Mexican Black Beans ~ Essentially Summer Recipe Series

Welcome to the Essentially Summer Recipe Blog Series!

We just learned from Courtney how to make Rosemary Roasted Potatoes. Click here if you missed it: http://www.goinggranolablog.com/2014/06/essentially-summer-recipe-series.html

Look what's on the menu today!

I'm super excited about this recipe! I've used a variety of ingredients and the flavor result is delicious.The essential oil additions not only bolster the flavor, but add extra nutritional value, as well. 

Here's the recipe:

Mexican Black Beans
Serves 4-6

(2) 15 oz. cans black beans, drained
(3) ears fresh corn, boiled in water for 8 minutes, drained and cut from cob
(2) tablesp. olive oil
(1) sweet onion or white onion, chopped
(2-3) jalapeños, chopped
(1) red pepper, chopped
(2) cloves garlic, minced
(1) cup beef broth
(1 1/2) teasp. cumin
(1/2) teasp. garlic powder
Frontera habenero sauce or other hot sauce to taste (optional)
(3) drops Young Living lime essential oil 
{http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/essential-oils/singles/lime-essential-oil}
(2) drops Young Living coriander essential oil 
{http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/essential-oils/singles/coriander-essential-oil}
(1) drop Young Living oregano essential oil 
{http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/essential-oils/singles/oregano-essential-oil}
(2) tablesp. chopped cilantro
salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
Sauté onion, jalapeño, and red pepper in olive oil until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes. Add beans, corn, broth, cumin, garlic powder, and hot sauce, if using. Bring ingredients to a near boil then remove from the heat and thoroughly stir in lime, coriander, and oregano oils, along with the cilantro.
Serve as is, or use as a filling for tacos, compliment to white or brown rice, etc. 

Are you ready to jump into the wonderful world of caring for your family with therapeutic grade essential oils?
Click here https://www.youngliving.com/signup/?sponsorid=1641212&enrollerid=1641212
to learn more or contact the person who introduced you to the "Essentially Summer" blog recipe series!

Next up is Tara at Feels Like Home: http://www.feelslikehomeblog.com/2014/06/cilantro-lime-rice-with-beans/   
  
Be sure to check out all 35 posts in the "Essentially Summer" blogger recipe series. Click here: http://myblessedlife.net

Clean Air Aromatherapy Blend

What's in your diffuser today? I'll tell you what's in mine! Today I have a refreshing mix of three Young Living oils, infusing my small loft space with their bright and cleansing scents. 

 

Our diffuser runs pretty much nonstop in our home, and we get rather creative with the oil combinations we use. With spring upon us and the usual itch of deep cleaning, reorganizing, or household decorating that accompanies it, I felt the desire to throw together this bright and refreshing blend to compliment the mood. It also helps clean the air from all the molds, allergens, and bacterias that are floating around right now.


Here it is:

Tea Tree is a warm, clean, and fresh oil that is antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal

Spearmint is antibacterial and good for lifting the spirits

Orange is cleansing, safe for children, antibacterial, tolerated by most people, and helps to promote happiness

Want to know more about how you can diffuse oils in your home? Click here: https://www.youngliving.com/signup/?sponsorid=1641212&enrollerid=1641212

DIY All Natural Couple's Massage Oil Recipe -- {Detox Your Home Series}

Happy Spring! 
I am super excited about the "Detox Your Home" series! I love making natural products. They not only smell great, but are safe and effective. 
Kristi Sawicki just showed us how to make Thieves Household Cleaner. If you missed it, check it out here: http://savingdollarsandsense.com/frugal-diy-nontoxic-household-cleaner.

Today I'd like to show you how to make a wonderful-smelling and exotic couple's massage oil. As a massage therapist, I am always looking for great products to use on the body, especially when they include good quality aromatherapy oils. 
Making your own massage oil ensures that you will be putting an all-natural product on your skin, not something loaded up with animal by-products, harsh chemicals and preservatives, or synthetic fragrances. 

In this recipe, sweet almond oil is the base, or carrier oil. Make sure to purchase cold-pressed oils, and even organic, if possible. Almond oil has a light feel and a mild nutty odor. It is nourishing and well-suited for massage, as it provides the right slip and glide without being too heavy. It is also great for those who are gluten-intolerant. 


The Young Living oil blend I've added to the base is called "Sensation," which is made up of rosewood, ylang ylang, and jasmine. 
Rosewood: encourages feelings of tranquility and works as an antidepressant.  
Ylang ylang: an aphrodisiac; relaxing, helpful for frigidity, promotes arousal. 
Jasmine: also an aphrodisiac; dissolves apathy, and encourages confidence. 
These are all great ingredients for a couple's massage oil! Sensation has a rich, floral smell with earthy and spicy notes. A heavenly fragrance that is sure to put you in the mood!

Here's the recipe:
(Recipe credit to Melissa Poepping, author of "The Chemical Free Home.")

 














 Next, learn how you can make a homemade shower spray from Denise Bowen: http://wp.me/p4gx5D-39.


Be sure to check out all 30 posts in the "Detox Your Home" Spring blogger series! Click here: myblessedlife.net.
Sign up today with a Young Living Premium Starter Kit and receive a free copy of Melissa Poepping's "The Chemical Free Home." This invaluable resource contains information on the benefits of essential oils, harmful ingredients in household products, and natural recipes to help you keep your environment and your body safe.  

Are you ready to jump into this wonderful world of caring for yourself and your family naturally with essential oils? The time is now! Click here: https://www.youngliving.com/signup/?sponsorid=1641212&enrollerid=1641212 to learn more or contact the person who introduced you to "Detox Your Home" Spring blog series! 

ADD? Go Back to Your Roots

Go back to your roots. 

Vetiver oil, that is. It's extracted from the root of the vetiver grass. I purchased a bottle from Young Living a couple of weeks ago because I'd read that it benefits people with ADD. 
My husband has struggled with this condition off and on his whole life. After getting on Adderall a couple of years ago, his life dramatically improved. Being the natural couple we are (some would say "hippy"!), however, we would like to not be so dependent on drugs to regulate symptoms like this. We realize this is not always possible, and medications definitely have their place.
We are trying the oil combo Valor and Vetiver. It's only been a couple of days, but I've been putting the Valor on the back of my husband's neck and the Vetiver on his big toe, or on his wrist. 
I asked him today if he's noticed anything in particular. He says that it hasn't been long enough to report significant symptom changes, but one thing he has noticed is less anxiety. 
No surprise there. Vetiver is a wonderful earthy smell, and as it fades, becomes sultry and exotically powder-like. It lingers, and even after applying it to my hubby, I've benefited from its calming effects.
We will keep you posted! 
 

Cedarwood Oil & Sweet Dreams

I asked my husband before our much-adored nap today if he'd like me to diffuse some essential oils. Occasionally I'll do that before we sleep to help us drift off better. He said, "Sure!" That's one of the many things that I love about my husband. He enjoys natural fragrances as much as I do, so it makes it especially fun to experiment. 
I did some poking around on Pinterest to see which oils might enhance sleep. I came across a Young Living pin on cedarwood oil that recommended dabbing a drop on the wrists and forehead to promote rest. 

After I anointed my husband and I, we lay down and soon were floating away to a slightly narcotic slumber, the earthy and grounding woody fragrance penetrating our subconscious. We will be trying this again before bed tonight.
Later this afternoon, I mixed and burned in the diffuser rosemary, cinnamon, fir, black pepper, and nutmeg for a very stimulating and energetic blend. It filled the air with a robust aromatic scent that was stimulating to inhale.