Pumpkin Energy Balls

It’s all things fall around my house. I love the smell of diffusing earthy and spicy essential oils. Baking good things with pumpkin and popping a hearty stew in the oven is heaven.

To me pumpkin means comfort.

These little energy balls are a little taste of fall in small bite, plus they give a great boost of energy without a bunch of sugar or processed ingredients.

You probably have all of the stuff in your pantry to make these awesome pumpkin energy balls. I take them on the go with me!!

Ingredients:

  • Old fashioned oats-I like to use old fashioned oats because they create a chewier, heartier energy ball. Plus, I always have old fashioned oats in my pantry. You can use gluten-free oats if you need the energy balls to be gluten-free.
  • Ground flaxseed meal—I love adding ground flaxseed to boost the nutritional value of the energy balls. Ground flaxseed adds fiber, omega 3 fatty acids, and protein. Make sure you use ground flaxseed meal and not whole flaxseeds.
  • Chia Seeds—These little seeds are a loaded with nutrients and make a great addition to the energy balls. They add fiber, protein, healthy fat, calcium, magnesium, and antioxidants.
  • Spices-Ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves add lots of fall flavor to the energy balls. You can also use pure essential oils—buy only one drop—they are powerful!
  • Salt-A little bit of salt is all you need, but don’t skip it! It makes all the flavors pop and a little salt is actually good for most of us.
  • Almond butter-The almond butter is the base of the energy balls and makes all of the ingredients hold together. If you don’t have almond butter, you can use peanut butter.
  • Pumpkin-Make sure you use pure pumpkin puree, you can find it in the baking aisle in a can of almost any grocery store. The pumpkin will keep the energy balls nice and moist plus the flavor is amazing.
  • Honey-Sweeten the energy balls with honey! The honey also helps the energy balls stick together.
  • Vanilla extract-A little splash of pure vanilla extract is always a good idea!
  • Mini Chocolate Chips-Mini chocolate chips are the perfect finishing touch to the pumpkin energy balls. The pumpkin chocolate chip combo is always a winner. If you don’t want to use chocolate chips, you can leave them out and add dried cranberries. Or add dried cranberries with the chocolate chips!

Recipe:

  • 2 cups oats
  • 2 tablespoons flax and chia
  • 3/4 cup nut butter
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Splash of vanilla (or wild orange essential oil!)
  • 1/4 mini chocolate chips

How to make energy balls:

  • Mix together all of the dry ingredients to make sure the spices are distributed evenly.
  • Add the almond butter, pumpkin, honey, and vanilla extract. Mix until all of the ingredients come together and a “dough” forms.
  • Stir in the mini chocolate chips.
  • Roll the mixture into balls, about 2 tablespoons per ball. You can use your hands or a cookie scoop to do this.
  • Place the balls in an airtight container and chill in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

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Letting Go

I noticed this morning the beginning stages of the leaves letting go and I was reminded that the beautiful colors are a sign that some amazing growth is coming to the end of a cycle. This is also time when we ourselves also enter into a cycle of letting go. No longer striving to be bountiful, a softness enters out hearts and intentions, and we have the opportunity to shed, to fall away, and to take time to prepare the moments of soon to be rejuvenation and rest.

I looked at my life and considered that I too am experiencing my own seasonal change. I mean the reality is the few years have been incredibly disorienting for so many, including myself. The constant pull and push of emotions and uncertainty have been really hard to keep a grasp on. The division and attempt to stay steady has been exhausting.

Although perhaps it is that this seasonal shedding is that I am seeing what no longer serves me personally and professionally, and what I have carried through perhaps too many seasons. I believe at the heart of these metamorphic transitions– whether subtle or bold–we hold the key to the life we deserve and are destined to live.

As my feet plodded along the rocky trail and while I took in the presence of Life in my moments of reflection, my heart centered prayers easily flowed.

May I find within my shadow what needs to be shed and allow it to shed.

May I have the grace to loosen my grip on the aspects of my daily life that impede my peace.

May I find the forgiveness for others that I wish upon for myself.

May I let go of what is holding me back and keeping me from what I am worth.

May I be the light that I am and not hide in the dark corners of life.

May I release the old to make room for the new.

May I find the clarity to embrace what is and let go of what was.

May I surrender, and in doing that, be free.

May I remain beautiful in the process of letting go.

Morning Offering

I bless the night that nourished my heart
To set the ghosts of longing free
Into the flow and figure of dream
That went to harvest from the dark
Bread for the hunger no one sees.
All that is eternal in me
Welcome the wonder of this day,
The field of brightness it creates
Offering time for each thing
To arise and illuminate.
I place on the altar of dawn:
The quiet loyalty of breath,
The tent of thought where I shelter,
Wave of desire I am shore to
And all beauty drawn to the eye.
May my mind come alive today
To the invisible geography
That invites me to new frontiers,
To break the dead shell of yesterdays,
To risk being disturbed and changed.
May I have the courage today
To live the life that I would love,
To postpone my dream no longer
But do at last what I came here for
And waste my heart on fear no more.
~ John O’Donahue

Foundation Essential Oil Blend

It is not the beauty of a building you should look at; it’s the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time. ~ David Allen Coe

This time of year is ideal for getting back into ourselves after a summer season of play, vacations, kids home, and way less structure. This is the time where we reclaim our sense of self. We aim to rediscover the aspects of ourselves that support us in our everyday life.

As you experience a more predictable schedule and life begins to resume some sort of normalcy, take a few minutes to consider the four walls, or four main roots of a tree, that represent your foundation. This is the scaffolding which supports all the other parts of our home, or tree, during times of turbulence.

Here are some ideas; faith, service, accountability, kindness, diligence, love, fulfillment, action, compassion, etc.

You may know if you stop here often that I believe in the power of aroma to shift our chemical response in our brain. We can influence our state of arousal and our emotional state simply by smelling something. How cool is that?

Not sure where to start? Grab one of these blends, take 4-5 deep breaths, apply it to your spine and under your nose and then listen. You already know…you just need to listen.

By the way, check out the emotional benefits of these oils:

  • Douglas Fir.This one invites you to invoke your high wisdom and learn from the past experiences and people who may have crossed your path. This essential oil is perfect for turning inward in the season of more introspection.
  • Frankincense.Frankincense asks you to welcome in feelings of protection, wisdom, discernment, and a spiritual awakening. This sacred essential oil invites individuals to shed the lower vibration feelings that are often negative and draining. This truly brings our your own magnificence.
  • Ho Wood. This peaceful oil brings out a sense of calm and helps to quiet the mind. By clearing the mind of anxious thoughts or simply clutter, we can fine tune into the deepest parts of who we are. This helps us to live in alignment with our principles and aspects of our foundation.
  • Blue Tansy. This one is a powerful aroma that helps to bring out inspiration and the committed response of tacking action. This helps to be more purposeful and responsible, which is such a beautiful aspect to a solid constitution. Blue tansy welcomes in a sense of freedom and sense of walking towards your deepest dreams and desires.
  • Blue Chamomile.This sweet and delicate flower is commonly known as German chamomile and offers a beautiful blue hue to the oil. Like its counter part Roman Chamomile, this flower oil is the perfect choice for bringing out a peaceful and serene mental state. This brings out emotional harmony and illuminates the wisdom with your soul.
  • Spruce. This stable, grounded aroma brings out an enduring balanced outlook to life while also giving strength through your wisdom. When we soak in this aroma we are reminded of the rhythms and ancient wisdom the earth offers.
  • Cassia. This bold oil which a friend of cinnamon is warm and earthy as it invites you to feel courageous, strong, self-assured and confident in your authentic self. This brings an embracing warmth to the confident and meaningful connections in our life.
  • Petrified Wood Chips. It helps to create balance and offers a foundation from which to launch new goals or undertake a different path. This grounding stone helps to calm scattered energies and look closely at the essence of what guides our decisions.

These beautiful oils and solid gemstones will be a constant as your dive into the fall season of a slower pace, a calmer mind, and as you seek out the principles in which your life is sustained by. To learn more about the principles I have chosen for myself, check out this blog post.

You can purchase this blend here and it will soon arrive in your mailbox with lots of grounding love.

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Gratitude Blend

Gratitude is the #1 way to shift out of low frequency emotions like fear, grief, shame and lack… and into high frequency emotions like joy, peace, trust and love.

What if you started saying 5 DIFFERENT things you’re grateful for every single day.

Try it! it has changed my life!

Gratitude is the best way to shift your mood! I hope you enjoy this diffuser blend today and I invite each of you to pause for a moment, and think of something that YOU are grateful for today.

This blend includes pure essential oils and amber chips perfectly crafted. Grab one!

Eyebrow Growth Serum

One of the most surprising and unwanted changes that comes with turning 50 is the diminishing eyebrows! What is that all about?

I whipped up a quick remedy and can already see the growth.

Here is how to make eyebrow growth serum:

  • 5ml roller
  • 10 drops rosemary essential oil
  • 5 drops lavender essential oil
  • Fill roller with castor oil
  • Apply to brows twice a day

To grab these essential oils just pop over here. Also, check out this awesome ebook to learn how to use essential oils in so many amazing ways.

Insect Bite Relief

Oh my goodness bugs love to bite me. And my poor lil granddaughter is the same.

This is so easy and takes the itch right out.

Insect Bite Relief Rollerblend Recipe:

10ml roller
10 drops lavender
10 drops purify
5 drops peppermint

Top it off with fractionated coconut oil and apply to the itchy bites as often as needed.

For kids, cut the amount of essential oils in half!

If you’re curious about how easy it is to add essential oils into your life, check out this gorgeous ebook. I also have a great community of learning and mentoring.

Natural Weed Destroyer

My veggie garden is taking a slow start this year despite plenty of sun and rain. While the bounty is slow to start, the weeds are in full bloom around my garden. I have little clover type weeds and random grasses popping up.

Since I plan to eat my crops I definitely don’t want to use a chemical weed killer. In fact, I don’t know about you, but where I live I am seeing less and less bees and hummingbirds this year. The mighty pollinators are disappearing and it’s a little scary. The chemicals I see my neighbors using plays a huge role in the cycle of pollinators and our natural environment doing what it is supposed to do.

I am opting to use this super cheap, super effective, and super safe for ALL beings (including animals and insects).

It’s so easy. I ran to the dollar store and grabbed a spray bottle, some epsom salt, white vinegar and dish soap. I have plenty of oils on hand but you could also skip adding them. Although, the clove is an added punch for the harder to kill weeds.

Check out this handy essential oil guide to see how easy they are to add to all areas of your life.

Determination

Losing a battle or losing everything we possessed will bring us moments of sadness. But when those moments pass, we will discover the hidden strength that exists in each of us, a strength that will surprise us and increase our self-respect. —Paulo Coelho

Determination is defined as the ability to continue trying to do something.

Do you have what it takes to push through even the hardest and most unlikely circumstances to succeed? Do you have the will to make things happen despite being faced with struggle? Do you give up because it is challenging?

What if the things that you think limit you could instead inspire you?

It took allowing myself to feel like I lost it all to find my inner determination and strength. And just like this little sunflower, I found my way through the tiniest cracks of hope.

Natural Fabric Freshener

There is nothing better than fresh sheets on the bed. Did you know that fabric softener sheets is one of the most toxic things in your home??

Switching to a natural fabric softener is easy and so much more cost effective. Your clothes and bed sheets will smell amazing and be less staticky and no toxins!

Recipe for natural fabric softener:

  • 1 tsp Witch Hazel or Vodka
  • Water
  • 30 drops Lavender (or essential oil of choice)

Directions:

Add witch hazel, water, and essential oil into a 2 oz spray bottle and spray linens! You can also use wool dryer balls and either spray the balls, or add essential oils straight from the bottles onto the dryer balls! This helps reduce static clean AND makes your sheets (or clothes) smell amazing and no awful toxins!

Bonus: the lavender will help you relax and drift off to dreamland.

Curious how essential oils can work into your world? Check this gorgeous ebook out. Plus, I offer some amazing mentoring and education along the way.

DIY Dish Soap

Did you know that liquid dish soap is another one with a high score on the Think Dirty app. We all use it though, so it might be nice to just make our own!

Recipe for DIY dish soap

2 cups unscented castile soap
20 drops Lime oil
8 drops Lemon oil
6 drops Citrus Bliss

Directions to make DIY dish soap:

Fill a large, clean bottle with castile soap and essential oils
To use, shake and add 1-2 tbsp to dishwater or a small amount to a natural sponge

So simple, yet again, MASSIVE impact!

Once you start to swap out these super expensive grocery store products with an easy DIY one, you will be shocked at why it took you so long to jump on board!

Not a DIY-er??? Whip out that On Guard concentrate cleaner! It has instructions right on the bottle for how to use it as dish soap!???

Ready to learn more about essential oils? This gorgeous ebook will give you the basics!

DIY Dishwasher Tabs

Unfortunately, commercial dish detergent is loaded with awful chemicals that coat everything you eat off of. So here is an alternative that you can make right at home and have comfort knowing you aren’t washing your dishes in harmful chemicals!

Recipe for DIY dishwasher tabs:

1 cup baking soda
¼ cup citric acid
1 tbsp On Guard Cleaner Concentrate
5 drops Grapefruit essential oil (or any citrus)

Directions:

  1. Put all ingredients into a bowl and mix together until the mixture is an even consistency.
  2. Place in silicone molds and let sit for 4 hours.
  3. Remove tabs and store them in an airtight container. Use in place of store-bought tablets!

This is a MAJOR impact DIY and a MAJOR money saver!

Are these types of non-toxic swaps important to you? Would you like to know more about the basic uses of essential oils? Check out this gorgeous ebook!