While teaching a cooking class recently, I challenged my students to go home and pull out all of their spices and dried herbs and check the expiration date on them. Text messages began flying in the next day letting me know that on average, 50 percent of their herbs had expired! The result? Most of the flavor was gone along with any remaining health benefits.
You may be wondering, “What is the difference between dried herbs and essential oils?” Before a plant is dried to be used for herbs, it contains the very life force within the plant. Imagine taking a basil leaf off of the plant and tearing that leaf. You will actually notice that a little liquid drips out of the stem…that is the essential oil of the plant. It’s called essential because plants cannot live without the oil! And when a plant, flower or stem is damaged, the oil actually comes and heals the plant. These same plant oils are very compatible to the human body.
High quality essential oils are created by taking large amounts of plant material and placing them in a steam distiller, at a very low temperature, capturing powerful nutrients in that plant without harming the life of the plant through excessive heat. Essential oils can be used topically, for many areas of self-care, including our emotional self-care. Young Living Vitality Oils are becoming a wildly popular addition to flavorful cooking!
Citrus essential oils, such as Lemon, Orange, Tangerine, Lime and Citrus Fresh Blend, by Young Living are actually cold pressed by using the rind of the fruit. Citrus oils contain a natural constituent called, Limonene. This is being studied for many potential health benefits. Adding a drop or two of a citrus vitality oil into your water can take your daily water routine from boring to flavor bursting!
In my book, “Eating For Life”, you will notice the golden thread throughout all my recipes is the unique addition of flavorful essential oils. There is just something joyful about adding these “liquid drops of gold”, into a favorite recipe. And the best part? They are so economical because it only takes a drop or two for an entire recipe and they don’t expire!
OILS FOR YOUR WATER
Tangerine ~ Citrus reticulata
Tangerine essential is cold pressed from the rind of Citrus reticulata, a small citrus tree thought to be native to Southeast Asia. A winter fruit, the mandarin is traditionally given and consumed during the Christmas holiday in the United States, Canada, Russia and the United Kingdom. Tangerine Vitality offers a fresh, sweet citrus flavor that can be used to elevate your favorite sauces, marinades, and desserts. It may also provide digestive, lymphatic, and immune support when taken as a dietary supplement.
SUGGESTED USES- Infuse your water by adding a few drops to encourage yourself to drink more during the day.
- Add a drop or two of Tangerine Vitality to NingXia Zyng® for a delicious and tangy twist on our lightly sweetened sparkling drink.
- Give your marinades a sweet kick by adding Tangerine Vitality instead of Lemon Vitality or Lime Vitality.
- Try adding a little Tangerine Vitality to your salad dressing for a wonderful citrus zing.
- Add to a vegetarian gel capsule and take it as a daily dietary supplement to enjoy its many benefits.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Helps supports the digestive system when combined with a healthy lifestyle
- Contains antioxidant properties
- Helps support a healthy lymphatic system
- Contains digestive system protective properties
- Supports a healthy immune system
Lime Vitality ~ Citrus latifolia
Lime Vitality is versatile and concentrated, making it an important ingredient in one of our most popular blends, Stress Away™. Whether you’re stirring it into drinks for a bright burst of flavor or giving your food a little extra citrus zip, Lime Vitality is a welcome kick of summer that you can enjoy year-round.
SUGGESTED USES
- Enjoy staying hydrated and add variety by infusing your water with a drop or two of Lime Vitality.
- Add 1–2 drops to your sparkling water or NingXia Red® for a crisp and refreshing beverage.
- Add a few drops to your favorite sauces or marinades to add a burst of fresh lime flavor.
- Add 1 drop of Lime Vitality to a vegetarian gel capsule and take daily or as needed along with Slique® products to support healthy weight management.
Orange Vitality ~ Citrus sinensisCold-pressed from the rinds of oranges grown in Costa Rica, Young Living’s Orange essential oil has a sweet, authentic aroma reminiscent of a freshly peeled orange. Versatile and zesty, this culinary flavoring is a wonderful way to brighten savory dishes and add a refreshing contrast to desserts. Orange Vitality oil also blends beautifully with other fruity flavors, making it a tasty addition to smoothies, juices, and our NingXia Red® drink.
SUGGESTED USES
- Add Orange Vitality oil to a glass of water or a smoothie to give it a burst of flavor.
- Add 1–2 drops of Orange Vitality oil to a vegetarian gel capsule and take daily for general wellness support.
- Use it in sweet or savory dishes for added flavor and zest.
- Substitute 1–3 drops of Orange Vitality oil for 1 teaspoon of orange zest.
- Substitute 1 drop of Orange Vitality oil for 1 teaspoon of orange juice.
Peppermint Vitality ~ Mentha peperita
Peppermint Vitality essential oil is the minty powerhouse that originated in Europe and is now cultivated in the U.S. It’s your digestive cheerleader, renowned for supporting healthy digestion, promoting healthy bowel function, comforting occasional stomach discomfort, and alleviating occasional motion sickness. Take a daily drop for a minty-fresh adventure that pairs a cool, refreshing taste with digestive support. Peppermint Vitality oil is our original Peppermint essential oil conveniently labeled with dietary-specific instructions to introduce you to its suite of internal benefits.
SUGGESTED USES
- Include a drop in a glass of cool water for a refreshing start to your morning and to enhance healthy gut function.
- Blend it with your pre-workout drink for an invigorating start or wind down after your workout with a mint-infused protein shake.
- Use it in baking and desserts for a refreshing, minty flavor.
- Add 1–2 drops to a vegetarian capsule and take it as a dietary supplement to support gastrointestinal system comfort.
Lemon Vitality ~ Citrus limonLemon essential oil traces its roots back to Asia before it started making waves as an exotic newcomer in 16th-century Europe. The lemon tree stands tall among the evergreen family, reaching majestic heights of 20 feet. Lemon Vitality oil is more than just zest—it’s your passport to citrusy delight! Take your taste buds on an appetizing journey by adding this fresh flavor to your sauces, desserts, drinks, marinades, and more! It also gives your lifestyle a lemony boost by helping support your immune system and offering antioxidant and internal cleansing properties. It’s not only delicious—it’s your secret weapon for a zesty lifestyle of wellness! Lemon Vitality is the same premium product as Young Living’s Lemon essential oil, only labeled with specific directions so you can enjoy its internal uses and benefits.
SUGGESTED USES
- Add it to a glass of water or tea for a fresh, antioxidant-infused drink.
- Add it to recipes as an alternative ingredient to lemon peel.
- Place 1–2 drops into a vegetarian gel capsule and take it daily for immune support.
- Add it to your daily NingXia Red® superfruit drink for a citrus boost.
- Use it alongside Young Living® supplements to enhance their powerful properties.
- Add it to Young Living nutritional products to give them a fun, lemony boost.
- Blend a drop in with Gary’s Einkorn Pancake & Waffle Mix batter and top your breakfast with fresh fruit for a healthy meal that tastes like lemon poppyseed cake.
- Use it as an ingredient in custom vinaigrettes or marinades to add a bright taste to salads or grilled meat and vegetables.
Citrus Fresh Vitality
Citrus Fresh™ Vitality™ combines Orange, Grapefruit, Mandarin, Tangerine, Lemon, and Spearmint essential oils, which contain antioxidants and provide cleansing properties when taken internally.
SUGGESTED USES
- Add 1–2 drops to every 2 ounces of your favorite fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies.
- Infuse your water with a burst of flavor by adding 2–3 drops to your glass throughout the day.
- Use Citrus Fresh Vitality in recipes such as fruit salads, salad dressings, and marinades to enhance the flavor.
- Add 1–2 drops to a vegetarian capsule and use it as a dietary supplement to support general wellness.
- Add it to your favorite Young Living nutritional products and supplements such as Slique Tea®, NingXia Zyng®, NingXia Red®, and Mineral Essence™.
YL VITALITY ESSENTIAL OILS FOR COOKING
Black Pepper Vitality ~ Piper nigrum
It was used by Egyptians in mummification as evidenced by the discovery of black pepper in the nostrils and abdomen of Ramses II. Indian monks ate several black peppercorns a day to give them endurance during their arduous travels. In ancient times pepper was as valuable as gold or silver. Black Pepper Vitality contains antioxidants and may support healthy weight management and support the digestive system when taken as a dietary supplement. In addition, it can be used in place of ground black pepper to spice up your favorite soup, rub, or marinade recipes.
SUGGESTED USES
- Use in place of ground black pepper in your favorite foods for a punch of peppery flavor
- Enhance the flavor of your favorite dishes, marinades, dressings, meats, vegetables, soups, stews
- Add to a vegetable capsule and take as a dietary supplement to support the digestive system
Celery Seed Vitality ~ Apium graveolens
Thought to have originated in the Mediterranean region, wild celery (Apium graveolens) is a marshland plant cultivated for both its stalks as well as its flavorful seeds. Celery Seed Vitality™ is steam distilled from these tiny seeds, and offers a powerful earthy flavor that enhances pickling blends, brines, and tomato recipes. In addition, it offers antioxidants and may provide general wellness and digestive support when taken as a dietary supplement.
SUGGESTED USES
- Add to tomato juice for a punch of herbal flavor
- Include in pickling recipes or brines to impart a celery-like taste
- Dilute, add to a vegetable capsule and take as a dietary supplement
Dill Vitality ~ Anethum graveolensNative to Asia, dill has been used as an herbal treatment as far back as 1550 BC, when it was recorded on ancient Egyptian papyrus. Found in the tomb of Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep II, its use was also documented by the Ancient Greeks. Dill Vitality is produced by steam distilling the whole dill plant, yielding a fresh herbal essential oil that can be used to enhance the flavor of traditional Russian, European, Asian and Scandinavian dishes. In addition, it contains antioxidants, may provide digestive support, and offers cleansing properties when taken internally.
SUGGESTED USES
- Combine Dill Vitality essential oil with olive oil to use as a marinade for fish and veggies
- Add a little Dill Vitality oil to your favorite gameday dip for a burst of flavor
- Dilute with a carrier oil in a vegetbale capsule and take as a dietary supplement
Cinnamon Bark Vitality ~ Cinnamomum verum
Native to Sri Lanka, Ceylon cinnamon, or true cinnamon, is a tall, leafy bush that produces fragrant bark and leaves. A member of the Laurel family, it is well-known the world over as an aromatic culinary spice. Cinnamon Bark Vitality is steam-distilled from the inner bark of the tree, and has a warm, spicy flavor that can be used in place of the ground spice to enhance teas, baked goods, and more. In addition, this powerful essential oil contains antioxidants and may provide immune and general wellness support when taken as a dietary supplement.*
SUGGESTED USES
- Substitute Cinnamon Bark Vitality in any recipe that calls for ground cinnamon.
- Add to apple cider, tea, hot chocolate, or coffee in place of ground cinnamon for a warm, spicy flavor
- Add a drop or two of Cinnamon Bark Vitality to your NingXia Red® shot to create a “Hot Shot”
- Elevate your fruit smoothie or green drink with a drop of Cinnamon Bark Vitality and benefit from its antioxidant properties
- Put a drop into your hot cereal for a little spice and to help maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Dilute with a carrier oil, add to a vegetable capsule and take as a dietary supplement
Thyme Vitality ~ Thymus vulgarisNative to the Mediterranean region of Southern Europe, thyme is a woody evergreen shrub in the mint family that is traditionally used as a culinary herb. Thyme Vitality™ adds bold, herbaceous flavor to savory dishes, and can be used in place of the fresh or dried herb in recipes. In addition, this powerful essential oil contains the naturally occurring constituents thymol, para-cymene, and gamma-terpinenecan, which provide immune support and antioxidants when taken internally.
SUGGESTED USES
- Add Thyme Vitality to your favorite sauces and marinades for a boost of herbal flavor.
- Add 1 drop of Thyme Vitality to a vegetable capsule and take as a dietary supplement to provide immune and general wellness support.
Oregano Vitality ~ Origanum vulgare
Native to Mediterranean Europe and Western Asia, oregano is a compact flowering shrub in the mint family. Also known as wild marjoram, it was traditionally used as a culinary herb. Oregano Vitality adds a delicious, savory flavor to your favorite culinary dishes. It may also provide immune and digestive support when taken as a dietary supplement. Oregano and Oregano Vitality are the same essential oil by Young Living.
SUGGESTED USES
- Add Oregano Vitality in small amounts by touching a toothpick to the oil and then touching the toothpick to your various dishes for extra flavoring, particularly in Mexican and Mediterranean dishes.
- Add a drop to a green smoothie to help cleanse the digestive system.
- Add a drop to a vegetarian gel capsule with V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex and take it as a daily dietary supplement for antioxidants.
- Put 1 drop of Oregano Vitality and 1 drop of V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex in a veggie capsule and take it as a dietary supplement daily to help support a healthy immune system and it antioxidant benefits.
Are you ready to create a 5-star dining expiring by adding essential oils into your kitchen?
Here's how to get started!
STEP ONE - Order a copy of my cookbook "Eating For Life" by clicking HERE.
STEP TWO - Place your order with Young Living
If you're here because of a Young Living Brand Partner, we encourage you to reach out to them for personalized guidance and to place an order. Your amazing Young Living friend is a valuable resource and can help you get the most out of your essential oils experience.
Are you new to Young Living? Here is how you can easily order. Simply
CLICK HERE to visit my wishlist, choose the life-giving products you desire and check out. My team and I will reach out to you and make sure you receive support and ongoing education.
STEP THREE - Enjoy fun in the kitchen with family and friends!
Welcome to the wonderful world of Young Living Essential Oils!
With Love and Joy,