Weekend Oily Tip! - Add Peppermint!

This week has been all about Peppermint!  Which is PERFECT for this time of year!  Christmas is next week and there are peppermint flavored goodies all over the stores, Pinterest and people's homes!  In one post I discussed some general information and basic ways to use Peppermint Essential Oil.  In another post, I mentioned using Peppermint Essential Oil with a Diffuser Necklace.  This post is going to offer some quick and easy ideas on how to incorporate Peppermint Essential Oil into your food for a fun twist on some Christmas-time staples!

Young Living's Peppermint Essential Oil is All Natural!  There are no fillers, additives or alcohol.  Leaves and flowers from the Peppermint Plant, Mentha piperita, are distilled and the essential oil is extracted and bottled, all while strictly adhering to Young Living's Seed to Seal quality commitment.  (It takes about 1 entire pound of Peppermint Plants to make a single 15 ml bottle of Peppermint EO.)  You know exactly what you are getting when using Young Living Essential Oils, so you can feel confident that you are using a top notch product.

Basic Conversions
Use 1/8 teaspoon of Peppermint EO for every 1 teaspoon of Peppermint Extract called for in recipe.
OR
Use 2 drops of Peppermint EO per batch of brownies, cakes, cookies, etc.  More if desired.

Peppermint Brownies, Cakes & Cookies
Follow your favorite recipe, but before pouring the batter into the pan, add 2 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil for each batch and stir thoroughly!  If you want a bolder peppermint flavor, add 3-4 drops per batch.  But remember a little goes a long way!

Peppermint Fudge
Here are a couple Peppermint Fudge recipes that I'm going to have to try!  They look delish!
White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge from Real Housemoms.  Substitute Peppermint EO for the Peppermint Extract using the conversion above.
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Fudge from AllRecipes.  Again, substitute Peppermint EO for the Peppermint Extract using the conversion above.
OR
Transform your favorite fudge recipe by adding Peppermint EO and mixing thoroughly before allowing the fudge to cool.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate
There is nothing easier & tastier than adding ONE drop of Peppermint EO to your mug of Hot Chocolate once it is heated!  Stir it all together with a peppermint candy cane for added peppermint.  But be careful, the Peppermint EO is very strong!  More than one drop per serving may not taste very good.  A benefit is that you will suddenly be able to breathe very well as the menthol in peppermint really opens you up!

Peppermint Patty Cocktail
Out of Peppermint Schnapps or Creme de Menthe?  No problem!  Grab your Peppermint EO and Vodka and wallah!  Mix with a little cream/milk or non-dairy milk and some chocolate syrup to your liking.

What is your favorite holiday recipe with Peppermint in it?  Have you tried it with Peppermint EO?

Enjoy!!!

Interested in finding out how to get your hands on these Young Living Essential Oils?  Check out my Essential Oils and Monthly Promotions Pages!

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Chemical Free! - Teacher Gift Idea - Diffuser Necklace!

Another great Gift Idea for a teacher, party hostess, bus driver, day care provider, etc is a Diffuser Necklace with a sample of Essential Oils!

Diffuser Necklaces are awesome for anyone who likes to wear a little simple jewelry or a lot of jewelry.  The great thing about them is that there are little pads that come with each necklace and the essential oil is dropped directly on those, so the essential oils do not need to be applied to the skin or clothes in order to get the benefit of the essential oils!  The desired strength of a scent and the material of the pad will determine how many drops of essential oils to use.  Since everyone is different, it is very useful to include sample packets of essential oils or a small sample bottle filled with essential oils so that the gift recipient can adjust the scent as necessary.  (Read this useful article about how scent affects the brain!)

This Christmas, I am gifting Diffuser Necklaces to the teachers in my children's classrooms.  My sons' teachers will be receiving a dram/sample bottle of Young Living's Stress Away Essential Oil.  The name says it all!  It is a wonderful smell!  My daughter's teachers will be receiving a dram of a blend of Young Living's Peppermint and Lemon Essential Oils.  It is a very uplifting and refreshing blend!  I even started wearing a Diffuser Necklace!  One day my stomach was a mess and I was tired, but I had stuff to do!  I dropped Peppermint EO on the pad, put the necklace on and got on with my day.  The scent is not overwhelming at all and the locket can always be brought up to the nose for a quick whiff.

Diffuser Necklaces come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes.  There are many available on Amazon and Etsy if on-line shopping is preferred.  I have seen bracelets too.  It is true, there is something for every price range and style!  Get some now! 

My monthly promotion for December is even giving away a Diffuser Necklace for all new members who purchase a Premium Starter Kit AND for those existing members of mine who make a purchase of 190 PV or more!  They are such an easy way to start using your essential oils right away!  Contact me for more details.   

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Let's Learn! - Peppermint Essential Oil!

Let's learn about Peppermint Essential Oil!  Peppermint EO has so many uses!  It is not surprising that this oil is found in Young Living's Premium Starter Kit due to its versatility and popularity!  

Peppermint EO comes from the plant Mentha piperita and is part of the Mint (Lamiaceae) Family. It is s hybrid of Mentha aquatica (Watermint) and Mentha spicata (Spearmint) and is indigenous to Europe and Asia. Over time it has naturalized in the United States and is found to be a bit invasive in nature, especially in the Great Lakes Region. The plant spreads quickly by underground rhizomes and is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. You may even have some growing in your yard! I know I do! Some notable relatives in the Mint Family are fragrant herbs used in cooking such as Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, Lavender and Thyme - all which are quite powerful essential oils too!

Peppermint contains a large amount of the natural constituent Menthol. The menthol provides the Peppermint flavor and scent as well as the numbing affects of Peppermint EO. In a previous post (Tame Those Cravings) I linked a couple supporting references for how the scent of Peppermint may potentially curb appetites and trigger a sense of satiety. The Peppermint scent is also invigorating and energizing! Wheeling Jesuit University also performed a study which indicated that the Peppermint scent helped to reduce fatigue and increase alertness. Peppermint is also known to have a positive effect on digestion and stomach discomfort. The University of Maryland Medical Center discusses how Peppermint may be used to help support healthy digestion.

Personally, I have used Peppermint EO in many different ways. Rubbing Peppermint EO diluted in a carrier oil onto my temples helps keep my head feeling good, clear and alert. Putting a single drop of Peppermint EO in my drinking water energizes me, calms bouts of gas and promotes healthy digestion. Applying Peppermint EO diluted in a carrier oil onto my stomach steadies an upset stomach and has allowed me to get on with my day instead of being stuck in the bathroom! I have even used Peppermint EO while baking. Add one or two drops to chocolate brownie or cake batter for a mild and minty flavor. Delicious!

The other day I had to attend an elementary school function. Unfortunately my stomach was not cooperating. I had gas and was quite lethargic. Fortunately I had my Peppermint EO nearby! I applied it to my stomach and added a drop to my water bottle. Within a few minutes I was feeling much better and ready to go into public!

Looking for a non-chemical way to repel spiders and other unwanted insects? Another way that I have used Peppermint EO in the home is by making a spider repellent spray! Mix in a spray bottle half water and half witch hazel and add several drops of Peppermint EO. Spray around windows and doors weekly or monthly depending on need and season. Completely safe to use around babies which is comforting when the medical industry warns of the negative side affects of chemical pesticides and insecticides used in the home. Read this CNN article from September 2015 or this EWG report also from September 2015.

Needless to say, I love my Peppermint EO and use it alot! What is your favorite way to use Peppermint EO?

Interested in finding out how to get your hands on these Young Living Essential Oils?  Check out my Essential Oils and Monthly Promotions Pages!

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

WEEKEND OILY TIP! - STOMACH ROCKIN' N ROLLIN'?

This has been a week of firsts for The Essentially Simple Life Blog!  I think that the new schedule of topics throughout the week has worked out pretty well.  I'd like to hear what you think though!  Feel free to comment below or on any of the social media links.

Friday's will be the day of the week where I provide you with a suggestion for something that you could try to do using your oils or other natural alternatives!  Tips may cover subjects such as beauty, wellness, oil infused food and beverages and more.  Ready to get started?

So let's say that someone overindulges a bit while unwinding from a long week.  I know this has happened to me before!  The next day there isn't time to lay around in bed or on the couch regretting the decisions that were made the night before.  There are kids to take care of, chores to do, a family gathering or church function to attend, more fun to be had!  What to do, what to do?!?!?!

Upon waking up, go find the coconut oil.  Yes, the coconut oil that is usually kept in the kitchen for cooking, or maybe it's in the bathroom because it is a great moisturizer, but more on that at a later time.  I like using organic, cold pressed and unrefined coconut oil, like the one shown in the picture below.  It can be found at pretty much any grocery store.  Take a teaspoon, scoop some out and place into the mouth.  Chew it up a little until it warms enough to convert into a liquid.  (This happens quickly as the solid coconut oil becomes liquid around 76 degrees Fahrenheit.)  Once in the liquid form, begin swishing it around, as if it were mouthwash, for 15-20 minutes.  Some people may have to build up to the 15-20 minutes and the entire teaspoon full over time, as it can be quite a different experience... Spit the coconut oil out in the trash or toilet after the time is up and that's it!  This is technically called Oil Pulling and there are numerous health benefits.  I have found that it keeps my head from pounding and reduces the feelings of a turning stomach.  Plus for 15-20 minutes after waking up I can't respond to people who may be trying to talk to me, and sometimes, silence is golden...

While oil pulling, apply essential oils to the stomach/gut area.  This is especially useful for when the stomach feels like it is rockin' n rollin'.  A blend of Peppermint Essential Oil and DiGize Essential Oil mixed with a carrier oil (as directed on the bottles) rubbed over the stomach really helps to calm things down.  Let's just say that I tried this technique one morning because otherwise I was going to spend the entire day on the toilet!  After a few minutes, there was relief!  I did apply this blend a few times throughout the day, but having to reapply was way better than missing out on any fun!  To make using the Peppermint and DiGize really easy, make a roller bottle blend with the two oils and the carrier oil using the dilution ratio on the bottles.  Then there is only one bottle that can be carried around instead of three!  (Curious as to what roller bottles are?  See my "Chemical Free! - Containers for Success!" blog post.)  

Now you are ready for the weekend!  Have fun and be safe!

Interested in finding out how to get your hands on these Young Living Essential Oils?  Check out my Essential Oils and Monthly Promotions Pages!

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Emily's Quest - Part 4 of 4 - Tame Those Cravings!

No one likes to feel self-conscious when out in public, whether it's worrying about your complexion, your body odor, your adorable little sweeties or even your appetite!  This post is going to share a safe, effective and natural way to help you control your cravings.

Did you know that Peppermint Essential Oil can help curb your appetite???  It’s true!  Research done at Wheeling Jesuit University concluded that inhaling Peppermint lead to decreased appetite and hunger cravings. (Effects of Peppermint Scent on Appetite Control and Caloric Intake)  Some easy ways to give it a try would be to put a single drop of Peppermint EO in a glass of water, or apply it topically so that the scent sends triggers to your brain.  Read the NYT article about Smell Turns up in Unexpected Places for a better understanding of how the brain works when triggered by smells.  

Peppermint EO can also offer an afternoon pick me up!  Even just a whiff of the bottle can get me going again.  Peppermint EO is known to support normal digestion and is energizing! 

The entire 4 part post was originally published in the Karina Style Diaries blog. Check it out here and be sure to follow Karina too!

Interested in finding out how to get your hands on these Young Living Essential Oils?  Check out my Essential Oils and Monthly Promotions Pages!

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.