It takes 21 days to establish a healthy habit but 90 days to create a healthy lifestyle. I’m sharing this post because it is a truth I have come to really understand as I have taken this wellness journey with my family.
I have tried weight loss programs, fitness regimens, crash diets, meal replacement shakes, exercise routines…you name it, I’ve probably given it a go! I have had various levels of success with all of these strategies but unfortunately, none of them resulted in lasting success. The minute I came to the end of the new routine, the weight came back. I realized that while I may have formed healthy habits, I had not established a lifestyle that I could maintain.
It was about 2 years ago that I stumbled upon TerraFit…a program created by a member of my doTERRA team. This program combined nutrition, exercise, supplementation and weight loss strategies…everything that I had previously tried in part but never as a whole. It focused on understanding food choices, reteaching our bodies how to process this food and then supporting the body in its natural ability to utilize the nutrition and maximize results. Workouts could be done at home at times convenient for us. It sounded intriguing and I figured I’d tried everything else so why not?
My husband and I both committed to the program 2 years ago with the 90-day challenge. I put together a team of 3 of our friends to make a total of 5 and we jumped in with both feet! The first week or two was really hard…I won’t lie to you…trying to figure out what we could eat and HOW to eat was quite a challenge since we were not the healthiest of eaters. Exercises did not seem strenuous at first but we quickly realized how efficient they were when we battled some soreness afterwards after what initially appeared to be a breezy workout! But fast forward to the end of the challenge…we won several prizes, my husband lost 30 lbs and I lost 12lbs…both of us accomplished our goals but more importantly, we FELT GREAT! More physical strength, mental clarity, and overall energy were just a few of the side benefits of our new lifestyle. But more importantly, we learned how to keep the weight off, feel better and successfully changed not only our eating HABITS but created a LIFESTYLE that reprogrammed our taste buds and allowed our bodies to function at a much more efficient level. This was more than “weight loss”…this was “wellness gained”!
Have I peaked your interest?
GOOD!
I began this journey as a mere participant. But I am now returning to the program as a coach! And I want to give you the gift of lasting health that was given to me! So let me get to the details of the program…
You would either join my teams or create your own. You have access to 24/7 facebook support with your group and can uplift, inspire and encourage one another throughout the 90 days. We share recipes, exercise tips, recovery tips, and friendship! It is a competition. At first, that was intimidating. But once I realized that you are able to be competitive, no matter your goals, I was very encouraged! You gain points for eating healthy foods in healthy intervals throughout the day as well as staying hydrated. You lose points for unhealthy food choices. You earn points for 30 or more minutes of exercise daily as well as for observing 2 rest days a week. Yes, you earn points for REST! That is an oftentimes overlooked part of healthy recovery from workouts. You gain bonus points for using natural products and essential oils supplements to assist your body in its natural functions. Then, of course, there are your weight loss points.
All of your progress is tracked online through your daily journal entries. There is an individual contest going on as well as a team contest. Weekly prizes are awarded to winning team members for that week, winning individuals for points, and winning individuals for weight loss points. These weekly awards are $25 gift certificates which can be used online at Oil Life. At the end of the challenge you are eligible to win the best before/after…you submit a before picture as well as an after picture to be eligible for these prizes. The person with the most points at the end of the challenge will also win a grand prize cash award!
Not ready for competition but wanting the healthy mentorship, accountability and encouragement of a team? No problem! There is a path for you as well! You would still have access to all the tools but you would not have to opt into the competition.
Interested??
Good!
Because the challenge startsJune 26 and I am forming teams NOW! If you’re ready for a healthy LIFESTYLE, not just a healthy habit, then you need to get on board! email me at jennifer@mycrazy8.com with the subject “TerraFit” and lets get started! You can join my team or create one of your own group of friends that I will coach. It’s easy and fun! I can’t wait to take this journey once again and lead you down this path of health and wellness!
Essential oils are not only good for you but can pack a powerful boost to your cuisine! The benefits are numerous but one of the things I appreciate the most is that my essential oils maintain their potency over a much longer period than dried herbs and you need a mere fraction of the amount for the same flavor-packed punch! I still prefer fresh herbs when possible but I love that I can reach into my oil bag and know I am going to get the tremendous health benefits as well as the intense flavor I need to make my dish a success!
Here is a great little soup recipe to get you started! It uses oregano and basil essential oils, which are two of my favorite oils to cook with. Basil is also tremendous in breads as well as spaghetti and pizza dishes! This Tomato Basil Soup is a great “make ahead” soup that you can stick in the fridge for busy days or throw it in the freezer and save it for those “what do we have for dinner?” nights! Enjoy!…
What you’ll need:
1 tbsp. Olive oil
2 garlic gloves, pressed
1 large shallot, diced (a regular sweet onion works well too but you can’t beat the flavor of shallots!)
2 (28oz.) cans crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 cup chicken stock
1 tbsp. Sugar (raw honey makes a great healthier substitute!)
1-2 drops oregano essential oil (start with one, then add another if needed…oregano is VERY strong!!!)
2 tsp kosher salt
Several grinds of pepper (or 1 drop of black pepper essential oil…the essential oil is much sweeter than the ground pepper though so definitely taste it to make sure it is to your liking
1 cup half and half
3 drops basil essential oil
What you’ll do:
In heavy bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium0high heat. Add shallot and sauté until translucent. Add garlic and sauté another 30 seconds. Add crushed tomatoes (juice and all), chicken stock, basil, oregano, sugar, salt and pepper. Bring to a low simmer. Cook uncovered for 15 minutes or until it has thickened. Add the half and half and season to taste with salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months!
I’d love to hear what you think! Please comment if you try this out and tell me what you thought about it!
So, I was once treated to an incredibly amazing Rooibos herbal tea while at a special event and I have been on the hunt for it’s equal ever since! Of course, for a flavorful good quality natural herbal Rooibos tea, you can pay quite a bit and it is just not in my budget to splurge like that. But after over a year of searching, I was gifted with this amazing recipe that not only puts my earlier experience to shame, but also has the added health benefits of Essential oils! As I was nursing a bit of a sore throat today, I was immediately reminded of this incredibly yummy, immune boosting herbal concoction. As I sit here sipping this amazingly soothing cup of immune boosting warmth, my thoughts are turning to all you other crazy moms out there who, as we face the close of another year, allow ourselves to get a little more than the average run down. So I am sharing this comforting and strengthening recipe with you tonight! Not only that, but I will give those of you locals a tip on where to find a most amazing base for it’s creation! So read on to the end…
But first, a little history lesson for those of you that might be wondering what the heck is masala chai?! Masala Chai is a traditional Indian spiced tea enjoyed for centuries for it’s immune boosting, energizing yet calming effects. Masala meaning “blend of spices” and Chai meaning “tea”. The traditional method involves brewing black tea with a blend of aromatic spices and condensed milk. Today the popular Indian beverage praised for it’s health benefits has been adulterated with artificial flavours and sugar into the popular yet unhealthy western coffee substitute “Chai Latte”…definitely NOT good for you!
Here are a few of the power packed health benefits of enjoying a doTERRA essential oil infused Masala Chai:
• Black Pepper essential oil:Powerful Antioxidant, supports digestive system, stimulates immune function, great for circulation.
• Cinnamon essential oil:Awesome for blood sugar metabolism & supporting pancreas issues. Increases libido. Strong antimicrobial & antiviral properties. • Cardamom essential oil: Beautiful oil for digestive & respiratory health. Clears mental fatigue & helps menstrual cramps. • Cassia essential oil:The sweeter brother of Cinnamon great as a decongestant, helps calm digestive issues and spasms with strong immune boosting properties. • Clove essential oil:Natures strongest antioxidant! Super strong immune boosting antimicrobial, antibacterial & antiviral properties.
Use Rooibos tea as a black tea alternative as it is caffeine & tannins free and is jam packed with polyphenol antioxidants called Aspalathin and Nothofagin, and the anti-inflammatory flavonoid Quercetin.
Essential Oil Masala Chai Recipe:
SERVES 4
4 tablespoons loose leaf Rooibos tea (caffeine & tannins free) or you can use black tea
2 drops Black Pepper essential oil
2 drops Ginger essential oil
1 drop Cinnamon essential oil
2 drops Cardamom essential oil
1 drop Casia essential oil
1 drop Clove essential oil
4 cups boiled water
Add ingredients (using the order above) into a tea pot and brew for 5 minutes. Strain into 4 cups. Traditional Indian method: add 2 teaspoons condensed milk and stir. As an alternative, you can also add milk, milk substitute (almond Milk etc.) and honey or stevia to taste.
Now for those who would like an amazing Rooibos tea to use with this recipe, you have absolutely got to check out the Southwest Herb Shop in Mesa! Ask for their organic “Immune Boost Chai Tea”! You will not be disappointed. This loose leaf blended herbal concoction consists of Rooibos, Astraglaus, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Allspice, Orange peel, Licorice, Ginger, Eleuthera, Fennel, Peppercorns, Cloves, and Stevia. A perfect compliment to the essential oils used in this recipe! You can find it online at www.swherb.com or visit their shop in downtown Mesa at 148 N. Center. It is a very neat place with very knowledgeable herbalists on hand to answer questions. Tell them MyCrazy8 sent ya!
If you are looking for some wonderful fun with all ages of your family, then we’ve got an event you’d better get on your calendar before it’s gone! This Saturday and Sunday are the last two days of the annual Arizona Renaissance Festival and you don’t want to let this opportunity pass you by! I’ve got a free adult ticket with your name on it if you are this weeks winner! Check out our facebook page for details! Winner will be announced Friday, March 31, 2017!
Not sure this is for you? Well, allow me to prove you wrong!
We’ve been coming to the Renaissance Festival since my oldest was this little! With all my kids from newborn to driving teenager, there’s always something fun for each of them to enjoy!
This is an event MyCrazy8 have enjoyed for several years and it has become a favorite family tradition! The best part is, there’s something for everyone! There is way too much to cover in this blog post, but let me spotlight a few of our favorite things…
There are many shows that are fascinating to the young and old. Yes, there can be some lewd content you need to be watchful for but each show carries with it a rating that is prominently displayed at the entrance of every show and will give you a heads up as to the content and whether you want your little ones present or not. Here’s a little tip…the earlier in the day the show runs, the more child-friendly the content! Here are some of our family-friendly favorites…
• Adam Crack, the Whipmaster…this guy is fascinating and holds multiple Guinness World Records! He is known for his flaming whips, ability to explode soda cans with a single crack and even plays music with his whips! If your little (or big) one is inspired enough, he sells his hand-crafted whips after the show…various sizes, shapes and colors!
• Ancient Art of Falconry…ever wonder about how they used birds to hunt back in the renaissance?? See it all first hand! These birds of prey, some even endangered birds you might not see anywhere else, will truly fascinate the young and old as they soar closely overhead, performing amazing aerodynamic acrobatics!
• Barley Balanced…Long ago, jesters used to entertain the nobles with their comical antics and nimble acrobatics. If you have a little gymnast in the family or just a daredevil comedian, you won’t want to miss these crazy talented acrobats as they perform shows like “Sharp Knives and Stupid Humans Extravaganza”!
• Don Juan & Miguel…these guys are crazy funny! The Prince of Spain and his faithful man servant showcase their master swordsman skills as well as their mastery of the whip as they keep you laughing over their crazy tales of their many adventures. Just watch the show ratings on this one…they get progressively fringe as the day wears on!
• Fireflicker…if you’re lucky enough, you may catch the illusive “Fireflicker” dragon…he’s a young dragon that wanders the streets of fairhaven looking for shiny treasures to add to his hoard. He loves meeting new people!
Meet Fireflicker, the friendly dragon!
• Mother and Father Goose…yes, they are here! If your little ones have loved the tales of Mother Goose, they will get to meet her and her feathered friends firsthand! My kids love to drop in on these two and stick around to cuddle their feathered friends!
• Twig the Fairy…no visit to the fair is complete without a stop at the fairies corner! Twig has long been the main attraction for my little ones and now that some of them are bigger, they STILL love to revisit her magic and hopefully come away with an enchanted and glittery gift from this musical fairy! This year, we got to meet her sister, Juniper!
We got a chance to meet Juniper, Twig the Fairy’s sister!
• The Jousters…this is always the culmination of our day! With three different shows available throughout the day, there is always an opportunity to catch these spectacles of pageantry from the chivalric age! The first two shows are exhibition- oriented and showcase the rules and strategies of the jousting tournament. The final show of the day is for those looking for a little more drama in their jousting! It culminates with a final joust to the death! Pay attention to where you sit because each section is assigned a knight of their very own to be their champion for the tournament! You get to revel in their victories and rally them in lieu of defeat.
Unfortunately, our knight did not reign triumphant. But it was quite a show! Be warned, the joust to the death (the last joust of the day) is a little graphic, complete with a few gruesome special effects.
• The Mermaids…this is a newer show that made its debut last year. It has become a favorite with my little ones! Watch the mermaids frolic in their tank and even get to meet one while she takes a break on her seashell!
If you are more in the mood for shopping or just appreciating some amazing artisans recreating things you might have only seen during this ancient age of chivalry, then I’d love to share some of our favorites!
• Bard’s Music Shop…this is a fascinating shop to drop by, even if you’re not in the market for a unique and amazingly crafted flute! Learn about the many kinds of ancient flutes and how they were constructed and used…the demonstrations of the “dragon flute”, “fairy pipes” and “travelers saxophone” (yes, a WOOD saxophone shaped like a flute! you have to hear it to believe it!) are nothing short of magical! A delight for the kids as well as a fascinating education for the adults!
Demonstration of the Pan Pipes or “Fairy Flute”!
• Whirlwood Magic Wands…visit Olivanders apprentice at his shop to purchase your very own magic wand! These wands are incredible works of art. They each come with a black velvet pouch with it’s own magic core appropriate to your wand of choice! These are elegant and beautifully crafted works of wood art and there is a size and unique design for every budding witch and wizard!
• Majestic Hair Flower…these beautiful stainless steal hair adornments are a must have for anyone with unruly hair! You can even swim with them! They are incredibly comfortable, very versatile and easy to travel with. Stop by and they will demo these hair acoutrements for you!
• Captain’s Adorned Hair Ties…these beaded leather hair ties are magical for those of us with long hair and NO braiding skills! You can whip your hair into complicated braids in minutes with ease! And our favorite part? We can bring our beaded leather hair ties back every year to the fair and he will give us a customized hair treatment, specific to the renaissance age! Fun fact…did you know that during the Renaissance, most people were too poor to afford traditional jewelry. So rather than wear a ring to demonstrate their relationship status, women would braid their hair on the right side to announce they are single and on the left side to ward off advances by conveying their married status!
The Captain himself demonstrating his beaded, leather hair ties! Braiding made easy!
• Black Swan Armory…for the adventuresome knight, this is a must. These guys are amazing wood-crafted swords, spears, cimeters and more! You can buy unfinished swords that you can take home and customize with your own artistic flair, or you can revel in their incredibly fanciful renditions of medieval weaponry!
In the mood to just enjoy the ambience and learn a few things about medieval life? There is so much to see! They have wandering musicians that will regale you with their talents on the harp, harpsichord, violin, drums and even a dulcimer! You can learn about ancient papermaking secrets, learn how to make a candle or a wax hand sculpture. Take a spin on some of the man-powered rides. Cruise the fair in a rickshaw. Pause for a moment at the blacksmiths shop and see what traditional ironworkers could do! Stop off at the kitchens and watch the spinsters craft their magic on looms and regale you with their tasty wood-burning stove skills. All of the artisans are more than willing to give you an education on the techniques of the age specific to their craft. I highly encourage you to stop by the leather and metal workers shops and ply them about their trade…you won’t be disappointed!
All of the artisans, street performers and characters present at the fair are 100% in character! The goal is to immerse you in the medieval world of chivalry and magic. Ask them about something modern and you are likely to get a blank stare or become the unwitting subject of a well-meaning jest! We highly recommend joining wholeheartedly in the fun by dressing the part and coming in character! The fair folk are more than willing to welcome you into the fun and will enrich your experience! We even became elevated to that status of Lords and Ladies as our oldest two were “knighted” by the Kings son!
The King’s son was so impressed with our chivalric youth that he elevated MyCrazy8 to the status of Lords and Ladies of the Court by knighting our young squires!
Have you been to the fair? What are some of your favorite experiences there? Please comment below! There is so much to see and do that we love to hear about new places we need to visit next year!
In case you miss this last weekend of the fair, there’s a few tips we need to divulge when you plan your visit next year! First of all, the fair always runs every weekend (rain or shine) from February through the first week of April. Here are a few tips to keep in mind…
• Student Days which is the last weekend in February and first week of March. They shut down the sale of alcohol and focus on child-friendly encounters all throughout the day. They focus on science and art of the day. Discounted tickets can be purchased for these days as well as meal passes. A definite bargain!
• Discounted tickets can be purchased through Fry’s Marketplace. Keep an eye out on your receipts as well because you earn points for FREE children’s tickets! They will appear on the bottom half of your grocery receipt when you earn them. Just present the receipt at the box office and redeem your free children’s ticket!
• Watch for the first weekend of the fair…discounted tickets sometimes make their appearance.
• There are many themed weekends so if you have a particular interest in Celtic lore, fairies and magic or the like, you’ll want to keep an eye out for these special weekends!
• Like their facebook page! The weeks prior to the opening of the fair, they offer daily contests for free tickets!
Ok, so I am a nursing momma again! Since everything I eat is now reflected in the behavior of my little guy, I am once again becoming super conscientious of my diet! Breakfast is one of those meals I just have never been able to do without. So I was very excited when one of my friends dropped this amazing bag of granola on my doorstep! I could not get enough of it! And when I learned that the ingredients not only were excellent for me, but also supported lactation, I was even more excited! She gave me the basic gist of the recipe but encouraged me to play around with it since she assured me she never made it the same way twice, relying on the contents of her pantry that particular day and adding whatever she felt inclined towards that particular moment. So I did the same! The result was nothing short of spectacular and I am reveling in the fact that I was able to enhance its taste and healthful qualities with my essential oil pantry as well! The result? My Crazy Granola!
Are you ready to give it a try? Here is the gist but as my friend encouraged me, I also encourage you to explore your taste buds and use the ingredients and essential oils that speak to YOU! Other oils that might go well with this are Wild Orange, Cassia, and Ginger. In regards to the cinnamon and onguard in this recipe, I have given an approximation based on my personal taste so my advice is start with less and add more if you want a stronger flavor.
1 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup raw honey
1/2 cup maple syrup
2-3 tablespoons IQ Omega supplement
8-10 drops Cinnamon Essential oil
15-20 drops OnGuard Essential oil
Combine and pour over: 6 cups rolled oats, 1 cup wheat germ, 1 cup flax meal, 1/2 cup chia seed, 2 cups raw almonds, 1 cup sprouted pumpkin seeds, 1 cup oat bran.
Mix well, spread out on a cookie sheet and bake at 200 degrees for one hour. Let cool and put in a ziploc bag…enjoy! I like mine with a little milk but it is equally good all by itself as a great snack!
This is the first of my “Kid Hacks” series! Hope you get some good info and have fun with your own crazy bunch of kiddos in the process!…
Do you or your kiddos have trouble focusing during study time? Do they have a tough time recalling what they’ve studied during testing? DId you know there’s a very easy strategy you can start using right away?! Introducing Olfactory-Evoked Recall! Have you ever caught a whif of a scent that suddenly brings you right back to some early childhood memory you never thought you’d ever be able to remember? A memory that now becomes very vivid in its detail? Our Olfactory system (sense of smell) has a pathway in the brain closely associated with the limbic system. The limbic system contains the amygdala and the hippocampus parts of the brain which are closely associated with emotion and memory respectively. Thus a memory associated with a specific smell can be vividly recalled when that smell is reintroduced! The memories associated with smell also have a persistence and high resistance to interference, meaning they can help us immediately focus on the details of a memory, despite distractions that may be going on around us.
So here is the best part…diffuse a specific set of “focus” oils while you or your kids are working and studying and then give them a way to smell that same diffuser blend during their testing and boom! Instant recall! Don’t believe me? Give it a try! Here is set of diffuser blends to get you rolling but let your kids play through your oils and find their favorites! You can use a diffuser at home but you can also get personal diffusers your kids can take with them to school during testing. My favorite way to do this is to use personal nasal inhalers. You can also be more subtle though with diffuser jewelry!
Want to make your own diffuser jewelry though? It’s an easy fun craft your kids can all participate in that has the added benefit of improving health! All you need is a little modeling clay (we like the air dry kind because its super easy to use!), some cookie cutters, a rolling pin, some cording and a few tools you can use to poke holes and make designs.
Once they are finished, attach the cording for either a necklace or bracelet. Paint or glaze the back that will touch your skin if you want. But leave the face (where you will apply the oils) unpainted…this will allow the clay to absorb the oils when you apply them for longer diffusing. You can then put a few drops of your favorite essential oils and enjoy the scent throughout the day! Here’s a few step by step instructions…
Step 1: Assemble your tools! We love these cute little metal cookie cutters to make our shapes with and there are some fun tools in the clay modeling section of craft stores to help make designs.
Step 2: Roll out your clay to desired thickness…we like about 3-4 mm.
Step 3: Cut out your shape
Step 4: Make impressions on the clay with the tools of your choice to create a unique design.
Step 5: Make a hole about the size of a pencil that will allow for you to attach your chording. Remember, the clay will shrink slightly while drying to make the hole bigger than you think!
Step 6: Allow to dry thoroughly and attach chording to desired length. Drop essential oils of your choice to face of clay and enjoy!
One of two brand new oils offerred this year through doTERRA!
Allow me to introduce you to the first of two brand new oils being offered this year…Petitgrain! This oil was recently introduced at this years 2016 national Convention and is worth getting excited about!
Petitgrain is steam distilled from the leaf of the plant. It has a fresh, floral scent with a hint of tangy citrus. It comes from the bitter orange tree, which explains the tangy citrus undertones! It has traditionally been used for cleaning purposes and used internally to support healthy immune system and nervous system function. Petitgrain is a relative of two other essential oils derived from the same orange tree. You might recognize them as Neroli essential oil (distilled from the blossoms) and Bitter Orange oil (cold pressed from the rinds of the fruits). Petitgrain is widely used in the perfume and skin care industry because it adds a fresh, herbaceous note to fragrances that is appealing to both men and women.
On a side note, those who are concerned about the deforestation of the rainforest might be interested to know that because doTERRA sources Petitgrain from Paraguay through their Co-Impact Sourcing initiative, they are able to provide an economically viable alternative to clearcutting land, dramatically helping to protect the remaining patches of the Atlantic Rainforest in eastern Paraguay! In addition, doTERRA is also able to support rural community development projects and provide diversified income for small-scale farmers through their sourcing relationship with the locals.
Some of the more profound benefits of Petitgrain are support for healthy cardiovascular function, antioxidant support, healthy immune function and more restful sleep. You can use Petitgrain aromatically through a diffuser…just add a few drops. It blends very well with other citrus oils, Cassia, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Gernaium and Lemongrass so experiment with a few of your favorites and see what wonderful combos you can create! You can take it internally to assist with easing feelings of tension and to calm the nervous system. A drop under the tongue, one or two drops in a glass of water or juice or a drop or two in an empty veggie capsule you can swallow is a great to use Petitgrain this way.
For your kiddos who struggle with sleep or night terrors, create your own “Monster Be-Gone Spray” by adding 5 drops each of Petitgrain, Lavender, and/or Bergamot to a 15 ml bottle of water and spray on pillows and bed sheets to promote a more restful sleep! I like to repurpose my empty essential oil bottles with a spray top. I keep this spray at my toddlers bedside and they take great pride in “scaring away the monsters” with their very own monster spray!
Stay tuned for my next post on Spikenard, the second brand new oil to be offered at convention this year! You’re going to love this one!…
Yes, doTERRA has rolled out some brand new products for us this month! I’m excited to have an opportunity to introduce you to a few of my favorites! Want to experience them for yourselves?? Message me at jennifer@mycrazy8.com and lets book a class where you can have some hands-on essential oil experiences with these amazing new products! In the meantime, I hope you enjoy some of these posts that will give you a quick run down of my families personal favorites!
My kids vote for first place is the PB ASsist Jr.! This product is absolutely amazing! If your children have ever struggled with getting that good healthy flora back into their digestive system and shy away from “medicine-like” supplements they have to swallow or yogurt that has more sugar than probiotics, then you will love this one too! My kids refer to these as their “pixie stick snack”! They don’t even consider it a supplement, but a yummy treat! Each box contains 30 sachets that are a powder, sugar-like substance your kids can pour into their mouths. It tastes so good, I have myself been grabbing them for a tasty little healthy treat! The hardest part is helping my kids understand that they only get ONE a day!
The PB ASsist Jr. contains the same formula as the PB Assist supplement but in a powdered form designed specifically for children or adults that have a difficult time swallowing pills. Five billion live cells have been blended into a delicious powder that can be poured directly into the mouth. 5 billion live cells of 6 different probiotic strains, strains specifically selected for their benefits among children. The powder, like the adult PB Assist supplements, is Microencapsulated to help probiotics survive until they reach the intestines to support healthy functioning of the digestive and immune systems. Most probiotics don’t survive to reach the intestines due to their exposure to the stomach acids. Give these a try, you won’t regret it! Purchase yours now at www.mydoterra.com/theessentialhome or let me help you get it at the discounted wholesale price by getting your own membership setup today! Email me for more information and to take advantage of this months special offers!
Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE finding new recipe ideas…whether it’s for cleaning, skincare or food! Tonight, after a busy day of running kids around and meetings, I realized I had squandered my dinner prep time and subsequently had about 30 minutes to pull together dinner before everyone headed out again…pizza just wasn’t sounding very good. So I trekked to my pantry and refrigerator to take stock of my options. I quickly spotted the cod I had thawed the night before but had not had an opportunity to cook yet…score! I also spotted some small amounts of fresh broccoli and mushrooms that I had yet to designate towards a dish. Necessity is the mother of all invention, right? And thus was born tonight’s concoction that turned out to be another dish I will be adding to our regular “I’m in a hurry” nights…fresh cod in a garlic tomato sauce over angel hair pasta!
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb fresh cod (if frozen, make sure you thaw it first)
2 cloves garlic
red pepper
salt and pepper to taste
Fresh broccoli flourets
fresh Bella mushrooms, diced
1 can diced tomato (with juice)
1 fresh tomato, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
angel hair pasta (or pasta of choice)
DIRECTIONS:
Wash and dry cod, cut into small pieces and set aside. In large skillet, place diced tomatoes with juice, olive oil, garlic, red pepper, salt and pepper, broccoli and mushrooms and bring to a light boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer about 5 minutes. Cook pasta according to package direction in separate pot. Add small pieces of cod in a single layer on top of the sauce, season lightly with salt and pepper, cover and simmer for another 5-10 minutes until cod is flaky…you may turn fish once during cooking. Drain pasta. Gently mix sauce with the pieces of cod. Spoon pasta onto plate or in bowl and drizzle with cod sauce…add your favorite Parmesan cheese if you’d like and voila! A tasty, healthy and fast treat that was a crowd pleaser from my husband down to my five year old (who muttered all the way to the dinner table with a sour face how much he hated sauce on his pasta…then proceeded to cheerfully down the entire dish!).
CONCLUSION:
It was a hit! We’ll definitely be making this one again…especially since my husband could not stop talking about how delicious it was all night! That is NOT the usual response to my quick dinner solutions!
Let me know if you make this dish and what your family thought of it in the comments! I’d love to hear your feedback and if you decide to make any changes or improvements!
You all know I love using my DoTERRA essential oils any way I can! But did you know I also COOK with them?? Yes! They make a great healthy and powerful alternative to fresh ingredients when we are lacking and they stay potent so much longer than dried spices! Most nights I’m in quite a hurry to get dinner on the table, with very little time to prepare. On these nights, in particular, one of my favorite ways to cook is to stir fry with my wok! It makes a super easy and fast way to whip up a tasty but healthy dinner dish on the fly! I was playing around this evening and stumbled upon what is now one of our new favorite dishes…Orange flavored chicken over rice! This dish features Ginger and Wild Orange Essential oils and it is amazing! I also steamed some cauliflower and carrots to serve alongside it, making it a hearty, well-received meal for my growing family of 8!
First, lets talk for a second about the properties of each essential oil featured in this recipe. GINGER is taken from the Rhizome (root) of the plant. It has a hot, fragrant flavor and has many healthy properties! It has been studied for it’s positive effect on joint health but is best known as an effective digestive aid to ease indigestion and nausea! It can soothe upset stomach and help digest our food, making it a wonderful recipe addition! WILD ORANGE is cold pressed from the peel. It has an energizing aroma and is high in monoterpenes…what is does that mean, you ask? It possesses stimulating and purifying qualities, making it ideal to support healthy immune system function when seasonal threats are high! It contains powerful antioxidants that help maintain overall health, helping to cleanse the body, energize and uplift the mind and body.
So are you ready to give it a try?? Don’t have these essential oils yet? No problem! Visit www.mydoterra.com/theessentialhome to purchase yours today or message me and find out how to get your hands on these powerful oils at the wholesale price!
Here’s the recipe for those who are ready to experiment with the power and flavor of your essential oils!…
CHICKEN STIR FRY INGREDIENTS:
About 3 chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1/4 cup of milk (I used 1% but you can use a beaten egg, cream, even skim milk if that’s what you’ve got on hand)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
white pepper to taste (about 1/4 teaspoon)
extra virgin coconut oil for cooking
1/2 cup arrowroot powder
1/4 cup flour
SAUCE INGREDIENTS:
1 teaspoon pressed garlic
1/4 cup green onion
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon white cooking wine
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
5 tablespoons sugar or honey
5 tablespoons white vinegar
1 drop Ginger Essential Oil
1 drop Wild Orange Essential Oil
DIRECTIONS:
I use Jasmine rice which takes about 20 minutes to cook. Start the rice (prepare according to package directions) so that it can be cooking while you’re preparing the chicken.
For the chicken, begin by whisking the milk, salt, pepper and a tablespoon of coconut oil in a bowl. Then combine the flour and arrowroot powder in a second bowl, mixing well. Heat coconut oil in your wok on high. Dredge the chicken pieces in the milk mixture first, then coat them with the flour mixture, then place them in the hot oil. Brown the chicken about 1/4 cup at a time (about 3-5 minutes for each addition, making a “hole” in the middle of the wok for each addition so that the cooked chicken moves up the sides and stays in the wok as the new additions are cooking).
Once chicken is completely browned and cooked through, remove to a paper towel to dry while you prepare the sauce.
Heat a few tablespoons of coconut oil in wok. Place garlic, green onion, pepper flakes in hot oil and cook about 1 minute until fragrant (DON’T OVERCOOK!). Add rice wine, water, soy sauce, sugar, and white vinegar. Cook, stirring constantly, just to a boil. Reduce heat and add essential oils. Add the chicken back into the wok and stir to mix sauce. Serve over Jasmine rice and enjoy! Makes enough for about 4-6 good sized portions (unless you have teenage boys, then you’d better plan to double it!).
From start to finish, this dish can be done in about 40 minutes! Perfect for those “what do we do for dinner, everyone’s got to go” nights! Please comment below when you give it a try and let me know what your family thought!
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