Five Mocktails to bring in the new year

Cran-Apple Cider

Rim glass with cinnamon sugar. Combine equal parts cranberry juice and apple cider. Garnish with a rock-candy swizzle stick.

Sparkling Sangria

Add sliced apples, strawberries, oranges, and frozen grapes to sparkling grape juice. Garnish with a fruit  slice.

Faux Champagne

Combine equal parts ginger ale, white grape juice, and pineapple or orange juice. Garnish with frozen grapes and a curly straw.

Shirley Temple

Rim glass with pink Pop Rocks. Add 4 Tbsp grenadine syrup to 16 ounces ginger ale. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Chocolate Mock-tini

Coat inside of glass with chocolate syrup. Blend together 1/2 cup chocolate milk, 1 cup mint-chocolate chip ice cream, and 4 ice cubes. Garnish with candy cane.

Apple Crumb Pie Recipe

Apple Crumb Pie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 Prepared 9-inch Pie Dough (homemade or store-bought is fine)

Crumb Topping

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 brown sugar
• 1/2 cup of butter
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling

• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 3 Tbsp corn starch
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 8 ounces sour cream
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 pounds Granny Smith or Golden Delicious Apples (about 7-8 apples), peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/4-inch wedges

  Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. Roll out pie dough and line 9-inch pie plate. Freeze for at 15-20 minutes to firm dough.

3. Prepare crumb topping by combining sugars, cinnamon, flour and salt. Cut in butter using a pastry cutter or two knives until mixture resembles large peas. With hands, press topping together to form large clumps. Refrigerate until ready to use.

4. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and salt. Add apples and toss to evenly combine.

5. Add sour cream and vanilla to apple mixture and toss well to coat evenly.

6. Spoon apple mixture into chilled crust.

7. Sprinkle top of apple mixture with crumb topping.

8. Place pie on foil-lined baking sheet to catch and overflow during baking. Bake pie for 1 hour. Then, turn oven down to 350 degrees and bake for another 35-45 minutes or until the filling in the center is bubbling. If needed, you can loosely cover pie with aluminum foil towards the end of cooking to prevent over browning.

9. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tres Leches Cake

Tres Leches Cake

Ingredients
* 6 large eggs, separated
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
* 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
* 1 can(12 ounces) evaporated milk
* 1/2 cup half and half
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 2 Tbsp rum or brandy {optional}
* 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
* 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. In a mixing bowl, beat egg yolks and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy. In another bowl, beat egg whites to soft peaks. Using a rubber spatula, fold whites into yolks until almost combined. Gently fold in flour (do not overmix).
2. Spread batter in prepared dish. Bake until golden and pulling away from sides of dish, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool the cake for 20-30 minutes.
3. Using a fork, prick the cake all over. Also, cut off the edges of the cake if they seem dry.

4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the three milks, vanilla extract, rum or cognac and pour evenly over cake. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate all day or overnight.

4. Before serving, prepare whipped cream frosting. In a mixing bowl, whip heavy cream with sugar until thick {stiff peaks} and spreadable.

Frost cake and serve. You can also top with maraschino cherries, pineapple, or coconut.

Maple Pecan Pie

Maple Pecan Pie

• 1 prepared pie dough
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 4 Tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups pecans (halves and some whole)
• pinch of Kosher salt

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl beat eggs. Stir in maple syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix until well-combined. Add pecans and stir. Pour into prepared pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 – 45 minutes or until golden brown and the filling is set.

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter or 2 sticks-softened{not margarine!}
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions:
1. On a sheet of waxed paper {or in a large bowl}, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. In large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat butter and sugar until blended. Increase speed to high; beat until light and creamy, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to low; beat in eggs and vanilla until mixed. Beat in flour mixture, scraping bowl occasionally with rubber spatula, just until mixed. Shape dough into four balls; flatten each slightly. Wrap each in wax paper and refrigerate over night, until firm enough to roll.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Keeping remaining dough refrigerated, on lightly floured surface with floured rolling pin, roll one piece of dough a scant 1/4 inch thick. Tip: If dough will not roll out easily or falls apart–then knead with a bit of flour until pliable. With floured 3-4 inch assorted cookie cutters, cut dough into as many cookies as possible; reserve trimmings. Place cookies, about 1 inch apart, on ungreased large cookie sheet lined with a Silpat or parchment paper. Place in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before putting in the oven to bake.
3. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden around edges. With wide spatula transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.
4. Repeat with remaining cookie dough and trimmings.

Yield: Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

Holiday Breakfast: Overnight Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

 Holiday Breakfast: Overnight Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

1 package (2 1/4 tsp.) active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (100-110 degrees)
3 – 4 cups flour, divided
3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup warm milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. Kosher salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Filling

1 stick butter
2/3 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves

Cream Cheese Frosting

4 ounces cream cheese
1 stick butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar

Directions
1. Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl; let stand for 5 minutes until bubbles start to appear.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add 3 cups flour, pumpkin, milk, butter, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Using the dough hook attachment, beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth (about 5-10 minutes). Dough should be tacky, but not sticky. Add flour in small amounts as needed. NOTE: If you don’t have a stand mixer, just knead dough with your hands for about 10 minutes; adding flour as needed.
3. Place the dough inside a large bowl that has been sprayed lightly with cooking spray or oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm area of your kitchen until doubled in size.
4. Punch dough down; cover and let rest for 5 minutes.
5. In a small bowl combine sugar and spices.
6. On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 16×12 inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over dough and then sprinkle with the sugar and spice mixture. Starting with a long edge, roll up tightly; pinch seam and ends to seal. Cut the roll into 15 (1 inch) slices. Place rolls in a 9×12 inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise 25 minutes or until doubled in size.

 At this point, you can either bake the rolls immediately or place in the refrigerator overnight. If you do refrigerate them overnight, take them out of the refrigerator about an hour before baking to allow to come to room temperature.
7. Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F). Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

8. While rolls bake, prepare the cream cheese frosting. Using a stand or hand mixer, cream together the the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a small bowl. Add the powdered sugar until well mixed. Frost warm rolls with the cream cheese frosting and serve immediately.

Hot Cocoa

Hot Cocoa

 If you've been drinking the store-bought stuff from the little packets, you are truly missing out on one of life’s simple luxuries. Hot cocoa is super simple to make and tastes so much better when it’s homemade. Both kids and adults love it!

 Ingredients:

-1/3 cup cocoa powder
-1/3 cup sugar
-1/3 cup water
-4 cups milk

-1tsp pure vanilla extract
-pinch of salt

Directions: Whisk cocoa, sugar and water in a medium saucepan and simmer until sugar is dissolved. Add the milk and vanilla and continue cooking until heated through.

Eat, drink and be MERRY! Happy Holidays!

Reindeer Chow {Muddy Buddies} (a spin-off of Puppy Chow)

Reindeer Chow {Muddy Buddies}

Ingredients

1. 14 Cups Chex cereal
2. 18 oz holiday m&ms
3. 12 oz semi sweet chocolate, bar or chips
4. 1/2 Cup unsalted butter
5. 1 Cup peanut butter
6. 1 tsp vanilla extract
7. 4-5 Cups powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Melt the peanut butter and butter in a microwave safe dish. Microwave in 30 second intervals until butter is melted. Add the chocolate a little at a time until all is melted into the mix. You might need to microwave one last time to make sure everything is melted and add the vanilla. Stir together.
2. In a large bowl add half of the cereal.
3. Drizzle half of the chocolate peanut butter mixture into the cereal in the bowl. Mix with a spoon.
4. Place one large paper bag into another one. Add 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar and half of the mixed cereal into the bag. Close this tightly and shake vigorously. Add more powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time if needed until all the cereal is coated. Add 1/4 of the m&ms into the bag and toss. Place in an air tight container.
5. Continue these step with the remaining ingredients.
6. Keep stored in an air tight container. I personally love to keep it in the freezer, YUM!
7. Enjoy!

Strawberry Angel Food Trifle

Strawberry Angel Food Trifle

(1) angel food cake
24 oz. container frozen strawberries, sliced with sugar added, thawed
3 cups sugar free vanilla pudding
16 oz. container of whipped cream, slightly less than the whole container
Fresh strawberries for garnish

Tear angel food cake into medium pieces. Begin layering cake, strawberries, pudding and whip cream in a large clear glass bowl.Continue irregular layers, filling the bowl. Top entire dessert with a solid layer of whip cream. Slice a few fresh strawberries for garnish Refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours before serving. To me it tastes like all the flavors of strawberry shortcake in one big yummy bite! I think it would be GREAT to add blueberries to this mix too... 

BANANA CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

BANANA CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda 
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
4 ripe bananas, mashed
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar and oil together on medium speed until combined. Beat in eggs. Add mashed bananas and vanilla extract and beat to combine. Reduce speed of mixer and gradually add flour mixture by thirds, alternating with buttermilk, mixing well. Pour into a lightly greased 9 x 13 pan. Cook at 375 for 30-35 minutes.

For frosting beat together the cream cheese and butter on medium speed. Reduce speed and gradually add powdered sugar a little at a time until completely mixed. Add vanilla, increase speed and beat until fluffy. Spread over cooled cake.

Have you ever had the pleasure of tasting a Dole Whip?

DOLE WHIP 

2 cans (20 oz. each) DOLE crushed pineapple
2 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. lime juice
1/3 cup sugar (or Stevia)
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream


Drain pineapple: reserve 2 tbsp. juice.
Set aside.
Place pineapple, lemon juice, lime juice, sugar and reserved pineapple juice in blender.
Cover and blend until smooth.
Pour into two 1-quart freezer zipped bags.
Store bags flat in freezer.
Freeze 1 1/2 hours or until slushy.
Stir pineapple slush gently into whipped cream until slightly blended in large bowl. 
Return to freezer until completely frozen, about 1 hour and serve. 

Classic Patty Melt

Classic Patty Melt

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds of ground chuck
1 large Vidalia or yellow onion, halved and sliced
1 tablespoon of canola or vegetable oil
1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, plus additional softened butter for the bread slices
4 slices of Swiss cheese, or your favorite sliced cheese
8 slices of rye bread
Special Sauce, optional {recipe below}
Garlic salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray. Shape the meat into four oval shaped patties, place on the pan and put into the freezer for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the oil and butter in a cast iron skillet. Add the onion and cook over medium high, stirring regularly, for about 5 minutes or until softened. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking, stirring regularly, until caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the onion; set aside.

Sprinkle the meat patties with the garlic salt and pepper. Place into the same skillet, seasoning side down, and turn the heat back up to medium high. Cook until the patties are well browned on the underside, and mostly cooked through. Flip, scatter onions on top and place a slice of cheese on top of the onions. Cover with a lid and move off of the heat source to let the cast iron finish cooking through. If you are not using cast iron, you'll need to keep the burgers over direct heat until cooked through.

Generously butter one side of all of the bread slices. Place, butter side down into a fresh large non-stick skillet and place a slice of cheese on top of each slice of bread. Cook the bread until well browned on the underside. Top each bread slice with one of the meat patties and add some of the special sauce, if using. Top with a slice of buttered bread, butter side out, and carefully turn over to brown the other side, gently pressing down. Cook until well browned, transfer to serving plates and cut on a slight diagonal. Serve immediately.

Special Sauce (aka Thousand Island Dressing)
©From the Kitchen of Deep South Dish

2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
1 tablespoon of ketchup
1/2 tablespoon of sweet pickle relish
Pinch of sugar
Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Combine and refrigerate until needed.

Great light Carrot Cake recipe from "nutritionist" friend!

Defiant Health & Fitness (Christy Seguin)

Today's recipe----Lower-calorie CARROT CAKE!

As you all know, I also have a business called "Cakes ROCK!!!" where I indulge my creative passion of sculpting really rockin' cakes. Of course, there is nothing 'healthy' about cake, but there are some that are fewer calories than others. This is my recipe, put together from the best of several other recipes I have tried, for a really good lower-calorie & lower-fat carrot cake (NOT LOW-fat, mind you, but low-ER!), that will fool just about anybody. I get rave reviews on it.

Now, adding icing will up the calories big time, especially if you use cream cheese, buttercream, etc. The nutritional information is just for the cake.

Don't omit the cayenne pepper. It's the secret ingredient that brings the flavor out amazingly! (I got that from the Sweet Genius himself, Ron Ben-Israel.) The zucchini has something in it that makes a wonderful binding agent, giving a great texture, & is undetectable as far as flavor.

Lower-Calorie Carrot Cake

3 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbs baking powder
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 Tbs Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp salt
6 eggs
7 oz carrot baby food (2 Gerber packs)
1 Tbs vanilla flavoring
1.5 cups packed dark brown sugar
1.5 cups granulated white sugar
¾ cup coconut oil, melted
1 pound shredded carrots (peeled)
½ pound shredded zucchini (peeled)
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 cup raisins (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices & salt in large bowl. If using the nuts & raisins, toss them in the flour mixture until well-coated. Set aside.

With mixer on medium speed, beat eggs, oil & sugar until smooth & creamy, approximately 3 minutes (don't skimp on this). Add carrot baby food & vanilla & beat well. Fold in carrots & zucchini.

Add flour mixture to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed & scraping sides of bowl as necessary. Mix until well-blended. Batter will be thick.

Grease & flour your 8" cake pans (Makes either 2 thick or 3 thinner 8" layers), & line the bottom with butter wrappers or parchment paper to ensure it won't stick. Spread the batter in the pan, filling no more than 2/3 & bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, approximately 50-60 min for 8” cakes.

Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire rack to cool.
Serves a minimum of 25, which is the number I used for the nutritional calculations.

Per serving, for cake only (with raisins & walnuts--omit for fewer calories): 267 calories, 40 grams carbohydrates, 11* grams fat, 5 grams protein

*without walnuts, 8 grams fat

Potato Soup, (Garlic) Cheese Biscuits, Pumpkin Pie

It's what's for dinner! ;)

I started making the pie first because it takes longer to bake:

Pumpkin Pie

1 8oz pkg cream cheese, softened (I leave mine sitting out of pkg in the large 15 cup mixing/measuring bowl)
2 c canned pumpkin, mashed
1 c sugar (I added 1.5 cups)
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg + 2 yolks, slightly beaten
1 cup half-n-half (cream found in refrigerated section next to coffee creamers)
1/4 c (1/2 stick) butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla (I used 2)
1/4 tsp ground ginger (optional)
1/2 tsp cinnamon (I used 1 tsp)
Pie Crust (Ritz or the like), deep dish, or two regular
Whipped Cream for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat cream cheese with hand mixer. Add pumpkin and beat until combined. Add sugar & salt and beat until combined. Add eggs, half-n-half and melted butter and beat until combined. Add vanilla, cinnamon and ginger and beat until combined.
Pour into (warm) pie shell, and bake 50 minutes to 1 hr 10 minutes until center is set.
Place on wire rack to cool. Slice and garnish with whipped cream.


Potato Soup

(Suggested toppings: chopped green onion, shredded cheddar cheese, cooked crumbled bacon)
3 c cubed potatoes (don't rinse too much, I only rinse after peeling to get the dirt off... the starch helps thicken the soup)
1 can chicken broth
1 small carrot, grated/shredded
1/2 c onion, chopped
1 Tb parsley (I added 1.5 Tb)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
COMBINE above ingredients, cover and simmer 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
3 Tb all-purpose flour
3 c 2% milk
COMBINE above 2 ingredients well, stir in to soup, bring to a boil stirring, 2 minutes.
Add 8oz shredded cheddar cheese
Stir well until melted, serve, and garnish.


(Garlic) Cheese Biscuits

1 1/2 c bisquick (or any brand baking mix)
3/4 c buttermilk (or 2% milk)
3 Tb sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla flavoring
1 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp garlic powder, optional
2 Tb chopped basil, optional

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Combine all ingredients and stir just until combined. Scoop into muffin pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Cook 12-15 minutes.

Chili Chicken over Savory Rice & Cheesy Broccoli

I cut up 3 chicken breasts, added 2 Tbs olive oil and 1 tsp minced garlic in a pan to heat, then added 1.5 Tbs Kikkoman Thai-style Chili Sauce. Added the chicken, cooked several minutes on medium, stirring occasionally,  while prepping the rice.

1 cup rice, 2 c water, salt, oregano, chicken bullion cube, garlic powder.

Broccoli, steamed in 1/4 c water in the microwave on 5 minutes. Made some cheese sauce in a pot by using three 1/2 inch slices of block-processed-Velvetta-type cheese, 'crumbled', and 1/4 c milk. Warmed and stirred over medium heat in small pan, poured over broccoli. Salted and peppered everything on the plate.

72 Essential oil uses

72 Essential oil uses, you've never thought of.
These are Essential oils uses that are odd, or you have likely never heard of before.



1) Fruit or veggie wash

Add 3-5 drops of a citrus oil to 2qts - 1 gallon of water in a bowl, mix well, then use as a wash fruits and vegetables. Dry well. Will also help prevent premature molding or rotting. 



2) Small cuts, scrapes

Believe it or not, Peppermint oil is soothing to open wounds, and is highly anti-bacterial. Small cut and scrapes will feel better and heal quickly. Apply or spray neat.



3) Sunburn - Apply WHAT!!

Believe it or not, Peppermint oil is cooling and soothing to sunburns. Make a spray and use neat or 5-10 drops in a few Tbs of distilled water. It will help protect against infection, however, consider that lavender or frankincense has better healing properties for burns. Apply lavender or frankincense then layer with peppermint spray to drive the oils and cool and comfort the skin.



4) Poison Ivy, oak

Combine calamine lotion with peppermint (1 Tbs with 5 drops) and apply to itchy area's.



5) Thicker, fuller hair

Add 20-50 droops of Rosemary to shampoo &/or conditioner for thicker, fuller hair, and to slow thinning. (Does not help re-grow hair) And it smells wonderful, especially added to doTerra's hair care.



6) Hiccups

Add 4-5 drops of Peppermint to 1-2 Tbs of room temperature water in a small glass or shot glass. Swig, and the hiccups will usually stop immediately.



7) Hot tube rash

Apply clear skin or on guard neat to area's of hot tube rash.



 Hemorrhoids or backside & underside issues.

Hot sitz baths

A hot sitz bath is taken in warm water of 95 - 105º F / 35 - 41º C, with the water level not higher than your navel. You can use a bath tube or large tub of some kind. Mix 5-10 drops of essential oil with 1-2 tbs of coconut or other carrier oil. Then add the oils to the water and agitate well.



Beneficial for:

hemorrhoids, piles
muscular issues
painful testicles
painful ovaries
uterine cramps
prostate issues



Consider; Cypress, deep blue, frankincense, helichrysum, etc.





9) Cold sitz bath

In a cold sitz bath, water of only a few inches deep is used and should not be colder than 68º F / 20º C. A with the water level not higher than your navel. You can use a bath tube or large tub of some kind. Mix 5-10 drops of essential oil with 1-2 tbs of coconut or other carrier oil. Then add the oils to the water and agitate well.



Beneficial for:

constipation
impotence
inflammation
vaginal discharge



Consider; Digest Zen, lavender, frankincense, geranium, helichrysum, rosemary, etc.



10) Steam tent

Pour hot water into a bowl and add 5-10 drops of an essential oil to help clear sinus issues, ease bronchial issues and help relieve coughing. Consider Breath, eucalyptus, citrus oils, rosemary, peppermint, melaleuca (tea tree oil), etc.



11) For serious sinus, cold and congestion issues

Neti pot

http://www.zdoterra.com/Neti-Pot.html



12) For colds, flu, congestion, sore throat.

Essential oil tea

http://www.zdoterra.com/Make-a-Tea.html





13) Essential oils and Compresses 

Compresses are very effective in the application of essential oils.

http://zdoterra.com/Learn.html#anchor_24



14) Carpet deodorizer

Take an cleaned out Pringle's style can, use a hole punch to punch several holes in the lid. Add 1 cup of baking soda and 20-40 drops of essential oil, mix well and put in the canister. Sprinkle on carpet area's and let sit for up to 1/2 hour then vacuum. Deodorizes, and kills microbes. Consider Citrus oils or blends, purify, lavender, white fir, peppermint, etc.



15) Butt Bomb

Have a cough or tickle deep in your lungs you cannot get rid of? Essential oils can be effective against virus deep in the lungs, if you can get them there. Application to the back and chest followed by a warm compress is good, but if you want the quickest most effective way to the lungs, consider a "butt bomb." (as my children so affectionately refer) Insert, using a lubricated syringe or capsule a blend of 5 drops frankincense, 5 drops breathe and 5 drops lime. Insert every 2-3 hours till relief comes.



16) Vacuum fresh filter

Have a HEAPA or other filtered vacuum? Put a few drops of your favorite oil on the filter and pop it back in. Air flowing through the filter dispels amazing aroma throughout the room, and kills any nasty microbes or bacteria that might be hanging out in your vacuum.



17) Tupperware yellowing (though plastics are no longer encouraged in homes)

Often older Tupperware and plastics will begin to yellow and get sticky to the touch. Use a drop of lemon and a drop of on guard with a nylon scrubber and a hot water rinse, and they will be just like new.



18) The Big Day

Put 4-6 drops of Serenity, Balance or another calming oil on a cotton ball a place it in the center of a bride's bouquet. Any time she feels nervous or anxiety, impatience, etc... smell the bouquet deeply.



19) Scuff Marks

Ugly black rubber can leave marks on vinyl, tile, wood, even car plastics and vinyl's. Lemon oil and Peppermint are both excellent at removing these marks. Every oil is better with different types of marks. So if one does not work, try the other. Apply directly to the scuff, and then rub it with a towel or cloth. 



20) Tiny little splinters

Have you or someone you know come in contact with wood products that produce tiny little splinters? Apply purify to these area's 2-3 times prior to bed time, by morning most of them will have worked themselves out. It will prevent infection and soreness to the area too.



21) Band Aid Goo.

Have you ever taken a band aid off and have sticky band aid goo residue? 2 drops of lemon oil rubbed on the area with a clean cloth will quickly remove the sticky residue.



22) Oh no! My Iron!

Ever had an accident with a hot iron that left melted residue to seemingly ruin your iron? Try 1 drop each of On guard and lemon and rub with a cloth or rag. With some rubbing, your iron will be like new.



23) Permanent Marker (Child art)

Permanent marker is no match against a couple drops of lemon oil and some elbow grease.



24) Foot powder, Stinky Feet

Add 15 drops of peppermint and 10 drops of Melaleuca (tea tree oil) to ½ cup of corn starch and mix well in an empty mini can of Pringle's. Then punch several holes in the plastic lid so it can be used as a shaker. Apply in socks or shoes before getting dressed. Replace the lid with holes with an airtight lid to keep the mixture fresh and usable.



25) Cool feet

Add a few drops of peppermint to the souls of your shoes on a hot day or before a walk or run to keep your feet cool, and to help with unpleasant odors. Add a few drops of Cypress if your feet sweat a lot.





26) Cooling spay.

Working hard on a hot, sweaty day? How about an athlete burning calories during a hard practice, workout or game. Maybe you're just a spectator in the hot sweltering stands. Get a spray bottle and add 10-20 drops of peppermint to a ½ - 1 cup of water and use as a cooling spray to the face, neck and base of the scull. Not only is it cooling, but also invigorating.



27) Sticky stickers.

Ever want to meet the guy who decided to put individual price stickers on the bottom of every glass or cup in a dark alley? Instead of getting even, get a solution. Let a drop or two of lemon absorb onto the sticker for a few moments, then wipe clean.



28) Super-glue

Super-glue is no match for lemon oil. Especially if it has not set up for long, just a drop at points of contact and in a minute, it will become super-un-glued.



29) Paint mistakes and over-spay.

Lemon is extremely effective at removing over spray or painting mistakes. Especially if the paint has not hardened or set for long. 



30) Spritz for hotel beds/room

Take a small spray bottle and add ½ cup of distilled water and 10-20 drops of Essential oil. Spray around hotels rooms, including bed sheets and bathrooms, rental cars, or other areas to kill microbes and deodorize the area.



31) Laundry

Kill microbes, germs, and other nasty critters in your laundry by adding 5 drops of Melaleuca (tea tree oil) or on guard to your wash cycle.





32) Spritz before ironing

Want to add some fantastic aroma to a freshly pressed shirt? Add a couple drops of your favorite oil or blend to your water spritzer before pressing. 



33) Add 10-20 drops of Lemon to your dishwasher's rinse cycle for spot free dishes.



34) DVD-CD Cleaning

Did you know that lemon oil is great at cleaning DVD's and CD's and will even remove light scratches that could be causing playback problems. Apply 3-5 drops on the surface of the disk, spread around the surface with a soft Kleenex or paper towel. Then wipe from the center of the disk to the outside edge till the oil is evaporated. If there are heavy scratches, you can leave the essential oil on the disc surface for a minute or two before wiping off. Caution: If you use to much oil, with out wiping off, it can eat through the outer surface to the written data.





35) Boost that immune system

Did you know that flavoring water with your favorite citrus oil will greatly boost your immune system. Fight of cold and flu attacks, and reduce their severity by having a drop or two in every glass of water you drink. And always drink a lot of water. Favorites: Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit.



36) Boost that immune system II

Did you know that daily "oil pulling" or "gargle and swish" will not only greatly boost your immune system, but will clean your mouth of microbes and germs and protect against gingivitis? Use 3-5 drops of on-guard in 1-2 tbs of water, gargle for 60 seconds then swish around the mouth for 90 seconds or more, then spit and brush. For more information on the Oil Pull, follow the link. http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs015/1103092363662/archive/1103259517682.html



37) Grease cutter
Orange oil is well-known for its use as a cleaning agent to help break down grease and gum.



38) Gum

Use lemon or Orange oil to remove gum from carpet, hair or Fido's fur.



39) Mechanics and Grease Monkeys

Cypress essential oil is often used to clean under fingernails and to dissolve old metallic paint from radiators in the home.



40) Dryer

To create great smelling laundry, apply a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a wash cloth and add to the laundry during drying. If you don't want use anti-cling sheets, but have problems with static electricity, remove your load while still slightly damp. This will also kill any microbes in your laundry or dryer.



41) Infused Milks or Creams
Infuse your milk or cream with lavender, lemon or orange. Great for creating sauces, Farces, Purees, Icings and Creamers.



42) Child Tantrums

Take a child's favorite stuffed animal and put of few drops of their favorite oil on it. During tantrums, let the child hold and smell the animal. The aroma will be calming. Consider: Citrus oils, balance or serenity. Every child is different, find the oil that best calms him/her.





43) Anxiety

Try putting 5 drops of Essential oil on your palm, then rubbing it over your chest and heart, the cup and inhale your hands. This will help relieve anxiety or angina. Consider: Peppermint, Cypress, Marjoram, and Frankincense.





44) Breath freshener?

Put a drop peppermint on your hand between the base of your thumb and index finger and take the drop into your mouth, holding under your tongue. The peppermint will freshen breath for 10-15 min.



45) Stay Awake

Put 5 drops of Peppermint on the palm of your hand and rub the back of your neck and base of the skull. Then cup and inhale the residue from your hand. You will feel the cooling effects of the peppermint in about 30-60 seconds. It will make you more alert and help you wake up or stay awake. Great if you have trouble getting up in the mornings or if you get drowsy easily in meetings, at the office or behind the wheel.



46) Toothpicks/Kick the habits

Flavored toothpicks are not only fun to chew on, but for people trying to kick the smoking habit, or have a need for mouth fixations i.e. loosing weight, chewing habit, etc. They don't add calories and they help satisfy the oral fixations.

Make highly concentrated flavored toothpicks by putting 10-20 drops of essential oil in a small vile with 10-20 toothpicks in it. Shake well, the let them sit (on its side) for at least 24 hours, turning (rotating) every few hours. Favorite oils are Cinnamon or Peppermint. Consider adding clove to help with addictions. (use caution with "hot" oils)



46) Towel Joy

Make a spray with ½ cup of distilled water and 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Spay your bath towel just before getting into the shower. When you get out, enjoy the aroma of a fresh, essentially treated towel.





47) Leather conditioner

Mix 10 drops of essential oil with ½ cup of neat's-foot oil or food grade lanolin oil then spray and wipe leather surfaces to condition leather and protect from cracking.



48) Relax the Spirit

Try a blend of 2 drops each of Frankincense and Peppermint or Frankincense and Cypress to the back of the neck to ease and relax a restless spirit.



49) Flavored Ice Cubes

Make flavored Ice cubes for lemonade, water, or punch by adding a drop of essential oil to your ice tray.



50) Bed time for Baby

Place a few drops of serenity, lavender or other calming oil on your baby's blanket or stuffed animal, and let the aroma do its work at bed or nap time.



55) Flavored Cream Cheese

Cream cheese and essential oil mix very well, and can be sweetened with honey or sugar. Let you imagination go after that!



56) Diffuse

Have you tried to diffuse...

Cassia... helps with awareness, mental acuity

Lemon... aids in concentration

On Guard or Eucalyptus... Boost the immune system, Kill flu and cold virus

Balance... While balancing the checkbook or having serious conversations.

Citrus oils... Make you happy!

Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Wild Orange or White fir... to bring in the Christmas spirit.



57) Want stronger, healthier fingernails?

Massage a drop of lemon oil into your nails and cuticles twice a week.



58) Mental Acuity

Research in Japan confirms that lemon aroma relaxes brain waves, resulting in improved concentration and reduced errors in office environments thus increasing productivity.



59) Mental Clarity

Got Brain Fog? Try sucking your thumb... with a drop of Melissa on it. Brain Power!



60) Pet Powder

Don't enjoy that 'wet dog' smell? Try this non-toxic powder.

1 Cup Corn Starch

5 drops Lavender

5 drops Geranium

4 drops Eucalyptus

Mix well, and keep in a small Pringle's can with several holes in the top. Sprinkle a small amount on your dog or pet gorilla and brush through the coat. Will not only smell great, but repels ticks and other pests.

Use after bathing, trimming or when needed. Keep airtight between uses.



61) Book worm Aromas

Put a couple drops of Geranium on your book mark of your romance novel. Try cinnamon book marks for your action novel, clove on your mystery novel or frankincense or Vetiver for your scriptures or holy scripts.



62) Stationary Sensations

Put a couple drops of Geranium on your love letter stationary. Infuse stationary for religious conversation with frankincense or Vetiver. Try cinnamon & Frankincense blend for your financial letters. Infuse stationary for dear friends or happy announcements with lemon and lavender, and for stationeries used for tough love, and serious communication, use Patchouli & Clove.

Put the oils on a small piece of paper, put it in a large zip lock bag with the stationary or envelope, and then seal it for 24 hours to infuse the stationary. Or you can send the small piece of aroma paper in the envelope with the letter.



63) Man up Fragrance

"Man up" Whisper essential oil blend by adding a drop of clove, Vetiver or frankincense to a drop or two of whisper.



64) Sensual

A couple drops of Peppermint with some carrier increases blood circulation, making area's more sensitive.



65) Flavored Water

Add 1-3 drops of essential oil to your drinking water. Consider Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, peppermint, slim and sassy, etc. Cleanses, refreshes, kills microbes.

Why are lemon slices nasty? http://www.zdoterra.com/Miscellaneous.html#anchor_19



66) Flavored Milk

Ever tried Lemon or Lime essential oil in your milk? You might be surprised.



67) Wake up your potpourri

Liven up old potpourri that has lost it's aroma by mixing 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil(s) to 2 tbs of grape seed oil then mixing with the potpourri.



68) Fireplace or Campfire Joy

Place several drops of frankincense or Vetiver on a log and place in the fire for an enhanced earthy aroma.



69) Fear of Flying? 

Have a hanky available, and place Lavender, Balance, Serenity or other calming oil in it. During times of anxiety, inhale the aroma in your hanky.



70) Air filter Fumes

Every time you change the air filters in your home, place a few drops of On Guard or other essential oil on the filter. It will kill microbes in your duct work, and make your home smell wonderful for a short time.



71) Suspect parasites & worms?

Do you suspect unwanted travelers with you? Deep inside you? Drink Lemon water several times per day for two weeks, see what happens!!



72) Shot glass & Essential oils

Top uses of a shot glass and essential oils.

http://everythingessential.me/Hints/ShotGlass.html
8 Tips for keeping the flu out of your home.sick

Daily (during flu season) routines:

Gargle then mouth swish, then brush and spit 2 tbs of water with 4-5 drops of On Guard.

Drink at least 32 ounces of water during the day with 1-2 drops of lemon per 8 oz of water.

Wipe down surfaces in living areas using a spray with 20 drops of On Guard, Lemon or Purify to every 8 oz of water.

Massage 2 drops of On Guard on the bottoms of your feet before putting on your shoes.

Diffuse On Guard or another essential oil in your most used living areas.

Spritz your bed with an essential oil before bed time.

Begin a flu protocol the moment you feel any symptoms.

Eat well, take extra vitamin D, and your wellness vitality pack (Melaleuca brand of multi-vitamins).