December's Oil of the Month is...

This month I'm doing something a little different. Instead of showcasing one specific oil this month, I'm giving you some holiday recipes, that have essential oils in them. Because these oils are all natural, organic, and high quality, most of them can be taken orally. A great way to use them as natural healers is incorporating them into recipes. Below you will fine a few recipes that provide a healthier alternative to some standard holiday recipes.

Honey Glazed Ham

Ingredients:
6 pound ham
1 cup honey
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup orange juice
2 drops cinnamon essential oil
2 drops clove essential oil
3 drops wild orange essential oil

Directions:

1. Combine honey, maple syrup, orange juice, and essential oils into a double boiler. Stir until combined. 
2. Cook ham as directed on package. For last hour of cooking, baste glaze on top of the ham every 10 minutes using the glaze on bottom of the pan. 
3. Repeat until ham is coked thoroughly. 
4. For last 15 minutes of cooking, turn oven to broil. 
5. Baste ham last time and broil for 15 minutes until ham is a dark golden brown color. 
6. Take out of oven and cover with aluminum foil for 15 minutes or until ready to serve. 
7. Enjoy glaze from bottom of pan as a sauce.

Gingerbread Cookies

(Gluten free, Sugar free, Vegan)

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cup buckwheat flour

2/3 cup tapioca flour

2/3 cup sorghum flour

1 tablespoon chia seed meal

1 tablespoon flax seed meal

1/3 cup of coconut palm sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 drops cinnamon essential oil

2 drops ginger essential oil

2 drops clove essential oil

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

3 tablespoons water

3 tablespoons molasses

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

45 drops liquide stevia

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine dry ingredients into bowl and whisk
3. Combine wet ingredients into a bowl and mix until well combined.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients on slow speed until mixed thoroughly
5. Put a small handful of buckwheat flour onto clean surface and put dough on top.
6. Roll until 1/4-1/2 inch thick
7. Take cookie cutter and cut out shapes. 
8. Put cutouts onto cookie sheet. 
9. Continue to roll out and cut shapes from left over dough until all the dough has been used.
10. Bake cookies 12-15 minutes.
11. Top with icing and whatever else you desire.

If you are interested in purchasing the essential oils needed for these recipes, you can order them here:
www.mydoterra.com/abbyshroka 
- Click on "shop for products" in the top right hand corner.
- After entering the country of shipping, click on "single oils."
- Try using them this holiday season for healthier alternatives to these standard holiday dishes.

Wishing you all Health, Hope, & Happiness
Abby

If you missed last month's essential oil, click here, to read all about Cinnamon Oil and it's affects on diabetes and depression.