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
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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.

Candy Cane Sugar Scrub Bars

Do you like exfoliating with a sugar scrub? You may want to give this recipe a try!

While you are in the shower and ready to wash up, just grab one of these and rub it all over your body like you would soap. The soap helps get you clean, the sugar helps exfoliate your skin, the coconut oil replenishes moisture, and the essential oil refreshes the skin and provides a lovely scent. It’s a great way to pamper yourself while showering!

These sugar scrub bars make a great stocking stuffer or addition to any “pamper yourself” gift!

• Servings: 20+
• Time: 10 minutes active; 30–60 minutes inactive
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup solid unscented soap, shredded
• 1/4 cup (48 g) Coconut Oil
• 1 cup (200 g) white sugar, divided
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• 1 drop red food coloring (optional)
• PET Jar or other airtight container

Instructions:

1. Put the unscented soap and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave for 10-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted. You can also melt the ingredients on the stove top with a double boiler if you prefer.
2. Mix 1/2 cup (100 g) white sugar with 1 drop red food coloring, if desired.
3. Allow soap/oil mixture to cool for a couple minutes before adding in the white sugar, dyed sugar, and peppermint essential oil.
4. Press the mixture into a silicone mold, muffin tin lined with paper cups, or a glass dish (to cut into cubes).
5. Let sit in the fridge or freezer to allow mixture to firm up before cutting into cubes (if needed) and transferring the cubes to your PET jars or other airtight containers.
6. To use, simply rub a sugar scrub bar over your skin while showering. Rinse off with water.

Extra Scent Ideas:

• Autumn Spice: Use brown sugar instead of white sugar and 5 drops cinnamon essential oil instead of the peppermint essential oil. Add 1 Tbsp. (15 ml) maple syrup to the mixture.
• Pumpkin Pie: Use brown sugar instead of white sugar. Add 1 Tbsp. (15 ml) honey, 1 tsp. (2 g) pumpkin pie spice, and 2 drops cinnamon essential oil instead of peppermint.
• Grapefruit Mint: Use 3 drops grapefruit and 2 drops peppermint essential oil. Add 1 drop red food coloring (optional).
• Create your own scent! The possibilities are endless.

Essential Oil Spotlight: Peppermint

 

Peppermint essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves, stems, and flower buds of the Mentha piperita plant.

For centuries, peppermint has been used for a variety of purposes. It is known to soothe digestion and freshen breath, as well as treat headaches and heartburn.

The French have been known to use peppermint to alleviate asthma, diarrhea, indigestion, migraines, itchy skin, and throat infection.

The antibacterial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties of peppermint make it a versatile in uses that aid the digestive and respiratory systems as well as muscles, bones, and skin.

It may also be used to help anger, arthritis, colic, depression, morning sickness, and toothaches.

The aroma is both purifying and stimulating to the mind. It can reduce fevers and increase mental accuracy.

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

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2016 Edition, pp. 112–14.

Crunchy Chocolate Mint Power Balls

Try these power balls for a delicious and healthy snack! They taste like a cookie with a bit of a crunch and will leave you feeling satisfied.

• Servings: 18–20 balls
• Time: 20 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients:

• 1 cup (90 g) oats (quick or rolled)
• 1/3 cup (53 g) chia seeds
• 1/4 cup (22 g) cocoa or cacao powder
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1/2 cup (125 g) almond butter
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) honey
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil
• 3/4 cup (139 g) cooked quinoa

Instructions:

1. Combine oats, chia seeds, cocoa or cacao powder, and sea salt in a mixing bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, combine almond butter, honey, and peppermint essential oil. Mix well, and then add cooked quinoa. Stir until well combined.
3. Combine the wet and dry ingredients together, and mix well. You may need to use your hands.
4. Roll mixture into 1 1/2″ (4 cm) balls.
5. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Note: To cook quinoa, place 1/4 cup (43 g) quinoa and 1/2 cup (120 ml) water in a small pot, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork, and continue cooking for 5 more minutes or until the quinoa has absorbed all the water. You can also cook the quinoa in a rice cooker as you would cook regular white rice.

Soothing After-Sun Spray

After a long day in the sun, treat your skin to this Soothing After-Sun Spray made with essential oils! You can even use it while you are outside as a cooling spray to help keep your skin cool.

• Servings: Yield=8 oz. (240 ml)
• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients & Supplies:

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) aloe vera juice
• 2 Tbsp. (30 ml) Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 1/2 tsp. (2.5 ml) Vitamin E Oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops melaleuca essential oil
• 5 drops roman chamomile essential oil (can substitute with peppermint essential oil to have a more cooling effect)
• Distilled water
• 8 oz. glass or plastic spray bottle

Instructions:

1. Pour aloe vera juice, fractionated coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and essential oils into the 8 oz. spray bottle. Screw the lid on, and shake to combine.
2. Fill the rest of the bottle up with distilled water, and shake again.
3. To use, shake a little, then spray over skin as needed. Avoid spraying in the eyes or ears.

Welcome Summer Diffuser Blend

Are you looking for a great oil blend to diffuse in your home or car this summer? Give this one a try! If you are lacking a diffuser, head over to abundanthealth4u.com to find just what you need.

 

Cacao Peppermint Body Scrub

Antioxidant-rich cacao and the antiseptic properties of peppermint, combined with the richness of coconut oil, will leave your skin feeling revitalized and silky!

• Servings: 1 1/2 C (360 g)
• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients & Supplies:

• 1 cup (149 g) ground cacao beans
• 4 Tbsp. (57 g) raw sugar
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) melted coconut oil
• 15–20 drops peppermint essential oil
• 16 oz. PET Jar

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground cacao beans with the raw sugar.
2. Melt the coconut oil, and stir it into the cacao mix.
3. Drop in the desired amount of peppermint, and stir.
4. Transfer the mixture to your PET jar. Gently scrub on anywhere you want soft, smooth skin.

Happy Morning Diffuser Blend

Make your morning a happy one by diffusing this delightful blend! Don’t have a diffuser? No problem. Abundant Health™ has exactly what you need!

Winter Wellness Diffuser Blend

Do you have the post holiday blues? Try this new diffuser blend; it’s sure to clear your head with its simple, peaceful aroma. Need a new diffuser? Click here to view our wide selection of diffusers to find the right one for you!

Chocolate Mint Chia Seed Pudding

This pudding is so delicious that you may be tempted to eat all of it at once. Plus, because it is healthy, you can even eat it for breakfast—just top it with a little granola and fruit! To make it even healthier, you can use any milk you desire and substitute the maple syrup with 5–8 pitted dates.

• Servings: 4–6
• Time: 5–10 minutes active; 5–10 hours inactive
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups milk of choice
• 1/3 cup chia seeds
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2–3 drops peppermint essential oil

Instructions:

1. Mix together the milk, chia seeds, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and salt. Whisk until well combined.
2. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 5 hours until it reaches a pudding-like consistency. If possible, stir once or twice while it is setting to break up the chia seed clumps.
3. Once set, pour the pudding into the blender, and add the peppermint essential oil. Blend until smooth. Serve chilled alone or with desired toppings such as fruit, whipped cream, granola, etc.

Extra Idea:

This pudding would make a great healthy refreshment at an essential oil class. You can even serve it in a shot glass that your class attendees can take home with them. Click here to see a similar idea.