Staying well in the Fall is fairly easy: hopefully we had a vacation one way or another, we bathed in sun and Nature, we have an abundance of fruits and vegetables in season, and we use essential oils in daily life. If you sense a ‘but’ following all that, there isn’t one. Inculpating others for why we cannot do this or that or enjoy what we would have wanted, becomes a feature of perpetual immaturity after certain age. It only engages us in gathering negative energy, which is not serving ourselves nor anyone around us.
Fructifying has a well rounded meaning: we can fructify processes (diet), projects (to bring profit), time (to be more productive) or life (if we apply mindfulness from time to time to actually… spend more time on purpose that has long term value). It seems like many people put their lives ‘on pause’ due to financial uncertainty and global unrests, but time is rushing on regardless. Lets take care of our wellbeing in any circumstances that we cannot control.
Honey cake
It’s a dairy-free loaf cake where honey really shines, with a super moist crumb and crisp caramelized edges. Delicious!
1 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda & salt each
1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 & 1/2 tbsp orange juice
1/3 cup brewed coffee (room temperature)
1/3 cup vegetable oil and 2/3 cup honey,
plus 1 tbsp honey for drizzling over the batter.
Mix dry ingredients, then add wet ones and whisk until just incorporated and smooth. Pour batter into pan. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tbsp honey.
Bake in a preheated to 350F oven in a 9×5 loaf pan lined with parchment paper, for 35-40 min, until tester stick comes out clean.
Let cool 10 to 15 minutes in the pan, then lift out and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Slice and serve. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea!
Bring pines home
Not in a physical sense! – let’s just stick with intense natural aroma of Pine essential oil.
First investigated by Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, pine is soothing for muscles and joints when used in massage. It shares many of the same properties as Eucalyptus Globulus, and the action of both oils is enhanced when they are blended. This oil is certified in Canada as a Natural Health Product to use topically or inhaled as follows:
- to act as a nervine and calmative which enhances relaxation.
- to help relieve joint or muscle pain associated with sprains, strains & rheumatoid arthritis.
- to reduce the symptoms of cold & cough.
Rosemary circulation booster
Rosemary is a popular Fall spice, and for a good reason: It helps to invigorate circulation, which many of us need when the cooler days start. Since the rosemary plant from the store does not last that long, it’s good to know that we have Rosemary+ edible-approved essential oil at a very affordable price of $10.50. Young Living’s Rosemary+ food flavouring has a unique herbaceous taste, making it perfect for many savoury dishes. You can replace dried rosemary with just a single drop of this delicious oil in your favourite recipes. You’ll get a brighter flavour than dried herbs without having to keep fresh herbs on hand.
Drops of Joy
This scent really brings joy. A little Rose, a little Bergamot, Coriander, Ylang Ylang, Lemon, Geranium, Jasmine… do I have to go on? First I heard about it, I was sold at “Rose”. It is a story of “one email that changed everything. In the heart of bustling Old Delhi, over 200 artisans work in family workshops to craft beautiful brass jewelry that goes back generations. However, with businesses moving online and middlemen underpaying them, the group began to lose hope of being able to continue. Seeing her parents struggle to promote their jewelry business, Sana set up an email account and began to send messages to artisan websites. One of her emails was sent to Matr Boomie, a group part of Young Living’s artisan network.
Since this connection, their entire artisan group has been revived. And because of the profits earned, Sana has become the first girl in her community to go to college!”
Pumpkin baked oats for warming breakfast
With so much more nutrition and yum factor than our basic bowl of oatmeal, this delicious, cake-like recipe brings dessert to mind while giving you the nutrients you need to kick-start your day. And… it uses Cinnamon bark essential oil to add intensity to the flavour. In fact, it is so intense, that instead of one drop, you just have to dip a toothpick and insert it in your mixture! Here’s what you need:
1 apple, sliced into thin, bite-sized pieces
1 ripe banana, 1 cup old-fashioned rolled or quick oats, 1 teaspoon baking powder, Pinch of salt, ¼ cup pumpkin puree, 2 eggs, ½ cup almond or other milk of choice, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, to taste, dipstick of Cinnamon Bark Plus, to taste.
For more details, full recipe here.
How to use essential oils in the kitchen
Examples of using Rosemary+ flavouring, the Non-GMO essential oil in the kitchen:
- Combine 1 drop of Rosemary+ to a cup of olive oil and brush it on meats before grilling.
- Replace dried rosemary with a drop of Rosemary+ and enjoy it on vegetables, in a stir fry or spaghetti sauce for an authentic Italian taste.
- Use it in salad dressings or vinaigrettes.
- Blend a drop of Rosemary+ into soft goat cheese.
- Create a restaurant-worthy bread dip that will impress your family and friends: Combine extra virgin olive oil, a few teaspoons of minced garlic, a little salt and a few drops of Rosemary Plus in a bowl. Add a generous splash of balsamic vinegar. Dip your favourite fresh Italian bread into it and enjoy.
Be sure to check out YL blog for more tips and recipes on cooking with essential oils.