Abundant Health™ Blog

January 14, 2016
by Abundant Health™
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Homemade Body Balm

It is always good to have a balm on hand in your home to soothe your skin. This balm uses essential oils that are known to support the skin and aid in its recovery. Lavender, melaleuca, and frankincense all have antiseptic properties. Lavender is also known for its antimicrobial properties and its analgesic (pain-relieving) abilities. Additionally, melaleuca is antibacterial.

This balm goes a long way. It doesn’t take a lot to soothe your skin. The recipe makes 6 oz. of balm. Put it in our 2 oz. glass salve containers. Keep one at home, one in a tote for on-the-go, and give the third to a friend.  As an alternative, you could host a make-and-take class and send your attendees home with their own 1/4 oz. salve jar of balm.

This body balm will become something that you love and use on a regular basis. Try this recipe today, and start feeling the benefits.

Skin-Balm

Homemade Body Balm

Yield: 6 oz. | Time: 10 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Melt the beeswax and coconut oil together in a double boiler.
  2. Once the beeswax and coconut oil have melted together, carefully remove from heat. Slowly add the melaleuca, frankincense, and lavender essential oils.
  3. Slowly add the witch hazel to the mixture, using a hand blender to mix it in. Blend on high for a few seconds until the cream is well incorporated.
  4. Spoon the cooled cream into sealable glass containers, and it’s ready to use. It should go on smooth, and you can expect a more waxy and balm-like texture. To avoid contaminating the cream, try not to touch it directly with your hands; use a cotton swab or clean tissue to apply it to skin. This keeps any stray bacteria that might be on your hands out of your helpful cream.

(Information on this page is from the Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie and Alan Higley, 2014 Edition. See “Frankincense” (p. 76),  “Lavender” (pp. 88–89),  and “Melaleuca (Tea Tree)” (p. 96) in the Single Oils section.)

January 12, 2016
by Abundant Health™
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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Do you need a quick and healthy snack for when you are running out the door? Even if you just need something healthy to nibble on when you get hungry, these pumpkin chocolate chip granola bars are just the thing for you! Go ahead and give this delicious and hearty snack a try!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Servings: Yield=12 granola bars | Time: 25 minutes active; 1 hour inactive | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin puree
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 drop cinnamon essential oil
  • 1 drop clove essential oil
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1/2 cup almonds
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (try using these healthy chocolate chips without the peppermint essential oil)
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 cup pepita seeds
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds
  • 1/4 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/2 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease an 8.5″ x 12.5″ baking pan, and line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin, vanilla, maple syrup, and essential oils.
  3. Using a food processor, pulse the rolled oats a few times until they are coarsely chopped but still have lots of texture. Stir the oats into the pumpkin mixture.
  4. Place the walnuts and almonds in the food processor, and pulse until coarsely chopped.
  5. Add the chopped nuts, chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, pepita seeds, chia seeds, sea salt, and pumpkin pie spice to the pumpkin oat mixture. Stir until well combined.
  6. Spoon the mixture onto the prepared baking dish, and press it down evenly across the baking dish until smooth and compacted.
  7. Bake for 25–35 minutes, or until firm and lightly golden colored along the edges.
  8. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan; then lift the parchment paper with the granola bar slab out of the pan, and place it on a cooling rack to cool completely.
  9. Once the granola bar slab has cooled, slice it into bars, and enjoy!
  10. Store any remaining bars in a bag or air-tight container in the fridge or freezer.

January 9, 2016
by Abundant Health™
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Essential Oil Spotlight: Eucalyptus Globulus

iStock_000053408460_Small

Eucalyptus globulus essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves of myrtle shrubs and trees and is known for its fresh, woody scent. Historically, eucalyptus leaves were used to bind up serious wounds and were known to prevent infection and promote faster healing.

Eucalyptus is known for its analgesic, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, diuretic, expectorant, insect repellent, and stimulant properties.

Eucalyptus is commonly known to help support the body when dealing with asthma, bronchitis, carpal tunnel, cataracts, congestion, dysentery, emphysema, fever, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, jet lag, kidney stones, measles, migraines, neuralgia, neuritis, pain, shingles, sinusitis, spina bifida, strep throat, tennis elbow, and tuberculosis.

Aromatically, eucalyptus is known to promote a sense of health, well-being, purification, and healing. Other common uses for eucalyptus include acne, allergies, burns, flu, inflammation, sore throats, and viruses.

Would you like to learn more about eucalyptus essential oil? See the Reference Guide for Essential Oils for more information about this and many other pure essential oils.

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2014 Edition, p. 68–69

January 7, 2016
by Abundant Health™
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Makeup Brush Cleaner with Essential Oils

This all-natural makeup brush cleaner is effective at cleaning your brushes and leaves the bristles moisturized. Not only do the essential oils in this recipe leave a lovely scent on your brushes, but they are also great for your skin!

Makeup Brush Cleaner

Time: 5–10 minutes active; 8 hours inactive | Difficulty: Moderate

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Pour a little Fractionated Coconut Oil into a Shot Glass. Add essential oils, and stir to combine.
  2. Pour a little Castile Soap into another Shot Glass.
  3. Swirl your makeup brushes in the oil solution until you see the makeup stored in the brush start to come out (about 15–30 seconds). Rub against the palm of your hand or a paper towel to agitate it a little and loosen the makeup. Keep the bristles pointed down.
  4. Rinse the brush under warm running water. Gently squeeze the brush bristles until the water runs clear. Note: Make sure to point the bristles down during this whole process. If tipped with the bristles up, the oils and water may loosen the glue that holds the bristles to the brush and shorten the life of your brushes.
  5. Swirl the brush in the Castile Soap for 15 seconds, and rinse again with warm water. This helps remove the oils from the brush.
  6. Gently squeeze all liquid from the brush, and hang your brushes to dry (bristles pointed down) or let dry flat on a towel.

January 5, 2016
by Abundant Health™
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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.

Chocolate Mint Chia Seed Pudding

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

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.

December 31, 2015
by Abundant Health™
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Essential Oil Veggie Dip

Serve a healthy vegetable platter with this delicious essential oil–flavored dip at your next class, meeting, or social gathering. This can be a great way to introduce cooking with essential oils!

Veggie-Dip

Essential Oil Veggie Dip

Servings: 8 | Time: 10 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups low fat cottage cheese
  • 1 package ranch dressing seasoning mix
  • 1 toothpick basil essential oil
  • 1 toothpick dill essential oil
  • 1 toothpick oregano essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Pour cottage cheese and ranch dressing mix into the blender. Dip a toothpick in each oil, and then swish the toothpick in the cottage cheese mixture (use a different toothpick for each oil).
  2. Blend all ingredients together until smooth.
  3. Serve with your choice of vegetables.

December 22, 2015
by Abundant Health™
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Holiday Diffuser Blend: Candy Cane Mist

This holiday season, try this refreshing blend in your diffuser! It’s a great way to fill your home with the wonderful scents of the season!

December 17, 2015
by Abundant Health™
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Creamy Potato, Sausage, and Kale Soup

This delicious, creamy soup is the perfect meal on a cold winter evening. It is quick and easy to make and has a wonderful flavor.

Potato-Kale-Soup

Creamy Potato, Sausage, and Kale Soup

Servings: 4 | Time: 30 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 5 small potatoes
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup polish sausage (fully cooked)
  • 1 cup chopped kale
  • 1 drop rosemary essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Peel and chop potatoes.
  2. Place potatoes in a medium-size pot with water over medium-high heat.
  3. Cook potatoes until soft. Remove from heat.
  4. Use an immersion blender to partially puree the potatoes (or pour the soup into a regular blender). Add more water if needed to create a creamy soup consistency.
  5. Stir in olive oil and salt.
  6. Add kale and sausage to the potato puree. Return to medium heat on the stove, and cook until kale is tender.
  7. Remove soup from heat, and stir in rosemary essential oil.
  8. Serve soup warm with a roll or bread.

December 15, 2015
by Abundant Health™
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All-Purpose Cleaning Spray with Essential Oils

Not only does this cleaning spray work well, but it also smells fantastic and leaves your house with a fresh scent! Clean your house with all-natural ingredients this year!

All-Purpose Cleaning Spray

Servings: Yield=8 oz. | Time: 2 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Mix castile soap, essential oils, and water together in the spray bottle.
  2. To use, spray desired area, and wipe with a damp cloth.

December 10, 2015
by Abundant Health™
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Essential Oil Spotlight: Cinnamon Bark

Organic Raw Brown Cinnamon

Cinnamon bark essential oil is steam distilled from the bark of Cinnamomum verum and is known for its spicy, warm, and sweet scent.

Cinnamon is an ancient spice that was used in just about every prescription issued in ancient China. It is highly regarded as a tranquilizer, tonic, and stomachic.

Cinnamon bark is known to be antibacterial, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-infectious (intestinal, urinary), anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiseptic, antispasmodic (light), antiviral, astringent, immune stimulating, purifying, sexually stimulating, and warming.

Cinnamon bark is commonly used as an antibacterial and antifungal. It has been used to support the body when dealing with diabetes, diverticulitis, pneumonia, staph/MRSA, vaginal infections, and whooping cough.

This essential oil may also be beneficial for circulation, colds, coughs, digestion, exhaustion, flu, infections, rheumatism, typhoid, depression, a weak heart, and warts. It also enhances the action and activity of other oils.

Would you like to learn more about cinnamon bark essential oil? See the Reference Guide for Essential Oils for more information about this and many other pure essential oils.

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2014 Edition, p. 58–59