VIII. Let them Infuse Cake! ...and cookies ;)

I've been baking a lot lately in an attempt to burn through the ingredients in my pantry before I move next week. Here are three of the best new recipes I stumbled upon amid the chaos, enjoy! :)

Infused Cardamom Breakfast Cake

1 C All Purpose Flour
1/2 C Whole Wheat Flour
2 t Baking Powder
3/4 t Salt
1 t Cardamom
1 C Sugar
3-6 Drops Wild Orange CPTG Essential Oil (or 1- 1 1/2 t orange zest)
3/4 C Plain Greek Yogurt
1/4 C Oil (you could use olive, grapeseed, coconut, or butter)
1/4 C White Bean Puree (or another 1/4 C oil of your choice)
2 Large Eggs
1/2 t Vanilla

Stir flours, powder, salt and cardamom together. In separate bowl stir sugar and orange oil together. Add remaining ingredients, stirring until smooth. Fold in flour mixture just until combined, pour into a greased and floured loaf pan and bake at 350 for about 50 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes before removing from pan, and cool completely before serving. This would make an excellent tea party treat or dessert, or an indulgent breakfast. Serve with fresh oranges if desired.

White Orange Cinnamon Chip Cookies

1/2 C Butter, softened
1/4 C White Bean Puree (you could use another 1/4 C butter)
 3/4 C Brown Sugar (consider reducing to 1/2 C)
1/4 C White Sugar
1 Large Egg
2 t Vanilla
3-4 Drops Wild Orange CPTG Essential Oil
1 1/2 C All Purpose Flour
1/2 C Whole Wheat Flour
2 t Cornstarch
1 t Baking Soda
1/2 t salt
1/2-3/4 C White Chocolate Chips
1/2-3/4 C Cinnamon Chips

Cream butter and sugars, add bean puree, egg, vanilla, and orange oil and beat until smooth. Stir Flours, cornstarch, soda and salt together, then fold into egg mixture. I did this by hand and found the dough to be very stiff, so I added 1 T milk . This may not be necessary with a mixer. Fold in chocolate and cinnamon chips, form into 1-1 1/2" balls, place on parchment paper and bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 C Butter, softened
1/4 C White Bean Puree (you could use another 1/4 C butter)
 3/4 C Brown Sugar (consider reducing to 1/2 C)
1/4 C White Sugar
1 Large Egg
2 t Vanilla
2-3 Drops Peppermint CPTG Essential Oil (or 1/4- 1/2 t peppermint extract)
1 1/2 C All Purpose Flour
1/2 C Whole Wheat Flour
2 t Cornstarch
2-3 T Cocoa Powder 
1 t Baking Soda
1/2 t salt
1-1 1/2 C Chocolate Chips (I used 1/2 C Andes Mint Pieces too. They're good, but not necessary)

Cream butter and sugars, add bean puree, egg, vanilla, and peppermint oil and beat until smooth. Stir Flours, cornstarch, cocoa, soda and salt together, then fold into egg mixture. I did this by hand and found the dough to be very stiff, so I added 1 T milk . This may not be necessary with a mixer. Fold in chocolate chips, form into 1-1 1/2" balls, place on parchment paper and bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

VII. Pumpkin Waffles & French Toast

It's time for some belated Autumn essential oil infused breakfast ideas, just in case you still have some pumpkin around...

Pumpkin Ginger Waffles

1 1/4 C Flour
1 1/2 t Baking Powder
1/2 t Baking Soda
1/4 t Salt
3 Drops Cinnamon Bark CPTG Essential Oil
2 Drops Ginger CPTG Essential Oil
2 Large Eggs
3/4 C Buttermilk
1/2 C Pumpkin Puree
1/2 C Sugar
3/4 t Vanilla
3 T Butter, melted and cooled slightly

Mix dry and wet ingredients separately, then whisk together just until combined. Cook in waffle iron and enjoy! These were so sweet and delicious I didn't even need syrup... so I opted for whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg. ;)

Pumpkin French Toast

2 Large Eggs
1/4 C Milk of your choice
1/4 C Pumpkin Puree
1/4 t Vanilla
3 Drops On Guard CPTG Essential Oil Blend -OR- 1 t Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 T Brown Sugar
8 Slices Bread of your choice

Mix ingredients (except bread) in a pie plate or other flat container, coat bread on both sides, and cook over medium heat 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. In my typical style I enjoyed this recipe with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg... reminiscent of pumpkin pie, yum!

VII. Citrus Salmon

I know I usually post recipes that infuse breakfast foods with essential oils, but today I'm breaking out of the box. I am happy to present...

Citrus Salmon

Four 6 oz Salmon Fillets

1 1/2 T Olive or Grapeseed Oil

4 T fresh Orange Juice

1 t Salt

1 t Onion Powder

1 t Paprika

1/2 t Black Pepper

1/8 t Allspice

1/8 t Cayenne Pepper

Salsa:

1 Avocado, diced

1/2 C Red Onion, diced

1 Orange, diced

1 Jalepeno, seeded ribs removed and diced -OR- 1/8 t Cayenne Pepper

1-2 Drops CPTG Lime Essential Oil -OR- 2 t Fresh Lime Juice

3-6 Drops CPTG Wild Orange Essential Oil -OR- 3 T Fresh Orange Juice

2-3 Drops CPTG Cilantro Essential Oil -OR- 2 T Fresh Cilantro, chopped

Salt & Pepper, to taste

Combine ingredients and marinate salmon for at least 30 minutes. Combine salsa ingredients, cover and chill. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, lightly coat with oil, and cook salmon 4-5 minutes. Flip and cook 2-3 minutes more, until fish flakes easily. Serve with chilled avocado salsa and enjoy! Serves 4.

VI. Infusing Hygiene

So, I ran out of deodorant the other day and figured it was the perfect opportunity to try making my own... It was a GREAT idea, and I LOVE my new deodorant! If you choose to try it yourself, do realize that it is NOT antiperspirant. It will not keep you from sweating, but it does of fantastic job of keeping the odor away. I personally avoid antiperspirants anyway because I try not to mess with my body's natural processes when I can comfortably avoid it. After all, sweating is a completely natural method of temperature regulation and more importantly detoxifying that I really appreciate! There are many recipes for making your own deodorant, this is probably the most basic one out there and took me less than 10 minutes to make.

Homemade Deodorant

5 T Coconut Oil
1/4 C Baking Soda
1/4 C Cornstarch
CPTG Essential Oils*

Melt Coconut oil in a pan, double boiler or microwave. Stir in baking soda and cornstarch. Add essential oils drop by drop until desired scent is reached. Pour into empty deodorant containers and refrigerate a few hours or overnight to solidify. This recipe filled 2 2.25oz deodorant containers I happened to have around (Lemon Essential Oil is EXCELLENT for removing label adhesive from containers), or you can purchase full or travel size deodorant containers very inexpensively.

*Lavender and Tea Tree or Melaeluca Essential Oils are the most commonly recommended. I personally used Grapefruit and Bergamot, but you can use whatever you like. The possibilities are endless! Just be sure to use 100% Pure Essential Oils from a trusted provider to avoid skin irritations that could be caused by pesticides, additives, etc.

During the past holiday season I was inundated with tasty treats which, though delicious, led me to consider other kinds of fun inexpensive gifts I could share with my friends. One of the things I ended up making was brown sugar scrub. Not only is it fun and inexpensive, it's also quick, easy, luxurious and indulgent! Enjoy!

Brown Sugar Scrub

2 C Brown Sugar

1/2 C White Sugar

1/2 C Olive or Coconut Oil

1 t Vanilla

3-6 Drops CPTG Citrus Bliss Essential Oil Blend

Gold Eye Shadow, crushed, if desired (adds a bit of sparkle & shine)

Combine ingredients and place in small containers such as baby food jars (don't forget to use Lemon Essential Oil to remove label adhesive) or inexpensive cosmetic containers. This can be used as a body or lip scrub.

Stay tuned for more ideas to infuse your hygiene and beauty products with Essential Oils! :)

V. Infused Oatmeal

This morning as I was making breakfast, I was struck with a moment of brilliance...

Vanilla Pumpkin Oatmeal

3 C Water
1/8 t Salt
1 1/2 C Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
2-3 T Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup
1 Scoop Doterra's Vanilla Trimshake 
(You could substitute another vanilla protein powder, but I love Trimshakes!)
1/2 C Pumpkin
3 Drops Doterra's CPTG On Guard Essential Oil Blend (You could substitute 1/2-1 t Pumpkin Pie Spice, but you'd miss out on the bold flavor and health benefits of this fantastic essential oil blend! CPTG Cassia or Cinnamon essential oils would also be yummy, though they lack the variety the blend offers. Always be sure when you cook with essential oils that they're 100% pure!)

Boil the water on high, reduce heat to medium, add salt and oats, and cook about 5 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients and enjoy! Serves 4. I couldn't help adding a bit of whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg. A few chocolate or cinnamon chips would be an excellent addition too, though the oatmeal is delicious all by itself. :)

Apple Spice Oatmeal

3 C Water
1/8 t Salt
1 1/2 C Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
1 T Butter
1 Apple (I used Granny Smith) peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/4" cubes
2 T Brown Sugar
1/2 C Plain Greek Yogurt
1 T Agave, or to taste
1 Drop Doterra's CPTG Cassia Essential Oil  (You could substitute 1/4 t Cinnamon, but you'd miss out on the fantastic sweetness, flavor and health benefits of this fantastic essential oil! CPTG Cinnamon  Essential Oil or On Guard Essential Oil Blend would also be yummy. Always be sure when you cook with essential oils that they're 100% pure!)
Pecans for topping, if desired

Boil the water on high, reduce heat to medium, add salt and oats, and cook about 5 minutes.  In the meantime, cook the butter in a small pan over medium-high heat until it is melted, has turned golden brown and smells nutty. Reduce heat to medium, add the apple and cook 2 minutes. Add the brown sugar and cook 2 minutes more, or until apples are tender. Stir the yogurt, agave, and Cassia together, then serve by layering oats, apples, a dollop of yogurt, and pecans (if desired) in individual bowls, or mixing oats and apples together and topping with yogurt and pecans. Enjoy! Serves 4.

 ...Now I'll have to try some other combinations like Mint Chocolate Chip and Variations on Banana. I'll keep you posted. Happy oiling!

IV. Sprays

One of the greatest ways to use essential oils is aromatically, and while diffusing is probably my favorite way to do this, I've found using a spray bottle to be another great (and much less expensive) option.

These are some of my favorite sprays, and I'll tell you how and why to make your own!

1) CPTG Lemon: 

          I use 3-6 drops of Doterra's CPTG Lemon essential oil in my 4oz. purple plastic spray bottle. Glass is usually preferable when using essential oils, but I have a 2-year-old and tend to avoid glass when he's likely to use it, and believe me, if it's a spray bottle, he's likely to use it! This spray is a great room freshener (think bathroom spray, but without the fake scents and yucky aerosol side effects) or as a pre-treatment for your carpet before you vacuum. It's great for "freshening up" counters between cleanings, and my favorite way to use it is spraying it on cut fruits and veggies to slow down the browning that oxidation causes (this is where the CPTG really counts, since I'm spraying it on my food.) 

Bonus: Lemon is antibacterial and antidepressant, so you're killing germs and bad moods in the process! :)

2) Night-Night:

          I use 2-3 drops each of Doterra's CPTG Lavender essential oil and Serenity essential oil blend in my 4oz purple plastic spray bottle. This is a very important part of our nap/bedtime routine, and my son absolutely LOVES spraying his bed, pillow, blanket, stuffed tiger and especially himself before laying down to sleep. It makes the transition easier for him, and the essential oils relax him and help him fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply. I use it on myself when I'm having trouble falling asleep or when I know I'll struggle to sleep deeply (sick, traveling, etc.) It's much safer and more gentle than medication!

3) On Guard:

          I LOVE Doterra's On Guard Cleaning Concentrate. I use it for everything: laundry, toilets, dishes, counters, mirrors/windows... pretty nearly anything I need to clean. I like to have it in my 4oz purple plastic spray bottles in strategic locations like the bathrooms and kitchen. It's super handy to have it there to wipe the kitchen counter before and after dinner, or quickly wash the bathroom mirror while my son splashes in the bath, things I probably wouldn't use it for if I had to go get my cleaning supplies before doing. 

Obviously, this is just the beginning, the possibilities are limited only by your creativity and the number of spray bottles you want around your house. ;) You can combine essential oils and spray bottles of any size, color, and material you like to get the desired result, and you can make cute labels for your bottles too if you're into that. Happy oiling!

III. Trimshakes

I have a 2-year-old. Sometimes I don't have time to eat. Lately, in order to continue giving my body the nutrients it needs without taking time for meals I've been enjoying Doterra's Trimshakes. Of course you could make the following recipes with any flavored protein or meal replacement shake powder, but I love the craving reduction and weight management benefits built into Doterra's Trimshakes. Be sure the essential oils you use in cooking are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade: free of chemicals, toxins, pollutants, additives, 100% pure and natural.

(Green) Banavocado:

1 scoop Vanilla Trimshake

1 C milk (cow, rice, almond, soy, coconut... whatever you prefer)

1/2 avocado

1/2 banana

(1/2 C fresh or frozen spinach or other greens, optional)

(4-6 ice cubes, optional)

Combine ingredients in blender until smooth and enjoy!

(Green) Berry Orange:

1 scoop Vanilla Trimshake

1 C milk (cow, rice, almond, soy, coconut... whatever you prefer)

1 C fresh or frozen berries

2-3 drops Wild Orange CPTG essential oil

(1/2 C fresh or frozen spinach or other greens, optional)

(4-6 ice cubes, optional)

Combine ingredients in blender until smooth and enjoy!

(Green) Pumpkin Spice:

1 scoop Vanilla Trimshake

1 C milk (cow, rice, almond, soy, coconut... whatever you prefer)

1/4 C pumpkin puree (I actually use banana squash, but use what you like)

2 drops On Guard CPTG essential oil blend (you could use 1/2 t pumpkin pie spice, but you'd be missing the therapeutic benefits of this fantastic blend!)

(1/2 C fresh or frozen spinach or other greens, optional)

(4-6 ice cubes, optional)

Combine ingredients in blender until smooth and enjoy!

(Green) Apple Spice:

1 scoop Vanilla Trimshake

1 C milk (cow, rice, almond, soy, coconut... whatever you prefer)

1/4 C applesauce

2 drops On Guard CPTG essential oil blend (you could use 1/2 t pumpkin pie spice, but you'd be missing the therapeutic benefits of this fantastic blend!)

(1/2 C fresh or frozen spinach or other greens, optional)

(4-6 ice cubes, optional)

Combine ingredients in blender until smooth and enjoy!

(Green) Sweet Potato Spice:

1 scoop Vanilla Trimshake

1 C milk (cow, rice, almond, soy, coconut... whatever you prefer)

1/4 C cooked, mashed sweet potato or yam (an excellent use of leftovers... if you have them!)

2 drops On Guard CPTG essential oil blend (you could use 1/2 t pumpkin pie spice, but you'd be missing the therapeutic benefits of this fantastic blend!)

(1/2 C fresh or frozen spinach or other greens, optional)

(4-6 ice cubes, optional)

Combine ingredients in blender until smooth and enjoy!

(Green) Chocolate Chai:

1 scoop Chocolate Trimshake

1 C milk (cow, rice, almond, soy, coconut... whatever you prefer)

2 drops On Guard CPTG essential oil blend (you could use 1 T chai concentrate, but you'd be missing the therapeutic benefits of this fantastic blend!)

(1/2 C fresh or frozen spinach or other greens, optional)

(4-6 ice cubes, optional)

Combine ingredients in blender until smooth and enjoy!

(Green) Chocolate Banana Bliss:

1 scoop Chocolate Trimshake

1 C milk (cow, rice, almond, soy, coconut... whatever you prefer)

2 drops On Guard CPTG essential oil blend (you could use 1 t cinnamon, but you'd be missing the therapeutic benefits of this fantastic blend!)

1/2 banana

(2 T peanut butter, optional)

(1/2 C fresh or frozen spinach or other greens, optional)

(4-6 ice cubes, optional)

Combine ingredients in blender until smooth and enjoy!

Since it's autumn and cool weather has come to town, you may also want to consider drinking your Trimshake warm. Mmmm...

Hot TrimCocoa:

1 scoop Chocolate Trimshake

1 C hot milk (cow, rice, almond, soy, coconut... whatever you prefer)

1-2 drops CPTG essential oil (Suggestions: Cassia- a cousin of cinnamon, Cinnamon, On Guard Blend, Peppermint or Wild Orange)

(Whipped cream, coconut cream, or topping for serving if desired, optional)

Mix well and enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice TrimSteamer:

1 scoop Vanilla Trimshake

1 C hot milk (cow, rice, almond, soy, coconut... whatever you prefer)

1/4 C pumpkin puree (I actually use banana squash, but use what you like)

2 drops On Guard CPTG essential oil blend (you could use 1/2 t pumpkin pie spice, but you'd be missing the therapeutic benefits of this fantastic blend!)

(Whipped cream, coconut cream, or topping for serving if desired, optional)

Mix well and enjoy!


It's not the season, but in preparation for moving I've been cleaning out my freezer. This morning I came across frozen pineapple and coconut milk. This recipe is the result.

(Green) Tropical Trimshake:

1 scoop Vanilla Trimshake

1 C milk (cow, rice, almond, soy, coconut... whatever you prefer. I recommend coconut for this recipe. I only had frozen coconut milk today, so I used 1 C cow milk and ~1/4 C frozen coconut milk for flavor.)

1 C fresh, frozen, or canned pineapple (I used frozen)

2 drops Wild Orange CPTG essential oil
1 drop Lime CPTG essential oil

(1/2 C fresh or frozen spinach or other greens, optional; today I used 1 t Vitamineral Green)

(4-6 ice cubes, optional- no need for these if you use frozen pineapple)

Combine ingredients in blender until smooth and enjoy!

*Note: Doterra's CPTG Cassia and Cinnamon essential oils are also delicious, and can be used in place of the On Guard blend in any of these recipes!

To enjoy any of the products mentioned here in the comfort of your own home, please visit my website, thanks! :)