There's just something about having hearty, yummy vegetables to pair with a cozy dinner on a winter's night! This dish is completely customizable so feel free to change up or add any vegetables you'd like.
Ingredients:
Vegetables
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and sliced
- 1 medium turnip, halved and cut into six wedges
- 1 large parsnip, peeled, cut lengthwise
- 3 carrots, peeled and cut
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup water
Seasoning
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 10 drops YL Black Pepper Vitality Oil
- 2 drops Nutmeg Vitality Oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- fresh parsley
Instructions:
Vegetables: Place all vegetables into a glass baking dish. Sprinkle 1/4 tsp salt over all, add water and tent with foil. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes to one hour until veggies are fork tender. Remove from oven, drain water and transfer to a serving bowl.
Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine all other ingredients except parsley and mix well. Add to baked veggies and gently toss. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Makes 3-4 servings.
I love having good soup recipes on hand for the cooler months. There's just something cozy about a cool night and a yummy bowl of soup! This is one to add to your arsenal of soup recipes; it's simple and delicious!
Ingredients:
- 2tbsp organic olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2lbs butternut squash, cubed-I’ve found this already cubed some places but usually cheaper to buy it whole🤷♀️
- 3 cups organic veggie broth or homemade bone broth
- 1 cup organic (if ya can) coconut cream
- 1tbsp brown sugar (I’d half this or omit but up to you!)
- 2 drops clove vitality
- 1 drop cinnamon bark vitality
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In your pan, saute onions, garlic, salt and pepper in olive oil over medium heat until fragrant and tender.
- Add cubed squash and cook for 3-5 minutes.
- Add vegetable broth, cream and brown sugar and bring to a boil.
- Boil on medium-high heart for 25 minutes or until the squash is fork tender.
- Remove from heat.
- Using a hand mixer, puree until smooth. Stir in the essential oils. Allow oils to infuse into soup for 5-8 minutes and then serve.
Now that the holidays are over and there aren’t as many situations where less than stellar food is shoved in your face-whatcha going to do now? January has traditionally been a start over time of year which doesn’t always make sense as it’s also a time to hunker down and nest during the cold months. However, the pull to reevaluate and make changes is strong and sometimes really helpful! One of my favorite warm, cozy, healthier foods to make in the winter are definitely soups, including ones like this that has many different foods to support your gut health!
So how does this soup support your gut health? Let's break it down!
Zucchini: 🥒
Zucchini is rich in essential nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and folate. These nutrients are important for immune function, vision, heart health, and cell division. Zucchini also has a significant amount of dietary fiber which is important for digestive help in terms of regular bowel movements, preventing constipation and supporting healthy gut microbiota.
Celery:
Celery contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, including flavonoids and polyphenols which can help prevent chronic inflammation in the gut. Celery also contains natural enzymes, including one called phthalide, which may have a mild diuretic effect and can contribute to the overall digestive process by breaking down food more efficiently. And celery also has prebiotics which provides fuel for the probiotic bacteria in our gut.
Garlic:
Its compounds produce good gut bacteria that have positive effects on the digestive tract. People take garlic to assist with indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), nausea, and several other issues
Parsnip:
Parsnips are a great source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate
Parsnips are high in fiber, which can support regularity,
improve your digestive health, regulate blood sugar levels, and enhance heart
health.
Ingredients:
- 5–6 cups veggie broth (be sure to check the ingredients on these as sometimes they like to sneak in sugar and gluten!)
- 1 box diced tomatoes (sub 1/3 cup cooked diced beet for AIP)
- 2 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 cup parsnip, chopped
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 3 ribs of celery, chopped
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped into halfmoons
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dried basil (or 1 tbsp fresh)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)
- 2–3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Place a large stock pot on the stove on medium heat and add olive oil
- Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 4-5 minutes or until the onions become translucent
- Add in the parsnips, celery and carrot and sauté until lightly softened for 3-4 minutes
- Pour in the broth and the remainder of the vegetables (reserving the basil and some parsley for topping) and herbs and stir
- Place the lid over the pot and simmer on medium heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Once the veggies are cooked through, add in the spinach and stir until the spinach is wilted
- Allow the soup to cool and top with extra parsley before serving
Adapted from the Paleo Minestrone Soup from Unbound Wellness.
There are times when I really love to make my own personal care products and other times when it’s just too much 😜 although when you’re shopping in a store it’s almost impossible to find things that don’t have something toxic in them hence why I either make my own or buy from Young Living.
‼️So let’s avoid the fragrance and chemical filled products in stores this season and whip up your own Christmas body butter! (Clearly I’ve been on a diy kick lately)
It smells just as amazing and is better for your health! 🫶
‼️So let’s avoid the fragrance and chemical filled products in stores this season and whip up your own Christmas body butter! (Clearly I’ve been on a diy kick lately)
It smells just as amazing and is better for your health! 🫶
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup sweet almond oil
- 10-20 drops of peppermint essential oil
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients, except the essential oils, in a small pot or double boiler.
- Gently melt and stir over medium-low heat until the mixture is liquid.
- Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to partially set up.
- Once the mixture is partially set and opaque, add the essential oils of your choice, and whip with a mixer until the body butter is fluffy and stiff peaks have formed.
Disclaimer: I only use YL for oils, especially when I’m putting these oils on my skin as many other ones literally say on the bottle that they’re unsafe for topical (skin) use
Want to know the secret to supporting your skin during pregnancy?
Stretch marks can be genetic and may happen even if you do "all the right things." There's nothing wrong with them! *someone once called them Tiger Stripes to me, which I loved! I applied this cream every single night after my dry brushing and my shower.
HOWEVER, your belly can get REALLY ITCHY as it's stretching and growing to support your baby and this belly balm is amazing for soothing that itch. (if you're experiencing intense itching, but without a rash, usually on the hands and feet this can be intrahepatic cholestasis which is reduced or stopped bile flow that builds up in the liver, so make sure to check with your healthcare provider if any of this is going on for you!)
So you can whip this up and apply as needed!🌸
Stretch marks can be genetic and may happen even if you do "all the right things." There's nothing wrong with them! *someone once called them Tiger Stripes to me, which I loved! I applied this cream every single night after my dry brushing and my shower.
HOWEVER, your belly can get REALLY ITCHY as it's stretching and growing to support your baby and this belly balm is amazing for soothing that itch. (if you're experiencing intense itching, but without a rash, usually on the hands and feet this can be intrahepatic cholestasis which is reduced or stopped bile flow that builds up in the liver, so make sure to check with your healthcare provider if any of this is going on for you!)
So you can whip this up and apply as needed!🌸
Belly Balm:
- Melt 1 1/2 cup coconut oil (hard) with 1/2 cup plain shea butter.
- Let it cool slightly
- Add 10 drops of lavender, frankincense and cypress
- Rub on pregnant and postpartum belly as needed
Oils Benefits:
- Lavender
- packed with antioxidants to support your skin
- Frankincense
- promotes the appearance of healthy-looking skin and reduces the appearance of uneven skin tones
- Cypress
- strengthens the structure of the skin tissue and firms skin by stimulating muscle tissue
