Peppermint Essential Oil Cupcakes sure to make a bang this July 4th!

For me, the July 4th holiday mean family get togethers, cook outs, swimming, fishing, boating and fun in the sun! No matter where we go or which house we end up, there is usually an array of food to go around! It's always fun to see who can be the most creative with their baking skills and make up a patriotic dish! Here is one that is super yummy and will sure to please the sweet tooth!

INGREDIENTS:
Cup Cake:
• 1 1/2 cups sugar or cane sugar
• 2 1/3 cups plus 2 tablespoons, cake flour, not self-rising
• 2 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup whole milk
• 3 drops certified pure Peppermint Essential Oil (Lavender is another great option)
Frosting:
• 4 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softened
• 2 ounces butter
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 4-6 drops certified pure Wild Orange Essential Oil (Lemon is another great option)
• 4-5 cups powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS:
1  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 18 to 25 muffin tins with cupcakes liners.
2  Measure out sugar and set aside.
3  In a large mixing bowl, sift together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
4  In another mixing bowl, add olive oil, eggs, yogurt, vanilla, milk, Peppermint Essential Oil. Mix for 1 minute. Add sugar and blend until completely combined.
5  Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.
6  To make the frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and Wild Orange Essential Oil together in a large mixing bowl until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time on low speed until completely combined.
7  Increase the speed to high and mix until very fluffy and smooth. Frost cooled cupcakes.

8 Decorate as fancy as you wish and Enjoy!

Feel free to visit my Facebook Page www.facebook.com/yourvibrantessence for more ideas, tips and recipes.

Click Here for access to your Free "Essential Oils for Beginners" eBook!!

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!

Nurse Mom turned Oil Mom- April 

Guys and Essential Oils! 4 Recipes He Will Love!

These 4 simple recipes will have him asking for more! With just a few essential oils on hand, he can experience the powerful benefits, tastes and uses of essential oils. They can be used in almost every aspect of his daily routine! Here are 4 easy recipes to knock his socks off:)

Honey Lime Chicken Wings

Ingredients:

*zest of 2 limes

*1 lime, juice

*2-3 drops of certified pure lime essential oil

*1/4 cup honey

*4 cloves garlic, smashed and skins removed

*2 Tbsp soy sauce

*1/4 tsp tabasco sauce

*4 pounds (about 24) chicken wings, washed and patted dry

*coarse salt

Directions:

1. Combine lime zest, lime juice, lime essential oil, honey, garlic, soy sauce and tabasco sauce in a large bowl. Add chicken wings and toss to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate, stirring occasionally, for at least 3 hours and up to 8 hours.
2. Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Line 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil, then place racks on backing sheets. Remove wings from marinade and place on racks, reserving marinade. Brush wings with marinade and sprinkle with salt. Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Baste both sides with reserved marinade. Return to oven and roast until cooked through (20-25 minutes).

Easy Blender Salsa

Ingredients:

*1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes

*1/2 onion, diced

*1/4 bunch cilantro or 1-2 drops of certified pure cilantro essential oil

*4 oz fresh or canned green chilies

*1/2 jalapeno (optional)

*2-3 drops certified pure lime essential oil

Directions:

1. Put first 5 ingredients in blender and blend just long enough to chop the ingredients until salsa is chunky.
2. Add lime essential oil and salt and pepper to taste.

Hand Cleansing Gel

Ingredients:

*2 oz filtered water

*15 drops protective blend essential oil

*10 drops of lemon essential oil

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a glass spray bottle!

Grill Cleaner

Ingredients:

*1/4 cup baking soda

*2 Tbsp natural dish detergent (such as castile soap)

*5 drops lemon essential oil

*distilled white vinegar

Directions:

1. Combine the first three ingredients and mix.
2. Add vinegar until mixture has an olive oil consistency.
3. Brush mixture onto metal grill and let sit for 15-30 minutes.
4. Use a damp scouring pad or grill brush to scrub surface clean.
5. Rinse with water.

Check out my Face Book page www.facebook.com/yourvibrantessence for daily essential oil ideas, tips, diffuser blends and more!

Click Here for access to your Free "Essential Oils for Beginners" eBook!!

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!

Nurse Mom turned Oil Mom- April 

Weight Management with Essential Oils

Using essential oils for healthy weight management are one of your best choices to do it safe and effectively.
Let me be honest, you are not going to start using essential oils and lose 20, 30 or 50 pounds. But it could help your body in shedding a few pounds, plus support your body in important, healthy ways for weight management and overall body support!

Healthy Weight Management with These 5 Essential Oils

Cinnamon Oil
Cinnamon oil has been shown time and time again to help support proper blood glucose levels.
It helps support blood sugar, which long-term will help with weight management and help reduce those cravings for sugar. Unstable blood sugar can lead to overeating, low energy and weight gain, but adding cinnamon oil to fruit, tea, oats, baked goods or smoothies helps slow the rate at which glucose is released into the blood.

Ginger Oil
Ginger works because it also reduces sugar cravings and helps support proper inflammation in the body. Ginger is also very supporting of digestion and absorption of nutrients. If you’re absorbing more vitamins and minerals, then you’re helping to support your body’s cellular energy and have better weight management. Bonus- Fennel is also known to reduce those sugar cravings and promotes healthy metabolism!

Lemon & Grapefruit Oil
Lemon & grapefruit essential oil actually works with your body in activating enzymes that help your body break down body fat. We know that lemon and grapefruit can benefit weight management and that these essential oils actually comes from the peel, which is very high in certain compounds like D-limonene and helps support the metabolism as well as the cleansing and drainage of your lymphatic glands. Which means they provide a gentle cleansing effects in the body.
Add several drops to your water, diffuse it in your office or home, or massage some onto your chest and wrists when a craving strikes.

Metabolic Blend
A proprietary metabolic blend, combines powerful essential oils known to promote a healthy metabolism in a natural way.  The flavorful metabolic blend helps manage hunger throughout the day while boosting metabolism and promoting a positive mood. Metabolic blend contains Grapefruit, Lemon, Peppermint, Ginger, and Cinnamon. When taken with a healthy eating and exercise plan, Metabolic Blend can help you reach your weight management goals and happens to contain the top 4 essential oils.

How to Use These Essential Oils for Weight Management

You can put one single drop of each in water and drink it that way, or you can actually put it on topically or diffuse it.  Please be cautious when using internally! The only essential oils I use internally are from a trusted company with the highest purity and quality! (To learn more about this trusted company, just comment below and I'll be in touch!) When you’re putting it on topically, I recommend using a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil, especially when you’re using the cinnamon oil. Or one of my favorite ways is just diffusing it, such as on your desk at the office or around your home. It has a great scent. It will activate parts of your body that will actually support healthy weight.
Essential oils have been used for over five thousand years. They’re one of the most powerful forms of natural solutions in the world, but lemon, grapefruit, cinnamon, ginger, metabolic blend are probably the most effective essential oils for maintaining a healthy weight.

Check out my Face Book page www.facebook.com/yourvibrantessence for daily essential oil ideas, tips, diffuser blends and more!

Click Here for access to your Free "Essential Oils for Beginners" eBook!!

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!

Nurse Mom turned Oil Mom- April 

Bring on the Spring Cleaning with Essential Oils!

As the weather temperatures of spring keep getting warmer, it's time to de-clutter your life and give your home and mind a fresh start. Here are a few tips to help you tackle your spring cleaning:

Create a checklist and make it a family activity.

Create a detailed to-do list for cleaning each area of the house. Having a list will help you organize your mind as well as your tasks. Each checkmark will also provide a sense of accomplishment. Spring cleaning is not a one-person job. Getting your family involved in an annual spring cleaning event can be fun and a bonding experience. Make a list for each family member of the family based on their ability level and preference. I love this idea because the works gets done in less than half the time!

Focus on one area at a time and eliminate distractions.

You will be able to get more done, more effectively, by focusing on one room/area at a time. If you try to multi-task during cleaning, it can take you longer to get your work done. Start with the more difficult areas to clean, yes I said that!, such as bathroom or kitchen, and then move to easier areas. This allows you to save energy for the rest of the home and it feels awesome to tackle the worst first! Try to stay focused on each task, eliminating things that will slow down your productivity. Facebook, TV, and/or other unrelated activities can wait until after you're done.  I love using my focus blend essential oil while cleaning! It keeps me motivated and focused!

De-clutter and organize.

Don't be afraid to get rid of stuff. There are likely belongings built up over the years that no one uses anymore. Start "sell" and "donate" piles for items that are in good shape and a trash pile for those not worth keeping. You will be surprised how much better you'll feel with the new space. An organized home has been proven to reduce stress levels and creates a relaxing atmosphere. Establish an organizing system that will work for you. Look into bringing order to your closet, cabinets, kitchen items, toys, office space, bills and garbage.

Deep clean and use essential oils!

After you have removed clutter and organized, it is time to roll up your sleeves and give your home a thorough scrubbing. Start with tackling the more advanced cleaning job such as washing the inside of kitten cabinets, drawers, cleaning the carpet, ceiling fans, windows, oven, blinds and fridge. Once those are done, move to the daily or weekly tasks such as vacuuming, dusting, mopping, etc. Certain essential oils such as Lemon, protective blend that includes clove and wild orange, purification blend, grapefruit, and Thyme contain powerful cleansing and purifying properties that make effective and safe cleaning agents! These are great alternatives to your traditional cleaning methods and even safer for children!

Essential Soft Scrub Recipe

Ingredients:

3/4 rounded cup baking soda

1/4 cup liquid castile soap

1 tablespoon distilled water

8 drops Lemon essential oil

5 drops Lime essential oil

Directions:

1. In a glass bowl, combine baking soda and castile soap with a wire whisk.
2. Stir in water.
3. Add essential oil and whisk until smooth. Consistency should be of a soft paste.
4. Store in an airtight container out of the sun.

Stove Top Cleanser

Ingredients:

1/4 cup baking soda

1/4 cup table salt

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons water

4-5 drops of purification blend essential oil

Directions:

1. Stir all ingredients together until they form a paste and spread it over the stove top burners.
2. Leave it on for 15 minutes or longer for hard-to-remove stains.
3. Using a sponge, scrub the mixture into the grime.
4. Remove excess cleaner and wipe surface clean.

Refrigerator and Microwave Cleaner

Ingredients:

1 cup white vinegar

2 cups hot water

15 drops of Lemon essential oil

Directions:

1. Combine the ingredients in glass spray bottle.
2. Spray mixture inside fridge or microwave, the scrub and wipe using damp cloth.

Check out my Face Book page www.facebook.com/yourvibrantessence for daily essential oil ideas, tips, diffuser blends and more!

Click Here for access to your Free "Essential Oils for Beginners" eBook!!

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!

Nurse Mom turned Oil Mom- April