Essential Oils in the Kitchen
Let’s kick start our day with Plain Greek Yogurt with a drop or two of citrus oil (I like to use lemon or orange) topped with berries.
Photo by Wesual Click on Unsplash
Let’s kick start our day with Plain Greek Yogurt with a drop or two of citrus oil (I like to use lemon or orange) topped with berries.Photo by Wesual Click on Unsplash
Specific oils support different body systems. For example, lemon essential oil is said to support a healthy circulatory system, and peppermint may support healthy digestion. All essential oils support the immune system to some degree, some, like cinnamon or oregano just do a better job at it.
As your essential oil collection increases, so does your know-how. You learn which oils are best to use in the morning. You create a mental list of diffusion blends that change the mood in your home, and you know which essential oils help you relax when added to bathwater. But did you know that many of our oils can be used in the kitchen? In addition to their ability to support wellness, essential oils can add great flavor to your cooking.
No additives or harsh chemicals
At first glance, it may seem like essential oils and flavored extracts have a lot in common—but they are completely different. To make something like peppermint extract, the plant parts are cold-pressed, then soaked in a liquid like alcohol. Most of the oils in the Young Living Vitality line are steam distilled. 
Photo by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash
Citrus oils are cold pressed from the rind without the use of outside chemicals. As part of our Seed to Seal Promise, no alcohol, no solvents, no residuals chemicals from raising the plants as none are used during growing. Just plain pure essential oil.When it comes to using essential oils in your cooking, not all essential oils are created equal. Because of how some oils are made, they are not safe to consume. Make sure the essential oils you are going to use are labeled for internal use. The Young Living Vitality line was made especially for this purpose and just received the Non-GMO verification! You can find everything from basil and black pepper to ginger and grapefruit (there are 44 vitality oils so far in the collection).
Unexpected guests? It is easy to have the ingredients on hand for Garlic Lemon Hummus. Because lemon essential oil is used instead of lemons, and can be whipped up in 10 minutes.
Photo by Mariana Medvedeva on UnsplashWhy should essential oils be used when cooking?- Essential oils are superior in flavor and potency over dried herbs.
- They have a longer shelf life than any dried herb, seed, or flower. When stored in a cool dark place, they will maintain their potency for years instead of months or in some cases days with dried and fresh herbs.
- You are infusing health benefits! Into everything you make
- Everyone likes to save money and time. You’ll always have what you need on hand. No more buying fresh herbs from the store for one sprig of Rosemary only to have it dry out and shrivel up before using again. No more flavorless dried herbs.
- Does your spice drawer look like this? Think about how much easier it is to keep your spice drawer neat, not to mention the space you will free up.
Salmon and vegetables on top of a bed of mixed greens. Lemon juice infused with black pepper essential oil.Tips for replacing Extracts and Flavoring with essential oils:
- Only using high quality, pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils. Second, the label on your essential oil should state whether or not it is safe to use internally.
- If a recipe does not contain fat or oil, citrus oils can be a great substitute for juice or zest. If it does contain fat or oil like dressings or guacamole, you will want to use the juice as the acidity is needed to balance the fa
t. Although adding some essential oil to the recipe will bring out the flavor. - For herbaceous oils like basil, dill, or oregano, start with a toothpick dipped in the bottle and stir into the mixture and then add more to taste as needed. If you think the oil is strong or the recipe calls for less than the printed quantities, start with the toothpick.
- Keep in mind that since essential oils are so much stronger in flavor and purity than typical alcohol-based extracts and flavorings, always start with less and add more, as necessary.
When do you add essential oils to the recipe?
- Milder flavor oils, add at the end of cooking or just before serving. If you add them at the beginning of the cooking process, then the flavor will dissipate greatly when ready to serve.
- For the stronger oils, adding them while your recipe is simmering will
allow some to evaporate leaving a milder, delicious flavor when ready to serve. Oregano essential oil simmering in a pot of spaghetti sauce will make everyone eager for dinner!! - Don’t add oils when cooking above a simmer as the extra heat is not needed to dissipate the oil throughout the dish and it may destroy the health benefits of the essential oil.
- Since cooking with essential oils is all about figuring out what depth of flavor you enjoy in your finished dishes, we highly encourage lots of experimenting with your recipes.
Movie night! Essential oils on popcorn? the flavor creations are endless. My favorite: Cinnamon or dill. My husband's is black pepper.
Using Young Living’s Vitality essential oils will open up a whole new world of flavor and aroma in the heart of your home…the kitchen. Have fun and enjoy!!!
Remember to Experiment in the Kitchen!!!
Kim for Cherished Vitality
All About Copaiba Essential OIl
Copaiba essential oil is one of my favorites. I do have several essential oils that I try to make sure to have a back up bottle on hand and Copaiba is one of them. Copaiba resin is tapped directly from trees (copaifera reticulata, C. langsdorfii, or multijuga) in Brazil before being steam distilled.
Its topical applications are many and it has a calming aromatic scent that can be Inhaled directly or used in a diffuser. It is a mild essential oil, which is also great topically after exercise, or upon waking. Add to your Mix 2-4 drops in a carrier oil and apply to face, neck, arms, hips, stomach, and thighs to maintain a healthy appearance. You may even want to try rubbing a couple of drops into your hair or scalp before or during shampooing. Copaiba has also been known to amplify the affects of other essential oils when applied topically with or over the top of other essential oils.
Reasons to Use Copaiba Essential Oil
Reasons to Use Copaiba Essential Oil
- May be an important part of daily health regimen
- May promote wellness
- Copaiba’s constituents include beta-Carophyllene and alpha-humulene
- Brazilian Copaiba has GRAS1 designation
- It has been heavily researched
Here are Some of My Favorite Ways to Use Copaiba Topically:
- Rub 1 drop of Copaiba and 1 drop of Peppermint over the stomach or lower abdomen for a cooling and refreshing sensation to the skin
- Rub 1 drop Copaiba on the back of the neck for a calming aromatic experience
My Favorite Ways to Use Copaiba Vitality:- Place 1 drop under the tongue each day, or put 1 drop in a veggie capsule and swallow with water may support the Cardio-system, muscles and joints and normal inflammation.
- 1 drop of Copiaba and 1 drop of Frankincense under the tongue each day or in a veggie capsule may support the immune, endocrine system or nervous system.
Copaiba is one essential oil you will want to add to your collection if you have not already. Please leave a comment with your favorite use of this oil. Be sure to stay compliant by not mentioning any disease names or symptoms. Thank you.
Kim
1 GRAS - Is a label in the U.S. that stands for Generally Regarded As Safe for ingestion
Information taken from personal experience, Young Living Website and Essential OIls Desk Reference by Life Science Publishing
What does kitchen appliance maintenance and your health have in common? Read on to find out.
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Peppermint - (Mentha piperita) can be used topically to cool the skin or diffused for a scent that invites feelings of peace. It is one of the oldest & most highly regarded oils for soothing digestion. There have been studies done on its effect on the liver, respiratory system, concentration, mental accuracy, and the brains satiety center (triggers a sense of fullness). Peppermint may also support your performance during physical activity.**
18 Uses for Peppermint
Read on to learn about all the wonderful uses for Peppermint essential oil. The following spray I made as a "cool me down" spay a few years ago, but I keep finding wonderful new uses for it. With fall here and cooler days and nights, it is time to think about bringing the houseplants. I spray mine down with the cooling spray to keep unwanted guests from coming in with my plants. I also used it on my kitchen counters this summer for the same reason. As a cool down after too much time in the sun. On occasion, I have even used it on my belly for minor digestive issues or on my back for my muscles. I rarely leave home without a bottle of cooling spray.
Keep your cool during the summer. Mix 4 drops Lavender essential oil & 10 drops Peppermint essential oil in ½ t Epsom salts. Place in a 6 oz glass spray bottle and fill with distilled or filtered water. Shake before each use. Spray on back of neck, under the arms, or bottom of your feet. May be kept in the refrigerator for an extra “cool” mist on hot days.
Muscle Support. Apply immediately to an injured area.
Hot Feet Fix. Add Peppermint to a cold compress and cool down your overworked feet.
Support your respiratory system. Dilute a drop or two of Peppermint in fractionated coconut oil in a roller bottle. Roll under your nose to support open airways and help you breathe easily.
Stressed? Apply a drop to neck and forehead with Lavender to relieve tension and pressure.
Do you scare people away with your breath? Use a drop of Peppermint Vitality* with Lemon Vitality* in water for a healthy, refreshing mouth rinse. It freshens breath and builds confidence in your close encounters.Close encounters with mother nature. Did you touch the wrong plants while walking in the woods today? Apply Peppermint Vitality* on location, diluting with a carrier oil if needed.
Take a deep breath. Inhale deeply directly from the bottle or from a drop in the palm of your hand to invigorate lungs and increase alertness.
A joint effort. Peppermint is a great way to cool joints without taking an ice bath. It helps soothe temporary muscle and joint discomfort.
Pre and post workout ideas. Before your next workout, apply a drop of Peppermint to your chest and breathe deeply to awaken your senses and get your lungs to open up. Afterwards add a drop to your shampoo to stimulate and help with scalp health.
Cool down your workout. Add a drop of Peppermint Vitality* to Pure Protein Complete Chocolate shake for a delicious afternoon snack or your after your workout wind down protein drink.
Satisfy that urge to snack. Most people eat until they feel full. Diffusing Peppermint may trigger the brain’s satiety center, causing one to feel full faster and help reign in the urge to snack on junk food.
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Itchy Throat. I recently discovered that swallowing Thieves Vitality* and Peppermint Vitality* in a dollop of honey may have a numbing, refreshing and soothing sensation to an itchy throat.
Digestive support. Rub on the abdomen in a clockwise direction or take internally for occasional digestive discomfort.
On the road, again. Inhale Peppermint from the bottle, or diffuse to awaken the senses on long drives.
Long night at the office? Rather than grabbing a sugary snack which will give you a sugar high followed by a crash, deeply inhale Peppermint and grab a Pure Protein Complete Shake to keep you going long into the night.
Writer’s Block? Peppermint can oxygenate blood circulation and leave you feeling rejuvenated to keep creative juices flowing. Diffuse or place a drop on the back of the neck for improved concentration and alertness.All things chocolate! Peppermint Vitality* makes a great addition to anything chocolate. I love it in my homemade dark hot chocolate, fudge, and even frosting.
*Young Living's Vitality line is labeled for internal use. Exact same essential oil as in the bottles with the colored labels, just a white label and instructions for internal use. The color labels give instruction for topical and aromatic usage.
**Quality matters when it comes to essential oils. Do not expect the same results unless using Young Living essential oils.
Last week we talked about essential oils to help our children thrive in school this year. Missed school days are also hard on our children's success in school. Our health and wellness is a cherished commodity and we can use essential oils to support our health in many ways resulting in less missed days of school and work.
Thieves is super great blend to have on hand to support the immune system of the whole family. Just rub a drop on your feet before putting on your socks and shoes. I especially 
make sure to use Thieves before using public transportation and having to breathe 
in all that stale circulated air. :) My brother used to work in the public school system and would rub a drop on his beard and mustache each morning . Ahh, great immune supporting aromatherapy all day long. My niece loves to make herself an after-school tea each day with Thieves Vitality and Lemon Vitality. 
I always make sure to have Raven and RC on hand in the winter time. They are two blends created for respiratory support. When I want give my respiratory system support, I will put a drop of one on 
my chest (front and back) and a drop of the other one on the bottom of my feet, morning and night. The next day I will switch it up and put the other one on my chest and and the first one on my feet. There has only been one year that I did not get the results I for which I was looking and had to try another protocol.
When using essential oils on children, there are a few things to keep in mind :
- Dilute, Dilute, Dilute: Remember size matters. If one drop of an essential oil works for you , how much less they may need because they are much smaller in size. Also, their skin is more permeable and thinner than adults. Start with a heavy dilution ratio. It is easier to add more essential oil to a carrier oil than trying to add more carrier oil.
- Check for redness or irritation. Don't worry ! Apply a carrier oil such as organic coconut or olive oil to the location . You may want to consider diluting the oil that was recently applied or discontinue for a pit until the irritation subsides.
- Be careful with essential oils around the eyes. It is NOT recommended to use essential oils on or in sensitive areas such as eyes, ears, and mucus membranes. If you do get essential oils in the eyes, DON'T panic!! And DON'T use water to wash it out, instead apply a small amount of organic coconut or olive oil around the eye to pull the essential oil and dilute it.
Here are a couple of great recipes that you may want to use this school year! A wellness roll- on and to keep your children from bringig home any unwanted guests, a hair tonic recipe. Just spray on the hair each morning and again when they come home from school if you wish.Here is to keeping your children well and in school this year
Check out the recipes and please take time to comment on this blog and share it with your friends.
