Old Standby.

Thieves is getting a lot of attention this month as we share about many of the household uses with the Thieves product line to keep your home clean. Let's not forget to give credit to an old standby, Lemon essential oil, for its effectiveness in helping us stay clean.

Germs on a Plane! Forget snakes, oilers, even the likes of Samuel L. Jackson would cringe at the thought of sneezy, sniffling airline passengers...sticky-handed kiddos...and fellow flyers smuggling stinky to-go food on his flight! We've all been there. Looking around at the gate, our imaginations run wild as we begin to wonder how that 15-minutes between this and the last flight could possibly be enough time to totally sanitize that Boeing top to bottom, right?

So, what's an oiler to do?

While we always think of Thieves in a pinch when it comes to killing bacteria (I'm sure you've all seen the petri dish tests up against bleach --> BOOM!), use of the oil or spray may be too strong for some in a confined space shared by many people, so Thieves wipes and Thieves Hand Purifier are great alternatives on a plane. BUT, after many flights, I have found that one of the simplest and most cost-effective single oils (also from the Young Living Premium Starter Kit) is KING OF THE FRIENDLY SKIES!

Enter the cleansing action of Lemon oil, the most basic scent we associate with cleanliness, and one most will welcome even on a packed or cranky flight!

On a plane, I'm always pack'n travel tissues and a mini 1oz glass spray bottle filled with 10 drops of Lemon YLEO and topped off with water. If you don't have a spray, just bring your Lemon oil and add a drop straight from the bottle to your tissue and get to work before snapping that seatbelt. Wipe down your hand rests and tray table, and even the TV and controller on those longer flights, and heck, do us all a favor and spray down the lavatory, if you must go in there!

If it's a long or particularly stinky flight, try a drop of Lemon oil on a diffuser necklace or tissue then tuck it into your top jacket pocket (instant aroma-fashion!) then breathe deeply to enjoy the germ-slaying mini diffusion (is that a word?) before take-off! I always wear a round cotton headband on long flights because it doubles as a scarf that can easily be turned into a diffuser around the neck or over the nose and mouth too (ATV lovers who want to avoid inhaling mud and dust on the trails know what I'm talking about here). If the hacking and stinking hits an all-time high on the plane, just apply a drop of Lemon oil to a tissue and stuff it into your scarf then pull it up over your the bridge of your nose and breathe deeply!

Oh, and you may also want to huff Lemon straight from the bottle if there's drama on the plane and you're in a hurry to detach and have peace all the way to your Final Destination (just don't watch that movie before flying). Now, repeat after me: I'm inhaling bright, refreshing, uplifting awesomeness, and exhaling yucky in-flight plane germs, smells and drama!

You might also find the uplifting aroma of Lemon oil to provide positive emotional support if you're down about leaving home or not super psyched about a business trip (must not be for Young Living because convention, team meet-ups, and rank retreats are always fun!) or maybe you're just bummed to be returning from your totally dreamy but too-short vacation! Just sniff and go to your happy place, oiler. You got this and all in one little yellow bottle.

Once your tray tables are up and you've returned your seat to the upright and most uncomfortable position, repeat all the same tips on the way out of the airport upon arrival making sure to help us out with a Lemon spritz in the closest-to-your-gate bathroom and don't forget a wipe-down of your suitcase handle because, a lot of hands have handled that handle by the time you arrive! Hotels, car rentals and Uber rides.....you get the idea, right!

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!