We have thousands of gastrointestinal neurons that are firing signals from the digestive tract all throughout the body. This can explain why some of us emotionally eat, why some of us get hangry (that's acting out in anger when we are hungry), why some of us fall asleep - no it's not just the tryptophan from the turkey, and most importantly it explains why people are bonded by meals.
Aromatherapy evokes emotion. As a scent passes through our nose it enters the part of our brain that controls emotions, our limbic system, and in-turn sends messages about the aroma all throughout our body. Our gut is also commonly known as the second brain of the body. So, it should be no surprise that combining the power of essential oils in our cooking can be beneficial both aromatically and internally.
The holidays are filled with all kinds of emotions. I'm going to share some words that can surround us during the holidays and see if any stand out to you. Family, Deadlines, Parties, Cookies, Shopping, Decorating, Music, Baking, Shipping, Laughing, Money, Hot Chocolate, Loss, Excitement, Love, Fudge. Well, anything standing out? Hopefully since the tastes of the season are on your brain it was the cookies, baking, hot chocolate, and fudge. Or maybe it's because I bolded the words to help them stand out to you. Hahaha! Without further ado here are the taste of the season recipes.
DIY PEPPERMINT COCOA MIX
Ingredients:
1 c Dark Chocolate Chips
1 c Turbinado Sugar
1/8 tsp Salt
2/3 c Dark Cocoa Powder
1/2 c Whole Milk Powder
Peppermint Essential Oil
Materials if gifting:
5 Gift Bags, Spoons, Mugs, 2mL Sample Vials
Consuming Instructions:
- Place chocolate, sugar, salt, cocoa powder, and milk powder in a food processor.
- Chop/mix for about 10 seconds or until all mixed together.
- Mix 4 tbls of homemade cocoa powder with 8oz of boiling hot water or milk of choice for a creamy cocoa, and add 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil. Enjoy!
- Put remaining mix into an airtight container to enjoy later.
Gifting Instructions:
5. Place about 1/2 cup of he mix into each of the gift bags and attach a spoon with a twist tie to close.
6. Place the bag in the mug.
7. Add about 10 drops of Peppermint oil to each of the 2mL sample vials and place in the mug
8. Attach/include instructions if desired.
BAKED APPLE STREUSEL
Ingredients:
1/2 c Oats
1/2 c All Purpose Flour
1/2 c Brown Sugar
6 tbls Butter (cold, NOT room temperature)
1 drop Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
1 drop Ginger Essential Oil
1 drop doTERRA OnGuard® Essential Oil
1/2 cup Dried Fruit (dates, raisins, cranberries, cherries, figs, etc.)
4 large Baking Apples (I like Honey Crisp)
Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees and spray oven-safe dish with nonstick spray.
2. Combine oats, flour, and brown sugar in a bowl.
3. Cut in the butter until it is a crumbly mixture.
4. Add essential oils and dried fruit and blend well, then refrigerate.
5. Slice off a small portion of the bottom of each apple to make a flat edge so that they can sit in the bottom of the baking dish.
6. Core the apples without cutting all the way to the bottom.
7. Spoon streusel mixture into each apple packing it down and allowing it to overflow.
8. Bake for 40 minutes.
CRANBERRY LIME SPRITZER
Ingredients:
Cranberry Juice
Sparkling Water or Lemon-Lime Soda
Ice Cubes
Lime Essential Oil
Instructions:
- Fill glass with ice and pour sparking water or lemon-lime soda half way.
- Fill additional half of glass with cranberry juice.
- Add one drop Lime oil and stir.
- Optional - garnish with sliced limes and fresh whole cranberries.
GINGERBREAD COOKIES
Gingerbread cookies are a flavor-packed treats to make you feel warm and cozy. These are also fun delights to make fun shapes with a decorate. Make them FOR your kiddos or WITH your kiddos, either way you'll develop memories combining the aroma of the spices and essential oils to pair along with the deliciousness our "gut brain" receives.
PEPPERMINT FUDGE
Ingredients:
5 oz can Evaporated Milk
12 tbls Butter (3/4 cup)
3 c Granulated Sugar
12 oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate
7 oz Jar Marshmallow Crème
10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
Instructions:
Line a 9 x 13 pan with parchment paper.
Place the evaporated milk, butter, and sugar into a saucepan over medium hit.
Stir continually and bring it to a full rolling boil.
Continue to stir continuously and allow to boil until the candy thermometer reads 234 degrees (around 4 minutes).
Remove from the heat, stir in the chocolate and marshmallow crème until it's completely combined.
Add Peppermint oil and stir.
Pour the fudge into your prepared pan and let cool.
Use a knife to cut into 1 inch squares or use small cookie cutters.
If you got the doTERRA Baking Spice Cuisine Blend the rest of the recipes are for you. If you didn't get it that's okay. Here are the essential oils in this baking blend: Ginger, Cardamom, Cassia, Clove, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg. Now you too can experiment with the recipes using the spices that you have on hand and that sound good to you.
Enjoy the tastes of the season!
xoDanette