Abundant Health™ Blog

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™
2 Comments

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

December 8, 2015
by Abundant Health™
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Popsicle Stick Puzzle

Did you know that you can use essential oils to transfer prints from a laser printer or copier onto fabric, wood, or other materials? This easy method is a lot of fun and opens up many possibilities for personalized gifts with a really neat effect! We are going to show you how to do it with a fun popsicle stick puzzle that makes a great gift for kids.

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The trickiest part of this craft is getting a picture that will work. The pictures that work best are ones that have high contrast (like the picture we used of Roman chamomile flowers). Black and white images tend to have higher contrast than colored images, but you can still do this project with colored ink. High contrast means there is a very distinct difference between the blacks and the whites (or between dark colors and light colors). Pictures that have lots of different shades of grays (rather than pure black and white) or pictures with faint gradients may appear too faded and could be hard to figure out what the picture is. Keep in mind that the image will fade a bit during the transfer.

Solid text also looks great, but you do want to make sure you flip the text before printing so it is readable after it is transferred. Use a program like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop to lay out your words or design. When you have the design looking how you want it, select the design, and use the program’s flip or rotate tools to flip the design horizontally so you have a mirror-image of the design. Print the design onto normal copier paper using a laser printer (or copy it on a toner-based copier). Another important note: Be certain your printer or copier uses toner. This method doesn’t work with inkjet or wax systems.

Once you have an image printed on a laser printer, the rest is easy.

Popsicle Stick Puzzle

Time: 10–20 minutes active | Difficulty: Moderate

Ingredients:

  • Large popsicle sticks (jumbo size)
  • Masking tape
  • 4″x6″ black and white picture
  • Glass Shot Glass or small glass bowl
  • Orange essential oil
  • Cotton swabs

Instructions:

  1. Print off you image or words using a laser printer. If you want the image to face a certain direction (especially needed for text), you need to flip the image before printing. See notes above for more information about choosing an image.
  2. Line up your popsicle sticks (enough to cover the image you are transferring). We used 9 popsicle sticks + 2 extra to help tape the image down for a 4×6 image.
    AH_PopsicleStickPuzzle_Oil
  3. Tape the sticks together; then flip the set over.
  4. Cut the image from the paper, leaving a 1/4 inch border to allow you to tape around the edges. Tape the image to the popsicle sticks with the ink side facing down.
  5. Place 10–15 drops of orange essential oil in the glass shot glass.
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  6. Dip a cotton swab into the orange oil, and then swab the oil over the back of the printed design a little at a time (the design will become visible through the paper as you swab the oil over it). We found it best to do one popsicle stick at a time.
  7. Use an extra popsicle stick to rub completely over the back of the printed design. This presses the toner into the wood, so you need to be fairly firm; but don’t press down so hard that you tear through the paper. Be certain to rub over all parts of the design. We found it worked best to spread oil over one popsicle stick, rub with the extra stick, and repeat on the next popsicle stick. Continue to repeat these two steps until the entire image has been transferred.
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  8. Once you are done, carefully peel back one corner or side of the design to ensure you didn’t miss transferring any part of it. If you did, carefully replace the paper in the same spot, and rub over the missing areas to transfer them. When finished, remove the paper and tape from the popsicle sticks.
    AH_PopsicleStickPuzzle_Dryer
  9. Use a blow dryer on its hottest setting to blow hot air over the design to help fuse it into the wood (this helps prevent the design from fading or getting ink on your fingers).
  10. Once dry, flip the puzzle over, and remove the tape on the back. Now you can mix up the pieces and try putting them back together again!

Extra Idea:

    • Drill a small hole in the top of each popsicle stick, and attach all the pieces to a ring. This helps keep the puzzle pieces together when not in use.
    • If the puzzle is a little difficult to figure out on it’s own, print off an extra image to use as a reference. Place the image and all pieces in a bag so everything stays together when not in use.

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December 3, 2015
by Abundant Health™
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DIY Dog Shampoo and the Abundant Health™ Holiday Gift Guide

It’s time to start thinking about holiday gifts, and we’ve got some great ideas for you! The Abundant Health™ Holiday Gift Guide will help you give your holiday gifts a new spin this year with lots of exciting essential oil gift ideas!

AH_HolidayGift-Guide

The holiday season is a great time to introduce others to the the wonderful benefits of essential oils! The gift guide contains ideas for both beginner and experienced oil users, so you are sure to find something to give to the people in your life. The gift guide could also be given as a gift because it contains various essential oil–related recipes and ideas. The recipe below is featured in this holiday gift guide.

Click here to view a pdf of the Abundant Health™ Holiday Gift Guide.

AH_Dog_CastileSoap

DIY Dog Shampoo

Servings: 8 oz. | Time: 5 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients together in an 8 oz. Plastic Bottle.

Note: The mixture is watery but works great for keeping your dog smelling great. It can be a support to your dog’s fur and skin.

December 1, 2015
by Abundant Health™
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White Bean Hummus with Basil Essential Oil

This is a great healthy appetizer that you can serve at any event! Eat it with vegetables, pita chips, or crackers; or use it as a sandwich or wrap spread. This white bean hummus is more mild than the traditional hummus and can be enjoyed by all!

AH_WhiteBeanHummus

White Bean Hummus with Basil Essential Oil

Servings: 8–10 | Time: 5–10 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 1 can cannellini beans or great northern white beans (15 oz.), drained and rinsed
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. tahini
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1–2 drops lemon essential oil
  • 1 toothpick basil essential oil
  • 1–2 Tbsp. water (to thin)

Instructions:

  1. Place all ingredients (except water) in a food processor, and blend until smooth. Add more seasonings to taste. Add water to thin if desired.
  2. Serve immediately with vegetables or crackers. You can also use this hummus as a sandwich or wrap spread.
  3. Note: As the hummus sits in the fridge, the oil taste may get stronger. If you aren’t planning on serving it immediately, wait to add the essential oil until shortly before serving.

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

November 25, 2015
by Abundant Health™
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Pumpkin Pie Spice Granola

Enjoy the flavors of fall during breakfast with this healthy and delicious granola that incorporates the benefits of pure essential oils!
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Pumpkin Pie Spice Granola

Servings: 8–10 | Time: 30 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup almonds, coursely chopped
  • 1/2 cup almonds, finely chopped
  • 3 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. allspice
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 3 Tbsp. coconut oil
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 drop cinnamon essential oil
  • 1 toothpick nutmeg essential oil
  • 1 toothpick clove essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350º F.
  2. In a blender, coarsely chop 1/2 cup of almonds, and finely chop another 1/2 cup of almonds.
  3. Combine all of the dry ingredients in a bowl, and stir to mix thoroughly.
  4. Heat the honey and coconut oil in a double boiler or microwave.
  5. Add vanilla extract and essential oils to honey/coconut oil mixture. Stir to combine well.
  6. Pour the honey/coconut oil mixture over the oat/nut mixture, and stir until everything is evenly coated.
  7. Spread the granola evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  8. Bake for 5 minutes, and then stir the mixture around. Return to the oven for 5–7 more minutes. Watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
  9. Move the parchment paper, with the granola, onto a counter, and spread it out with a spoon. Allow to cool.
  10. After it cools completely, break up the granola as needed, and store it in an airtight container.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEXNU8OStdc?rel=0

November 19, 2015
by Abundant Health™
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Lime Essential Oil Spotlight

Fresh lime green on the tree, lemon thai.

Lime essential oil is cold pressed from the peel of Citrus latifolia.

Lime is know for its antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral, restorative, and tonic properties.

Historically, lime was used to help with fevers, infections, sore throats, and colds.

Common uses for lime essential oil include helping to support the body when dealing with bacterial infection and fever. It can also be used to help remove gum or grease and revitalize the skin.

Lime essential oil may also be able to support the body in cases of anxiety, gallstones, liver deficiencies in children, and nervous conditions.

Lime has been known to be beneficial for increasing energy, strengthening nails, cleaning skin, purifying water and air, and improving clarity of thought.

Lime boasts a fresh, lively fragrance that is said to help one overcome exhaustion, depression, and listlessness.

Would you like to learn more about lime 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. 92–93.

November 17, 2015
by Abundant Health™
4 Comments

Homemade Room Freshener

Do you enjoy having a lovely scent sprayed around the room but want something more natural than you can find commercially? Well, here is a basic, natural room freshener recipe that you can easily customize to create your desired scent! There are so many essential oil scent combinations you can create, but here are a few to get you started:

Clean & Relaxing:
5 drops lemon
3 drops lavender		 Fresh Floral:
5 drops lavender
3 drops geranium
1 drop Roman chamomile		 Holiday Aroma:
2 drops cinnamon
2 drops clove
2 drops orange
2 drops fir
1 drop rosemary		 Winter Wonderland:
4 drops orange
3 drops peppermint
2 drops frankincense

Homemade Room Freshener

Servings: Yield=4 oz. | Time: 5 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 8–10 drops essential oil
  • 1 Tbsp. rubbing alcohol or vodka
  • 1/2 cup distilled water
  • 4 oz. Spray Bottle

Instructions:

  1. Add essential oil and alcohol to the spray bottle. Screw the spray top on, and shake or swirl until combined.
  2. Remove spray top, and fill the remainder of the bottle with distilled water.
  3. To use, shake the bottle and spray as needed.

Note: This funnel makes for easy, mess-free, assembly!

November 12, 2015
by Abundant Health™
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A Scented, Colorful, Fizzing Art Project

AH_PipetteArt1

Need something to keep the kids entertained? This art project is easy to set up and fun to play with. Kids of all ages will enjoy watching the vinegar and baking soda fizz as they use pipettes to create beautiful designs. Using pipettes can even help younger children develop their fine motor skills!

Scented Colorful Fizzing Art Project

Not only do the essential oils provide aromatherapy benefits, but they also help mask the smell of vinegar that can be off-putting to children. If you have older children, this could be a great time to teach them about why baking soda and vinegar react in this way.

AH_PipetteArt4

Scented Colorful Fizz

Time: 5 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Pour white vinegar into the shot glasses. We used about 2 1/2 Tbsp. for each shot glass.
  2. Add food coloring and a drop of essential oil to each shot glass. Be sure to choose essential oils that are safe for children. It’s fun to choose oil scents that go along with each color, and this also makes for a fun sensory experience. For example, mix a drop of lemon essential oil in with the yellow vinegar, a drop of peppermint essential oil in with the green vinegar, a drop of orange essential oil in with the orange vinegar, a drop of lavender essential oil in with the purple vinegar, etc.
  3. Spread baking soda in a thin layer across the bottom of a casserole dish. You want it to be thick enough that it is solid white all the way across the dish. This will act as the “canvas.”
  4. To create your art, suck up the colored vinegar with a pipette, and “paint” the baking soda “canvas.” It is fun to create colorful designs, see the baking soda fizz, and smell the essential oils!

November 10, 2015
by Abundant Health™
1 Comment

Homemade Pizza with Essential Oils

Really impress your family by making this delicious homemade pizza for dinner. The essential oils add such a nice flavor to the sauce that your family will surely be asking for more!

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Homemade Pizza with Essential Oils

Servings: 8 | Time: 45 minutes active; 35 minutes inactive | Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients:

  • Pizza dough (see recipe below)
  • Pizza sauce (see recipe below)
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Canadian bacon
  • Pepperoni
  • Sliced mushrooms
  • Sliced olives

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Roll pizza dough out onto a greased pizza pan or cookie sheet to make a crust.
  3. Spread desired amount of pizza sauce over crust.
  4. Sprinkle the pizza lightly with cheese.
  5. Layer Canadian bacon, pepperoni, mushrooms, and olives on the pizza.
  6. Sprinkle additional cheese over the pizza.
  7. Bake pizza for 15–20 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned on the bottom.
  8. Serve pizza warm.

Extra Idea:

Try different topping combinations on your pizza. Grilled onions, ham, pineapple, green peppers, and sausage are great topping additions/alternatives.

Pizza Dough

Servings: Yield=1 pizza crust | Time: 15 minutes active; 15 minutes inactive | Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbsp. active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water water
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 1/2 cups flour

Instructions:

  1. In an electric mixer bowl with a dough attachment, combine yeast and warm water. Let sit for about 5 minutes, until yeast is dissolved.
  2. Add olive oil, sugar, and salt, and mix together.
  3. Add flour, and mix until ingredients are well incorporated and the dough is smooth.
  4. Let dough rest for 10 minutes before using.

Pizza Sauce

Servings: Covers one pizza | Time: 5 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups tomato sauce, unsalted
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 toothpick rosemary essential oil
  • 1 toothpick basil essential oil
  • 1 toothpick oregano essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Warm tomato sauce into a small saucepan over medium heat. Note: We used a homemade tomato sauce made from garden tomatoes. If you are using a canned tomato sauce, be sure to choose an unsalted version or else reduce the amount of salt you add.
  2. Add garlic powder and salt.
  3. Remove sauce from heat, and stir in essential oils. (Dip a toothpick in the essential oil, and then stir it into the sauce. Use a clean toothpick for each oil.)