Showing posts with label peppermint. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peppermint. Show all posts

Friday, August 28, 2015

Using Essential Oils in Your Home


If you’re at all present on social media, you’ve likely come across at least one post about essential oils. Popular companies like DoTerra and Young Living provide therapeutic grade oils, which can be used in hundreds of ways. But of course, we’re most interested in the ways in which the oils can be used in your home. Here are some of our favorite uses, via Young Living and DoTerra:

Create an aromatic space for your loved ones while cleaning. Put 5 drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton ball and place it in a vacuum cleaner bag. Try Peppermint, Spearmint, Cassia, or Pine. Geranium can help with doggy odor.

Soak a dishcloth overnight in a bowl of water and add a few drops of Lemon to disinfect and kill germs. It is especially important after traveling or a cold to disinfect your space. Thyme and Eucalyptus are natural sanitizers.
 Photo Cred: naturalwellspring.com

Create an all-natural kitchen sink scrub by mixing ½ cup baking soda, ⅛ cup vinegar and 5 drops each of Bergamot and Lime. Put the mixture in the sink and scrub. Complete the process by washing the sink down with warm water.

Smelling something a little stinky? Place 1-3 drops of Four Thieves, Purification or Hope on a cotton ball and place on bottom of trash can or diaper pail. It cuts back on odors and kills germs.

To clean and increase shelf life of fresh fruit, fill a bowl with cool water and 2-6 drops of Lemon. Drop washed fruit into the water and stir. Your fruit will be luscious for days longer than usual.

For sticky messes, use 1-2 drops Lemon to remove gum, oil, glue, adhesive or crayon from most surfaces.

Clean the carpet with an all-natural carpet deodorizer. Add 5-10 drops of Lemon, Lavender, Geranium, Peppermint or Ylang Ylang to a box of baking soda. Mix well and sprinkle over carpets. Let the mixture sit for an hour or more and then vacuum.

To dispel of household cooking odors add a few drops of Clove, Cinnamon, or any citrus essential oil to a simmering pan of purified water.

When washing out the fridge, freezer or oven, add Lime, Grapefruit, Bergamot or Lemongrass to the final rinse water for a refreshing aroma.

To help keep squirrels, spiders or mice away place 3-6 drops of Peppermint on a cotton ball at the place they enter. Get rid of those pesky bugs without harmful chemicals.
To help keep flies away mix 25 drops of Peppermint or Lavender with 16 oz. purified water in large spray bottle. The mix can be used on counter tops, windows and doors. Be sure to shake well before each use.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Little Gift List


Your coworkers, boss, kid’s teachers, distant relatives. Not getting them something for the holidays is out of the question, but what do you get them? Never fear. We’ve compiled a list of some easy-to-make food gift recipes so you can jar up some holiday spirit and check off those little gift list members.

Brownies. Easy and delicious. Crumble up a few dozen candy canes and drizzle the pieces on top of the pan of brownies about 10 minutes before they’re done baking. It will infuse some of the peppermint flavor and look totally festive when they’re done. 
Photo Cred: firstlookthencook.com

Grab some cute little cardboard boxes, stuff the bottom with festive tissue paper or burlap, toss some cinnamon sticks in for scent, and bake some cinnamon biscuits. It’s an easy breakfast for an on-the-go mom or busy worker. Add a little jar of hot chocolate mix in there and they’ll be hugging you before 9:00 a.m.

Make your own hot cocoa this season and can up the mix in little mason jars. Use festive fabric and layer it over the seal before screwing the lid on and you have a cute little hot chocolate to-go gift that anyone can enjoy.

Speaking of canning things, marmalade is easy to make and lasts for many months, making it a great little gift idea. Here’s a recipe for a tangy citrus blend that is delicious on toast, croissants, and scones.

Fudge? How could we not add fudge to the list. This recipe uses only five ingredients and is very easy to make. Toss half a dozen bars in a holiday cellophane bag and we have no doubt friends and family will be asking for more next year.

Chocolate dipped anything. Pretzels, peanuts, popcorn. Grab a couple bags of melting chocolate and a few of your favorite snacks and go to town. Divvy up by type or mix it all together for a chocolaty trail mix perfect for snacking.

Did we miss one of your favorites? Comment your go-to food gift recipes here!