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!