AromaPen and FREE Mental Essential Oil Recipe.

Shalom & Blessings Essential Oil-ers!

The AromaPen, an AWESOME way to take notes while enjoying the benefits of Young Living Essential Oils.

Regular Prices is $29.95. For the month of August, they are on sale for $26.96 ($21.56 if you order 6 or more).

http://www.abundanthealth4u.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=9306&Click=66087

At check out, use promo code SAVE5 for an additional 5% savings! :D

These pens are PERFECT for school, college, test taking, the office, and more.

Each pen comes with 7 diffusing fibers (1 inside the pen and a box of 6 refills).

To use: unscrew the top, add your choice of essential oil(s), screw the top back on and enjoy! :)

My Recommended Young Living Essential Oils for AromaPen

Mental sharpness, clarity, test talking, concentration, or alertness:

• Lemon
• Peppermint
• Clarity
• Brain Power

Stress, relaxation, worry, anxiety, overwhelmed, or overloaded feeling:

• Stress Away
• Peace & Calming
• Lavender
• Tangerine
• Joy

Make your own mental sharpness blend!

Tip: Save empty essential oil bottles; they are perfect for making your own essential oil blends (don't forget to label them!), saves you money (why buy new empty bottles when you can clean and use your used bottles for free), and makes fun gifts or samples for friends.

In a clean glass essential oil bottle, add equal amounts of 

• Cedarwood essential oil, 
• Lemon essential oil, and 
• Peppermint essential oil

Put oil reducer and cap back on bottle. Gently roll essential oil blend (in bottle) in your hands to mix the oil blend together. Add label and use as needed.

I LOVE diffusing the blend throughout the house. Is a good blend to use while driving.

May you be completely blessed in HIM in all you do.

Love ♥, Shalom ✡, & Blessings ✞!

Adrianne Brown ~

Golden Milk Recipe

Sounds like a good way to use turmeric! 

Apparently, there are SO MANY reasons why turmeric is good for us! Praise Yah! :)

Turmeric Paste
1/2 water

1/4 cup turmeric

In pot, cook on medium for 7-9min

Add water as needed (past will resemble a thick mustard)

After cooled, put in air tight container (preferably glass). Will keep 14 days.

Take 1/2 to 1 tsp daily.

Golden Milk

1 tsp Turmeric paste

1-2 cups milk (of choice)

Sweetener to taste, if desired (stevia, maple syrup, honey, etc)

In pot, cook 5min on medium-low

Add 1/4 tsp coconut oil (or oil of choice), if desired.

For some awesome articles on turmeric, visit mercola.com. Dr. Mercola has some great info on brain health and the many other benefits of turmeric. I plan to start my turmeric regimen STAT! =D

Time to get GOLDEN!
Blessings!
Adrianne ~

Recipe: Young Living Holiday Wassail

Sharing a steaming cup of wassail with friends and family is a great way to celebrate the holiday season. This festive beverage can be made even better with the inclusion of the delicious flavors of Clove, Cinnamon Bark, and Tangerine essential oils! Try making this essential oil-infused recipe to set the mood for any holiday occasion.

Ingredients:

6 c. Apple Cider/Apple Juice

2 c. Pineapple Juice

5 drops Clove Essential Oil

5 drops Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil

5 drops Tangerine Essential Oil

Optional Ingredients:

(Try one or a mixture of any of the below)

4 Tbsp. Dried Wolfberries

1-2 Slique Tea Bags

2 oz. NingXia Red

2 drops Ginger Essential Oil

2 drops Nutmeg Essential Oil

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a 3-quart pot. Turn stove to medium/high and heat until hot. Serve and enjoy!

For added benefit, set the post to simmer to keep your home smelling festive throughout the day. You may need to add 1-2 drops of additional oils if the mixture stays on the burner for many hours—as you are essentially diffusing these ingredients into the air.

Our new Wintertime Wassail Collection, featured in this year’s holiday catalog, includes all the items you need to make Young Living Holiday Wassail, including 5-ml bottles of Cinnamon Bark, Clove, and Tangerine essential oils, a wassail recipe card, and a 16-ounce mug set in a gift box. View the collection in our holiday catalog here.

From the YL Product Blog: https://blog.youngliving.com/

Relax & Focus Spray Mist

Relax & Focus Spray Mist

This is a relaxing blend to promote clarity and focus.
In a four-ounce spray bottle almost fill it with distilled water.
Add
20 drops Grapefruit essential oil
15 drops Orange Essential oil
10 drops Spearmint Essential oil
Recipe from AromaThyme.com

Citrus Fresh-Lime Baked Chicken

The simple things in life are what make it worth living. Dinnertime is one of those simple things. It is a time to gather around a dinner table with loved ones to enjoy a delicious, home-cooked meal that was prepared with the sole purpose of pleasing those you care about. Add to that the element of 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils, and you have now enhanced dinnertime with nutrients the way Young Living and nature intended.

That being said, it is time to share another mouth-watering dinner suggestion: This month’s recipe comes from health coach and Young Living distributor­ Tara Rayburn.

Citrus Fresh-Lime Baked Chicken

Recipe modified from Essential Gluten-Free Recipes by Tara Rayburn and Mary Vars

Ingredients:

• organic, whole chicken, fried or roasted

• 1/2 cup coconut oil

• 1/2 whole garlic bulb, peeled and crushed

• 1 medium yellow onion

• 1 lemon, quartered

• 1/2 lime, quartered

Spices:

• 1 tsp. turmeric

• 3/4 tsp. cumin

• 1/4 tsp. sea salt

• 1 tsp. rosemary or a large bunch of fresh rosemary 

sprigs

• 1/8 tsp. black pepper or lemon pepper

Young Living Essential Oils:

• 3–5 drops Citrus Fresh™ essential oil blend

• 3–5 drops lime essential oil

Preparation:

• Heat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.

• Remove gizzards and goodies from the inside of the chicken. (Don’t laugh—it’s easy to forget!)

• Use glass baking pan and spread with coconut oil.

• Chop garlic and onion.

• Combine all spices in small glass cup, add essential oils, and mix with a toothpick.

• Quarter lemons and limes, squeeze over chicken.

• Stuff chopped garlic, onion, lemons, and limes into the chicken.

• Trickle overflow chopped items and add any optional vegetable(s) (potatoes or other favorites) around the chicken. Place extra fresh rosemary sprigs around the inside of the pan.

• Baste chicken 1–3 times while baking.

• Bake for approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Be sure to thank Tara for this fantastic recipe and share your thoughts below. Bon appetite!

 —Marco Colindres III, YL Product Marketing Manager

Young Living Product Blog.

Cooking with YL!

Young Living essential oils are perfect for cooking. While there are many recipes that include essential oils, why not use the best in the industry when cooking an all-natural, healthy meal that your family will love? So if you’re in a “What can I make for dinner?” dilemma, don’t you worry; here’s a recipe that is sure to bring the family to the dinner table.

Conchiglie with Chickpeas and Garlic-Rosemary Oil

Recipe by Jason Pilkington—Young Living Distributor

Ingredients 
• 1 medium onion, quartered
• 1 medium carrot, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 celery stalk, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 6 garlic cloves, 4 whole, 2 chopped
• ½ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ½ cup olive oil, divided
• Kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas, rinsed
• 1 pound Conchigile (small shells) or elbow macaroni
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
• 2 Drops YL rosemary oil
• 2 Drops YL black pepper oil
• 1 Drop YL basil oil

Preparation

• Pulse onion, carrot, celery, whole garlic cloves, parsley, and red pepper flakes in a food processor until finely chopped; transfer to a small bowl and set aside. Wipe out food processor bowl and set aside.

•  Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat; add reserved vegetable mixture, season with salt, and cook, stirring often until golden, 8-10 minutes. Stir tomato paste and 1 cup water together in a small bowl; add to pot. Cook, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until liquid has almost evaporated, 5-8 minutes.

• Add chickpeas and 2 cups water to pot and simmer for 15 minutes to let flavors meld. Transfer 1 cup chickpea mixture to food processor; purée until smooth; then stir back into sauce to thicken.

• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 1/2 cups pasta cooking liquid.

• Add rosemary, pepper, and basil oils. Add pasta and 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid to sauce and stir to coat. Increase heat to medium and continue stirring, adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until sauce coats pasta.

• Heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in a small sauce pan over medium-low heat; add chopped garlic and rosemary and cook until sizzling stops, about 1 minute. Divide pasta among bowls and drizzle with garlic-rosemary oil.

Please share your feedback and experience with this recipe below.

—Marco Colindres III, Product Marketing Manager

Blog URL: http://blog.youngliving.com/cooking-with-yl/#.UU7CSBzvusY

DIY Shaving Cream

The other day I was talking to some old acquaintances, who asked me what I do for a living. When I said that I work for Young Living Essential Oils, the questions started pouring in. The one question they asked that stuck in my mind was, “What exactly can you do with essential oils?” The obvious answers are to diffuse them, take some internally, and apply some topically. However, I started thinking that maybe it is better to have more specific uses for essential oils and everyday ways to experience their therapeutic benefits. Because of this, I would like to dedicate time to new ideas each month on the product blog.

Earlier this week I shared a recipe from one of our distributors that was sure to bring good health to your dinner table using essential oils.

Today I’d like to share something a little different. Here’s a simple alternative to store-bought shaving cream with a Young Living twist that will keep your skin smooth and hydrated.

Easy Homemade Shaving Cream

What You Need:

• 2 tablespoons V-6^™ Vegetable Oil Complex

• 2 teaspoons Copaiba Vanilla Conditioner or Lavender Mint Conditioner

• 2 drops cedarwood essential oil

• 2 drops lavender essential oil

• 1 drop lime essential oil

Preparation:

• Mix the cedarwood, lavender, and lime essential oils in a bowl.

• Add the V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex and stir.

• Add the conditioner of choice to the mixture and whip it until it is light and creamy.

• Gently apply to your face, legs, or other areas and begin shaving.

The beauty of this recipe is that you can substitute a wide array of oils for your own personal needs.

Enjoy—and please share your experience below.

Marco Colindres III—YL Product Marketing Manager

Blog URL: http://blog.youngliving.com/do-it-yourself-shaving-cream/#.UU7BExzvusY

Shake, Pour, Enjoy

“Which essential oils do you recommend adding to the new NingXia Red?” is a popular question I see on a regular basis. My answer, “It depends on your focus.” I know, Iknow, that is probably not the answer you are looking for. I want to walk you through some steps for customizing your NingXia Red.

Step 1
Determine your need. Everyone has their own special desires. My focus is twofold; first, I like to add additional flavors to appeal to my pallet. For this I generally stick to the citrus oils. Lime is my current favorite, but be warned a little goes a long way. Second, I am interested in adding tangeritin to my diet. Thus, I add quite a bit of tangerineessential oil to my juice. Our Customer Care Department (CCD) is a great resources for determining which oils you use.

Step 2
Because I don’t normally change my needs day to day, I like to customize my entire bottle of juice by adding the oils directly to the bottle. This simplifies my morning routine and makes sure I don’t miss out on the benefits.

Step 3
Shake, pour, and enjoy. You now have a quick and simple way to make sure you are getting your customized daily whole-body nutrient infusion.

Here are a few simple recipes for creating your own customized bottle of NingXia Red. As always please follow individual label cautions and usage guidelines.

Tangeritin Blast (adds a splash of tangeritin)
10 drops tangerine essential oil
3 drops lime essential oil

Immunity (perfect for supporting a healthy immune system)
2 drops Thieves essential oil blend (can easily overpower the flavor)
4 drops lemon essential oil
4 drops tangerine essential oil

Slique Shot (great addition to the Slique regimen)
7 drops Slique Essence essential oil blend
2 drops lime essential oil blend

Good Morning Shot (wakes you up in the morning)
5 drops cinnamon bark essential oil
4 drops peppermint essential oil
2 drops orange essential oil
2 drops tangerine essential oil
1 drop lime essential oil

Please share any additional recipes you may have and the reasons for adding the specific oils.

Ryan Seely—YL Product Marketing Manager

Blog URL: http://blog.youngliving.com/

Cleansing with Lemon

Using Young Living Every Day: Cleansing with Lemon

“[A combination of] vinegar, hot water, and lemon oil does a great job cleaning the floor and tile grout. Vinegar, water, and lemon in a spray bottle will clean and shine granite counter tops beautifully. Lemon oil and olive oil make a great stainless-steel polish!”

—Evangeline Joy Reed, YL Gold

Rose Essential Oil!

Rose (Rosa damascena) has a beautiful, strong floral and sweet fragrance that is intoxicating and highly romantic. It helps bring balance and harmony with stimulating and uplifting properties that create a sense of well-being and self-confidence. Used for skin care for thousands of years, it is perfect for dry or aging skin. Rose has an approximate ORAC of 1,604,284 (TE/L). TE/L is expressed as micromole Trolox equivalent per liter.


RECIPES:

Foot Oil
1 tsp. Sweet Almond Oil
2-3 drops Rose Essential Oil.
Massage into sole of the feet..


Massage Oil
2 drops Rose
5-10 ml Jojoba
After bathing, message oil on dry skin.

Facial Spritzers
1 Tbs Witch Hazel
3/4 Cup Distilled Water
5 Drops Rose Essential Oil
Add to a spray bottle and enjoy.

Bath Soak
1 drop of Rose
1 drop of Patchouli
2 drops of Clary Sage
2 Cups Epsom Salt
Add oils to Epsom salts, stir, then add to warm bath.

Study Blend.

Study Blend

4 drops Peppermint
4 drops Rosemary
8 drops Lemon

Use in any diffuser, terra cotta stone, araroma lamp.

Recipe From: AromatherapyDailyTip.
Photo From: http://citruslibraries.org/kids2/homework_help.html

Mood Stabilizer Blends

Here is a relaxing recipe I got from Daily Aromatherapy tips. It sounds so relaxing! I can't wait to try it! :) 







Mood Stabilizer Massage Oil 
MIX in clean glass bottle (big enough for adding 1 oz. carrier oil): 
3 drops each: Bergamot, Lavender, Rosewood 
2 drops each: Chamomile (Roman), Mandarin, Jasmine, Rosemary 
Cover and allow to rest for 24 hours before using. 

Mood Stabilizing Inhaler Tube 
Mix 6 drops each: Bergamot, Lavender, Rosewood 
4 drops each: Chamomile (Roman), Mandarin, Jasmine, Rosemary

Gluten Free Waffles.

I was watching a product video for a waffle maker on amazon a few minutes ago. Now, I want WAFFLES! lol Now that dad and I have been doing the "gluten free" thing for the last month; this seriously hurts my waffle makin' abilities...Or does it? :-D

I did a bit of net surfing and found these yummy sounding gluten free receipts! Mmm this girlie-girl is SO going to try a few of these! :-P

Fluffy Gluten Free Waffles
Ingredients:

• 1 cup 1/2 GF All Purpose Baking Flour
• 2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Stevia (or 1 Tb Sugar)
• 1 Tb Oil
• 3/4 cup Milk
• 4 Eggs, separated 
• 1 tsp Vanilla 

Directions:Mix the flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and sugar together. In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites and vanilla until it form stiff peaks or resemble whipping cream. Add the milk, egg yolks, and oil to the dry ingredients and blend together. With a rubber spatula, slowly fold in egg whites with the rest of the ingredients. The entire mix should be light and fluffy. Spray waffle iron and begin making waffles.
Recipe source.

Gluten Free Oat Waffles
Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups Oat Flour (if you have a food processor and some oats you can make your own flour - just put 2 cups of oats and let it go until it looks like flour!) 
• 1 Tbs Baking Powder
• Pinch Salt
• 2 Eggs 
• 1 cup Milk [or non dairy] 
• 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup 
• 2 tablespoons Coconut Oil [or other] 

Optional Topping (this makes enough topping for 1 waffle, increase as desired): 

• 1 teaspoon Butter 
• 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup 
• 1 Banana sliced 
• 1 pinch Cinnamon 

Directions: Whisk all the ingredients to combine Cook in your waffle maker of choice until golden and delicious Top and eat!!! Enjoy!!!

Directions: (topping): Heat a pan on med-high heat  Add the butter, banana, cinnamon and maple syrup  Sauté until hot (won’t take long) Pour over waffles, and devour!!
Recipe source.

Pumpkin Waffles
Ingredients:

• 1 cup Pumpkin 
• 1 ½ cups unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk
• 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup 
• 2 tablespoons Coconut Oil (melted) 
• 2 tablespoons Ground Flax Dry:
• 2 cups Oat Flour (gluten free) 
• 2 teaspoons Baking Powder 
• 2 teaspoons Cinnamon 
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated Nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon dried ground Ginger 
• ½ teaspoon Cloves 

Instructions: Preheat your waffle iron. Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry (it will be thick). Scoop the appropriate amount of batter into the waffle iron. Cook until crisp (they take a little longer then normal waffles, so be a little patient with them, they will get crispy!). Smother them in your toppings of choice, and enjoy!!!!!
Recipe source.

Gluten-Free Flax Waffles
Makes 10 waffles
Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (we like King Arthur brand) 
• 1 ½ cups fine yellow cornmeal 
• 1 tablespoon baking powder 
• ½ teaspoon baking soda 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 3 tablespoons sugar 
• 2 tablespoons flax seeds 
• 4 large eggs 
• 2 cups buttermilk 
• ½ stick unsalted butter, melted 
• cooking spray 
• maple syrup, for serving 

Instructions: Preheat a waffle iron. Whisk together baking mix, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, and flax. In a large bowl, using a mixer, beat eggs until fluffy and pale yellow, 5 minutes. Gently fold in flour mixture, buttermilk, and butter. Lightly coat waffle iron, with cooking spray. Ladle about 1/3 cup batter onto each section of the waffle grid. Close lid and bake, 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining waffles. Serve with maple syrup.
Recipe source.

Overnight Gluten Free Belgian Waffle Recipe
Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups milk or your favorite milk substitute 
• 1 package dry yeast granules 
• 1 teaspoon sugar 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) 
• 2 cups Gluten Free Pantry "Favorite Sandwich Bread Mix" OR your favorite all purpose gluten-free flour mix 
• 2 eggs, beaten 
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 
• 2 teaspoons GF vanilla extract 

Instructions: Warm milk and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat just until the butter melts. When milk and butter are lukewarm (105°), add dry yeast and sugar to the milk and let sit until the yeast is bubbly, about 5 minutes. Pour the liquid into a large container with a tight fitting lid. (I use a 1 gallon pitcher). Add the salt and GF flour mix and stir with a whisk until the batter is smooth. Cover tightly and keep at room temperature overnight (don't refrigerate). When you are ready to cook the waffles, preheat waffle griddle, stir in the beaten eggs, baking soda and vanilla. Pour about 1/2 cup of the batter on the griddle (or enough to cover the surface) and bake until golden. Store unused batter in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recipe source.

Gluten-Free Sorghum Waffles (and pancakes)
Ingredients:

• 1 cup sorghum flour or Ancient Grains Flour Blend 
• 1 cup King Arthur Gluten-Free Multi-Purpose Flour or brown rice flour blend* 
• 2 tablespoons whole flax meal
• 2 tablespoons sugar 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons melted butter or vegetable oil 
• 2 large eggs 
• 1 1/2 cups room-temperature buttermilk (about 70°F)

Instructions: In a large bowl whisk together the flours, flax meal, sugar, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter or oil, eggs, and buttermilk. Whisk the buttermilk/egg mixture into the dry ingredients until well combined; a few lumps are fine. Let the batter sit for about 15 minutes to thicken slightly while heating your waffle iron or griddle. Rub a small amount of vegetable oil on the waffle iron or griddle, or spray with non-stick baking spray. To keep the cakes gluten free, be sure the spray doesn't contain flour Bake waffles as directed on your waffle maker. To make pancakes, scoop the batter onto the hot surface to the desired size, about 4" to 5"; a ¼-cup muffin scoop works well here. Allow the pancakes to cook for 2 to 3 minutes on the first side. Watch for bubbles on the surface of the pancake; when bubbles start to rise to the surface at the center of the pancake, flip it over. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, or until nicely browned. 

Serve waffles or pancakes with butter and maple syrup. 

Yield: 6 to 8 waffles, or 14 to 15 pancakes.

Recipe source.

Have any recipes for gluten free waffles? Post them blow. Would love to try them! :)

Essential Oil Tip: Black Pepper.

Today's Tip [from Aroma Thyme]


Black Pepper is another essential oil to have on hand during cold and flu season. Used in an inhalation blend it is an effective expectorant.
Jeanne Rose gives this recipe for the lungs.

1 oz. Eucalyptus [Eucalyptus Blue]
1/2 oz. Basil
1/4 oz. each of Fennel, Black Pepper and Birch. [Young Lining does not sale a birch EO, I would go with Cypress, Melaleuca (Alternifolia), or Myrtle for their respiratory properties.]

Blend together and keep on hand to use in your diffuser.  

DIY Shampoo & Conditioner Recipes!

I have been doing a lot of thinking regarding shampoos and conditioner. I really hate buying shampoos and conditioners at the store that I know for a fact are BAD! So may chemicals etc.
And then I think about this [photo]. 26 seconds? OMGosh! That'snot only MAD, but that is SCARY MAD!

I've tried a few organic shampoos and conditioners that I've liked, but after a while, some leave my hair feeling greasy and blaw. (NOT ALL!)

Then ya think about how much $$$ these (both organic and non) shampoos and conditioner cost.

So, what I have been wondering: is there any good D.I.Y (do it yourself/homemade) shampoo and conditioner recipes out there? if yes, how do they work? Are they really cheaper that the stuff that you boy at the store? Etc.

I have not tried ANY recipes yet, but I am excited to try some and am looking forward to experimenting with them. Mwahahaha! lol
Here is a collection of recipes that I found on the net. Just remember, when making these recipes with essential oils, PLEASE be sure to use 100% unadulterated pure essential oils! I (obvious) would recommend therapeutic quality essential oils from Young Living. They are unadulterated  pure, and actually smell like what they are supposed to. If your arr interested in Young Living Essential Oils, please view my Young Living website here.

Now, to the recipe lab! 

SHAMPOO RECIPES!

Comments in [ ]

Citrus Shampoo
3/4 cup Filtered Water
3/4 cup Citrus Liquid Castile Soap [would buy unscented to be sure the oils are non toxic]
1 1/2 Teaspoons Apricot Kernel Oil
8-12 Drops citrus essential oil [YL citrus fresh, orange, lemon, tangerine, lime etc]

Mix together all the ingredients in the bottle and shake thoroughly. Just give it a shake before you use.
Original recipe found here.

HOMEMADE SHAMPOO
1 cup hot water
1 Tbs baking soda
[Add 3 drops of your fave YL EO. Rosemary EO is good for hair]

“In a ketchup squirt bottle (the cheap ones you can get at the dollar store), add 1 Tbsp baking soda, then 1 cup of hot water. Put the lid on, cover the tip with your finger, and shake it up well. (Should last a few days) To shampoo hair: Wet hair in the shower. Start in sections, and squirt the “shampoo” onto hair, and massage into scalp and hair. Keep working in sections until hair is “shampoo-ed”. Rinse as normal.
Original recipe found here.
I found the same recipe here too.

Semi-Homemade Coconut Milk Shampoo
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/3 cup organic baby shampoo/wash
1 tsp vitamin E, olive or almond oil
10 to 20 drops of your choice of essential oils

Add 1/4 cup coconut milk and 1/3 cup baby shampoo to bottle of choice. dd 1 teaspoon of olive oil, vitamin E oil or almond oil. Add 10 to 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Shake bottle to combine ingredients. Go jump in the shower and try it out!
Original recipe found here.

All Natural Shampoo Recipe
½ cup distilled water
¼ cup liquid castile soap (I like Dr. Bronner’s unscented baby mild… I can use it on my baby, too!*)
2 tsp avocado oil
1/8 tsp peppermint essential oil
1/8 tsp tea tree essential oil
1 tsp vegetable glycerin (optional, gives the shampoo a little more “body”)
10 – 15 drops of essential oils* (optional, but makes it smell goooood!)

Put the above ingredients in a bottle (you could even reuse an old shampoo bottle). Shake well before each use. Pour a little over your head. Lather good. Gently massage in the scalp for a minute or two. Rinse completely.
Original recipe found here.

Customizable DIY Herbal Shampoo
2 ounces Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Baby Mild Pure Castile Soap
4 to 5 ounces of water, infused with herbs
1/4 teaspoon carrier oil – more for dry hair, less for oily (options below)
20 to 40 drops essential oil (suggestions below)

Add the castile soap, carrier oil and essential oils to the water. Gently stir until mixed. Try to avoid whipping up any bubbles, as much as possible. Pour into an easy to dispense container. You can recycle an old shampoo bottle for this. This should stay fresh for about four to six weeks or so, depending on the types of essential oils you use. Refrigeration will increase the shelf life, but is not necessary. Shake or swirl gently before each use. If at all possible, follow with either a rinse or spritzing of vinegar and water
Original recipe found here

Rosemary Calendula Shampoo: 
2 ounces Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Baby Mild Pure Castile Soap
4 ounces water infused with: rosemary, plantain, calendula flowers and rose petals
1/4 teaspoon tamanu oil
10 drops tea tree oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil
15 to 20 drops lavender essential oil

This is the recipe that works best for my hubby. You can use dried or fresh herbs.

Add the castile soap, carrier oil and essential oils to the water. Gently stir until mixed. Try to avoid whipping up any bubbles, as much as possible. Pour into an easy to dispense container. You can recycle an old shampoo bottle for this. This should stay fresh for about four to six weeks or so, depending on the types of essential oils you use. Refrigeration will increase the shelf life, but is not necessary. Shake or swirl gently before each use. If at all possible, follow with either a rinse or spritzing of vinegar and water
Original recipe found here

Homemade Shampoo
1 cup pure liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronners)
1 cup green tea (brewed for 30 minutes)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon honey

 Use as is, or depending upon your hair type, add an herbal infusion to replace the green tea in the above recipe. Use a handful of fresh herbs or a spoonful of dried herbs and a cup of boiling water to prepare the infusion, steeping for 30 minutes.

Here are some suggestions for different hair types (and predicaments):
for dark hair: sage leaves
for greasy hair: yarrow
for fair hair: marigold flowers
for dandruff: a mixture of nettle leaves and burdock roots
Original recipe found here.

CONDITIONER RECIPES!

Comments in [ ]

HOMEMADE CONDITIONER
1 cup hot water
1 Tbs apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
[Add 3 drops of your fave YL EO. Rosemary EO is good for hair]

To condition hair: In the mustard squirt bottle (that came with the ketchup bottle!), mix 1 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice) with 1 cup of hot water. After hair has been shampoo-ed and rinsed, condition ends of hair with the vinegar/water mixture, and massage into tips. Rinse as normal.
Original recipe found here.
I found the same recipe here too.

Persimmon and Rosemary
1 ripe persimmon
1 sprig rosemary
1/4 cup almond oil
1/2 cup honey
Peppermint essential oil

This recipe is super easy to make. You’ll need a ripe persimmon and a sprig of rosemary to start. Chop up the persimmon and pulse it in the food processor to make it even finer. Add the sprig of rosemary, along with 1/4 cup almond oil, 1/2 cup honey and a few drops of peppermint oil (you can use a different oil, but the peppermint really complements the rosemary). Continue to blend in the processor until it’s a smooth and creamy mixture, and then transfer to a plastic container with a lid. It’s that easy!
Original recipe found here.

Tropical Island Hair Conditioner
1 avocado
Organic coconut milk

Directions Peel and pit avocado. Mash avocado and slowly add coconut milk until smooth and the consistency of hair conditioner. Work through hair to ends. Rinse after 15 minutes and shampoo.
Original recipe found here.

Homemade Deep Conditioners for Natural Hair
1 large overripe banana (sliced) OR 7 oz banana baby food
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp pure vegetable glycerin
2 tbsp pure honey Instructions:

Place the sliced banana, extra virgin olive oil, glycerin, and honey all in a blender. Blend the ingredients thoroughly making sure no lumps or banana bits remain. (Depending on your blender quality, you may or may not have to then sieve the mixture. Another option is to use banana baby food, though the conditioner may not be as effective.) Apply to hair and let sit for 30-45 minutes under a shower cap. Detangle, rinse thoroughly, and style as usual.
Original recipe found here.

Homemade Conditioner
2.5 cups of hot water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 sprig of rosemary
1 bag of your favorite herbal tea, for fragrance

To make your vinegar rinse, place the water in a container of your choice (old conditioner bottle). Then, add the rest of the ingredients. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes. Use about 3/4 of a cup of the rinse each time you condition, shaking up the bottle prior.
Original recipe found here.


Enjoy playing around and mixing up these fun concoctions! I know I CAN'T WAIT!

Coconut Milk Recipe.

Just saw this recipe on how to make your own coconut milk! I SO have to try this! :)

Me personally, I would buy the unsweetened shredded coconut. it tastes MUCH better than sweetened kind AND you can control the amount of sugar that goes into your milk; if you want it sweetened, that is. lol :-D

Homemade Coconut Milk

1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 cup HOT water

1/2 cup shredded coconut Into the blender (or food processor) with 1 cup HOT water. PULSE approximately 20 times. (Don’t run continuously.) Strain “milk” through a fine sieve or some sort of cloth. Push down on the coconut to make sure you get all the liquid out. Put coconut back in the blender with another cup of HOT water and repeat 3 more times. You will end up with approximately 4 cups of lovely coconut milk!
Original recipe and photo found here.

RAW Taco Bell Pepper

I found this RAW food recipe last week when I typed up the wrong URL addresses. lol This recipe looks SO good that I have to post it! Funny thing, I "think" I know to whom the unknown recipe poster is. ;)

RAW Taco Bell Pepper

Taco “Meat” Filling:
Soak 2 C walnuts for 4 hrs. Blot Dry
Combine with:
1 T cumin
1 T coriander
1 T nama shoyu (soya sauce)
1/4 C cilantro
1/2 C fresh corn (may omit)
Process in Food Processor on pulse until “meat” like

Sour Cream:
Soak 2 C cashews 4 hrs
1 C water
1/2 C olive oil
3 T lemon juice
1 1/2 t salt
Blend in blender. Best when served cold.
Lets look briefly here at a few of the health benefits associated with this recipe.

Walnuts: Very rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids and therefore are GREAT for your brain and helping your body fight free-radicals (100 g of walnuts contain 13541 µmol TE (Trolex equivalents) of oxidant radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). )They also very are rich source of minerals like manganese, copper, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. These nuts are packed with many important B-complex groups.

Coriander: Helps cure ulcers, inflammation, spasm and acts as an expectorant, protects and soothes liver. It is good in iron, rich in anti microbial, anti oxidant, anti infectious and detoxifying components and acids. Coriander has lots of anti oxidants, vitamin-A, vitamin-C and minerals like phosphorus. It also helps proper secretion from the endocrine glands.

Cumin: Triggers insulin release from the pancreas. Reduces oxidative stress on the kidneys. Cumin strengthens the liver. It is a stimulant as well as a relaxant at the same time. Studies show that a proper intake of vitamins (particularly B-complex) and good digestion help induce a sound sleep. Cumin helps both of these. Some of the components of the essential oil are hypnotic in nature and have tranquilizing effects. It is rich in iron and thus very good for lactating mothers as well as women who are undergoing menses or who are pregnant, since they are more in need of iron than others. Moreover, cumin is said to help ease and increase secretion of milk in lactating women due to presence of Thymol, which tends to increase secretions from glands, including milk which is a secretion from mammary glands.

Cilantro: The herb is a good source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Cilantro is one of the richest herbal sources for vitamin K. Vitamin-K has a potential role in bone mass building by promoting osteotrophic activity in the bones. It also has established role in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in their brain. It is also an excellent heavy metal detoxifier.

Recipe found at I Choose Abundant Health.

Thieves Horchata

Have you tried this tasty Mexican rice drink called horchata? If you haven't, you should! Horchata is made from rice; giving it it's milky look and consistency, cinnamon,  and sometimes vanilla. Mmm so good! 

The first time I tried horchata was when Mark and I were driving back to my house from Oklahoma. We had had our first Thanksgiving with his grandmother (on his father's side). We were 30 miles from my house when we decided to get dinner for my parents and ourselves. We stopped at a Mexican restaurant in Blanco, Texas. As a last minute decision  I decided to try this yummy looking drink. After all, Mark was telling me about it. 

=COMICAL NOTE= How is it that a man from Houston knew about horchata before me, a woman from San Antonio? Really? What is up with that!? 

ANYwho! I was an INSTANT fan! We both enjoyed it so much that we got refills. lol 

Here is a recipe I got from a Young Living book that uses their Thieves essential oil instead of cinnamon sticks. It's not bad. 

When I stayed at the Scoggins' a month ago, Lisa and I emulsified a batch that I had made. It was...ok. Lisa put a drop or two of YL Cinnamon essential oil and some honey into the final mix. It turned our REAL good! 

So, for all you who like try something new and like a healthier alternative to boot, you'll have to try this fun recipe!

THIEVES HORCHATA

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Long Grain Rice (rinsed)

2 Quarts Water

1-2 Drops Thieves Essential Oil

1 Tsp. Vanilla (optional)

¼ Cup Blue Agave

DIRECTIONS

In a large saucepan, combine rice, water, and Thieves. Set aside for 3 hours. After 3 hours, bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Allow to cool. Puree rice mixture in a blender until smooth. Strain through cheesecloth or a sieve. Flavor with vanilla and agave to taste. Chill and serve over ice. For more flavor, try adding a drop of Cinnamon and/or Nutmeg Essential Oil to the mix.