. Tea allows for a gentler onset as well, reducing the risk of overwhelming experiences. Additionally, the warmth of the tea provides a soothing introduction to the psychedelic journey.

To brew psilocybin tea (you can also use the infused psilocybin water in recipes in addition to using as tea) place your mushroom dose into water inside the device. You can use the Vessel to hold the mixture, and you can put the mushrooms in loose or in a tea strainer if you like. Here, we used just the cap to brew two microdoses. Once the mushrooms and water are in the machine, close the lid and begin the A1 cycle. After 30 minutes, stop the cycle, remove your tea strainer, or use the Frainer to strain the mushrooms from the infused water. You can use the warm infused water in a cup of tea or incorporate it into any food or drink.

Learn more about Ardent technology and harness the power of plants and fungi at the press of a button.

Disclaimer:
It’s essential to approach the use of psilocybin with respect and caution. Legal regulations vary, and engaging in such practices should be done within the framework of applicable laws and under the guidance of qualified professionals. It’s crucial to be aware of the legal status of psilocybin in your region. Ardent encourages responsible use and adherence to local regulations. As the landscape of psychedelic research evolves, so do legal considerations. Stay informed and approach this journey with an understanding of the law.
In the evolving landscape of natural medicine, psilocybin stands as a beacon of promise, inviting us to reconsider our relationship with fungi and the healing potential that lies within the natural world. As research continues to unfold, the journey into the realms of psilocybin may hold keys to unlocking the doors of mental well-being and self-discovery.

Cannabis-Infused Healthy Grazing Snacks

Snacking can be hard. When you’re out of ideas, this spicy garlic edamame and these quick pickled cucumbers are easy to graze on without involving many steps or ingredients. 

Keep these share-friendly recipes in mind to beat hunger and simultaneously elevate your body and mind with a discrete boost of cannabinoids in a pinch. 

How to Get Started

Both of these easy, healthy snacks use small amounts of infused sesame oil to add flavor and an extra layer of bioavailability to each dish. You can opt to dose up the sesame oil with decarbed cannabis concentrates to infuse a bunch of milligrams into a small amount of oil. 

You can also add cannasalt and cannasugar in place of their standard counterparts to add a few additional milligrams to these dishes.

Equipment Needed

Ingredients

  • Edamame, steamed 
  • 1 heaping teaspoon of garlic confit, infused 
  • 1 ½ teaspoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons chili paste 
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil, infused 
  • Kewpie mayo, to taste 
  • Sprinkle of cannasalt, to taste

How to Make Cannabis-Infused Spicy Garlic Edamame

  1. Steam edamame in the microwave. 
  2. Mix in garlic confit, soy sauce, chili paste, sesame oil, and kewpie mayo. Stir. 
  3. Transfer to another bowl, sprinkle with cannasalt, and enjoy.

Equipment Needed

Ingredients

  • 2 Persian cucumbers, chopped 
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil, infused 
  • 2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar 
  • ½ teaspoon soy sauce 
  • Sprinkle of cannasalt, to taste 
  • 1 tablespoon of cannasugar
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

How to Make Cannabis-Infused Quick Pickled Cucumbers

  1. Chop cucumbers. 
  2. Pour infused sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, cannasalt, cannasugar, and crushed red pepper into the bowl. 
  3. Mix well and enjoy. 

Trying out our cannabis-infused healthy grazing snacks? Tag us on Instagram for the chance to be featured on our page.

Nature’s Gift Unwrapped: The Transformative Potential of Psilocybin in Holistic Healing

As humans, we’re always in search of ways to feel and perform our best, and here at Ardent we believe in tapping into the power of natural compounds to improve our lives and allow us to create the reality we want and deserve. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to uncover the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in various species of mushrooms.

Beyond its historical use in indigenous rituals, emerging research is shedding light on the potential mental health applications of this fascinating and powerful substance. While many people have an idea of psilocybin as something extreme that makes you see colorful bears marching in a parade (and there’s no doubt it can, in very large doses), there’s far more to the spectrum of this unique compound, and many opportunities to use it in a therapeutic manner.

Psilocybin: Exploring the Fungi Kingdom

Psilocybin isn’t synthesized in a laboratory; instead, it’s derived from nature and found in over 180 species of mushrooms. These mushrooms, commonly known as “magic mushrooms” or “shrooms,” have been part of cultural and spiritual practices for centuries. When it comes to the science behind the magic, research into psilocybin’s effects on the brain suggests that it primarily interacts with serotonin receptors, influencing mood, perception, and cognition. This unique interaction has sparked interest in its potential to alleviate symptoms associated with various mental health conditions.

Research and Mental Health: A Glimpse into the Future

The research into psilocybin has focused on mental health angles primarily, due to its ability to shift perspective and allow the brain to traverse new pathways that can be beneficial to those stuck in a rut. Research in the following areas has proven promising:

Anxiety and Depression: Preliminary studies have shown positive results in the use of psilocybin to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Some users report a profound shift in perspective, often describing a sense of interconnectedness and newfound clarity.

PTSD and Trauma: Research is ongoing, but early findings indicate that psilocybin-assisted therapy may be a promising avenue for individuals struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related conditions. The compound’s ability to promote introspection and emotional processing is of particular interest in therapeutic settings.

Addiction Treatment: Psilocybin has also been explored as a potential aid in treating addiction, showing promise in reducing cravings and fostering a sense of purpose and meaning, crucial elements in the journey toward recovery.

Ardent Technology: Brewing Psilocybin Tea for Wellness

Unlocking the Potential with Ardent: For those interested in exploring the benefits of psilocybin, Ardent’s innovative technology provides a safe and controlled way to extract psilocybin from mushrooms. Unlike cannabinoids, psilocybin is water soluble and can be brewed into tea or extracted into water that can be used in various recipes. Extracting to get the most out of mushrooms without destroying the active compounds takes precision heating. With its dual sensors and precision heating core, Ardent tech creates psilocybin-infused teas without any hassle. That means you can focus on your therapeutic journey without any worries.

A Simple Brew for Mental Well-being: Creating a psilocybin-infused tea involves a careful extraction process that respects the delicate nature of the compound. Ardent’s technology ensures precision and control, allowing users to embark on a journey of self-discovery with confidence. Brewing water for psilocybin tea (or to use in any recipe to make it magical) add water and your mushrooms to the Ardent device. You can place your mushrooms in a tea strainer before placing them in the water or you can use the infusion press to strain after the cycle, your choice. Once the mushrooms and water are in the machine, close the lid and begin the A1 cycle. In 30 minutes, stop the cycle, remove your tea strainer, or use the infusion press to strain the mushrooms from the infused water. You can use the warm infused water in a cup of tea or incorporate it into any food or drink.

Stay tuned for blogs on more dosing and recipes!

A Journey into Self-Discovery and Healing

As interest in natural plant medicine grows, psilocybin emerges as a potential ally in the pursuit of mental health and well-being. Its ability to catalyze profound experiences, coupled with Ardent’s technology, invites individuals to explore this ancient remedy with modern precision. Exploring psilocybin is an opportunity to embrace nature’s wisdom. May you have much luck and joy as you embark on this journey!


Disclaimer:
It’s essential to approach the use of psilocybin with respect and caution. Legal regulations vary, and engaging in such practices should be done within the framework of applicable laws and under the guidance of qualified professionals. It’s crucial to be aware of the legal status of psilocybin in your region. Ardent encourages responsible use and adherence to local regulations. As the landscape of psychedelic research evolves, so do legal considerations. Stay informed and approach this journey with an understanding of the law.
In the evolving landscape of natural medicine, psilocybin stands as a beacon of promise, inviting us to reconsider our relationship with fungi and the healing potential that lies within the natural world. As research continues to unfold, the journey into the realms of psilocybin may hold keys to unlocking the doors of mental well-being and self-discovery.

Cannabis & Yoga

Cannabis and exercise go hand in hand, and yoga is no exception! Whether you’re consuming cannabis before, during, or after practicing, Ardent technology is here to help elevate your experience. 

As your body naturally produces “bliss molecule” cannabinoids from flowing it out, you’ll match the feeling with the maximum potential of your herb. Here are a few other ideas for easily enhancing your sesh:

  • Roll out your yoga mat, move your body and breath, and practice 108 sun salutations. (Traditionally, saluting the sun like this is reserved for the change of the seasons.) Flow it out to the Ardent Yoga Playlist on Spotify.
  • Practice outdoors. Want to practice being even more present? Turn it into a mindful walking meditation.
  • We *highly* recommend reading Finding Your Higher Self: Your Guide to Cannabis for Self-Care by Sophie Saint Thomas.
  • Write out a list of reflections in solitude and set new intentions for the rest of 2022.

Elevate Your Sesh with Ardent

We’ve rounded out some recommended ways to integrate cannabis into your yoga practice. The best part? All of the below products can be made at home using your Ardent FX or Mini!

Skin Salve

An infused skin salve blend is ideal for achy joints and muscles, while also helping with dryness. Customize your topical by adding your favorite therapeutic essential oils such as arnica, peppermint, and capsaicin, to your preference. Perfect for post-flow relaxation!

CannaCapsules 

Infused capsules are a wonderful way to microdose, since it’s a familiar dosing mechanism to vitamins, supplements, and even pharmaceuticals. Cannabis-infused capsules can be made with leftover raffinate from oil infusions, which is a zero-waste way to make the most of your material while adding an extra layer of bioavailability. Plain, decarbed bud can also be ground and stuffed into capsules, and the bioavailability can come from any foods consumed around the same time containing oil or fat, or experienced on its own. Lastly, you can also make a coconut or MCT oil infusion, and drop a bit into one side of the capsule using the tincture dropper for precision. 

Tincture 

For a non-alcoholic tincture, make an MCT oil infusion inside your Ardent device. Pour it into a tincture bottle for easy, discreet sublingual dosing. For more efficiency and the ultimate zen, put the infusion under your tongue before your yoga class. Compared to smoking, this requires smaller amounts of cannabis for the same effect, as more of the active cannabinoids are absorbed into the bloodstream. Most importantly, sublingual administration allows for accurate dosing, ensuring that you retain control.

Infused Bath Bombs

As simple as they are fun, CBD, THC, or CBG-infused bath bombs deliver cannabinoids to the body through its largest organ, the skin, providing relief to every achy, tired part. Learn how to make easy Ardent-infused bath bombs with sweet almond oil on our blog. Tip: Always label homemade products meticulously!

Getting elevated with Ardent? Tag us online at @ardentllc so we can feature you!

Ask A Grower

How to Harvest & Preserve Your Cannabis

Welcome to How to Harvest & Preserve Your Cannabis with Emily Gogol, PhD, Head Gardener at Grow It From Home. Emily has years of experience growing all sorts of plants in urban gardens and is an expert on growing hemp and cannabis at home. Harvesting Cannabis is just like harvesting other fruits, herbs and vegetables in your garden. Let’s walk through the steps together!

Is there a right way to harvest?

Not really! If you’ve ever picked a ripe tomato in the garden, or at the grocery store, you already have the skills needed to pick a ripe Cannabis flower. Does the color look good? When you slice a tomato open, is the aroma intoxicating? A tomato doesn’t have to be perfectly ripe to be amazing, and the flowers on your Cannabis plants are the same. It is as easy to know when to harvest Cannabis as it is for choosing a ripe tomato.

As an aside, the internet has lots of complicated and involved methods for figuring out whether your cannabis is ready to harvest. I’ve worked with commercial growers across the country and backyard gardeners, and in my opinion, you really only need to pay attention to a few cues from your Cannabis plants. If you want to read some in-depth guides that are spot-on with practical advice, check out Growing Weed in the Garden by Johanna Silver and The Cannabis Gardener by Penny Barthel.

Cannabis Cues

As you watch your plants grow, you’ll notice the flowering stalks, called colas, will start to change. Their size will grow, they might develop intense colors, and as they become more ‘ripe’ they will be firm when you give them a squeeze and give off an incredibly aromatic scent. If you’re growing Victory, it will smell heavenly sweet and floral. Just like other fruits and flowers in the garden or grocery store, size, color, aroma and firmness are key cues for ripeness.

As the flowers produce more resin, they will take on a frosty and sparkly appearance. Check your plants weekly, and you’ll see them develop more sparkle, a cue that they are getting close to harvest.



Cannabis plants do have three unique cues. One, is their stickiness, another is their looks; the colas will look frosty and the little hairs called stigmas will change from a light color to an amber/dried up looking brown. These cues are a result of the flowers maturing, producing resin that contains many phytochemicals, including cannabinoids. Each week you should notice your colas become more frosty or sparkly in the sunlight, and more sticky to the touch. When about 50% of the stigmas are white and 50% are that dark amber, your plants are ready. As long as the weather is nice, colas will keep maturing and keep well on the plants, so don’t rush to harvest.

Stigma color is an important cue; on the left is a flower with mostly white stigmas. It is not mature. When over 50% of the stigmas become dark/dried up, like they are in the flower on the right, it is time to harvest.

When to Harvest

Remember – just like tomatoes – don’t worry about perfection. The first weeks of October are good times to harvest most cannabis, but if a big storm is coming and it’s the last week of September, go for it! It is better to harvest while the flowers are sticky and beautiful, and mold free. 

Your crop can withstand some weather, so don’t worry. One or two days of rain followed by sunshine is okay, just wait it out and check your plants. A few nights of cold temperatures is also okay, and can turn your plants purple! The latest we recommend harvesting is October 15th for most areas. In summary, start checking your colas the 3rd week of September, see how they become fatter, denser, more aromatic and sticky. When the weather is right, and sometime before October 15th, harvest!

How to Harvest

All you need is a clean pair of pruners, a container to put the colas in, and you are good to go. Cut the colas into manageable bundles. The afternoon tends to be the best time of the day, as it gives the morning dew time to evaporate so you have drier colas to work with. At this step you can choose to remove the bigger leaves, called fan leaves. The more leafy material you remove now, the less you have to dry and deal with later. Is there a wrong way? No. You can deleaf now or later, it is up to you. At this stage feel free to make some butter or other infusions with your harvest, it doesn’t have to be dry to infuse; think fresh rosemary or lavender vs. dried.

How to Dry Your Harvest

Location

Bathroom, garage, guest room, side yard in the shade? These are all options. As long as the space is out of direct sunlight, and the temperature is around 60 – 70 F with 50 – 60% humidity, you will do well. A small oscillating fan can also help with airflow. If you can dry persimmons or other fruit there, your Cannabis will do great!

Hang or Shelf Dry

Please feel free to use any contraption for hanging your flower colas. Coat hangers, garden fence, trellis, netting, even tomato cages. Whatever allows for some airflow and to hang them freely is great. Removing the flower buds from the colas is also an option. You can strip them off the stalk by hand, and toss all the ‘nugs’ onto a rack, shelf, or an herb hanging basket. The disadvantage is just aesthetic as the flower will have a flat side. However, the advantage is that it will dry faster off the stem and is a great way to conserve space.

After you’ve taken the dried flower off the stem, you’ll have a variety of sizes ready to be enjoyed or stored for later. You can trim your flower now, or as needed.

When Drying Becomes Preserving

As your hemp dries, give it a check every 2 – 3 days. Squeeze, smell, get to know how it is changing. If you are in a really warm area, it can take as little as 5 – 7 days to dry fully. Under ideal conditions (60 – 70F with 50 – 60% humidity), it might take up to 10 – 14 days. That is okay! As long as it dries and is mold-free, it will be great. When in doubt like all fruits and vegetables, throw out any moldy parts. When it squishes and feels dry with little bounce back on the squish, you are ready to package it up. Your flower will store indefinitely when stored properly (think high-quality tea) and can be used in many applications.

First, simply take the flower nugs off the stem, and remove as much leaf material as you can with a quick trim. Second, plop the flower nugs into a food safe container. I love food safe pouches for storing flower in my pantry and they make a great gift. Just like for other herbs or teas, tins, glass mason jars, and food safe containers are the way to go.

Low Down On Burping

I know many on the internet disagree with me, and there is an extensive dialogue online about curing and burping your harvest. Yes, as any plant material ages there will be changes in the aromas and flavors. No, you do not need fancy equipment or a 2-hour lecture to store your flower properly after harvest. Checking your flower is much more important than ‘burping’ it.

For the first few days after packaging, give them a shake, smell and check. Does it smell fresh and clean? Does the flower still feel dry to the touch? It is totally okay if some water has travelled from inside the flower nug to the outside (it can make your flower damp and squishy). If it feels damp, you can spread the nugs out onto a tea towel on your kitchen counter and let them air dry for 1 – 2 days, and then plop them back in. If anything smells moldy or dank, take out the flower and remove anything that looks suspect and follow the 1 – 2 kitchen air dry. Products that regulate humidity in your container are nice (e.g. those desiccant packets you get with certain foods) but are not necessary to preserve high-quality flower at home.

By growing your own you’ll have an abundance of flower for projects and for gifting.

Use and Enjoy

Congratulations, you now have a delicious supply of flower on hand for all of your projects! I hope this gives you the freedom to experiment with new recipes and preparations, and share with friends and family, of course.

There’s no better companion to a home grow than Ardent technology: both the Ardent Nova and the Ardent FX get you precision (97 – 100%) activation of your plant materials to make infused products in any space from start to finish. Home appliances simply cannot compare. You can also take advantage of all the plant’s parts, activating the usable material on stems, sugar leaf, trim, and more. Ardent technology pays for itself in just a few uses, and now, you can get your device right away! Checkout using Sezzle to get your Ardent decarboxylators, kits, and accessories ordered now, and pay in 4 interest-free payments made over the next 6 weeks. 

The Best Smoking Blends for Decarbed Weed

Did you know that when you smoke a joint, the flame from your lighter creates a tunnel of heat that decarbs some of the plant material before you inhale? 

And while you are decarbing some THC that gets into the smoke, the problem with smoking is that the flame itself burns off the majority of valuable cannabinoids, making smoking one of the most inefficient ways to consume.

Regardless, smoking is very popular since it is one of the quickest methods to absorb cannabinoids in your system, with the effects usually being felt within the first few minutes of consumption. Smoking vs. vaping produces more CBN that’s inhaled, and often smokers find that they get the best therapy from that additional heavy cannabinoid and continue to prefer smoking to vaping even when both are available. There’s often a ritual and tradition that goes along with smoking that engrains it into people’s lives. So, how can we make this consumption method more efficient and cost effective? 

The answer is, by decarbing. With Ardent technology, you’ll achieve over 97% activation of your THC, CBG, and CBD-rich material. As you know, from there it can be infused into butters, oils, alcohols, milks, and creams, eaten directly, used in skincare and haircare products. But were you aware that you can decarb flower and smoke or vape it too?

Smoking and vaping decarbed bud ensures you’re making the most of your material by allowing you to inhale fully activated cannabinoids. The effects generally feel more potent, making you consume less cannabis to achieve the same result. Vaping decarbed bud will give you more of a smoked effect, because the THC is already active, more CBN will be created during the vape process, leading to a cannabinoid profile that’s closer to smoked flower. Smoking decarbed bud leads to even more CBN, which makes it great for deep relaxation and sleep. Put simply: if you smoke a joint of just decarbed bud, be ready to take a nap. A little goes a long way, and you can stretch the use of your decarbed bud. In order to maximize the benefits* of your smoking routine, account for additional space in your joint (since you’ll need less weed,) all while improving the flavor, we recommend spliffing your joints with one of the following herbal additions: 

*As you also should with cannabis, look out for organic options whenever possible, to ensure you’re only inhaling the healthiest materials possible. Please also consult your doctor or physician before consuming cannabis or herbs of any kind.

How to Decarb Weed for Smoking 

In the Ardent FX or Mini, decarboxylate cannabis rich in THC or CBG by utilizing the A1 setting. Decarboxylate hemp rich in CBD by utlizing the A2 setting. Once the cycle is complete, your cannabis will have a slightly toasted color and is ready to be smoked.

Non-Decarbed Weed 

We respect the traditionalists who truly love the flavor of weed. If you’re not yet ready to retire old smoking habits for something new, consider spliffing your regular joint with a bit of decarbed bud. You’ll enjoy plenty of flavorful terpenes while also maximizing your dose. Also consider blending CBG Flower and Kief into your THC blend, as well as CBD. Customized cannabinoid mixes can help you reach your health and wellness goals in addition to giving you the uplift or relaxation you’re searching for.

Lavender

One of the main terpenes in lavender is linalool, which is also found in strains like Do-Si-Dos, Buddha Haze, Amnesia Haze, a strain called Lavender, and many others. Combining your activated herb with dried lavender and it’s unique terpene profile can contribute to the overall synergistic effect referred to as the entourage effect. Lavender also has many calming properties that can help you wind down and prepare for a good night’s sleep.

Damiana Leaf

Not only is damiana leaf best known for having aphrodisiac properties, it is also rumored to have calming effects. It smells similar to chamomile and is a gentle smoke, compared to other herbs that can be more on the bitter side. If you’re looking to maximize the libido-boosting effects of damiana leaf, pair with a decarbed strain like Sour Diesel or Jack Herer to give you plenty of energy in the bedroom, or something relaxing to prevent performance anxiety, such as Baklava or Wedding Cake.

Mullein

Mullein is a pretty neutral base great for pairing with decarbed cannabis. Mullein is best known for its lung-supporting properties, and is frequently used in teas and herbal lung steams. If you’re looking to offset some of the harshness in your joint or blunt, consider using mullein as a filler.

Rose

Not only can you add dried organic rose to your joints, you can actually roll your decarbed cannabis in a wrap made from rose petals! If you haven’t tried making your own rose blunt, we highly suggest it. It provides a delicious floral flavor along with calming effects that decarbed bud can only enhance.

Sage

Another relaxing herb to include in your joints or blunts is sage. Sage also pairs perfectly with mullein for a smooth, earthy smoking blend. 

NEW Smoking Tech

If you’re looking to smoke inside without the smoke or smell, check out the new Billow. It’s a patented technology that lets you consume in peace without bothering anyone else.

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Spliffing your decarbed cannabis joint with one of our smoking blend recommendations? Tag us on Instagram for the chance to be featured on our page!

Ardent Basics: How to Brew Coffee Inside the Ardent FX

Most stoners we know start their day with a coffee. Our hometown of Boston is known for running on the very bean juice we love and cherish. 

Now, what if we told you that your morning brew didn’t require a moka pot, Keurig, Nespresso, or standard, old-fashioned coffee machine taking up space in already cramped quarters? You can now brew a cup of Joe right inside your Ardent FX using a single accessory. Here’s how:

How to Get Started

This recipe is naturally unmedicated. That doesn’t mean it can’t be infused, though! Once your coffee is brewed directly inside the device, you can add some of the following additions to dose up your cup:

Equipment Needed

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds 
  • 2 cups of hot water

How to Brew Coffee Inside the Ardent FX

  1. Preheat the FX to the Bake setting. 
  2. Add 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds to the unit. 
  3. Pour in 2 cups of hot water. Stir.
  4. Allow it to brew for 4 minutes inside the closed device.
  5. Replace the FX lid with the Infusion Press and push the lever down as far as it will go. 
  6. Pour coffee out of the unit using the Infusion Press’ easy pour spout. 
  7. Dispose of coffee grounds inside the unit, or repurpose them with raffinate to make an exfoliating scrub. Enjoy!

And of course you can add that extra umph to your coffee by infusing it with coconut oil or butter. Check out Ardent’s Done for You Butter with 600mg THC and 600mg CBD per jar.

You can also easily make your own cannabutter, cannaoil, or infused sugar to add to your favorite cup of joe and all right at the press of a button in the FX!

Brewing coffee inside your Ardent unit? Tag us on Instagram for the chance to be featured on our page.