Nip It In the Bud!

Sick Kids

A tale of two sicklies:

Last night, my Little Monkey wasn't feeling very well.  He had a little bit of a fever, and he said he felt like throwing up.  I pounced with my oils -- rubbed some DigestZen blend on his tummy, some OnGuard blend on his feet, and a little PastTense blend on the back of his neck for his headache.

Ms. Grace, my teenager, also complained of a tummy ache, but we didn't connect the dots.  I attributed it to swallowing too much water (she plays water polo).  I suggested she use some DigestZen, but I didn't follow up.  She fell asleep on the couch before she used any oils.  Again, I thought it was just being worn out from water polo.

My Little Monkey slept well and woke up feeling much better.  He still has a little bit of a fever, but he's active and playing video games with his brother.

His sister?  Not so lucky.  She woke up vomiting in the middle of the night.  She was still very feverish and listless this morning.  Better late than never, she got some DigestZen and OnGuard and has been sleeping it off today.

Now, back in the day, I would be trembling with fear, bracing myself for a nasty stomach flu making its way through all eight of us.  But this time, I'm spritzing lemon oil water in every room, diffusing OnGuard in the main living area, and  making sure everyone, including those of us still healthy, are getting doses of OnGuard.

Getting sick is a miserable thing.  Thankfully, my oils let me nip it in the bud so we can all get back to normal.

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

Slim N Sassy

Oil of the Month!

Slim N Sassy Metabolic Blend

Just in time for the most common New Year's resolution: Slim N Sassy metabolic blend is designed to help manage appetite between meals.  It includes a blend of grapefruit, lemon, peppermint, ginger, and cinnamon essential oils.

Most unhealthy "diet" potions use diuretics that cause the body to release water, resulting in short-term weight loss -- but also dehydration and other negative health consequences.

Primary Benefits

* Helps your body adjust to reduced calorie intake.
* Helps manage appetite between meals
* Helps calm stomach and gastrointestinal stress related to diet.
* Lifts and elevates mood.
* Encourages healthy hydration.

What makes this product unique?  Slim N Sassy contains no caffeine or other stimulants.  It contains no sugar, so it has zero calories.  It has no artificial colors, flavors, or ingredients.  It is easy to use and with no harmful side effects.

AND... because Slim N Sassy breaks down toxins in fat tissue, it is also effective against cellulite.  Try a Slim N Sassy sugar scrub for a luxuriant way to fight the battle of the bulge.

Lose weight the healthy way!  Slim N Sassy metabolic blend is 10% off during the month of January, 2012.  Visit www.doTerraIE.com for ordering information.

Celebrating the Old and the New

Happy New Year!

Every year as I approach the New Year, I feel as though I'm an out-of-shape marathon runner crawling across the finish line.  I feel such a sense of relief to reach it.  I give myself permission to lay down the burden of all the "good enough," "oh, well," and "oops" moments that have accumulated over the year.  I face the New Year hopefully, believing it will be different this time... somehow.

Well, this year will be different.  Because I'm going to try something new.  I've decided to end the year gently.  Before I celebrate the New Year, I am taking the time to celebrate the old one first.  Here are the things I am contemplating today.

• What have been your personal or business achievements this year?
• What new products, courses, websites, sales strategies, etc have you created or implemented this year?
• What events or training did you attend?
• What books have you read?
• Did you increase your income or pay off some debts?
• Did you move or upgrade anything in your life, home, or business?
• What charitable causes did you support?
  
• Did you make new friends? Or reconnect with an old one?
  
• Did you forgive someone or patch up an disagreement?
  
• Did you exercise or try a new sport?
  
• Did you invest in your marriage or your relationships with your kids?
  
• Did you travel anywhere?
  
• Did you do kind things for yourself for your own self care?
  
• Did you try anything outside your comfort zone?

My resolutions can wait for a day.

What were your greatest accomplishments last year?

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.

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*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!

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

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*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.

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.