Month: November 2016

The Life I Live

9 Reasons I Love Essential Oils And Why They Have Replaced My “Medicine” Cabinet

Everyone knows that plants hold the essence of life, filled with all the vitamins, minerals and healthful properties, making them one of the most important facets of your daily diet. Now, imagine you can take all the goodness from the very leaves, flowers and innards of said plants and have only that wonderful concentration, at your fingertips, for use at will.

No need to imagine, because you can. And they’re called essential oils.

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years and were first recorded around 5000 years ago. This form of ancient healing and medicine is so old that it’s even mentioned in the bible. There are so many reasons to love and use oils, they’re great.

 

1. They’re naturalnono

Reducing chemicals and toxins in this life is a top priority of mine. From phytoestrogens to GMO’s, everyday life introduces and contains more man made substances than ever before. Find and use more natural sources of nutrition and wellness wherever possible.

2. They’ve been used for thousands of years

This day in age, if something doesn’t work or react the the way you want it to- you replace it. To me, it’s saying something that these oils have been around forever and are still being used. Not only that, they’re more popular than ever.

3. They promote everyday wellness

As a former daily allergy pill user, I have not used OTC allergy medicine of any kind since starting with essential oils. Also, instead of lotions or moisturizers, I now use an oil (and carrier oil) blend for my face and body needs. Beyond this, I diffuse oils daily for the amazingly fresh (non-toxic) scent and the benefits associated with inhaling the blends.

4. They prevent sickness

Preventative health includes eating well, exercising and “feeding” your body far before you get sick. Taking healthful oils and staying well is the most important. This will ensure you become healthier sooner post sickness and help keep you from getting sick in the first place.

cooking5. They can be used in cooking

When you add (food grade) oils to meals, they provide flavoring and therapeutic benefits all-in-one. Just make sure not to heat them too hot as essential oils lose their therapeutic properties when heated beyond their flash points.

6. Save time and money

Time and money are saved in regards to preventative health. If you don’t get sick, you don’t have to visit the doctor or pharmacy. A typical doctor visit will cost you $500 these days ($50 with insurance). Whereas an emergency visit can cost upwards of $1200.

Thieves and oregano oil mixed 50/50 is my favorite preventative oil blend, dubbed “No Sick” for its healthful effect. (And I ALWAYS have this blend with me when I’m traveling.)

7. They are the best of the anti’s

Essential oils have all the best properties including antibacterial, antifungal, anti-infectious, antimicrobial, and antiviral. To me, there is nothing better than experiencing all of these healthful benefits from something completely natural “medicine.”

8. Boosts the immune systemlemons

Lemon essential oil is a great essential oil for boosting immunity. (Frankincense, oregano, thieves, and peppermint oil too.) Often used in the diffuser, lemon smells great and can also be directly applied to the skin. Tip: If you plan to be in the sun, make sure to apply lemon at night. Lemon can cause photosensitivity and therefore shouldn’t be worn in the sun.

roller-balls9. Roller Balls!

You can purchase roller balls making the mixing and application of your favorite (homemade blends) so easy. Make sure that you find dark glass bottles for the best applicators around.

 

Essential oils are so earthly amazing, it’s almost hard to remember a time before using them. Try these oils and experience the benefits for yourself.

Disclaimer: I use Young Living Essential Oils and based on my research, I believe these are the best, safest and most pure oils on the market. PLEASE do your own research and determine which oils are best for you and your family. 

Dairy Free fruits Gluten Free Paleo Recipes Vegan

4 Ingredient Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce

Thanksgiving dinner is this time next week, can you even believe it? Turkey, delicious sides and sweets are the stuff of this feast and I love it.

These cranberries have only 4 ingredients, really letting the cranberry flavor shine through with just a hint of orange. Cook them up quickly and easily for a holiday side or a sidedish for a weeknight meal.

Cranberry Orange Sauce

  • 1 bag fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup honey (or Vegan preference)
  • pinch of salt

In a medium sauce pan on medium heat, add the ingredients and cook for about 20 minutes or until at least half of the cranberries have popped. Garnish with some mandarin oranges and enjoy!

Like this recipe? Check out my other books, and watch for more to come!

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Recipes The Life I Live

Sweet Potato Coconut Pancakes with Roasted Walnut Maple Syrup

Let’s have sweet potato casserole for breakfast, but healthy and more tasty! Not only are these pancakes gluten free and paleo, they are warm, sweet and delicious too. For breakfast or brunch, they will fill you up for a taste of  Thanksgiving goodness without the “too full” feel.

Sweet Potato Coconut Pancakes

  • 2 large sweet potatoes, roasted
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup shaved coconut
  • a pinch of allspice
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil for each pan on pancakes

Roast the sweet potatoes in a 425 degree oven for 45 minutes and let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes or more. (Make sure to poke the potatoes with a fork before roasting to prevent steam burn!)

Peel potatoes and place them in a bowl. Mash the potatoes and add the remaining ingredients, stir until incorporated.

In a skillet pan, add the coconut oil and heat on low medium. Spoon mixture into the pan in pancake form and cook on each side about 5 minutes or until easily flipped.

Roasted Walnut Maple Syrup

  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • pinch of salt

In a small skillet pan, add crushed walnuts to a heated pan on high heat. Roast the nuts for about 3 minutes, shaking constantly. Turn the pan down to low and add the additional ingredients. Stir and cook one minute.

Drizzle this syrup and coconut flakes over the sweet potato pancakes and enjoy.

 

 

 

 

Dairy Free Gluten Free Paleo Recipes Vegan vegetables

Delicious Dairy-Free Paleo Mashed Potatoes

This recipe has two ingredients I bet you never thought to add to your mashed potatoes, chopped onion and vegetable broth! My mashed potatoes are too good and are a must add to your Thanksgiving table.

Emmy’s Mashed Potatoes

  • 3 medium sized bakers potatoes, rinsed off and chopped
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 1/3 cup vegetable stock
  • 3 tablespoons refined coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper

Boil the chopped potatoes for about 15 minutes or until you can start to stick a fork through them but they are still firm. Add in the chopped onion for the last 5 minutes or until everything is tender. Drain off the water and add the potatoes back into the pan with the remaining ingredients. Mash everything together and serve hot. Yum!

Like this recipe? Check out my other books, and watch for more to come!

Want a paperback copy? Reply in the comments and I’ll send you one!

The Life I Live

My 5 Favorite Natural Ways To Get Un-Sick and Quick!

‘Tis the season and whether you live in Northern WI or Southern FL, sickness always seems to accompany the holidays. Everyone has a passed down remedy for a sore throat or a cure all food to ward off a cold. These are usually things from your childhood that lapse into adulthood until they can be given to the next generation. Along with these come your own practices to get well.

When I woke up yesterday feeling under the weather, I found myself doing what I always do and I wanted to share those things with you:

Tea

Black tea or green tea with a pinch of cinnamon, cayenne pepper, some honey and fresh lemon. Speaking of lemon..

img_20161111_101433Lemon

Lemon. And more lemon. On everything. In everything. Lemons have antibacterial and antifungal properties making fresh lemon juice the stuff of health.

Essential Oil Bath

I love a bath anyhow but there is nothing like slipping your sore and achy sick body into the warmth and stillness of a bath. There are typically three things I add to a bath:

Apple Cider Vinegar- Good for your skin health including balancing the pH and killing the fungus and bacteria on your skin

Epsom salt- Also good for your skin and helps soothe sore muscles (great for the fitness lover in me=)

Essential Oils- I love Young Living Essential oils for everything in life, especially the bath.

Tea Tree Oil contains antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic and antiviral properties and is gentle on your skin. I added Lavender and Stress Away (my favorite blend!) as well.

Tip: Add the oil drops to your salt before adding to the bath water, this ensures the oils won’t bother your skin. (I’ve never had a problem adding the oils on top of the water but you can never be sure)

Water

We all know that drinking water is as important to life as breathing. 55-60% of an adults body is made up of water. When you’re sick, staying hydrated will make you feel better and keep things moving as well.

No Sick  Soup

You didn’t think you’d get through this without a recipe, did you? Haha. This is my “No Sick Soup.”  Made with fresh vegetables, fresh garlic and chicken broth, this soup is calming and filled with goodness.

No Sick Soupimg_20161110_154516

  • 1 baking potato, washed and sliced
  • 1/2 red onion, chopped
  • 1 carrot, sliced
  • 1 stalk of celery, diced
  • 5 cloves of garlic, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups of chicken stock

Add everything in a medium sized saucepan over medium heat and simmer for about 30 minutes or until you can easily insert a fork into each type of vegetable. Scoop into bowls and add fresh pepper and a pinch of salt. Enjoy and feel better!

Feeling sick is a pain and will slow you down for sure. Make sure to rest when you need it and fuel up on nutritious and healthy foods and drinks so that you can feel better fast!

 

 

 

 

 

Recipes

Homemade Meat and Vegetable Chinese (Paleo)

You’ll swear you’re eating takeout. This recipe was named by a close friend because it is so good, you can’t stop eating it! Vegetables and ground beef combine and take on the flavors and textures of your favorite Chinese dish, but homemade and healthy.

“Hamburger Crack”

  • Half a large head of purple cabbage, sliced into strips
  • One red onion, sliced into strips
  • 12 oz green beans, cut off ends and cut into bite sized pieces
  • 8oz mushrooms, sliced
  • 5 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon coconut aminos (soy sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon refined coconut oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

In a wok or large skillet pan, add one tablespoon of coconut oil on medium heat with the onions and green beans and let that cook for 5-10 minutes. Now make a circle sized space in the middle of the pan and put the beef in and cook until browned.

Then layer the minced garlic, sliced mushrooms and sliced cabbage on top of the meat and vegetables, cover the wok and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes. Add the aminos, seasame oil and pepper and cook additional 5-10 minutes. Enjoy!

 

Gluten Free Recipes vegetables

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

It’s soup season and this traditional soup filled with fresh ingredients is just too good to pass up. Start off on the stove top and then blend for a creamy and tasty lunch or dinner.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 small onion, chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 10 fresh basil leaves, no stems
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cans (30 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 cup cream
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

In a medium sized sauce pan on medium heat, add butter and onions to the pan and cook for 5 minutes. Add garlic, basil and black pepper and cook for another 5 minutes. Mix in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and honey and cook an additional 5 minutes. Finish by mixing in the cream and the parmesan cheese.

Blend in a blender until preferred consistency: chunky, thick or creamy and enjoy!
Like this recipe? Check out my other books, and watch for more to come!

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Dairy Free Gluten Free Meats Recipes

Emmy’s Beef Goulash

Goulash is a very traditional dish and well I love its simplicity, I always longed for a hint of heat and some extra spices. This take on goulash is just that and quick enough to throw together on a work night too.
Emmy’s Beef Goulash

  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves, diced
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 pounds ground chuck
  • 30 oz. (2 cans) diced tomatoes
  • 15 oz. (1 can) tomato sauce
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 heaping tablespoon of dried oregano
  • 1 heaping tablespoon of dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 cups noodles (zoodles, rice/corn/lentil noodles are all healthy additions as well)
  • pinch of salt and pepper

Directions: Add the onions and garlic to olive oil in a pan over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes. From there, add the meat and cook until browned. Mix in the tomatoes, water and noodles and cook until the noodles are al dente or to preference. Enjoy=)

Like this recipe? Check out my other books, and watch for more to come!

Want a paperback copy? Reply in the comments and I’ll send you one!

Recipes The Life I Live

Enjoy A Collection Of My Recipes By Checking Out My New Book

It’s true, I wrote a book! My love of cooking and writing morphed into my first book, Everything’s Better with Cayenne Pepper. Watching my parents cook when I was little led to helping in the kitchen and as soon as I could, I was in there by myself. Even through college, I had a healthy diet stocked with home cooking and vegetables. Calling my parents for recipes of childhood favorites and coming up new ideas of my own quickly became the norm.

Everything’s Better with Cayenne Pepper is a collection of my favorite cayenne pepper recipes. Cayenne pepper has a slew of health benefits and is a great extra for so many meals. With favorites like Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Sliders and Homemade Crock Pot Italian Beefs (previewed below,) these dishes are delicious and easy to prepare.

Everything’s Better with Cayenne Pepper is FREE to readers all day tomorrow, November 5th 2016. Here’s the link:

Everything’s Better with Cayenne Pepper: Healthy Cayenne Pepper Recipes

book-cover

This book is the first of many so watch for more to come. Thanks for supporting my site! Enjoy these favorites from the book below and check out my the free promo tomorrow!

Sweet Potato Slices

  • 2-3 sweet potatoes, depending on the size
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon salt

Cut length wise and thin and place onto a cookie sheet.  Add the olive oil and seasonings and make sure they are all well coated. Space the slices equal distance apart into the pan and bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes and make sure flip halfway through. Set to the side.

Screenshot_2016-07-29-11-11-54-1Sloppy Joe Meat

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 pepper, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ tablespoon yellow mustard
  • ½ cayenne pepper

In a sauce pan on medium heat, add olive oil and water and onions and peppers to the pan and cook about 10 minutes. Next, add the beef and cook until brown.

Mix the rest of the ingredients into the meat mixture and simmer about 20 minutes.

 Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Sliders

Take your sweet potato slices and top them with 1-2 tablespoons of meat mixture and enjoy!

Crock Pot Italian Beef

  • 1 1/2 pound chuck roastIMG_20160827_182022
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1/2 green pepper, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon parsley
  • 2 tablespoons oregano
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 bay leaf

Place the roast and vegetables into the bottom of a crock pot. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. Remove the bay leaf, shred and enjoy!

Tip: Serve over rolls with a mild white cheese and broil for about 20 seconds or until browned.

If you liked these, there are 20 more recipes in this book. To purchase my book for $5.99 click on the picture to go to the Amazon sales page. Or if you want a paperback copy for $9.99, send me an email at emmyrokke@gmail.com.

Or for delicious yet healthful soups, salads, and dressings click here.