DIY Recipe of the Week: Dry Freshener

Last week I posted a recipe for a fabric freshener but that recipe was in liquid form. You can find that recipe here. 

Today I will share my all time favorite DRY multi-purpose freshener. This freshener gets many uses in places where the liquid freshener just would not do.




I use this freshener in my sinks, in my washing machine, in all our shoes, on our mattresses, and even on my carpets.

With two simple ingredients, my home (and children's feet) smell divine!



Ingredients:

Glass container of choice
Baking soda
Purification essential oil blend by Young Living

Instructions:

1. Fill glass container about 2/3 full of baking soda. (No measurements are necessary)

2. Place 5 drops of Purification essential oil blend on top of baking soda for smaller containers or 7-10 drops for larger containers.

3. Shake mixture until well blended. Open container and top off with baking soda (leaving enough space for more shaking) and shake again until well blended.

For the smaller jar, I placed a homemade pour spout from an orange juice container. Tutorial for this spout can be found here.



For the larger jar, I placed a 1/4 cup stainless steel measuring cup.

Jar label tutorial can be found here. (What they don't show in the video is that you should print your "labels" and let the ink dry for 24 hrs before proceeding. That is why mine look a little faded.)

Uses:

Washing Machine: 1/4 cup freshener to pungent loads

Shoes: sprinkle apprx 2 tablespoons freshener into each shoe coating entire inside; let sit for an hour; shake out excess over a trash can

Carpets: sprinkle lightly over carpet; let sit for an hour; vacuum

Mattresses: sprinkle lightly over mattress; let sit for an hour; vacuum

Sinks: sprinkle lightly all over inside sink; sprinkle down drain; pour 1/2 cup vinegar; wait for fizzing to stop, rinse sink

Diffusing Blend of the Week: Purification

I absolutely love the smell of Purification essential oil blend by Young Living.

As I am deep cleaning my home, I also love to take the time to diffuse Purification to fill the air with the fresh scents of Citronella, Lavandin, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Myrtle, and Tea Tree.

I also use this blend in my vehicle. I like knowing that as I give guests rides that they can enjoy the fresh scent of this amazing blend rather than enduring the stale air that can often linger in a shut up tiny space.

Essential Oil of the Day: En-R-Gee

En-R-Gee essential oil blend offers an invigorating aromatic boost when you need it most. Diffuse or apply it topically during your morning routine or before any activity to enjoy the stimulating, spicy-pine fragrance of Rosemary, Juniper, Lemongrass, Nutmeg, Balsam Fir, Clove, and Black Pepper essential oils.

Benefits and Uses:

• Combine with Clarity™ essential oil blend and diffuse during long drives or late night study sessions for an invigorating aroma that will help you push through.
• Diffuse at work or home for an aromatic pick-me-up in the afternoon.
• Add a couple drops to V-6™ Vegetable Oil Complex and massage into temples, bottoms of feet, or back of neck before a challenging activity for an exhilarating fragrance.
Key Constituents:
En-R-Gee contains the naturally occurring constituents alpha-pinene, eucalyptol, camphor, myristicin, and geranial.

Did You Know? Making Homemade Essential Oil Blends

If you are unsure of just how to make homemade DIY essential oil blends, then this handy dandy guide can help you remember!



Use these ratios depending on what size bottle you are reusing. This isn't a written in stone rule...more like guidelines actually....



So don't throw away those empty bottles! Keep them for future use!!

DIY Recipe of the Week: Fabric Refresher

Whenever I need to spruce up around the house, one of my go-to's is my homemade fabric refresher.

My favorite essential oil to use is Young Living's Purification, but you can substitute your favorite essential oil instead.

I have two reasons I add the witch hazel to this mixture. 1) oil and water do not mix but the witch hazel will assist in dispersing; and 2) witch hazel has antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties...all which not only contribute to bad health...but also contribute to odors.

To use, mix water and witch hazel in a glass spray bottle. Add the essential oils and gently shake. Lightly spray onto whatever fabric needs attention. Do not saturate. Always test a hidden spot first if you are unsure of the outcome. Not recommended for use on wool or silk.

Diffusing Blend of the Week: For the Classroom

Sometimes, I need a little help in getting my students' attention.

You can create a calming yet powerful environment when you diffuse Cedarwood essential oil. 

Peppermint essential oil’s scent invigorates the mind and senses, while inspiring a sense of peace. The refreshing aroma will give you a boost of positivity!

Vitality Recipe of the Week: Energy Bites

An oldie but goodie go-to snack for both the kids and the adults is pop in your mouth no bake Energy Bites.

These do contain either peanut butter or tree nut butter depending on which option you choose. If you are only allergic or sensitive to one, then you may substitute with the other. I have a kid allergic to coconut so I eliminated this popular ingredient option. (I have listed in the cooking instructions how to incorporate the coconut if you indeed desire this option!!)

After I make these, I keep them in the freezer so they can last much longer...depending on how addicted you get to these.

What a great way to choose a healthier snacking option while supporting your immune system at the same time.



Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

1. 1 2/3 cup uncooked oatmeal (I prefer old-fashioned)
2. 1 tablespoon chia seeds
3. 1/2 cup ground flax seed
4. 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
5. 1/2 cup peanut butter (or your favorite tree nut butter)
6. 1/3 cup honey or agave nectar
7. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
8. 1 to 3 drops Young Living Thieves Vitality Essential Oil (to taste)

In a large glass bowl, add all the dry ingredients (oatmeal, chia & flax seeds, cocoa) and combine these thoroughly ensuring any cocoa chunks are broken. (If you do desire the coconut option then add 2/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes and reduce the oatmeal by 2/3 cup.)

In a medium glass bowl, add the nut butter and sweetner and blend until completely incorporated. Add the vanilla and Thieves Vitality essential oil and blend thoroughly.

Create a well in the dry ingredients bowl, and add the wet ingredients. Mix until all the dry ingredients are thoroughly and evenly blended. Adjust this recipe with more oatmeal if this is too wet to form.

Form approximately 1 inch diameter balls and place onto a try lined with parchment paper until all recipe is used. Chill for 2 hours or freeze for later use. After a few hours of freezing, I place the bites into a freezer container for easier storage and protection from freezer burn.

Oil of the Day

My family doesn't know it...but THIS is their favorite product.

When mom is happy...everyone is happy.



Why is their a California Proposition 45 warning on the label?