Category Archives: Recipes

DIY Outdoor / Camping Spray

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It’s getting to be that time of year. There are TONS of DIY outdoor summer spray recipes using essential oils. I don’t think you can go wrong with choosing to make a homemade batch with natural ingredients over a store bought chemical version. Here is the DIY outdoor spray recipe I make up for my family. Mosquitoes LOVE my husband (I call him the mosquito magnet) so this is what he uses nearly every day from May through October. 

DIY outdoor spray recipe

Ingredients I use (I recommend Young Living essential oils): 

  • 10 drops of Purification essential oil blend
  • 10 drops of Thieves essential oil blend
  • 10 drops of Peppermint essential oil
  • distilled water (or equal parts distilled water/witch hazel)
  • pinch of epsom salt
  • It’s best to use a glass spray bottle, however we use a medium sized spray bottle from the dollar store since we go through it pretty quickly. We just keep it handy near the back door or on the patio table.

What I do: add the above ingredients to the spray bottle and shake before each use. It’s pretty hard or near impossible to mess it up. No explosions if measurements are off. 

Optional: Sometimes I’ll add 5 drops of Citronella essential oil. Sometimes I’ll add Palo Santo/Lavender essential oil for tick prevention. If I’m out of distilled water, I do use regular water in a pinch until we get to the store. Prefer a cream? Mix your essential oils with coconut oil instead. 

Note: Low on essential oils? Try Purification + distilled water only. Or depending on my own supply, sometimes I’ll alter the recipe above and still have amazing results. Need something stronger? Add more drops. YOU control the strength. Take a look at the properties/benefits of your essential oils, play around and test/create your own special blend. Just remember that citrus oils are photo-sensitive and will break down plastics so it’s best to avoid those for this recipe. 

What I love: Overspray (well, I don’t love that part at all) but I do love that it’s chemical-free, DEET-free and if the dog or cat are nearby, they’re safe. Even my bamboo floor is safe. If I walk through overspray, I’m not gagging at the scent or trailing chemicals across the floor. I also love that since we do go through a lot of outdoor spray during the summer months and it’s something my husband is applying everyday, he’s not absorbing chemicals through his skin, but essential oils with amazing benefits. Hey, it’s one way to get those essential oils into his system! I also love that it’s safe to give the dog a spray and rub down for dissuading pesky critters this time of year too. I’ve even soaked her collar in the mixture and let it dry. 

Relief: Lavender or Purification. 

Another Note: I personally never really have an issue. Guess I’m just not that tasty. Wonder why that is or what makes the difference? However, this kind of weather seems to make the flies bite and this outdoor spray seems to be working for that for me. 

Going to try: This year, I’m going to try diffusing citronella essential oil on the patio too. I will keep you posted on the results! 

One last note:  Having my Young Living essential oils on hand means we have something on hand every day for things that come up. I only use and recommend Young Living essential oils. I love the Seed to Seal Guarantee of this world leading essential oil company with a 20 year history. Love them! YOU NEED THESE! How do you get your hands on them? Get more details and an amazing deal HERE!

essential oils @diyshowofff

Reach out with questions any time! Creating a beautiful home begins with making a safe environment. 

Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Soup with pasta shells

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Hosting a small casual party? I seem to be doing that on a weekly basis lately since my new grandson is local one day a week. Sweet baby boy is bait for visits from family & friends, especially during lunch time. I love these visits and the opportunity to spend time with those I love and sometimes, I like to have lunch ready to serve. Most everyone loves broccoli cheese soup as well as mac & cheese, right? How about a combination of the two? This only takes about 30 minutes to prepare. Perfect!

Ingredients I used:

  • 1 box Horizon® Pasta Shells & White Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 lb. bag of organic frozen broccoli (recommended: Earthbound Farms brand)
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter (recommended: Horizon® brand)
  • 1 small chopped onion
  • 1/4 cup organic all purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 4 cups free range chicken broth
  • 2 cups organic half and half (Horizon® brand recommended)
  • pinch of sea salt
  • shredded (Horizon®) cheddar cheese for topping

For more information, visit Horizon®’s website.

Servings: 4-6

Time: approx. 30 minutes.

Directions:

Saute onion in 1 tablespoon of melted butter in large pot. Add two cups of chicken broth and simmer.

Add 2 cups of chicken broth and half of frozen broccoli to food processor and puree.

Add chicken broth/broccoli to onions/large pot and stir over medium heat for 3-4 minutes.

In bowl, mix cheese packet from Horizon® Pasta Shells & White Cheddar Cheese, 1/4 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of melted butter and 2 cups of half and half.

Slowly add the half and half mixture to pot and whisk to mix over medium high heat 2 minutes.

Add Horizon® Pasta Shells & White Cheddar Cheese and remaining broccoli. Add a pinch or two of sea salt. Boil 10-12 minutes or until macaroni is done.

Remove from heat, top with shredded cheddar cheese and serve.

It’s so good! Day 2/leftovers may require the addition of more chicken broth/etc. because those shells soak it all in.

Since we’re considering more organic choices, I was pleased to learn about all of the Horizon® products. Looking for more recipes? Try the MAC-N-ATOR™, an online tool that takes existing ingredients in your kitchen that you enter and creates a recipe including Horizon® Mac & Cheese. Horizon® is an easy solution you can feel good about.

*This conversation is sponsored by Horizon. The opinions and text are all mine.

Enjoy Horizon Mac & Cheese as a versatile meal and keep your family happy.  Try different vegetables in the dish to promote alternative uses of Horizon products or let your imagination take over.

 

Horizon is a pioneer in the organic industry.  Every choice they make is carefully considered with National Organic Program (NOP) guidelines in mind.  Horizon Mac & Cheese is made with these guidelines and the happy family in mind.  For more information, visit Horizon’s website for more information. 

This conversation is sponsored by Horizon. The opinions and text are all mine.

Cinnamon Apple Crisp Recipe and Holiday Baking Essentials Gift Guide

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Cinnamon Apple Crisp

cinnamon apple crisp recipe @diyshowoff 

This is so good! I adapted my mom’s homemade apple crisp recipe to include cinnamon bark essential oil. Yum!

Ingredients: 

  • apples (peeled/cored/sliced) – 8 cups 
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • cinnamon 
  • optional: cinnamon bark essential oil
  • sugar – 2 cups (or 1 cup white granulated + 1 cup brown sugar)
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2/3 cup butter (softened)

Line bottom of 9×13 baking dish with apples. Add salt and 1-2 drops of cinnamon essential oil (optional) to water. Pour over apples. Sprinkle cinnamon on apples. 

Mix sugar, flour and butter (add 1 drop of cinnamon essential oil if desired). Crumble mixture on top of apples. 

Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.

Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking for an additional 20-25 minutes. 

Serve warm with vanilla ice-cream. Serves 15-20. 

Gifts for the Baker – Inspired by Macy’s cookware buying guide

baking essentials gift guide

  1. 9 Inch Pie Dish
  2. Icing Spatula
  3. Belgian Waffle Maker
  4. Egg Whites Beating Bowl
  5. Le Creuset Batter Bowl
  6. French Rolling Pin
  7. KitchenAid Stand Mixer
  8. Mixing Bowl Set
  9. Pastry Dough Blender
  10. Tart Pan
  11. Dessert Decorator

*This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Macy’s. The recipe, opinions and text are all mine.