Cooking With Essential Oils

Substitute an oil for an herb to increase the health benefits and increase the flavor of any dish.

From vinaigrette, seasoning salts, olive oil blends, sauces, salads, salsa to juices, smoothies, water and desserts.  Cooking with and adding essential oils to your favorite recipes is a great way to incorporate their healthful benefits throughout the day. 

There are many variables with dealing with essential oils for cooking. If you have ever used fresh herbs instead of dried, you know the flavor and the quantity used is different. This also applies to essential oils. The oils are very concentrated in flavor and aroma.

Essential oils can add a very subtle or very strong taste to your cooked dishes, depending on how much you use. We like to enjoy and identify as many flavors in our foods as possible, so use caution and know that less is best. Start with a tiny amount, then add more as you need it.  If you get too much, the flavor will dominate and can spoil your dish.

One good way to ensure that you don’t accidentally add too much is to drip onto a utensil first then use from that what you need for the dish. For example, to get 1/2 drop, drop it onto a spoon, then use the tip of a knife to take off the spoon what you need for the recipe. Add slowly and test often.

You can also use the toothpick method:
1 toothpick dip = dip a toothpick into the essential oil and dip it once into the recipe
1 toothpick swirl = dip a toothpick into the essential oil and swirl it around in the recipe
Be sure to use a fresh toothpick with each use so as not to contaminate your essential oil bottles.

Hot, savory, or spicy herbs are particularly hard to judge (for example, basil oil maybe much more subtle in flavor than oregano), so the general rule should be: if it isn’t citrus oil, use a toothpick until you test it or have a guaranteed recipe. It’s always best to mix your essential oils with an olive or other oil or liquid when cooking to more evenly disperse the flavor in your dish.

Baking typically requires more oil flavoring than cooking does. For example, where you might use 2 or 3 toothpick swirls of oregano in spaghetti sauce, you might use 2 or 3 drops when making an artisan bread.

SUBSTITUTING OILS FOR HERBS

Substitute an oil for an herb to increase the health benefits and increase the flavor of any dish.

• 1 drop Ginger essential oil = 3/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1 drop Lavender essential oil = 1-2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender
• 1 tsp EVOO/Basil essential oil blend = 1 tsp dried basil leaves
• 1 tsp EVOO/Marjoram essential oil blend = 1 tsp marjoram spice
• 1 tsp EVOO/Oregano essential oil blend = 1 tsp oregano spice
• 1 tsp EVOO/Rosemary essential oil blend = 1/2 tsp rosemary spice
• 1 tsp EVOO/Thyme essential oil blend = 1/2 tsp thyme spice
• 1 drop Cassia essential oil = 1/2 tsp ground cassia
• 1 drop Cinnamon essential oil = 1-2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 drop Clove essential oil = 1/2 tsp ground clove spice
• 1 drop Coriander essential oil = 1/2 tsp ground coriander spice
• 1 drop Geranium essential oil = 1 tsp dried nutmeg geranium leaves
• 1 drop Peppermint essential oil = 1/8 tsp dried peppermint leaves

EVOO =  Extra Virgin Olive Oil

SUBSTITUTING OILS FOR CITRUS

• 1 drop Bergamot essential oil =1 tsp bergamot zest
• 1 drop Grapefruit essential oil = 1 tsp grapefruit zest
• 1 drop Lemon essential oil = 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 drop Lemongrass essential oil = 2-3 teaspoon fresh lemongrass
• 1 drop Lime essential oil = 1 tsp lime zest
• 1 drop Tangerine essential oil = 1 tsp tangerine zest
• 1 drop Wild Orange essential oil = 1 tsp orange zest

Other oils used in cooking are Black pepper, Cilantro, Fennel and Cardamom.

TIPS TO CONSIDER:

Always use certified pure grade essential oils when using for cooking or internal purposes.
• Always use glass, ceramic, or metal bowls and spoons. Avoid plastic utensils and storage containers.
• Make a yummy fruit dip as a side or topping by mixing 1 cup vanilla yogurt with ½ cup mashed berries and 1-2 drops lime essential oil.
• You can add essential oils to your favorite breakfast drink or tea.
• Essential oils absorb well into meats and make great marinades
• When making vinegar dressings, pair ingredients. Balsamic or red wine vinegar (dark vinegars) pairs with raspberry or strawberry salads, beef, and lamb. White wine vinegar, rice, or champagne vinegars (light vinegars) go well with chicken, fish, pears, chunks of grapefruit, mango or orange.
• Candied nuts and feta cheese go well with both dressings.

Whether you are a new to oils, already love oils and want to purchase from the #1 company in the industry, or want to build your own Essential Oils business, I’m here to meet you where you are at. I would love to hear in the comments where you are in your oil journey! We can experience this journey together and I’ll be there every step of the way!

Visit www.yourvibrantessence.com to receive your 3 free essential oil samples.

Nurse Mom turned Oil Mom- April

april@yourvibrantessence.com

3 Methods of Using Essential Oils

There are three methods of using essential oils.

Remember, when I talk about essential oils and their application methods, I am ALWAYS referring to pure therapeutic grade essential oils.
Essential oils should not be used in the eyes, inside the ear canal or in your nose.

Topical

Topical application is the process of placing the essential oil on the skin, mouth, hair, nails or teeth. When you apply the essential oil directly to your body without any kind of dilution, that is referred to as applying the oil “neat”. Since essential oils are potent, and because essential oils may irritate the skin, they are often diluted with a “carrier oil” such as fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, almond oil, etc.
Here are a few different ways that you can apply essential oils topically to your body:
1. Direct Application – because essential oils are so potent, more is not always better. To achieve your desired results, 1-3 drops of oil is usually enough. Quick-absorbing areas on your body are the feet, wrists and behind the ears. When applying oils to infants and kids, use 1-3 drops of an essential oil to 1 Tablespoon of a carrier oil.
2. Massage – this technique is done by using stimulation of the skin, muscles and connective tissues to promote healing and balance. Use only a light to medium massage stroke unless you are a certified massage therapist. To create a simple massage oil, combine 2-10 drops of your desired essential oil and blend with a Tablespoon of a carrier oil.
3. Reflexology – this method is used when applying oils to specific contact points (or nerve endings) on the feet and hands.
4. Baths – this is one of my favorite ways to get the benefits of a specific essential oil into my system. Mix essential oil with epsom salt before placing in water.

Aromatic

Aromatic application involves inhaling the oil directly from the bottle or diffusing it into the air with a diffuser. Inhalation of the oil can be a very quick and effective way to bring the positive effects of the oil into your system.
1. Diffusion – This is the easiest way to put a fine mist of the oil into the air for inhalation. The oils will remain suspended for several hours to freshen the air. CAUTION: diffusers or warmers that use an intense heat source may alter the chemical makeup of the oil and is typically not recommended.
2 . Direct Inhalation – This is the simplest way to inhale the aroma of the essential oil. Simply hold the opened vial close to your face and inhale. You can also place 1-2 drops of oil on your hands, cup your hands over your mouth and nose, and inhale.

Internal

Internal use is the process of consuming the essential oil into the body. Only pure, therapeutic grade essential oils should be used for internal consumption. With the oils I use, you can be confident that you are using the purest of essential oils. There are a few oils that can not be taken internally, Cypress, Helichrysum, Birch, White Fir and Wintergreen.
1. Sublingual – this is one of the most effective ways to take an essential oil internally.  You simply place a drop or two of an oil under your tongue.
2. Vegetable (Veggie) Capsules – this is a very common way of taking essential oils internally. Place 1-10 drops of an oil inside an empty capsule, close the capsule and then swallow it. This is a great way to take oils internally that have a less desirable taste.
3. Cooking – this is an easy and fun way to take your oils internally. Add a drop or two to some tea, milk, smoothies or water and drink! Alternately, you can add oils to your recipes to spice them up and add some therapeutic benefits to them. As you can see, there are many options and ways that essential oils can be applied! If you are ready to get started using essential oils, let me help you!

Whether you are a new to oils, already love oils and want to purchase from the #1 company in the industry, or want to build your own Essential Oils business, I’m here to meet you where you are at. I would love to hear in the comments where you are in your oil journey! We can experience this journey together and I’ll be there every step of the way!

Visit www.yourvibrantessence.com and fill out form and I’ll mail you 3 FREE samples of Certified, 100% Pure essential oils from a trusted company with the highest and strictest standards for quality and testing.

Nurse Mom turned Oil Mom

~April

april@yourvibrantessence.com

The Power of Smell: How Essential Oils Can Effect Our Mood

The sense of smell is our most complex of all the senses.

Our sense of smell has a powerful influence over our thoughts, emotions, moods, memories, and behaviors. A healthy human nose can distinguish over one trillion different aromas through hundreds of smell receptors.  Our sense of smell is far more complex than sight. We only have three types of photoreceptors used to recognize visual stimuli.

Our sense of smell is connected to our survival. It plays a major role in remembering what is and isn’t safe and what is pleasurable. Smell can trigger danger but it can also bring joy. People, environments, food: smelling them is part of everyday life. We also carry memories associated with smell, like your grandmothers perfume. When you walk by someone that is wearing the same perfume your grandmother wore, it stimulates the "smell memory" of your brain and creates an emotional response.

When we take in an aroma, they are received by olfactory receptors, which are part of the limbic system, the primitive part of the brain, which emotion lives. In the center of the brain is the the amygdala, which instantly receives the incoming scent information. By the time the information reaches our “thinking” and decision-making cortex and we actually figure out what we smelled, the scent has already triggered emotional and body chemistry responses.

"What if I don't have a sense of smell?"

The molecules from the aroma connect with our olfactory bulb, which connects them to neurotransmitters in our brain and then they create a chemical response within our body, whether a hormone, stress response or one of balance. So no matter if you have no sense of smell, your brain is still processing these responses without you realizing it.
Essential oils can facilitate a rapid emotional response in the brain and the body to help process such a release. Essential oils are powerful biochemical agents for emotional balance, wellness, and toxic release, which can be used or partnered with any holistic or medical program to create a successful approach to mental and emotional wellness.

Essential Oils have powerful emotional benefits.

Essential oils can be diffused into the air, which help to support healthy olfactory responses. This can be done through the use of a diffuser or the same effect can be achieved by placing a drop or two of oil in your hands, rubbing them together and then taking long deep breaths while cupping your hands around your nose and mouth.
Combining popular blends of essential oils can be a fun way to enjoy their aromatic benefits.

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Bright Morning:  Lemon, Wild Orange, Peppermint, Bergamot.
• Afternoon Pick Me Up: Wild Orange, Peppermint, Invigorating Blend
• Stress Be-Gone: Grounding Blend, Lavender, Calming blend, Ylang Ylang
• Happy Home:  Joyful Blend and Frankincense.

Visit www.yourvibrantessence.com and fill out the form and I’ll mail you 3 FREE samples of Certified, 100% Pure essential oils from a trusted company with the highest and strictest standards for quality and testing.

Whether you are a new to oils, already love oils and want to purchase from the #1 company in the industry, or want to make Essential Oils your business, I’m here to meet you where you are at. I would love to hear in the comments where you are in your oil journey! We can experience this journey together and I’ll be there every step of the way!

Nurse Mom turned Oil Mom- April  april@yourvibrantessence.com

DIY Dryer Balls with Essential Oils

DIY Natural Alternative to Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets

Advertisers would have you believe that each dryer sheet or bottle of fabric softener you purchase will lead to such pleasant experiences like dancing through a field of flowers with a cuddly teddy bear, or falling joyfully backwards onto a soft pile of blankets. If only the dreamworld of advertising did not conflict with the sober realities of ordinary life. Sigh.

Consumers have been so conditioned to think only about the soft, cozy, smell-good side of softer laundry, that many don’t realize that those soft, good smelling commercial fabric softeners also contain toxic chemicals that can have a serious impact on their health.
Fabric softeners come in all different shapes and sizes, and have scents that range anywhere from “Mountain Breeze” to “Lavender.”

But you should be aware that lavender-scented fabric softener actually contains no lavender—only chemicals that have been blended to give you an impression that you are smelling the real deal.

In one study, scientists found that some commercial fabric softeners emit mixtures of chemicals that can cause sensory irritation (SI), pulmonary irritation (PI), and reduce midexpiratory airflow velocity in normal mice. These scientists believe that these results provide a toxicological basis to explain some of the issues and reactions humans have to fabric softener emissions.

Substituting these chemically driven fabric softeners for an all-natural, toxic-free alternative is much easier and affordable than you might think. Follow this step-by-step guide to make your own 100% natural wool dryer balls that can last for many years, and best of all, can easily be scented with essential oils to leave your fabrics soft and smelling fabulous!

What You Need:

100% Wool Yarn Or Other 100% Animal Yarn

Old pair of pantyhose

Directions:

1.Take the end of the yarn and wrap it around your middle and index finger 10 times. Remove it from the fingers and then wrap 2-3 times around the middle (it should look like a bow). This will be the start of your ball.

2. Keep tightly wrapping the yarn around the start, working toward making a round shape. Once your ball is roughly the size of a tennis ball, cut the yarn and tuck the ends into the sides of the ball. Repeat this process until you have created four or more balls of yarn.

3. Cut one leg off of the pantyhose. Place one ball into the bottom of the leg and tie a knot right above the ball with the pantyhose to secure it in place. Repeat until all the balls have been added and secured.

4. Once the balls are tightly secured in the pantyhose, put them in the washer (can be with a load of your dirty laundry) and wash on the hottest setting. This will allow the yarn to felt. Felting will make the yarn fuse together, resulting in a solid ball. Once it has been washed, dry it thoroughly in the dryer at the highest heat setting.

5. After the balls are completely dry, remove them from the pantyhose and they’re ready for use!

*Before drying your next load of laundry, add your favorite certified pure essential oil to 4-6 dryer balls, toss them in the dryer, and enjoy the soft, fluffy, wonderful-smelling fruits of your labor. Tip: 2-3 drops of essential oil per ball should last a few loads. Add more drops if you would like a stronger scent.

Other Laundry Tips:

*For an even extra burst of essential oils in your clothing, place a wash cloth with a few drops of essential oil into your dryer. It was come out smelling beautiful! No fake lavender smell here!
*Add a few drops of Lemon essential oil to your wash cycle to help remove grease and oil from fabrics.
*For extra soft clothing, add 1/2 cup vinegar (a natural fabric softener) to your washer with each load. Don’t worry, your clothes will not smell like vinegar once dry. Give it a try!

Visit www.yourvibrantessence.com and fill out the form and I’ll mail you 3 FREE samples of Certified, 100% Pure essential oils from a trusted company with the highest and strictest standards for quality and testing.

Whether you are a new to oils, already love oils and want to purchase from the #1 company in the industry, or want to make Essential Oils your business, I’m here to meet you where you are at. I would love to hear in the comments where you are in your oil journey! We can experience this journey together and I’ll be there every step of the way!

Nurse Mom turned Oil Mom- April    april@yourvibrantessence.com

Guidelines For Safe Essential Oil Use

Essential Oil are concentrated, potent plant extracts and should be used with care.

Essential oils are very effective and safe when used appropriately. It takes just a small amount to provide a powerful benefit!

Never apply oils directly to the eyes or ear canals.

After applying essential oils, avoid eye contact or touching sensitive areas. If essential oils enter the eyes, place a drop of carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil or olive oil, in the eye and blink until the oils clear. Never use water, as oils and water don't mix or help with dilution.

Some oils are "warm".

That means they can create a heat-like sensation on the skin, and should be diluted with a carrier oil when used topically. These oils can include, cassia, cinnamon, clove, oregano and thyme. Oils like eucalyptus, geranium, ginger, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint and wintergreen may also create that sensation but at a lesser degree.

With babies, children and those with sensitive skin or compromised health, it is particularly important to exercise caution or avoidance with these same oils, as they can be temporary irritant or overly potent to delicate skin. When using these oils internally, it is best to consume in a gelatin or veggie caps.

Some oils contain furocoumarins.

This is a constituent that can cause skin to be photosensitive. Photosensitive oils react to sources of UV rays. The higher the concentration of furocoumarins, the greater the sensitivity. Oils with these concentrated amounts of furocoumarins include any cold pressed citrus oils such as bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lime. Wild orange contains lesser amounts of furocoumarins than the other citrus oils. Internal use of these oils is typically not a problem. It is best to wait a minimum of twelve hours after topical application of photosensitive oils before exposing that area of skin to the UV rays.

Most essential oils are safe during pregnancy.

When applied topically and used reasonably, most essential oils can be used safely during pregnancy and nursing. Some individuals prefer to avoid internal use during pregnancy but that is personal preference. Several oils may be helpful during and after delivery like ginger, peppermint and lavender.  Internal use of peppermint essential oil should be avoided while nursing as it may reduce milk supply. Before using essential oils during pregnancy, consult a wellness advocate to ensure proper usage during this time.

Safety Tips

• Avoid eyes, ears and nose. If oils come in contact with these areas, it is not harmful but can be uncomfortable. If this occurs, dilute with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil, not water.
• After applying citrus oils topically, avoid sunlight to that applied area for 12hrs.
• Dilute oils for babies, children and people with sensitive skin with a carrier oil, like fractionated coconut oil.

Fill out the form at www.yourvibrantessence.com and I’ll mail you 3 FREE samples of Certified, 100% Pure essential oils from a trusted company with the highest and strictest standards for quality and testing.

Whether you are a new to oils, already love oils and want to purchase from the #1 company in the industry, or want to make Essential Oils your business, I’m here to meet you where you are at. I would love to hear in the comments where you are in your oil journey! We can experience this journey together and I’ll be there every step of the way!

Feel free to email me with questions: april@yourvibrantessence.com

Nurse Mom turned Oil Mom- April