Giving Thanks

Fall is in full swing. I don’t know about you, but I like to celebrate each holiday as it comes. By mid-October most of the stores I visited were full of Christmas items already. Seems like each season and holiday arrives earlier and earlier each year.

But now that it is November, it’s time to concentrate on Thanksgiving. What does Thanksgiving mean to you? Being thankful? Connecting with family and friends? A Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings? Football? Maybe you enjoy a quiet day alone to reflect. However you choose to celebrate (or not), it’s all good. Do what makes you happy.

If you like to take advantage of Christmas shopping bargains on Thanksgiving, you may be out of luck this year, as some major retailers will NOT be opening on Thanksgiving. This doesn’t bother me in the least. In fact, I am grateful for it. Having to run out the second dinner was finished just to get some bargains never appealed to me.

With the craziness we have dealt with the last few years, I believe that connecting in a meaningful way with those we enjoy spending time with is long overdue, and shopping can wait until the next day, traditionally known as Black Friday. I went shopping on Black Friday only once, and resolved to never expose myself to that hot mess ever again.

Speaking of a Thanksgiving feast, did you know that there are recipes for your entire holiday dinner that include essential oils? You can learn more about them on Wednesday, November 9 @ 1:00 PM and again on Thursday, November 10 at 6:00 PM here at Making Scents Studio.

There will be no cooking involved, but we will go over 9 different holiday dinner recipes, including the main course, sides, and dessert. I have made all but two of these recipes, and they are so easy and tasty, and not made from a box!

As a teaser, here is one of the recipes; you can double or triple as needed:

LEMON BUTTER GREEN BEANS, Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 pint green beans, stems removed

1 tablespoon coarse salt, plus extra for seasoning

2 tablespoons butter

2 drops Lemon VItality essential oil

Freshly ground pepper

Directions:

1. Fill a medium (3 quart) saucepan about ¾ full of cold water, Set over high heat and bring to a boil. Add salt and beans. Cook until water returns to a boil and beans are tender, 4 - 5 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.

2. Immediately return beans to the saucepan, add butter and Lemon Vitality essential oil. Toss and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl, and serve warm.

Tip: Be sure to use REAL BUTTER! Real butter makes everything taste better, and butter substitutes are not as good for you as you think they are. It works out to only one half tablespoon of butter per serving, but will taste so much better, I promise you!

Let me know if you try the recipe, and I hope to see you on the 9th or 10th!

Please know that I am thankful for each and every one of you. However you choose to celebrate or commemorate Thanksgiving, I hope it is meaningful and a blessing to you.

–Janet

P.S. Need high-quality oils? Stop in at Making Scents Studio and let me help you get what you need, and check out the special bundles ready for gift giving for any occasion! If you would rather shop on-line for Young Living oils and diffusers, please use my referral code #10028291 and link www.youngliving.com/us/en/referral/10028291, I would love to be your personal concierge for all things oily!

I trust Young Living (and their Seed to Seal Quality Commitment) to provide high-quality essential oils, because oils from the bargain bin at the dollar store just don’t have therapeutic qualities, and most likely contain additives or residues that you definitely DO NOT want.