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Monday

Coconut Butter Truffles

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Coconut butter truffles!

Here is a great and simple recipe to create some coconut truffles to go along with your chocolate truffles.

Coconut Butter Truffles
Coconut Butter Truffles

1 cup coconut butter (like Artisana)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
4-6 drops mint, lemon, lime, or wild orange essential oil*

Truffle Coatings

shredded coconut
crushed peppermint candy
chopped nuts

Microwave coconut butter 30 seconds to 1 minute.  Stir until thoroughly mixed.

With a wire whisk, stir in powdered sugar and essential oils.  Mixture will thicken as it cools.

Scoop into balls using a spoon or small gauge cookie dough scooper and place on parchment-lined cookie sheet.  Refrigerate a few minutes, and then roll in your hands to smooth into bite-sized truffles.  Roll in coating of choice.

*****

*Use only PURE essential oils.  Check the label to be sure they are safe for internal use.

E-mail me for a free sample of the essential oil of your choice.

Pocket Hand Warmers

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Pocket hand warmers!

I'm one of those people that does not do well in the cold.  No matter how high I turn up the thermostat, my hands and toes are always frozen.  Here's a great idea to keep warm during these chilly winter days.  And these are the perfect size for stocking stuffers.

Pocket Hand Warmers
Pocket Hand Warmers

flannel fabric
thread
uncooked rice
essential oil (optional)

Cut two pieces of fabric 5 1/2" by 4 1/2".  Sew right sides together, leaving an opening at one end.  Turn right side out and fill with uncooked rice.  Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.  OnGuard and Holiday Joy essential oil blends have a nice Christmas-y smell.  Lavender is always soothing.  And Balance has a nice, woodsy scent.  Sew the open end up, and you are finished.  Include a small card with instructions to heat in the microwave for 1 minute.

*****

E-mail me for a free sample of your choice of essential oil.  And don't forget to come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas!

Saturday

Peppermint Ribbon Cake

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Peppermint ribbon cake!

And on a personal note, my true love and I are celebrating our 23rd anniversary today. :)  True love lasts.

Peppermint Ribbon Cake
Peppermint Ribbon Cake

1 package (18-1/4 ounces) white cake mix
3-4 drops peppermint essential oil*
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons crushed peppermint candies, divided
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon 2% milk

Prepare cake batter according to package directions. Transfer 1 cup to a small bowl; stir in the extract, food coloring and 1/2 cup crushed candies.
Spoon 2 cups of remaining batter into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Carefully top with peppermint batter; do not swirl. Top with remaining plain batter.
Bake at 350° for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
Combine confectioners' sugar and milk; drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with remaining crushed candies. Yield: 12 servings.

Recipe adapted from A Taste of Home

*****

*Use only PURE essential oils. Check the label to be sure it is safe for internal use.

E-mail me for a free sample of peppermint essential oil. And be sure to come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.

Friday

Chocolate Truffles

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Decadent chocolate truffles!

Truffles are the simplest candies to make, and with a couple of holiday flavorings, they can help bring the Christmas spirit.

Chocolate Truffles
Basic Truffle Ingredients

8 ounces of semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate (high quality, 62% cacao or higher), well chopped into small pieces
1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Optional Flavorings

3-4 drops peppermint essential oil*
3-4 drops wild orange essential oil*
3-4 drops cinnamon or cassia essential oil*

Truffle Coatings

Cocoa powder
Powdered sugar
Finely chopped walnuts or almonds

1 In a small, heavy saucepan bring the heavy whipping cream to a simmer (this may take a while, be sure to stir and scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula every few minutes). Add essential oils (if using) and mix.

2 Place the chocolate in a separate bowl. Pour the cream over the chocolate. Add the vanilla only if you're not using essential oils. Allow to stand for a few minutes , and then stir until smooth.

3 Allow to cool, then place in the refrigerator for two hours. Remove and with a teaspoon roll out balls. Roll in your hands quickly (as it will melt from the heat of your hands) and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in the refrigerator overnight.

4 Roll in cocoa powder or chopped nuts and serve, or place back in the refrigerator until needed.

Makes 30-40 chocolate truffles.

*****

*Use only PURE essential oils.  Check the label to be sure it is safe for internal use.

E-mail me for a free sample of the essential oil of your choice.  And don't forget to come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.

Thursday

Lavender Eye Pillow

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

A soothing lavender eye pillow!

The scent of lavender helps you fall asleep.  This eye pillow is great for a quick nap, relaxation, to ease a stress headache, or to add scent to your lingerie drawer.  Make some to give away, but be sure to keep one for yourself!

Lavender Eye Pillow
Lavender Eye Pillow

Fabric of choice
Flax seed or dry rice
3-4 drops lavender essential oil

Cut fabric approximately 8" x 10".  Fold in half and sew inside out three sides.  Turn right side out and fill with flax seed or dry rice.  Add lavender oil.  Finish sewing the fourth side.

*****

E-mail me for a free sample of lavender essential oil.  And don't forget to come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.

Peppermint Bark

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Peppermint bark!

This is such a simple, easy way to bring the holiday spirit into your home.  It's a great gift for others, and it's a wonderful treat to add to your cookie platter.

Peppermint Bark
Peppermint Bark
  • 12 oz. of high-quality white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips
  • 5 regular sized candy canes, crushed up
  • 3-4 drops of peppermint essential oil*

1. Break up peppermint candy into little pieces. Melt the chocolate according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once melted, add the peppermint oil and stir.
2. Pour the melted chocolate out onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and spread out with a spatula or wooden spoon. Sprinkle the peppermint candy chunks on to the chocolate and gently press them in with yours hands.
3. Place in the freezer for 5 minutes or until hardened. Break into pieces and serve or store in the fridge in an airtight container.

*****
*Use only PURE essential oils.  Check the label to be sure it is safe for internal use.

E-mail me for a free sample of peppermint essential.  And be sure to come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.

Tuesday

Lemon Lavender Cookies

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Lemon lavender cookies!

Here's another delicious recipe to try this holiday season.

Lemon Lavender Cookies
Lemon Lavender Cookies


3 1/4 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 c. butter
4-6 drops lemon essential oil*
4-6 drops lavender essential oil*
3 eggs
1 tsp baking powder


Cream butter and sugar, then ad lemon and lavender essential oils.
 Add eggs one at a time.
Add dry ingredients.
If the mix is too soft: cover and chill for 15-30 minutes.  If the mix is too dry: add milk one tablespoon at a time until the dough is wet and soft enough to pass through a cookie press.
Fill your cookie press with your dough, using whatever shape for your cookie you would like and press onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  Alternatively – drop by the heaping spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes, or until puffed and slightly browned on the edges.  Transfer to a cooling rack.

*****

*Use only PURE essential oils.  Check the label to be sure it is safe for internal use.

E-mail me for a free sample of the essential oil of your choice.  And come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.

Monday

Thin Mint Cookies

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Thin mint cookies!

One of our favorite family traditions is baking and giving cookies.  In years past, I've hosted a cookie exchange.  The rules are simple -- you invite five of your friends and have them each bake 12 dozen cookies.  Then you meet together and divide the cookies amongst you, which means that you each go home with 12 dozen cookies of different varieties.  It's not only fun getting together, but it's a great way to discover new cookie recipes.

Once all our cookies are baked and plated, we don our gay apparel -- which in our case means reindeer antlers.  :)  And then we deliver them to our friends and neighbors, accompanied by our best off-tune rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." 

Thin Mint Cookies
Thin Mint Cookies
Makes 36 cookies
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  •   4-6drops peppermint essential oil*
  • 3 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1/4 cup butter

  1. In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter or margarine until creamy. Add the sugar, and beat until mixed well. Beat in egg and mint extract.
  2. Sift flour, cocoa, and salt together into a small bowl. Add flour mixture by halves into creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.
  3. Divide dough in half. On lightly floured surface roll dough into two 1 1/2 inch diameter cylinders. Wrap each cylinder in waxed paper, and refrigerate 5 hours.
  4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Thirty minutes prior to baking, place both cylinders in freezer.
  5. Remove one cylinder at a time, and slice 1/4 inch thick pieces with very sharp knife. Place on cookie sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake 10 to 12 minutes.
  6. Melt 1/4 cup butter or margarine and the semisweet chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave. Drizzle over warm cookies. Place on wire racks, and let cool and harden completely.   From Allrecipes.com.

What are some of your favorite holiday treats?

*****

*Use only PURE essential oils.  Check the label to make sure they are safe for internal use.

E-mail me for a free sample of peppermint essential oil.  And don't forget to come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.

    Sunday

    Sugar Scrub

    On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

    Moisturizing sugar scrub!

    Sugar Scrub
    Here's a super simple recipe for making a great moisturizing sugar scrub.

    1 1/2 cups sugar
    1/4 cup oil (fractionated coconut, almond, or olive are all good choices)
    3-5 drops essential oil

    Combine all ingredients together and pour into a decorative container.

    Chocolate mint truffle:  add 1/8 cup unsweetened cocoa powder and use peppermint essential oil.  Remember, peppermint is a strong oil, so use sparingly.
    Lavender eucalyptus:  use lavender and eucalyptus essential oils.
    Dreamsicle:  use Citrus Bliss blend essential oil.

    Give this with yesterday's scented bath salts for a Night and Day Spa gift.

    *****

    E-mail me for a free sample of the essential oil of your choice.  And don't forget to come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.

    Saturday

    Scented Bath Salts

    On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

    Scented bath salts.

    Everyone loves relaxing spa products.  And while you could spend $15 or more for scented bath salts, it is much less expensive to make them yourself.

    Bath Salts with Essential Oils
    Bath Salts

    4 cups sea salt, kosher salt, or Epsom salts
    5-10 drops essential oil
    Dried fragrant plants such as lavender or eucalyptus (optional)

    Mix ingredients together.  Pour into decorative container for yourself or as a gift for others.  Use a few spoonfuls of salts per bath.

    Try some of these essential oils:

    Lavender, for stress relief and relaxation
    Breathe, to ease congestion and soothe during a cold or flu
    Deep Blue, to soothe muscle pain

    *****

    E-mail me for a free sample of the essential oil of your choice.  And don't forget to come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.

    Friday

    Christmas Fudge

    On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

    Fudge!  Fudge is a great treat to have on hand for those unexpected carolers, or to give as a gift.  Try this twist on traditional fudge to give it an extra Christmas-y flavor.

    Orange or Peppermint Fudge
    Orange or Peppermint Fudge

    2 c. sugar
    2/3 c. evaporated milk
    ¼ c. butter
    ¾ c. chocolate chips
    1 c. marshmallows
    1 tsp. vanilla
    6-8 drops peppermint or wild orange essential oil*


    In a saucepan combine sugar, milk and butter at medium heat. Boil, stirring constantly for 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients, pour into buttered pan. Cut when cool.  Enjoy!

    *****

    *Use only PURE essential oils.  Check the label to make sure they are safe for internal use.

    E-mail me for a free sample of  peppermint or wild orange essential oil.  And come back tomorrow for Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas!

    Thursday

    Christmas Memories

    Christmas Memories
    On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

    Christmas potpourri.

    This time of year always brings out the kid in me. My mom loved Christmas. There were eight children in our family, and each year, my mother would buy each child ten gifts. You can imagine what it looked like when we came downstairs on Christmas morning to see our tree overflowing with presents. It was magical.

    Nothing got me into the Christmas spirit more than my mom's special "Christmas smell," a homemade potpourri simmering on the stove. I remember coming home from school and having the delicious spicy scent waft over me. It was a reminder that Santa was watching, and we all were a little more thoughtful and a little kinder to one another.

    I've duplicated the potpourri in my own home, but it does have its setbacks. I can be a bit absent-minded, and sometimes I've forgotten to add water to the pot. Burned Christmas is not quite as appealing. These days, I like to diffuse a couple of essential oils that smell just like Mom's potpourri.

    You don't have to have a diffuser to enjoy the aroma of essential oils. I also like to keep a spray bottle filled with water and a few drops of my favorite scent to use as a room spray. And I love to sprinkle a couple of drops on a bowlful of pine cones and on my holiday wreath.

    Mom's Christmas Potpourri

    orange peels
    cinnamon sticks
    whole cloves

    What do you do to get in the mood for Christmas?

    *****

    E-mail me for a free sample of Holiday Joy.  And come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.