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ROASTED ORGANIC PLUM TOMATOES

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I used about 25 plum tomatoes. They were on the smaller size. 

Cut them in circles.

The tomatoes filled a large bar pan. 

Organic spray Olive oil (Thrive Market Brand from Thrive Market)

One handful, fresh organic basil

One handful, fresh organic oregano

3/4 cup organic olive oil (Thrive Market Brand from Thrive Market) 

1/8 cup organic vegan butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 bulb organic garlic cloves 

Preheat oven on roast at 400°

* On a parchment line bar pan place all of the tomatoes cut side up.

*In a small food processor add the basil, oregano, olive oil, vegan butter, salt, and the bulb of garlic. Blend until smooth.

*With a pastry brush, brush on the olive oil mixture,  generously.

Roast in the oven about 10-20 minutes depending on size.

PUMPKIN MUFFINS

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 3/4 cup organic Pumpkin, canned

1/2 cup organic apple sauce

1 vegan flax egg 

 1 1/2 cups organic rolled oats, gluten free

1/2 cup almond flour

4 tbsp organic coconut sugar 

2 tablespoons raw honey 

1/2 tsp Baking powder

 1 tsp Baking soda

 1/2 cup organic carob chips

 1 teaspoons Simply Organic cinnamon 

1/4 teaspoon Simply Organic clove

1/4 teaspoons Simply Organic ginger

 1/2 tsp Sea salt

 1 tsp Simply Organic Vanilla extract

1/4 cup butter flavored Coconut oil

Pre heat oven 350. Get a muffin tin and line it with paper cups. 

*Make the flax egg. 1 tablespoon flax meal and 3 tablespoons water. Mix and set aside. 

*In a mixing bowl put together the wet ingredients.  Pumpkin, applesauce, coconut sugar, honey, vegan butter, vanilla and flax egg (that you have let sit for 5 minutes after you made it). Mix all of the wet ingredients with an immersion blender. 

*In another bowl combine all the dry ingredients. Oats, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, clove, ginger, sea salt. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients 1/2 of the mixture at a time. When well incorporated add the carob chips. Mix well. 

Put the batter into the muffin papers. Bake for 30 minutes. 

VEGAN GLUTEN FREE BREAD (inspired by Megan Lavin’s recipe)

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Preheat oven 350

3 cups organic gluten free flour blend (namaste. Amazon)

1 tablespoon organic pyllum husk flour

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum

1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees)

2 1/4 teaspoons yeast (Caputo. Amazon)

1 teaspoon coconut sugar (or any other powdered sweetener)

1/4 cup organic maple syrup

6 tablespoons aqua faba (liquid from garbanzo beans)

1/4 cup vegan butter, melted 

First thing is to do is to proof the yeast. In a measuring cup, measure 1 1/2 cups of warm water (110°). Add the 2 1/4 teaspoons powdered yeast and the 1 teaspoon coconut sugar. Allow to sit for 10 – 15 minutes.  

Now put all the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl. 

In a separate bowl add the aqua faba, melted vegan butter and maple syrup and the proofed yeast mixture. 

With the paddle attachment on your mixer blend the dry ingredients on low until well combined. 

Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients. On medium mix the dough for about 5 minutes, stopping to scrape the sides. 

In a bread pan, line it with parchment paper. Spray organic olive oil on the parchment paper. Spread the bread dough out evenly in the bread pan. Press it down evenly in the pan. Spray a piece of Saran Wrap and place sprayed side down on top of the bread pan. 

Allow to raise in a warm place until it reaches the top of the bread pan. 

Approximately 40-45 minutes to raise. 

When it is done raising bake in the middle part of the oven 40-45 minutes. 

If looking too brown cover the top with parchment paper. 

A DIFFERENT LOOK AT DEMENTIA 

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This information is not to take the place of medical advice. 

The immune system, along with inflammation, are being looked at to treat or prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. Depression and brain injuries are thought to be the possible sources of chronic inflammation, which may lead to the disease process of dementia. Medically, there is no successful treatment for dementia. Study and research is needed to understand what types of treatment for inflammation should be employed and at what stage of the disease process it should be given. 

Our thoughts can affect our immune systems. We want good ones, of course. Aromatherapy can help us raise our MHz frequency to produce a greater immune system by elevating a feel good response. Essential oils are known to have anti-inflammatory properties, helping decrease inflammation. Essential oils contain anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants. Antioxidants may help reduce the harmful effects of inflammation.

“Together our findings suggest that brain inflammation is not just a bystander phenomenon, but a strong contributor to disease progression.” Heneka says.

“Therefore, targeting this immune response will be a novel treatment modality for Alzheimer’s.” (DZNE-German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases.)

 “Inflammation drives progression of Alzheimer’s: A molecularcomplex of the immune system promotes aberrant aggregation of proteins.” (ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 December 2017.)

“The blood-brain barrier is the barrier membrane between the circulating blood and the brain that prevents certain damaging substances from reaching brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid. The American Medical Association (AMA) determined that if they could find an agent that would pass the blood-brain barrier, they would be able to heal Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. In June of 1994, it was documented by the Medical University of Berlin, Germany, and Vienna, Austria, that sesquiterpenes have the ability to go beyond the blood-brain barrier. High levels of sesquiterpenes are found in the essential oils of cedarwood, vetiver, sandalwood, black pepper, patchouli, myrrh, ginger, vitex, German chamomile, spikenard, galbanum, and frankincense. Some blends containing these oils include 3 Wise Men™, Acceptance™, Brain Power™, Forgiveness™, Gathering™, Harmony™, Inspiration™, Into the Future™, and Trauma Life™” Reference Guide for Essential Oils

You can diffuse these oils alone or in combination. 

*A blend to diffuse:

4 drops of Patchouli 

15 drops Frankincense 

7 drops Vetiver

5 drops Lemon

You can put Brain Power on the bottom of your feet.

A drop of Cedar-wood on the top of your head.

A drop of Frankincense to the roof of your mouth. 

KNOWING THE ESSENTIAL OILS  NOTE 

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All essential oils have what is called “a note”. The notes are called a top note, a middle note and a base note. When blending essential oils, to get the best synergistic aroma, the blend will contain at least one essential oil from the top note, middle note and base note. Top notes evaporate more quickly and base notes more slowly. The top note aroma is noticed first before the middle and the base note scent. The base note will linger on allowing for a longer lasting blend. This can be a fun thing to play around with. First decide on what your blend is being used for, that will determine what essential oils you will want to pick. So, for sleep you may go with Bergamot, Lavender, Vetiver. Of course you can pick as many essential oils as you please.  Rule of thumb is your blend will contain 30% top note essential oils, 50% middle note essential oils and 20% base note essential oils. Three to five essential oils in an average blend is nice.  

*Here’s an allergy blend for the diffuser: 6 drops Lavender, 10 drops Basil, 4 drops Eucalyptus.

TOP NOTE OILS:

Basil, Bergamot, Blue Cypress, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Grapefruit, Lemongrass, Lime, Melissa Neroli, Orange, Peppermint, Tea Tree

MIDDLE NOTE OILS:

Bergamot, Black Pepper, Blue Cypress, Blue Tancy, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Chamomile, Citronella, Clove, Cypress, Eucalyptus Geranium, Ginger, Balsam, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Manuka, Melissa, Myrrh, Neroli, Peppermint, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Ylang Ylang

BASE NOTE OILS: 

Angelica, Balsam, Copaiba, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Frankincense, Ginger, Helicrysum, Myrrh, Patchouli, Rose, Ginger, Sandalwood, Spikenard, Vanilla, Valerian, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang

Evergreen Essence Essential Oil

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The essential oils in Evergreen Essence are Blue Spruce, Ponderosa Pine, Scotch Pine, Red Fir, Western Red Cedar, White Fir, Black Pine, Pinyon Pine, other conifers.

The essential oils that come together in Evergreen Essence are the sacred oils of Native American Indians. I love that this oil is from our land, indigenous to home. These sacred trees calm the mind and connect us spiritually. It helps to keep one focused and mindful, in control so not to react to the world around, just be in the world around. In other words, be in the world not of the world.
It helps us not to overreact to the stressful situations of everyday life.

These sacred oils that are combined together in this wonderful blend have many uses.
Here is a collective list of uses pertaining to all the oils in this blend.
* Supports respiratory system.
* Helps deep breathing, assisting asthma or bronchitis.
* Brain function. (Memory)
* Clears emotional trauma.
* Encourages cortisone production.
* Helps lower cortisol levels.
* Helps with anxiety (Relaxing)
* Releases sadness.
* Soothes stressed muscles.
* Brings clarity and vision.
* Immune boosting.
* Increases circulation.
* Pain relief. (Stiff sore muscles)

Diffuse. If one has a conflict, diffuse at bedtime.
Diffuse at Christmas dinner for an unforgettable event.
Apply on back of neck, throat, chest, bottom of feet.
Add Copaiba essential oil to Evergreen Essence and use for bones, joints, disc in the back and spine.

BRAIN AND NOSE WORKING TOGETHER

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The nose is one of the first places an essential oil enters the body to do its work. 

It is important to understand our olfactory system and how it connects absorbing the scent of essential oils so that they can be utilized within body.  

The olfactory pathway and our sense of smell connect mind and memory. The Olfactory system is where aromatherapy begins. We inhale a scent and our nerve cells in the olfactory bulb transport the molecules to the limbic system. The important part of the limbic system for this research is the Hippocampus. The Hippocampus plays a vital role in learning, forming short-term memory, and retaining long term memories. The Hippocampus is one of the first regions of the brain to suffer damage in Alzheimer’s. 

“Because the Hippocampus is closely related with learning and memory the compounds found in essential oils can be potential drugs in Alzheimer therapies.”

(PubMed Essential Oils and Pure Volatile Compounds as Potential Drugs in Alzheimer’s Disease)

The odor molecules travel to the Hypothalamus where the chemistry of essential oils call on the pituitary to release endorphins and enkephalins. They act as natural pain killers or create a feel good sensation. The chemistry of essential oils with their therapeutic effects creates a release of endorphins and enkephalins in the body. Within these hormones is serotonin, a happy chemical or feel good hormone making one feel relaxed and calm. A second hormone epinephrine keeps you alert and stimulated. The therapeutic and restorative properties of essential oils may help regulate and control anxiety, stress, anger, or pain within the body when inhaled and passed through the olfactory system. 

In addition to our limbic system, our brains are divided into left and right hemispheres. The right brain is our soul, ego, creativity and our true being. When Lavender oil is inhaled and it influences the feeling of calm, relaxation or safety, it is the signal that the emotional right brain is doing its job. The left side of the brain is the cognitive side. This part of your brain recalls the scent that you just inhaled.  It associates Lavender with those particular emotions, memories and past experiences on how that smell will effect the body and the mind. The beauty of our left/right brain is it works together to influence and integrate our mind and body. 

An exercise to do everyday to balance the hemispheres of the brain is super brain yoga. A quick and easy exercise that takes only 5 minutes. There is a demonstration of Super Brain Yoga on YouTube. Pick an essential oil that is calling to you for that particular day. Put a couple drops of essential oil  in the palm of your hand. With a finger from your other hand release the essential oils natural energy by circling your finger clockwise three times. Bring it to your nose and inhale. Now you are ready to proceed with doing Super Brain Yoga. It’s amazing how you will find a balance in how you think and feel. 

NINGXIA RED

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Ningxia is made of wolf berry purée which is made from whole goji berries.
Goji berries are high in antioxidants which can help detoxify the liver and kidneys. There are large amounts of vitamin C which can boost collagen production. Collagen is a protein responsible for healthy joints and skin elasticity. Collagen may improve skin health and gut health, may relieve joint pain, may prevent bone loss and boost muscle mass. It may also improve hair and nails, may help maintain the brain, promote heart health or even help with weight support.
“The goji berry also contains Lycopene. Lycopene is a carotenoid nutraceutical that enhances protection against cancer, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, neurodegenerative disease and inflammatory disease.” (Very Well Health)
“Lycopene has shown to boost levels or pro collagen in the skin significantly, which scientists feel has the potential to reverse skin damage caused by aging.” (WebMd)
Ninxgia is high fiber and protein and contains vitamins A and C. These vitamins help boost the immune system. Ninxgia contains essential amino acids and minerals that also support the immune system and strengthen bones and muscles.
Ninxgia red is a powerful antioxidant which may reduce inflammation. It helps regulate blood sugar and can provide a natural energy boost.

NINGXIA SMOOTHIE
1/2 cup Almond Milk
1/2 cup Ninxgia Red
1/2 cup frozen berries
1/2 banana
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup Kite Hill Greek Yogurt
Blend it up in a blender.

I use the Ningxia Red to take my anti-inflammatory/calm the emotions blend.
In a shot of Ningxia I add 1 drop of each of these Young Living Essential oils.
German Chamomile – fights inflammation, calming, allergies, cleanse the blood.
Lavender – analgesic, anti inflammatory, antihistamine, antidepressant.
Basil – anti inflammatory, antioxidant, energizing.
Bergamot – analgesic, anti inflammatory, grief support, uplifting.
Copaiba – powerful anti inflammatory, analgesic, anxiety.
I slam it down and chase it with whatever. Usually some more Ningxia.