Essential Oils For Summer Cooking

Here are a couple suggestions for essential oils that you can use this summer. I know summer is going fast but there is still time to make these yummy recipes and enjoy them at your next get together! 

Enjoy! Be safe and take in the little moments! :)

Summer Essential Oils

Floral: Geranium, Patchouli and Ylang Ylang

Citrus: Wild Orange, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Lime and Lemon.

Diffuser Blend Ideas: Bergamot and Wild Orange, Patchouli and Geranium, and Lemon, Grapefruit and Wild Orange.

Essential Oils For Summer Cooking

Basil, Cilantro, Coriander, Thyme, Rosemary, Marjoram, Oregano, Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit and Wild Orange. Of course you will want to choose the essential oils that are indicated and safe for internal use. If the oil can be used for internal use, it will have a supplement fact on the side of the bottle.

Crisp Cucumber Salad

Oh my!! This is delicious!!

Ingredients:

2 cups finely chopped, seeded, peeled cucumber

1/2 cup finely chopped. seeded tomato

1/4 cup chopped red onion

2 Tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped

1-2 drops Cilantro essential oil

1 garlic clove, minced or pressed

1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream

2-3 drops Lemon essential oil

2-3 drops Lime essential oil

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin or 1-2 drops of Cumin essential oil

1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt

Tortilla chips

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine first seven ingredients.
2. In another bowl, combine sour cream, Lemon and Lime essential oils, cumin, and seasoned salt.
3. Pour over cucumber mixture and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately with chips!

Refreshing Popsicles

You can be creative here!!  Change up your choice of juice, essential oils and fruit to create irresistible treats!

Ingredients:

1 popsicle tray with sticks or ice cube tray and toothpicks

1 can frozen juice concentrate (orange or other juice of choice)

1/2 can water

1 banana

2 ounces of plain Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1-2 drops of Wild Orange  or other citrus essential oil

Fresh fruit- optional (Makes it look pretty) :)

Directions:

Blend in blender and pour into tray. Add sticks or toothpicks. Drop in fresh fruit (optional) and freeze.

Fresh Fridge Tip

One day I was cleaning out my fridge and I had a thought of using essential oils to make it smell clean. So after I washed off the shelves, I added 3-4 drops of Lemon essential oil to a little glass jar and let it sit in my fridge. (Instead of that box of backing soda) :) It smelled amazing and so refreshing! Simple, easy and so uplifting!

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 

Topical Use of Essential Oils

Topical use or application is one of the ways you can experience the benefits of essential oils. This way is unique because if allows for localized effects in the area of the application in addition to providing whole body support. You can use essential oils topically when you want an easy way to target specific areas on your body.

Classifications Of Oils For Topical Use

Neat: Oils categorized as "neat" can be applied topically without dilution because of their mild chemistry. Frankincense, Melissa, Lavender and Sandalwood are examples of some of the "neat" essential oils.

Dilute: Oils in this category have potent chemistry and should be diluted with a carrier oil before topical use in every case! Oregano, Cinnamon, Cassia, Thyme and Clove are some examples of the essential oils that need diluted. Do not dilute with water!

Sensitive:  "Sensitive" oils are those that should be diluted before use on young or sensitive skin. Ginger, Bergamot, Eucalyptus, Black Pepper and Peppermint are examples of "sensitive" oils.

Dilution Basics

Dilution is a process in which essential oils are mixed with a carrier oil- a pure vegetable oil that helps carry the essential oil onto the skin. There are many benefits to dilution, including increasing the surface area of absorption, enhancing absorption through dry skin, and preventing sensitivity responses. Examples of a carrier oil would be vegetable oil, coconut oil, grape seed oil etc. I use fractionated coconut oil (FCO) which is coconut oil with the fat molecules taken out so it won't stain or feel greasy.

Application Safety

Although unusual, occasionally it is possible to have a sensitivity response to an essential oil. The lower the purity and quality, the higher risk of a sensitivity response.

Essential Oil Safety Tips:

-Citrus oils contain a unique category of photosensitive compounds called furocoumarins, so it is important to avoid direct exposure to sunlight, tanning beds or other sources of UV light for up to 12 hours after topical application of citrus oils.

-More is not always better!!! Essential oils are very potent, so a little goes a long way. Start with 1-2 drops and then increase the dosage as needed. My motto: Low dose, high frequency.

-Dilute, dilute, dilute! Dilution in no way diminishes the efficacy of essential oils and offers many benefits that can enhance your desired effects. Dilute with a pure vegetable oil, like coconut oil. Do not use water for dilution.

-Conduct a simple sensitivity test when trying a new essential oil by applying a small amount of essential oil to a small area on arm or leg. Check the spot each hour for several hours to ensure no sensitivity has occurred.

Other Topical Application Methods

-Add a few drops to Epsom Salts and add to a warm bath. My favorite is Lavender!

-Make a hot or cold compress by soaking a towel or cloth in water, add essential oil, and then applying to the desired area. My favorite for this one is Peppermint!

-Add oil to a lotion or moisturizer and then apply to the skin.

-Mix with water and use as a mouth and throat rinse. Lemon is great for this!

Common Areas For Topical Use

Face- Use essential oil as part of your regular skin care regimen to beautify the skin and promote a clear, healthy looking complexion.

Roof of Mouth or Base of Skull- Applying oils to these areas is an excellent way to help transform your mood and balance your emotions.

Neck/Forehead/Temples- These areas are good to target if you have tension in the head or neck.

Chest- Rubbing oils onto the chest promotes a healthy respiratory tract and helps maintain clear breathing.

Abdomen- Application of essential oils, especially over major digestive organs, supports healthy function and can help alleviate occasional digestive discomforts.

Liver- Apply essential oils over the liver in conjunction with a cleanse protocol or to support healthy function of the body's cleansing organs.

Arms/Legs/Back- Massage onto the arms, wrists, legs, feet or back to soothe tired, achy muscles and joints and to promote healthy circulation.

Bottoms of Feet- A great place to apply essential oil if you don't care for the aroma of the essential oil Apply and massage in.

The higher the quality and purity, the better benefits and desired results with lower risk of sensitivity!

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 

Not all Essential Oils are created equal! Know the difference!

There are many essential oils out on the market today, so how can you know which is truly worth your money and health investment? I want to help you with some key components to look for! The highest quality standard requires precise care and effort to protect what nature has created so beautifully. This commitment to quality correlates directly to the life-changing benefits we have come to expect from essential oils, but many fall short.

Where the oil is sourced is essential. The composition of the plant will vary greatly based on the location, climate, and environment.  Where the plant is grown is a primary factor in determining the therapeutic quality of the essential oil. Select farmers/harvesters who have mastered their art in locations where plants have been grown traditionally for many years.

Potency Begins With The Seed

The proper seed variety (species) and even chemotype for particular plants must be carefully selected so that the distinct molecular profile of the aromatic compounds by the plant can be achieved. Some plants have many plant varieties and chemotypes. The chemotype determines the level of particular compounds within the oil composition which will determine specific health benefits. When investing in essential oils, you want the benefits to go beyond just a wonderful smell! For example, not all Rosemary is the same. Rosmarinus officials chemotype 1,8 cineol is chosen for the specific composition that offers respiratory support as well as mental clarity. It's important to know your plants and what types of benefits they offer.

Harvesting The Right Part Of The Plant

The environment plays a key role in the potency or therapeutic value of the plant. Growing season, elevation, climate, moisture, soil, terrain, and pH all factor into the quality or potency of the essential oil produced. It is also essential that the right part of the plant be harvested. The aromatic compounds from the leaves of the plant will differ from what is produced in the flowers. For example, many producers will harvest the leaves, stalks and flowers of Helichrysum to increase their oil yield for more profit.  This completely changes the composition of the essential oil. The true Helichrysum italicum comes from the delicate yellow flowering tops of the plant from Corsica for the most therapeutic benefits.

Where Essential Oils Are Sourced Matters

I stand behind a company that has made the commitment to source their essential oils from harvesters who grow aromatic crops in the indigenous soils of their land and follow stringent growing and harvesting quality standards. This not only allows them to offer the world's finest essential oils, but to also impact the economy in a positive way on a global scale! Wouldn't it be wonderful to know that the bottle of essential oil you are using today in not only benefiting you but also the person who so carefully grew it?

Plants grown in traditional or indigenous environments yield better results because the natural elements specific to the region promote a more therapeutic profile of the aromatic compounds produced by the plant. For example, Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil is indigenous to the Provence region of France. The high altitudes at which Lavender is grown results in the plant having higher ester and sesquiterpene alcohol content, thereby increasing its therapeutic benefits. Although lavender grows readily in the United States, the therapeutic values are not as beneficial. The growing conditions that exist in the native lands cannot be duplicated!

Producing essential oils that meet the highest pure therapeutic standard is a skill requiring years of experience. It takes the work of a dedicated harvester at each step, from growing and harvesting to fine-tuning the distillation process.

The FDA regulations are poor.

The labeling on essential oils are also very mis-leading! The FDA only requires a low percentage of purity to be marked 100% pure. So if anywhere from 10-100% of the essential oil in the bottle tests 100% pure, the whole bottle can be labeled 100% pure.  The rest of the bottle could be filled with a carrier oil, fillers or synthetic version of the oil.  Mis-guided information is out there and I want you to know the difference!  And not only is the purity important, as I've mentioned above, the potency, harvesting and where they are sourced also plays a huge role in the quality!

Why settle for second best?

When investing in your overall health and well being, you deserve to know the difference! I have found a company that has hands-on experience and understanding of global sourcing of oils  and quality assurance practices that allow them the ability to offer nature's purest essences, sourced from the most pristine regions around the globe!

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 

Sun Soothers with Essential Oils

Sunshine is essential - burns are not! I am hoping that all of you had a safe and enjoyable holiday! Here are some ideas to make your fun in the sun more enjoyable!

After the Sun Soothers

Mix 20 drops of certified pure Lavender essential oil with 1 ounce of Aloe Vera Juice in a glass spray bottle. Store in the refrigerator and use after sun exposure.

Fractionated Coconut Oil (FCO) is great for adding moisture to sun exposed or dry skin. Add 10 drops of each certified pure Lavender and certified pure Peppermint essential oil to 2 ounces of FCO in a glass container or spray bottle and mix. Apply frequently to sunburned skin. You can also add 5-10 drops of certified pure Melaleuca as well.

Apple Cider Vinegar helps ease sunburn discomfort. Gently pat on affected areas with a cotton ball to help soothe areas of blistering or peeling. If you have a large area of sunburn, try soaking in a cool bath with 1 cup apple cider vinegar added.

Natural Sunscreen

Zinc Oxide can absorb ultraviolet radiation of the sun and protect the skin from sunburn and other damaging effects of UV radiation. It can absorb a broad spectrum of ultraviolet radiation.

Make Your Own Ultra Moisturizing Sunscreen:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup fractionated coconut oil (fco)

1/4 cup beeswax

2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide

1 teaspoon vitamin E

2 Tablespoons shea butter

12 drops of certified pure Helichrysum essential oil

Add everything except zinc oxide in a medium sized glass mixing bowl. Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place over medium heat. Place the glass bowl on top of the saucepan so that the saucepan cradles the bowl. As the ingredients start to melt, stir occasionally to mix. When all ingredients are completely incorporated, add the zinc oxide and stir well to mix. Pour into a pint-sized tin or mason jar and stop in a cool place. Use with in six months.

Apply often according to the sun exposure and type of activity. Everybody's skin reacts differently in the sun so use caution and stay hydrated as well!

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