CHRISTMAS ESSENTIAL OIL COOKING RECIPES & DIY PERSONAL CARE CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Christmas—it’s a season of many joys, much laughter, and beautiful moments. A time when some of our best memories are made.

It is, as has so often been said, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, but Christmas can also be pretty hectic, especially in two key areas:

1. Finding and Buying the right gift for what seems like hundreds on your Big Shopping List.

2. Planning and Preparing the right foods for what seems like thousands at your Big Get Together.

Plus, wouldn’t it be great to add a bit of spice, a smidge of creativity, a dash of out-of-the-ordinary into both gift-giving and feast-preparing this year?

The answer lies in those cute little bottles on your shelves: Essential Oils!

In this Blog Post, we are going to talk about how you can use Essential Oils to make DIY GIFTS, jazz up some classic HOLIDAY RECIPES and create some truly AMAZING TREATS to serve at holiday gatherings!

Let's start with the basics so we are keeping safety top of mind over the upcoming holiday season!

ESSENTIAL OIL SAFETY

Medical Expert, Dr. David K. Hill, D.C.

“Among the greatest attributes of essential oils is that their safety and benefits extend to all members of the family—no one is excluded, even young children and infants. Because of their potency, you will find that essential oils are capable of offering immediate benefits and relief to your child. For the same reason, a very low dose is all that is needed to induce powerful therapeutic effects.

“Topical application is perhaps the most controlled method for administering essential oils to children because it allows for treatment of targeted concerns. Some oils can be sensitive to the skin and should be diluted with Fractionated Coconut Oil before applying topically.

“Another effective mode of administration is diffusion, which is simple to integrate into your family’s health regimen. Consistent use of essential oils is a safe yet effective method for your family’s health.”

Topical application is one of the ways you can experience the benefits of essential oils. This form of application is unique because it allows for localized effects in the area of the application in addition to providing whole body support. Additionally, you can use essential oils topically when you want an easy way to target specific areas on your body.

DILUTION BASICS

Dilution is a process in which essential oils are mixed with a carrier oil—a pure vegetable oil that helps “carry” the essential oil onto the skin. Essential oils safety indicates that essential oils dilution has the most benefits, including increasing the surface area of absorption, enhancing absorption through dry skin, and preventing sensitivity responses. One of the best carrier oils of choice is Fractionated Coconut Oil due to its long shelf life and lightweight texture.

Dilute: Oils have potent chemistry and should be diluted with a carrier oil before topical application in every case. 

ESSENTIAL OIL SAFETY TIPS

Citrus oils contain a unique category of photosensitive compounds called furocoumarins, so

it is important to avoid exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or other sources of UV light for up to 12 hours after topical application of these oils

More is not always better! Essential oils are very potent, so a little goes a long way. Start with 1–2 drops and then increase the dosage as necessary.

Dilute, dilute, dilute! Dilution in no way diminishes the efficacy of essential oils and offers many benefits that can enhance your application experience.

Effective Methods of Topical Application:

- Add a few drops of oil to epsom salts and mix well, then add to a warm bath. Adding oil straight to bath could result in serious burns to your body. Oil and water separate with the oil rising to the surface. If this 100% pure essential oil comes into direct contact with your skin it could result in a chemical burn. Although essential oils are natural, they are natural chemical compounds that need to be used with caution, respect and education. 

- Make a hot or cold compress by soaking a towel or cloth in water, adding essential oils, and then applying to the desired area.

- Add oil to a lotion or moisturizer and then apply to the skin.

COOKING WITH ESSENTIAL OILS

For many of us, when we think of the Christmas Season, the first thing that comes to mind are the wonderful aromas all around us, and the memories they invoke.

The smell of pies baking, a fresh cut tree, scented candles, chestnuts roasting on an open fire—our sense of smell is the gateway to memories of time spent with family around the fire, traveling to the homes of loved ones, worshipping in a candlelight service, or talking and laughing during the Christmas feast.

Using Essential Oils in your holiday cooking is a great way to add flavour to your existing recipes while enhancing your wellness, and it is a fun way to create new recipes, too!

Here are a few tricks and tips as you get started.

First, note that the Essential Oils in the list below are excellent choices for cooking and can add great flavours to a wide variety of recipes:

TOP ESSENTIAL OILS FOR THE KITCHEN

Basil

Bergamot

Black Pepper

Cardamom

Cassia

Cilantro

Cinnamon

Clove

Coriander

Dill

Fennel

Ginger

Grapefruit

Lavender

Lemon

Lemongrass

Lime

Marjoram

Orange

Oregano

Peppermint

Rosemary

Spearmint

Thyme

Next, take note of these Essential Oil substitution guidelines:

ESSENTIAL OIL EQUIVALENTS TO DRY OR FRESH HERBS

1 drop of a citrus oil can substitute for 1 teaspoon of citrus zest.

For minty oils (e.g., Peppermint, Spearmint), substitute 1 drop for 1 teaspoon dried mint leaves or 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves.

1 drop of oil for 1–2 tablespoons of dried spice or herb, and 1 drop of oil for 1–2 teaspoons of fresh spice.

For hot or spicy oils, or recipes calling for less than a teaspoon of herb, start with a toothpick dipped in the oil and stirred into the mixture, and then add more to taste as needed.

ESSENTIAL OIL CHRISTMAS RECIPES

HOLIDAY TURKEY

To state the obvious, Christmas is a great time to get together with family and friends. And of course, many of these get togethers involve sharing a meal.

A meal that quite often includes a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

The turkey dinner has been done millions of times, so it’s easy to get in a rut. But using Essential Oils to prepare your Christmas turkey is an easy way to put a new spin on a traditional favourite. Just use this recipe for Turkey Baste, and you’re on your way to a holiday hit!

TOP TURKEY HOLIDAY BASTING SAUCE RECIPE• 1 and 1/2 cups broth

1/2 cup apple cider

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 drops Wild Orange Essential Oil

2 drops Lemon Essential Oil

2 drops Thyme Essential Oil

Drizzle or brush basting sauce several times during the baking process to help seal in the natural flavors.

HOLIDAY HAM

For some, Thanksgiving is the prime meal for turkey, so a holiday ham takes center stage during Christmas.

(And of course, many choose to serve both!)

There are so many ways to prepare and serve up a great ham, but a beautiful honey glazed ham is always a crowd pleaser. This simple recipe is easy to make and tastes so great, you will be asked to make it more often than just once a year!

HOLIDAY HONEY AND ORANGE GLAZED HAM RECIPE

1 cup honey

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 cuporange juice

2 drops Cinnamon

2 drops Clove

3 drops Wild Orange

Combine honey, syrup, and orange juice in a double boiler. Stir until combined and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add Essential Oils. Line roasting pan with foil, place ham in the center, and pour glaze over ham. Cook as directed on the ham’s package. During the last hour of baking, baste ham with the glaze from bottom of the pan. For the last 15 minutes of cooking time, broil ham to a golden brown.

ROSEMARY POTATOES

What Christmas dinner would be the same without the classic favourite mashed potatoes? Here’s a new way to give the king of side dishes a little twist.

These simple ROSEMARY mashed potatoes will provide a tasteful complement to your Christmas dinner. (And of course, you can serve them all year round with your favourite dinner entree.)

CHRISTMAS ROSEMARY POTATOES

• 4 medium gold potatoes
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Place potatoes in pot with enough salted water to cover. Cook 30 minutes or until tender and drain. Add butter to the potatoes and set aside. Add oil, garlic, and onions to skillet and cook until tender. Mash potatoes with onion mixture, milk, Rosemary oil, and salt and pepper to taste. For extra flavour, add more butter or fold in sour cream and a small amount of cream cheese.

CREAMY WINTER SQUASH SOUP

This soup recipe is so simple and easy to prepare! Its smooth creamy texture goes well with anything you serve during your holiday dinner. It’s a great soup on a cold winter day.

1/4 cup medium diced onion

1/4 cup medium diced celery

1/4 cup small diced carrot

3 cups medium diced squash (choose a variety that has a sweet flavour and smooth texture)

2–3 cups chicken stock

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 drops Cardamom Essential Oil

2 drops Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil

Roast first four ingredients in 350-degree Fahrenheit oven; when nicely browned, put in sauce pan. Add 2 cups chicken stock, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Simmer until just boiling, then place in food processor. Puree until smooth, and add more stock if needed for smooth, soupy texture. Add Essential Oils, and more seasoning if needed. Serve hot.

Check back next week as I continue the Essential Oil Christmas Craft and Cooking theme with deserts, coffee creamer and some self care DIY Christmas gift ideas!