Rich Chocolate Avocado Pudding

If you have a resolution this new year to eat a little healthier, give this pudding a try next time you are ready to indulge. Though not completely sugar-free, this pudding is a great way to get some healthy fats into your diet while you satisfy your cravings!

• Servings: 3–5
• Time: 5–10 minutes active; 30 minutes inactive
• Difficulty: Easy
• Print

Ingredients:

• 2 large avocados, peeled and pitted
• 1/2 cup (43 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup (105 g) brown sugar or 2/3 cup (160 ml) agave syrup
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) coconut milk
• 2 tsp. (10 ml) vanilla extract
• 1 drop cinnamon, peppermint, or orange essential oil

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients together in a blender until smooth.
2. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill and thicken.
3. Serve alone, or top with sliced berries or whipped cream.

Makeup Remover Pads

These makeup remover pads will help remove even the most stubborn makeup and leave your face moisturized at the same time!

• Servings: 15–20
• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
• Print

Ingredients:

• Round cotton pads
• 1 Tbsp. (15 ml) witch hazel
• 1 Tbsp. (12 g)  Coconut Oil
• 1/4 tsp. (1.5 ml) Vitamin E Oil
• 3–4 drops essential oil (optional—don’t use if using this as eye makeup remover)
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) hot distilled water
• 4 oz. Salve Jar

Instructions:

1. Place as many cotton pads as will fit into your 4 oz. salve jar.
2. In a separate glass dish, mix witch hazel, coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and essential oils (if not using this for eye makeup). Add hot distilled water; stir to combine as much as possible.
3. Pour hot liquid over cotton pads gradually, allowing the liquid to soak into the pads as you pour.
4. To use, wipe a pad across makeup that you want removed. Avoid the eye area if using essential oils in this recipe. Wipe face with a dry tissue to wipe off excess oil if needed.

Chocolate Mint Lip Gloss

This smooth lip gloss will make your lips feel tingly fresh and soft!

• Servings: Type Servings or Yield Here
• Time: 5 minutes active; 1 hour inactive
• Difficulty: Easy
• Print

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
• 1 teaspoon cocoa butter
• 3-4 drops clear vitamin E oil
• 1 drop peppermint essential oil
• 3-4 semisweet chocolate chips
• plastic lip gloss container

Instructions:

1. Place ingredients in a small heat-safe bowl (glass or metal) and set aside.
2. Heat a small saucepan with about 1 inch of water over medium-low heat until the water is steaming and simmering.
3. Set the bowl of ingredients on top of the steaming pot of water. Don not let the bottom of the bowl touch the water.
4. Stir as the ingredients slowly melt until thoroughly combined (about 5 minutes).
5. When the mixture is smooth, pour the lip gloss into small plastic lip gloss container  and  cool to room temperature until solid(about 1 hour).
6. Keep the lip gloss in your purse or in the fridge. It will melt under hot temperatures!

Apply with your finger or a small brush. The lip gloss should keep for up to two months.

Pet Odor Neutralizer

We love our pets. But let’s face it—they stink! It can be tricky to get the odor out of carpets and furniture without damaging them with strong chemicals. But there is a natural solution!

Apple cider vinegar is a great cleaning agent if you are environmentally conscious. Its antibacterial properties make it a natural alternative to bleach. Using apple cider vinegar instead of bleach to clean will eliminate the strong chemical smell and prevent ruining your carpet and upholstery. Once the vinegar solution evaporates, only a sweet and slightly floral scent remains with no fumes!

• Servings: Yield=1 cup (240 ml)
• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
• Print

Ingredients:

• 10–20 drops essential oil of choice (We suggest geranium, lavender, and lemon as a great blend.)
• 1 cup (240 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 8 oz. Glass Spray Bottle

Instructions:

1. Add 10–20 drops of essential oil to a small spray bottle filled with apple cider vinegar.
2. Shake well before each use, and spray on the smelly surfaces. Let the Pet Odor Neutralizer dry and take the odor away.

 

Banana Sushi with Essential Oils

Making banana sushi is a great way to have some fun during snack time! Give yourself a chance to get creative and practice your chopstick skills while eating a healthy treat! There are countless flavor combinations, so feel free to experiment and find out what you like best.

• Time: 5–10 minutes active; 0–60 minutes inactive
• Difficulty: Easy
• Print

Ingredients:

• Bananas
• Essential oils safe for consumption (such as lemon, lime, orange, cinnamon, cardamom, etc.)
• Sticky substance (such as peanut butter, melted chocolate, yogurt, whipped cream, jam, chocolate-hazelnut spread, etc.)
• Toppings (such as chocolate chips, coconut flakes, sesame seeds, chia seeds, nuts, berries, etc.)
• Dipping “sauce” (such as melted chocolate, yogurt, chia seeds, etc.) (optional)

Instructions:

1. Peel each banana.
2. Mix 1 drop (or 1–2 toothpicks) of essential oil with 2–3 Tbsp. (30–45 ml) of your sticky substance. Taste, and add more essential oil if desired.
3. Spread your sticky substance over the top of the banana lengthwise.
4. Sprinkle on your desired toppings.
5. Freeze for 30–60 minutes, if desired.
6. Slice the banana with a sharp knife.
7. Use chopsticks to pick up banana slices and dip in your “sauce.”

Possible Flavor Combinations:

• Peanut butter with 1 toothpick of cinnamon essential oil • chocolate chips • coconut flakes
• Plain yogurt with 1 drop of lemon essential oil • blueberries • chia seeds
• Melted white chocolate with 1 drop of lime essential oil • raspberries • cashews
• Melted dark chocolate with 1 toothpick of cardamom essential oil • chopped pistachios • chia seeds or coconut flakes
• Peanut butter • melted dark chocolate with 1 drop orange essential oil drizzled on top • sesame seeds or coconut flakes
• Plain yogurt with 1 drop of lemon essential oil • jam of choice • chia seeds
• Chocolate-hazelnut spread with 1 drop of orange essential oil • coconut flakes • chopped nuts
• Whipped cream with 1 drop of lemon essential oil • strawberry or peach slices • chia seeds or chopped nuts

Luscious Lip Balm

Not only will this tangy, sweet lip balm soften and nourish your lips, but it is a handy take-along on outings and makes a great gift!

• Time: 15 minutes active; 2 hours inactive
• Difficulty: Easy
• Print

Ingredients & Supplies:

• 2 Tbsp. (24 g) Coconut Oil
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. (21 g) Shea Butter
• 1/2 Tbsp. (2 g) Beeswax Pellets
• 1/2 tsp. (2.5 ml) agave nectar or honey
• Flavored drink mix (such as Kool-Aid®)
• Desired essential oils (We used lime, lemon, and orange.)
• Three 1/4 oz. Plastic Lip Gloss Containers

Instructions:

1. Mix first 4 ingredients in a bowl, and microwave for 1 minute. (Or place ingredients in a glass measuring cup, and place in a pan with an inch of simmering water. This creates a double boiler.)
2. If making 3 separate flavors (like we did), divide melted solution into 3 small bowls for mixing.
3. Sprinkle drink mix into each for color, and stir.
4. Mix 1–2 drops of desired essential oil into each bowl. (If you’re only making 1 flavor, add 3–6 drops total of essential oil to the mixture.)
5. Carefully pour mixture into your lip gloss containers, and pop into the refrigerator for 1–2 hours to cool.

Essential Oil Spotlight: Basil

Basil essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves, stem, and flower of the Ocimum basilicum plant of the mint family.

Historically, basil was used for respiratory and digestive problems as well as poisonous snake and insect bites, fever, and malaria. Basil was considered by the Greeks to be “the king of plants” and was used to anoint kings. Hindus placed sprigs of basil on their deceased to ward off evil, and in Italy it was used as an aphrodisiac.

The French use basil for migraines, gallbladder and liver problems, and mental fatigue.

Basil supports the cardiovascular system as well as muscles and bones. It may be used for aches and pains, bronchitis, anxiety, intestinal problems, snake bites, and insomnia.

When used aromatically, it is said to open the mind and increase clarity of thought. It can also be used topically and in cooking.

See the Reference Guide for Essential Oils to learn more about basil essential oil and many other pure essential oils.

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2016 Edition, p. 49.

Tangerine Orange Syrup

Mother’s Day is fast approaching. If you  are planning a special brunch, this citrus syrup is delicious with your favorite waffle or pancake recipe. The orange and tangerine essential oils enhance the flavor to make a delicious treat for the family as they gather to celebrate.

 

• Time: 30 minutes active
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Print

INGREDIENTS:

• Juice of 2 Cara Cara oranges (approx. 3/4 cup)
• 1 cup agave nectar
• 4 drops orange essential oil
• 6 drops tangerine essential oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Combine orange juice and agave nectar in a small saucepan.
2. Over medium-high heat, bring to a boil while stirring constantly.
3. Once the mixture boils, continue stirring for 10 more minutes.
4. Remove from heat; let cool.
5. Add essential oil, and stir to combine.
6. Transfer syrup to a glass jar for storing, or serve immediately over your favorite pancakes or waffles.

 

Microwave Steam Cleaner

One of the easiest ways to clean out a grimy microwave oven is to create a cleansing steam using vinegar, water, and lemon essential oil.  Lemon essential oil is known for its antibacterial properties and will leave your kitchen smelling lovely. This recipe makes it so easy to clean your microwave that it might just become your favorite part of your cleaning routine.

• Servings: Yield=2 cups
• Time: 5 minutes active; 10 minutes inactive
• Difficulty: Easy
• Print

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup vinegar
• 5 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

1. In a glass measuring cup, combine the water, vinegar, and essential oil.
2. Put the cup in the microwave.
3. Microwave the mixture for 5 minutes. Let it sit in the microwave for another 2–5 minutes to allow the steam to work through the grime and food particles inside of your microwave.
4. Carefully remove the cup from the microwave; the glass will be hot, and sometimes the water has been known to explode because of a shift in the molecules. This can be avoided by putting a wooden spoon or bamboo skewer in the liquid while you heat it up.
5. Once you have removed the measuring cup, use a clean sponge to wipe down the sides of the microwave. The build-up comes off like a dream!

 

Laundry Scent Enhancer

Are you looking for a way to enhance the scent of your laundry without all the toxic chemicals? Try this extremely simple recipe for boosting the scent of your laundry. It is especially great to use on freshening up your linens and towels!

 

• Servings: Yield=2 cups
• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
• Print

Ingredients & Supplies:

• 2 cups Epsom Salts
• 30 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 16 oz. Clear PET Plastic Jar

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, stir together the Epsom salts and essential oil until well combined.
2. Transfer the mixture to the plastic jar.
3. When ready to use, scoop 1/4 cup of laundry enhancer into the basin of your washing machine.

You will love this all-natural way of improving the scent of your laundry!