Warm Apple Cinnamon Orange Oatmeal

Warm Apple Cinnamon Orange Oatmeal
On chilly winter mornings I want something warm and comforting for breakfast. I started experimenting in the kitchen and came up with my new favorite oatmeal recipe infused with Orange and Cinnamon Bark essential oils. It is delicious and keeps me full all morning. 








Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup organic rolled oats (not instant oats)
  • 1/2 cup coconut water
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cashew milk (or other nut milks) I like this brand
  • 1/2 apple, peeled and diced
  • 1 drop Cinnamon Bark Vitality essential oil
  • 3 drops Orange Vitality essential oil
  • a little raw honey, sweeten to taste
  • a sprinkle of ground cinnamon 

To make
  1. Peal and dice apple
  2. Add coconut water, cashew milk and apples to sauce pan and heat on medium heat
  3. Add in 1/2 cup of oats and stir well
  4. Cook on medium heat until it starts to boil then turn down and simmer until oats are soft
  5. Remove from heat and add in raw honey to taste and  Cinnamon Bark and Orange essential oils. Stir well to combine
  6. Sprinkle a little ground cinnamon on top and you are ready for a delicious, healthy breakfast that will keep you full.
More about the ingredients

Orange Vitality essential oil has a bright, fresh citrus flavor. Try it in baked goods, especially to create contrast with particularly sweet items, or combine it with warm spices like cardamom and clove to enhance them. Add Orange Vitality to your drinking water to give it a burst of flavor. Orange Vitality also blends beautifully with other fruity flavors, making it a great addition to smoothies, juices, and NingXia Red®. It also contains the naturally occurring constituent limonene.

Cinnamon Bark vitality essential oil is amazing at supporting your immune system. It is one of the essential oils in the Thieves blend along with clove, rosemary, lemon and eucalyptus. Historically cinnamon is considered the most ancient of spices and was included in just about every prescription issued in ancient China. Cinnamon itself has antibacterial properties to it as well.

Coconut Water
I used coconut water because it gives it a little sweetness and coconut water is low in carbohydrates and sodium and rich in potassium. Most of our diets do not give us enough potassium because we generally do not eat enough fruits and vegetables. The amount of potassium in coconut water is equal to eating four bananas! 

Cashew Milk
I recently have cut out most dairy in my diet because my stomach just does not tolerate it so I began trying out different plant based milks and found that cashew milk is my favorite. It is rich and creamy just like milk but without the dairy. It is loaded with vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and other beneficial plant compounds. to learn more of the benefits click here.

To learn more about cooking with essential oils and get a free conversion chart click here.

Tips for Staying Healthy Naturally With Essential Oils

Tips for Staying Healthy Naturally With Essential Oils
Switching to natural options does not have to be a daunting or expensive task. You can actually save yourself so much money and missed days from work and school: ) Today you’ll learn some of my favorite recipes & tips for staying healthy and supporting my families immune system naturally.
  
Everything you will need to make these recipes can be found at your local health store or online-- with only 3 exceptions--your essential oils from Young Living of Course! Because let's face it you want the best oils out there to support you and your family :) 






Wellness Tea
When the colder months get closer be sure to support your immune system with a delicious cup of essential oil infused tea. 

You’ll need:
Directions:
  1. Add essential oils to raw honey then stir in tea or water until honey dissolves (Once water is below 95 degrees).
  2.  Use this tea to soothe the throat and to support your immune system.
Wellness Tip
Drink 1/2 you body weight in water + 20 oz. everyday
Water is essential for proper digestion, nutrient absorption and chemical reactions. With 70-80% of our immune system located in our digestive tract it is vital to drink water to support wellness. Water also helps transport waste material out of our bodies and remove toxins, in particular from our digestive tract.

Citrus oils act as natural detoxifiers. Citrus infused water can help open the lymphatic system and stimulate the immune system. The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. It’s primary function is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body.

Try adding 1-2 drops of Lemon Vitality to your water (only in glass, stainless steel or ceramic. Never use plastic or Styrofoam as the the lemon oil can pull toxins from container into your water)  


Wellness Detox Bath
Our bodies come into contact with so many hidden toxins every day. Help it to detox and stay healthy with a detox bath.

You’ll need:


Directions:
  1. Mix together 1/2-1 cup of Epsom salts with 1/4 cup baking soda in a glass mason jar.  Add essential oils to salts and mix.
  2. Pour under warm/hot water (the warmer the water the more your pores will open to detox).
  3. Soak for 30 minutes then rinse off in a cool shower after.  
The magnesium in the Epsom salts helps to reduce inflammation & support nerve, muscle and proper artery function. The sulfates are known to flush toxins and heavy metals from the body, which helps ease discomfort caused by muscle aches and pains. * May make you sleepy so use before bed & drink plenty of water after.



Wellness Tip
Keep your home healthy and smelling great by diffusing essential oils 

Did you know that when diffused, essential oils can reach your body systems in as little as 3 seconds?! So not only can you help clear the air and help make your home smell amazing but you can also receive therapeutic benefits too! Try adding a few drops of Thieves and Lemon to your diffuser and skip the hidden toxins in scented candles.


Stay Well Roll-on
Do your kids seem to miss way too much school in the fall and winter months? Or have you needed to stay home from work too often? Try out this simple stay well roll-on.

You’ll need:
Directions:
  1. Add essential oils to roll-on bottle or dropper bottle
  2. Fill the rest of the way with carrier oil leaving room for the roll-on top.
  3. Add top and shake well to mix
  4. Apply to bottoms of the feet before bed every night to stay well:)
*For children 2- 12 cut the amount of essential oils in half.
*Option add 10-15 drops of Oregano essential oil  for an extra boost when needed.


Wellness Tip
Get a good night sleep
We all know that a lack of sleep can make you grumpy and foggy. But it can also affect things like your memory, prematurely age your skin, and even hinder your ability to loose weight. Sleep disorders and chronic sleep loss can put you at risk for heart disease, heart attack/failure or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, stroke & even diabetes.

When we get a good night sleep our bodies can go to work repairing itself. Try diffusing or applying Frankincense essential oil before bed. Frankincense is very calming and grounding and many use it during meditation and prayer. Frankincense can also help you maintain radiant looking skin. Try applying it to any problem areas before moisturizing.


Ready to take charge of your health and wellness! 
Arm your self with 12 bottles of essential oils plus a diffuser of your choice so you are ready to support you and your family naturally. 

Click here to get started with essential oils plus receive a free welcome gift from me valued at $20!







Elderberry Wellness Juice
Blog Post

Elderberries have a long history as a medicinal plant used for common colds, Influenza, and an immune strengthener.  Add in a few immune supporting essential oils and you have a powerful juice to support your entire family. 

Essential Oils: More Than Just Pretty Aromas

Essential Oils: More Than Just Pretty Aromas
I wanted to share a recent article I wrote for the Crazy Wisdom Journal about essential oils. This article and many others great articles can also be  viewed at https://crazywisdomjournal.squarespace.com/current-issue 

Essential Oils: More Than Just Pretty Aromas

Sure, essential oils can leave your home smelling of fresh cut lavender or the bright citrusy scent of lemons but they are so much more than a pretty aroma. Did you know they can be used to support healthy emotions, keep you alert, focused, calm, and relaxed? All this is made possible in the limbic system, which is our emotional brain. Our limbic system supports five major functions: Emotions, behavior, motivation, long-term memory, and sense of smell. As you inhale essential oils, the tiny molecules enter the nasal cavity and pass by the olfactory bulb. Your olfactory bulb is a part of your limbic system and therefore your response to an aroma is going to be emotional before it can be rational. This all happens in three seconds!
 
First things first, all essential oils are not created equal! I am sure you have noticed that essential oils are everywhere these days. But I am here to tell you that there is a huge difference in quality between brands. To get the most therapeutic benefit from your essential oils look for 100% therapeutic grade. Your essential oils should not have flammability warning labels on the bottle (these oils are in a base of alcohol) or the word “fragrance or parfum” as these will have synthetic ingredients. Some oils are pre-diluted with carrier oil which makes them less expensive and less potent. Do your research and go with a trusted company. I personally use Young Living Essential Oils. 
 
Essential oils can be used aromatically by adding them in a diffuser, inhaling them direct from the bottle, in diffuser jewelry (that can be worm in lieu of synthetic fragrances), be made into sprays to freshen your home and linens, or mixed with Epsom salts in a warm aromatic bath. Essential oils also have benefits when applied topically to the skin and can actually be found within the bloodstream in as little as 26 seconds.
 
When applying essential oils to the skin there are a few safety precautions to consider. Some essential oils can be applied to the skin “neat”, meaning straight from the bottle, and some require carrier oil such as coconut, jojoba, or olive oil. Be sure to check the bottle for dilution recommendations and if you have sensitive skin test a small area first. Carrier oils help to dilute the essential oils and are great when applying oil to a large area such as with massage.
 
Some places to apply essential oils are pressure points at the temples, wrists, and behind ears. Apply the oils to your energy centers of the body or chakras, to the bottoms of your feet at the vita flex points (reflexology), or anywhere you feel drawn to that needs extra support. Essential oils can also be applied over different organs in the body to help with emotions. Our organs are linked to different emotions. We hold onto fear in our kidneys and anger in our liver. By applying oils to these areas of the body it can help facilitate release.
 
Feeling stressed or anxious? Try adding a few drops of calming oils such as Lavender, Frankincense, Roman Chamomile, or Cedarwood to the palm of your hands, rub them together to activate, then cup hands over your nose and mouth and take three slow deep breaths. As you breathe deeply and inhale the oils they create a calming effect in the body.
 
Frankincense is distilled from tree resin and has been used for centuries in spiritual rituals and ceremony. It can be used during meditation to increase spiritual awareness, calm the mind, and promote emotional balance.
 
Roman Chamomile flowers were historically used by Roman soldiers to clear their minds before battles. It is relaxing and can help balance and release emotions, calm anger, and diffuse irritability.
 
One way I like to use my oils is through scent memory recall. In the morning I choose an essential oil and an affirmation or intention for the day. While inhaling the essential oils I repeat my affirmation or intention. I then apply the oil to my skin and as I smell the aroma throughout the day I am reminded of the intention I set. By inhaling lavender and repeating the positive affirmation “I am calm and relaxed” you can help reduce stress. If you need courage before a big presentation use Roman chamomile and repeat “I am fearless”.
 
Having a down day and need a little pink me up? Citrus oils such as Lemon and Bergamot are very uplifting and refreshing to the body, mind, and your mood. Feeling tired and need boost of energy? Skip that second cup of coffee and try diffusing or applying Lemon and Peppermint together. Peppermint is invigorating, purifying, and stimulating to the mind and can help you remain focused.
 
Palo Santo and Sage can be beneficial to help clear out negative energy in the body or in a physical space. You can add these oils to a diffuser to clear a space, make a room clearing spray, or apply them to your body. I find Palo Santo to be very grounding when applied to the bottoms of my feet. Fun fact, it takes two years after a Palo Santo tree has been cut for the oil to be pulled into the heartwood (dense central wood of trunk) and can be extracted and distilled. Palo Santo has been used in rituals for purification and cleansing and can help with spiritual awareness and emotional balance.
 
As you can see there is so much more to essential oils than just aromas and this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. To learn more please visit my website www.naturallyyl.com or email me at michelle@naturallyyl.com.. Or get started today with essential oils by clicking here

 
Since 2013 Michelle has been a natural living advocate and essential oil educator, helping others on their journey to a toxin free lifestyle with Young Living Essential Oils. She is a creative soul that crafts home remedies and natural products using essential oils, loves cooking from scratch and creating art from elements found in nature.

Cozy Home Room Spray

Cozy Home Room Spray
With fall comes the spicy scents of cinnamon and clove, fresh baked goods and fallen leaves. Keep your home smelling like fall without the toxic chemicals in perfumed room sprays. This beautiful spray adds a look and natural scent of the season to any home.

Supplies:

Recipe:
  1. Add a few small pieces of cinnamon stick and dried cloves (you may want to rinse them first to clean away any spice dust to keep the water in your spray clear).
  2. Add Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Orange and Cedarwood essential oils to the bottle. 
  3. Add 1 oz. witch hazel or vodka and 1 oz distilled water. Replace spray top and shake to mix.
  4. Add fun decorative embellishments such as Kraft paper tags and twine. Check your local $ store for cute fall embellishments  like the little wooden pumpkin and fall berries. 
  5. Spray the air for a fresh spicy scent. Perfect spray for your powder room. 
This spray makes a perfect hostess gift for your next gathering. For other fall DIY ideas check out these blog posts. 

Want to learn more about staying healthy Naturally this fall? 
Click here for some recipes and tips from me :) 

Pumpkin Spice Coffee Flavor

Pumpkin Spice Coffee Flavor
It's September and the official start to fall and everything pumpkin spice!!! Want that delicious pumpkin spice flavor without the extra calories, sugar, artificial flavoring and $5 a cup price tag? By adding essential oils to your coffee grounds before you brew you can get that delicious flavor right at home! 








Ingredients
Recipe
  1. Find and old empty 5 ml essential oil bottle that is the same as one of the oils in the recipe. (I used an old cinnamon bark bottle). No need to wash it out since you are using one that is in the recipe.  If you do not have one you could use a glass dropper bottle too.
  2. Remove old label. If there is still sticky residue on the bottle, a drop or two of Lemon oil on a paper towel will take that sticky right off.
  3. Pop off the plastic orifice reducer and add drops of essential oil to bottle. Replace orifice reducer and cap then shake well to combine.
  4. For a single cup of coffee you can add anywhere from 2-4 drops into the coffee grounds before you brew your coffee. You don't want to add the oil directly into your cup of coffee because they will sit on the top and you will drink it all in your first sip :) I have a stainless steel reusable K-cup that I fill with my coffee and it works great. 
  5. For a full pot of coffee you will need to play around with how many drops depending on how strong you want the flavor but start with 1-2 drops per cup. 
  6. I like to finish mine off with a little almond milk and a little bit of raw local honey (great immune boosting enzymes and much better than refined cane sugar) or coconut sugar (again better than cane sugar and easier fro your body to process). 
  7. Sip and enjoy! Play around with you can tailor this recipe to your own tastes. Other oils to try are Orange Vitlaity, Thieves Vitality, Cardamom Vitality or simple use a drop of Clove or Cinnamon Bark Vitality too! 

A little bit more about the oils in this blend

Cinnamon Bark vitality essential oil is amazing at supporting your immune system. It is one of the essential oils in the Thieves blend along with clove, rosemary, lemon and eucalyptus. Historically cinnamon is considered the most ancient of spices and was included in just about every prescription issued in ancient China. Cinnamon itself has antibacterial properties to it as well.

Clove vitality essential oil supports the cardiovascular, immune, digestive and respiratory systems.
Historically cloves have been used for skin infection, digestive upsets, intestinal parasites and toothaches. Historically the Chinese use cloves for diarrhea, bad breath and bronchitis. It's aromatic influence can be healing, mentally stimulating, and crate a feeling of protection and courage.

Nutmeg Vitality essential oil has a sweet and distinctly spicy taste and is particularly good for enhancing the flavor of winter produce such as acorn squash, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin. Historically nutmeg has been used for digestive problems and to support the kidneys and adrenal glands. 

Ginger Vitality essential oil is great for supporting the digestive and nervous systems. Its aromatic influence have been used to influence physical energy and courage. Historically Ginger root has been used for the digestive system. It was used in Egyptian cuisine to ward off epidemics, in Roman wine as an aphrodisiac, in Indian tea to soothe upset stomachs and Chinese tonics to strengthen the heart and relieve head congestion.

Want to learn more about staying healthy Naturally this fall? 
Click here for some recipes and tips from me :) 

 
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