Pumpkin Pie Oats, Yum!!

Pumpkin Pie!  Some think that it is the most favorite taste and calls many well before Thanksgiving.  Pumpkin spiced lattes and a whole lot more.  Sometimes life has a way of getting IN the way and our pumpkin pie fix may not happen as it did in the past.  So........fix yourself some of this!  Eat it slow either warm or cold and give thanks for all that you have been blessed with.  Even if the blessings are in disguise!  You can even take this with you if you can't be at home.

Overnight Pumpkin Pie Oats 

1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk1/4 cup plain nonfat greek yogurt or cashew yogurt for dairy-free
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup Organic Old-Fashioned Oats
2 teaspoons chia seeds
1-2 drops Cinnamon Bark Vitality
1 drop Nutmeg Vitality
1 toothpick swirl of Clove Vitality

In a medium bowl, mix together yogurt, almond milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla and maple syrup until well combined. Stir in oats, chia seeds and spices. Pour into a glass jar or container, top with chopped pecans and cinnamon if desired, and place in fridge for 4 hours or overnight. Makes 1 serving.

Cinnamon Bark - perfect oil for the holidays

For many the aroma of Cinnamon Bark essential oil will transport you to another place.  Maybe it reminds you of cold weather, hot cider, Christmas morning or just eating a fresh cinnamon roll on Sunday mornings.  What kind of memories do you have with the aroma?

Let's learn a little about this awesome oil!

Where does it come from?  All cinnamon comes from the bark of a tree.  Young Living's cinnamon bark essential oil is from the Cinnamomun zeylanicum.


It comes from a tree.
A quick search online and you'll find that this species of Cinnamon originates from the island Sri Lanka (formerly called Ceylon), southeast of India. It is also native to south-west India and the Tenasserim Hills of Burma. Several attempts have been made to transplant cinnamon trees to other parts of the tropic world, but they have become naturalized only on the Seychelles (a Country in E. Africa).  The tree is evergreen.  You can read a ton about it on this website! 

It isn't the same as what you purchase in the store.
You've probably seen those rolled sticks of cinnamon in the store or have thrown one in your cider cup.  Young Living's Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil is different from those!  It is distilled from the outer bark of the cinnamon tree. The store cinnamon powder is made from the inner bark.  They harvest it in rolls then dry.

Is it good for you?  YES!

• Helps to maintain a healthy immune response. Can be used in a capsule (5 drops plus carrier oil to fill)
• Great for digestive health.
• Protects the stomach.
• Thought to attract wealth.  (I'm ready for this one!)
• Has been used for thousands of years.

Proverbs 7:17 says, “I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.”  

It tastes amazing.
Young Living offers two essential oils.  One is marketed as Cinnamon Bark Vitality™  which is labeled for internal use.  They also offer another bottle that is labeled for aromatic and topic use.  Both bottles contains the exact same oil.  It needs to be said that it is VERY strong!!  I recommend that you dip a toothpick into the bottle and swirl through whatever you are flavoring.  Use a clean toothpick for each dip.  At this rate, that little bottle of Cinnamon Bark will last you forever!  Some absolutely LOVE it in their coffee or their Ningxia Red Anti-oxidant drink. 


Careful!
Cinnamon Bark is considered a "hot" oil.  That means if you put it on your skin it will make your skin unseasonably warm.  To avoid that feeling, dilute Cinnamon Bark essential oil with equal amounts of carrier oil (like Grapeseed, Jojoba, Almond, Coconut, Olive oils).  Make sure you test it on your inner upper arm instead of spreading it in a large area.  Young Living's V-6 oil is a perfect carrier to use.

Food Ideas.
Use it for an awesome fruit dip for your holiday parties.  And.....it IS the time of year for Pumpkin bread, bars, etc.  Young Living also has a Pure Protein Complete shake powder that is so yummy.  Adding the cinnamon to it starts the morning out yummy.  Remember....just a tiny, tiny bit of oil swirled with your toothpick!

Use Ideas.
Cinnamon Bark essential oil is warming!  So use that to your advantage.  Mix 3 drops CB oil with some V-6 for a warming foot massage.  This is perfect for those of us whose feet freeze at night.  Just put on a pair of warm socks and your feet will not only be warm but moisturized too.  Not ready for bed quite yet.....then grab your favorite book or movie and a warm tea.....with cinnamon bark oil of course.

Did you overdo it outside?  Mix a few drops of CB oil with V-6 or your favorite massage oil and rub it in!

Aromatically it puts those plug-in fresheners and bowls of potpourris to shame.  Don't bother with those, just diffuse Cinnamon Bark oil!  The kids will think you've been baking all day.  (Maybe you might want to have a few cookies on hand just so they won't be disappointed.)  Don't have a diffuser?, you can make your own room sprays by filling a spray bottle (2 - 4 oz is enough), add 1 teaspoon of witch hazel, 3 or so drops of the CB oil.  Just spray around the room! It is great for getting rid of musty odors.

Have you ever gone to the hairdresser and have her wash your hair.  That scalp massage is so relaxing.  Well, take a hint from the hairdressor and give yourself a scalp massage with 4 drops of CB oil and a carrier oil like Coconut oil.  Use your fingers several minutes for that relaxing scalp massage.  Then you can wash and dry your hair like you normally would.

Related products.
One of Young Living's most loved oils is Thieves.  It is soooo good that they have a whole line of products using the Thieves blend of Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Lemon, Rosemary and Eucalyptus Radiata.  You can clean almost any surface with it and you'll have a smell that reminds you of Christmas all around!






If you are interested in any of the products listed on this page, please click on the Young Living tab above for more information on ordering!

It's Apple Run time!

Every year at this time, our car club takes a fun cruise up the gorge to Hood River to participate in our Apple Run.  It is so fun to visit the apple orchards and stock up on different apple varieties and try out a few new ones.  Really.....there are like over 100 varieties at one place.  It is amazing.

So, what to do with all this apple goodness?  Let’s bob for some facts about these yummy apples!

Did you know that specific apple varieties are used for specific reasons?!

Here is a website that talks about 11 different ones where you can read  how the different tart and sweet varieties make good sauce!  Cortland, Crispin (Mutsu), Fuji, Golden Delicious, Gravenstein, Jonamac, McIntosh, Braeburn. Rome and of course Honey Crisp....it makes a real sweet sauce.

Apples store very well and can be kept for months!  Keeping them cool is best, remember that the cooler the better.  Keep the skin on the apple when you are baking or cooking for more nutrients and flavor.  Any you know me!........Choose organic apples!.  The the skins absorbs everything they are exposed to so choose organic to keep those nasty pesticides away from your system.   Be sure to thoroughly wash the all your yummy apples with Thieves fruit and Veggie wash!  Even with organic, you'll be amazed of the dirt that comes off your produce.

Now......with all that apple info, my mouth is sooooo ready for some sauce?  You too?
I hope that you own an Instant Pot.......it is so fast to get foods cooked to perfection and applesauce is no different!






Instant Pot applesauce with essential oils

Ingredients
3 pounds your favorite apples  - peeled or not peeled
1/4 cup water
Added later:
1 - 2 drops Young Living lemon essential oil
1 - 2 drops Young Living cinnamon bark essential oil

Instructions
If peeling the apples, do this first. Core then chop your apples into large chunks.

Place the apples and water, the Instant Pot. Close the lid and cook on manual high pressure for 5 minutes.  Use Natural release.  Mash your sauce to the consistency you desire by using a potatoe masher or an immersion blender.  Ass your essential oils when the sauce is warm but not hot.

WORD TO THE WISE: Add one drop of essential oil at a time, stir and taste.  Essential oils are super potent, especially the Cinnamon bark Essential Oil.  You can always add more but you don't want to over do it and make your batch too spicy.  Serve warm, room temperate or cold. The flavors will change slightly as it cools, so adjust to taste as needed.

Don't have an IP?  Well, you can do the same in a slow cooker or in a pot on your stovetop.  You'll have to add a little more water but the instructions are pretty much the same.

Why essential oils?  What are their benefits?  


Young Living Cinnamon Bark essential oil promotes a healthy immune response, and helps maintain a healthy lifestyle regimen. Cinnamon has been used traditionally for thousands of years as a spice, and provides a spicy and delicious addition when cooking or baking. This oil includes the naturally occurring constituent cinnamaldehyde, and is an important ingredient in many Young Living products including Thieves®, Abundance™, and Inner Defense™.
Young Living Lemon essential oil (Citrus limon) includes the naturally occurring constituent limonene. Lemon may also be used to enhance the flavor of foods.  It takes 65 lemons to fill the 15ml bottle.  The essential oil is cold pressed from the rind and NOT the fruit.

Click here to find out how you can get your essential oils!

Why do you add your essential oils after the cooking process?  Essential oils are very volatile.  That means they can evaporate or cook off in the process.  You definitely 'could' use them in the cooking process but you have to add so much more that it is better flavor and more economical to add after the cooking is done!

Oily Cooking.

The time of season to start baking has arrived!  Some of you cook up a storm for the holidays and I'm going to give you a few ideas to make your recipes extra special this year!

All the oils I'll talk about are Young Living Vitality essential oils.  These oils are specifically for ingestion and FDA considered GRAS so you can consume with confidence.  I'm always confident in Young Living's oils because their Seed to Seal Guarantee of purity is above all the rest!

Okay.....now on to the oils!

Lemon Vitality Essential Oil

This versatile oil is awesome to add to pies (fruit) and tarts.  It adds a bright, sunshine flavor!  If you are making a lemon glaze for cakes or quick breads, mix a little Lemon Vitality into the powdered sugar. 

Peppermint Vitality Essential Oil 

I add about 10 - 15 drops to my brownies for a flavor explosion!  You could add to chocolate muffins too.   When you are making your homemade candy or fudge, use essential oils instead of extracts! 

Cinnamon Bark Vitality Essential Oil

Adding Vitality oils to chocolate cake like the peppermint above is awesome but adding a few drops of Cinnamon Bark Vitality makes a delightfully warm chocolate cake. Cinnamon brings out the deliciousness of chocolate!!  Adding to apple dishes or sweet potato pie is awesome!  This oil is best added when you only use a toothpick dip.  Taste then add more if necessary.   Did you see our post several days about about cider with Cinnamon Bark?

Clove Vitality Essential Oil

Tis the season for pecan pie.  Well.....in my book, it is pecan pie season all year long!  Use just a toothpick swirl in your pecan pie to give an interesting new flavor.  This Vitality oil is also great for
spice cake or pumpkin bread.

Ginger Vitality Essential Oil

Now, just so you know.....ginger is kind of a stinky oil but boy does it add some yum to your apple pie!  AND.......what could be more delicious than using in your ginger cookies recipe.

Nutmeg Vitality Essential Oil

Want some amazing flavor in your french toast or waffle recipe?  Just add one drop!!  Or, you can add to your bran muffin recipe.

Orange Vitality Essential Oil

Tired of Peppermint in your brownies?  Try Orange Vitality instead.  Add to your muffin recipe or create a icing drizzle with Orange Vitality added.........AMAZING!




I only recommend Young Living Vitality oils when used for consumption because of their Seed to Seal commitment to purity.  If you are ready to try some, let us know.  We also offer local and online class on essential oils!

Mmmmm.....Spiced Cider!

October is here!!  Time for raking the leaves, picking apples, or going on an Apple Run like I will be doing soon to Hood River, OR.  Their apples are awesome and with the hoards of apples and cider I'll be bringing home, this recipe should hit the spot.  If you need Orange, Cinnamon Bark or Clove Essential Oils, let me know!!

Disclaimer:  I only recommend Young Living Vitality Oils since they have a Seed to Seal guarantee for purity.

Spiced Apple Cider

Ingredients

• 4 cups apple cider
• 8 drops Orange Vitality essential oil
• 2 drops Cinnamon Bark Vitality essential oil
• 2 drops Clove Vitality essential oil
• tea cups or coffee mugs
• cinnamon sticks, optional garnish

Directions

• Place the apple cider in a stainless steel cooking pan on your stovetop.
• Heat until very warm. Do not boil.
• Stir in the essential oils.
• Serve while warm. Garnish with a cinnamon stick if you’re feeling extra fancy.