Balms and Manna Blog - Balms and Manna

Have Yourself a Healthy Little Christmas Drink!

12/21/2023

HAVE YOURSELF A HEALTHY LITTLE CHRISTMAS DRINK

Who says that healthy isn't also yummy? These are two of my favorite December drinks and I had to share with you!

Gingerbread Latte

SERVES 5
1 cup full fat coconut milk
1 cup almond milk
1/4 cup coconut sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup (or for a richer gingerbread flavor use unsulfured molasses)
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
5 cups of strongly brewed coffee or dandy blend

Combine the coconut milk, almond milk, coconut sugar, maple syrup, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in a saucepan and whisk over medium-heat heat for 5 minutes. Stir in the coffee or dandy blend and working in batches, add the mixture to a blender (or use an immersion blender) and blend until frothy, about 15 seconds. Serve immediately.

To use as a coffee creamer: Combine everything except the coffee. Stir the creamer into a hot cup of coffee. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Eggnog

SERVES 4
1 (13.5-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
6 whole cloves (or 1 drop of clove essential oil)
3 egg yolks
1⁄4 cup pure maple syrup or light-colored raw honey
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or 1 drop of Madagascar vanilla essential oil)
1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup homemade cashew milk
Ground nutmeg, for garnish

Heat the coconut milk and cloves in a saucepan over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Whisk together the egg yolks, maple syrup, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a bowl. Slowly pour the hot coconut milk into the bowl, whisking continuously. Return the liquid to the pan and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring continuously. Do not let it boil. Pour the eggnog through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass container and whisk in the cashew milk. Cover and refrigerate until chilled completely, about 4 hours. Garnish with nutmeg. Make it ahead: Store the eggnog in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

My Top 10 Favorite Non-Toxic Body Products

8/8/2023

MY TOP 10 FAVORITE NON-TOXIC BODY PRODUCTS

1. Glow Blend- This makes my skin absolutely glow! It evens skin tone, hydrates and firms.

20 drops Yarrow Pom
20 drops Frankincense
3-4 drops Blue Tansy
10 drops Copaiba
4-5 drops Rose touch

Put in a 30 ml dropper bottle and top off with organic Rosehip oil. Apply to skin morning and evening after using moisturizer

2. Facial Moisturizer- I've been using this as my moisturizer for my face for years! It's super simple to make and smells so good.

4 drops Coriander
2 drops Cedarwood
2 drops Frankincense
4 drops Geranium
4 drops Lavender
4 drops Melaleuca
2 drops Myrrh
2 drops Lemon

Add to a 1 oz container and fill with melted organic virgin coconut oil. You can also purchase at the Country Cupboard in Fairbury

3. Helichyrsum Touch- This is SO amazing for any redness or blemishes! There is nothing else that I have found that makes skin issues go away faster.

4. doTERRA Conditioner Strengthening Bar- Makes traveling easy! My hair feels super silky after using and doubles as a shave gel.

5. doTERRA Invigorating Scrub- The Peppermint and Grapefruit oils are so fresh, energizing and makes my skin feel fresh and smooth!

6. DIY Deodorant-

3/4 c. cornstarch or arrowroot powder
3/4 c. baking soda
9 T. coconut oil
3 T. beeswax
15 drops Tea Tree
15 drops Lavender

Melt beeswax and coconut oil on low heat until beeswax is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in cornstarch and baking soda. Cool for a few minutes, then add essential oils and pour into empty deodorant tubes. Yields- 3 tubes

7. doTERRA Body Wash- Has a energizing, fresh scent, suds up well and is great for non-toxic bubbles.

8. DIY Facial Scrub- A simple, easy scrub that both draws out toxins and exfoliates dead skins.

1/2 cup of oat flour
1/2 cup of almond flour
6 drops Blue Tansy

Massage Blue Tansy into flours until well combined. Store in a glass container at room temperature.

Use a dime sized amount and mix with a little bit of water to make a paste. Rub on skin and then rinse well.

9. doTERRA Body Butter- So rich and luxurious! It is super hydrating and smells incredible.

10. Epsom Salts- One of my favorite thing to do on a cool evening to relax. Add 5-6 drops of your favorite essential oils to 1/2 cup of Epsom salts and add to a basin of warm water. Relaxing, detoxifying and soothing!

Don't have an oil? Grab what you need here! (Edit as desired)

Adrenal Cocktails-Tasty and Nourishing!

3/13/2023

ADRENAL COCKTAILS- TASTY AND NOURISHING

The adrenal glands are two small glands located just above the kidneys. They play a huge role in our bodies. Specifically with our stress response, metabolic function, hormone regulation and blood pressure and fluid levels.

One way to keep our adrenals functioning well is to consume minerals in the right ratios.

ADRENAL COCKTAILS
Adrenal cocktails are simple, refreshing and designed to provide the body with the right balance of sodium, potassium and vitamin C to give the adrenals a boost and support your overall stress response. If you are concerned with the carb content, add 1 Tbsp of collagen.

*Ideal time to drink cocktails are mid-morning and mid-afternoon

BASIC ADRENAL COCKTAIL
½ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed (avoid additives- should just be orange juice)
¼ tsp cream of tartar
¼ tsp real salt

ADRENAL COCKTAIL RECIPE #2
1 cup coconut water
¼ tsp real salt
½ fresh squeezed lime or lemon or ¼ tsp whole food vitamin C powder

ADRENAL COCKTAIL RECIPE #3
½ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed (avoid additives- should just be orange juice)
½ cup coconut water (avoid any with ascorbic acid)
¼ tsp real salt

ADRENAL COCKTAIL RECIPE #4 (for those with throat/gut irritation)
2 oz aloe vera juice (inner leaf)
2-4 oz grapefruit juice
¼ tsp real salt
2-4 oz sparkling water

ADRENAL COCKTAIL RECIPE #5 (for high blood sugar)
1 cup water
¼ tsp real salt
¼ tsp cream of tartar
1 Tbsp lemon or lime juice (not from concentrate)
1 Tbsp collagen

Curious if your adrenals need support or if your minerals are imbalance?

Schedule a discovery call to learn more about specialized testing today!

My Favorite Tip to Beat Energy Slumps

1/29/2023

MY FAVORITE WAY TO BEAT ENERGY SLUMPS

We all have those days. When our energy dips, we feel sluggish and struggle to focus. Trying to get through the rest of the day looks big if not impossible.

This blend has been a lifesaver so many times to help me tackle that final kitchen clean up, to teach one more class, to be present with a friend who really needs to share or stay mentally alert through my evening devotions.

So here is my treasured recipe that has been a go-to to keep me sailing rather than dragging through my days. May it bless you on your tough days!

EXHAUSTION BLEND

10 drops Eucalyptus
8 drops Rosemary
7 drops Bergamot
7 drops Grapefruit

Combine oils in a 10 ml roller bottle and fill remainder with fractionated coconut oil. Apply to inside of wrists and behind the ears when needing an energy boost.

If you don't have these oils and live near Fairbury, IL, you can purchase a pre-made roller at the Country Cupboard.

Caffeine- Good or Bad?

8/3/2022

CAFFEINE- GOOD OR BAD?

Who of us doesn't have days that we are dragging and just want a boost of energy? Energy drinks, coffee, chocolate, tea and sodas are an easy fix when we are tired to get us through the day but is caffeine good for us?

HOW IT WORKS
Caffeine works by inhibiting a neurotransmitter called adenosine which calms down activity in the nervous system. And by doing this it increases the activity of stimulating neurotransmitters. After about ten days, the effect wears off and your body creates more receptor sites for adenosine so you need more caffeine to get the same effects. This creates addiction and why caffeine can be considered a drug.

This is why people who stop caffeine have withdrawl symptoms like fatigue, headache & feeling depressed (caffeine also effects dopamine, seratonin and acetylcholine). It takes about ten days for the body to adjust the amount of adenosine receptor sites back down.

Excessive caffeine consumption can include a risk of osteoporosis (caffeine depletes calcium), rapid heartbeat, sleeplessness, anxiousness, irritiability, cold sweats, loss of appetite, nausea & diarrhea.

Your body only has so much energy. When you do use caffeine, you aren't creating more energy, you are pulling energy out of the cells at a faster rate and then creating an energy crash later once your energy stores are delepted. So over time, you are making the problem worse.

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
If you really want more energy, stop using caffeine and help your body build up it's energy reserves. Most often fatigue is due to a lack of nutrients and minerals. Try adrenal cocktails to replenish minerals, Lifelong Vitality Pack for a great foundation of nutrients, adaptogens like Nervous Fatigue, Tulsi and Ashwagandha to support the body's stress response.

Adrenal Cocktail Recipes

Lemonade Bar- A Fun Way to Celebrate Friends!

7/21/2022

LEMONADE BAR- A FUN WAY TO CELEBRATE FRIENDS!

In the heat of summer, what is better than a refreshing cool drink? Maybe a refreshing drink with a friend!

Lemonade Bar's are a fun way to customize and try a new version of lemonade! And a simple but creative way to make guests feel special!

What you need:

Prepared Lemonade (see my recipe with honey below)
Fresh fruit- raspberries, strawberries, lemons, limes
Toothpicks for adding oils
Basil essential oil (great with raspberries)
Lavender essential oil
Geranium essential oil
Ginger essential oil
Grapefruit essential oil
Lime essential oil

Directions:
Pour lemonade (8 oz per person) into glasses. Allow guests to add fruit and dip a toothpick into the center of desired orrfice (plastic top on essential oil bottle) and swirl in lemonade. Add additional oil dips to desired taste.

Homemade Lemonade
2 1/2 cups boiling water
1 cup raw honey
1 cup fresh lemon juice
2 1/2 cups cold water
2 drops Lemon essential oil

Let boiling water sit for five minutes to cool and then add raw honey. Stir in lemon juice, cold water and essential oils. Enjoy!

Here Comes the Sun!

6/9/2022

HERE COMES THE SUN!

Summer is almost here and so is the sun! Sunshine has so many benefits but what about when you get a little too much? I have the perfect relief for you:

AFTER SUN CARE
In a 4 ounce spray bottle combine:
10 drops Frankincense
10 drops Lavender
5 drops Peppermint
5 drops Geranium
1/2 ounce of FCO
Top with water

Shake and spray on affected area.

And if you would rather avoid the need for AFTER SUN CARE, stay tuned as doTERRA releases a brand new suncare line in July! Excited for these non-toxic, light weight, non nano zinc oxide, water resistant products!

If you are new to essential oils and are looking for the best way to get your oils, check out the doTERRA enrollment kits! All the basic oils in one kit with a free 1-yr wholesale membership ($35 savings with 25% off for the next year!)

One of My Staple Snacks- Energy Bites!

5/22/2022

ONE OF MY STAPLE SNACKS- ENERGY BITES

Energy bites are a staple at my house. My nieces and nephews love them and still believe (after years of eating them) that if they eat them it will give them energy and are an excuse to run around and make lots of noise! They are great for energy but have so many other benefits too.

I often recommend daily flax meal to my clients to help balance blood sugar, metabolize excess hormones, to curb cravings and promote regular elimination. These bites are a great way to get flax meal in daily plus have a balanced snack to eat through out the day to keep blood sugar levels steady.

No Bake Energy Bites

1 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. nut butter (without sugar)
1/3 c. honey
1 c. coconut flakes
1/2 c. flax meal
1/2 c. Lily's chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla

Mix everything together and chill for 30 minutes. Roll into balls and store in refrigerator. If mixture is dry, add water to hold together.

How to Make Your Christmas Gifts Scentsational

12/8/2021

HOW TO MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFTS SCENSATIONAL

Ever want to add just a little something to a gift to make it personal and special? A drop or two of essential oils are the perfect way to create a warm, inviting gift that makes the receiver feel loved and treasured!

Scented Envelopes- A fun way to add sparkle and depth to your cards! Add 2-3 drops of essential oils to a cotton ball and place in a plastic bag with your envelopes or card. Let sit overnight or for 8 hours and then remove and send.

Scented Pinecones- A subtle way to add aroma to a room at the same time being decorative. Purchase a bag of pinecones or gather them from outside. If they are dirty, have bugs on them or are closed up, give them a quick rinse in the sink and then place in the oven on a sheet at 200 degrees for one hour. Add one drop per pinecone and place in a bowl, string as garland or give as a gift in a decorative bag. Reapply oils as needed for desired scent. Cinnamon, Holiday Peace/Joy, Fir or Pine oils are great choices for oils!

Scented Neck Wraps- Purchase a neck wrap or create your own with a tube sock or piece of flannel. Add 2-3 drops of a calming oil such as Lavender, Siberian Fir or Balance to the wrap. Consider giving a small bottle of oil along with the gift for continued scenting.

Scented Car Diffusers- I love how personal and customizable this can be! Create your own simple car diffuser by gluing felted stickers to clothespins and clipping to the vent or by sewing felted balls together.

Scented Body Scrub- Such a fun spa gift! Add Peppermint to make a candy cane scrub, Lemon or Rosemary & Spearmint for a refreshing, uplifting experience.

Scented Room/Linen Spray- So simple to make with a few ingredients! Plus you can customize the scent for holidays, seasons and moods.

Bone Broth Basics

11/30/2021

Bone Broth Basics
It's that time of year when we all want to cozy up with a bowl of steaming soup! And what's better to use as a base than bone broth? Bone broth doesn't just taste good, it's full of nutrition and essential minerals. It also provides amino acids and is a great source of collagen and gelatin.

Bone broth supports:

Restoration of leaky gut
Food allergies/intolerances
Joint health
Immunity

How to Make Your Own Bone Broth:

For a quality bone broth recipe, it’s important to use all the body parts like organ meat, feet and neck.
You also want to buy animal products that you know are pasture-fed and free of antibiotics and hormones in order to truly unlock all the bone broth benefits.
Add vegetables (carrots, onions, celery) and garlic for added taste and nutrition

Cooking Suggestions

Place bones into a large stock pot and cover with water.
Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to water prior to cooking. This helps to pull out important nutrients from the bones.
Fill stock pot with filtered water. Leave plenty of room for water to boil.
Heat slowly. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for at least six hours. Remove scum as it arises.
Cook slow and at low heat. Chicken bones can cook for 24 hours. Beef bones can cook for 48 hours. A low and slow cook time is necessary in order to fully extract the nutrients in and around the bone.
Alternatively, you can use a crock pot to make the broth. Use the same directions by covering bones with water and adding apple cider vinegar. Cook on low for 8-24 hours.
Remove large pieces of bone, meat and veggies and discard. Strain through a sieve and then store in jars in the fridge or process in a pressure canner for later use.

After cooking, the broth will cool and a layer of fat will harden on top. This layer protects the broth beneath. You can eat this layer along with the broth if desired.

*You can also purchase bone broth instead of making it yourself. Organic, grass fed bone broth with no preservatives with provide you with the best nutrition and benefit.

I'd love to hear if you make your own bone broth!