Recipes to Make Your Own

Once I understood my Top 3 Core Values, SO many things sense - like why I like to be self-empowered in as many areas of my life as possible.  My Top 3 are 1. Creativity, 2. Discernment, 3. Control.

I've been making things my whole life - they just haven't been overly useful until I was an adult (I tried to make perfume from flowers in the garden when I was a kid - didn't work out at all.  Now I use DoTerra essential oils and the result is MUCH better!).

If there is something I like but it either stops being made or the price goes up to much, I look for ways to do it myself.  Over the years my list has gotten longer and longer, because I enjoy making things, and I've become a lot more discerning (aka one of my Core Values) about what is in the things I'm either consuming, cleaning with or putting on my skin.

Plus, I like to be in control (yet another Core Value) over when and how I make the things I want.

There is a limit though - if I can find what I want and it's easy to get and the price is right, I'm more than happy to buy it!

In this post I'll go through 3 of the things I make regularly, where I'm often asked for the recipe.

Chocolate

While I'm not fully vegan, I do prefer dark chocolate with no added milk.  The flavour is more powerful and I eat less of it as a result! 

Here are the ingredients for 2 small bars of chocolate:

• 50g raw organic cacao butter (you can use the buttons or cut larger pieces into small pieces so it's easier to melt)
• 1/8 cup of organic maple syrup
• 25g raw organic cacao powder (sifted)
• DoTerra essential oil (or anything that is food grade) for taste (optional)
• Silicone chocolate molds

Here is what you do:

1. In a double boiler (aka Bain Marie) fully melt the cacao butter
2. Add the maple syrup and whisk together
3. Sift in the cacao powder while continuously whisking.  The mixture will thicken
4. Remove from heat and if using, add in the essential oil
5. Pour straight away into the molds
6. Place in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours, or until set.

 Almond Milk

This one takes a bit of planning, but is really easy and simple once you get into the routine.

Here is what you'll need:

• 160g raw insecticide free almonds
• Filtered water to cover the almonds for soaking
• 3 cups filtered water to make the actual milk
• Pinch of sea salt
• A bowl
• A colander
• Nut bag
• Pouring jug
• 4 x 250ml plastic bottles (freezer safe)

Method:

1. Soak the almonds in enough water to cover them, and leave for a minimum of 8 hours
2. Drain the almonds in the colander and then give them a bit of a wash
3. Place the drained almonds into a food processor
4. Add 3 cups of filtered water
5. Add a pinch of sea salt
6. Blend on high for about 1 minute, or until all the almonds are well blended
7. Place the nut bag around the opening of the pouring jug and start pouring the mixture into the bag.  Squeeze the bag and get as much of the milk out as you can.  You can then put the remaining almonds into a bowl to dry out and use as almond meal
8. Once you have squeezed out all the milk, pour into the 4 plastic bottles (it should almost fill all of the bottles).

This milk will remain useable in your fridge for about 2 to 3 days.  After than it will curdle.  That's why separating out into smaller bottles is good - you can freeze them, and then only pull out what you will use over 2 to 3 days at a time.

Body Scrub

This is such a luxurious scrub, that also moisturises at the same time.  And, it's super simple and easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 300g Fine Himalayan Salt (or your choice of fine sea salt)
• 55g Organic cold-pressed Jojoba Oil
• 45 drops essential oils (my favourite is Patchouli, Grapefruit and Bergamot)

Method:

1. Add the salt into a large mixing bowl
2. Gradually add in the oil and stir as you're adding.  Make sure it's completely mixed together
3. Add essential oils.

That's it!  Enjoy making these, and let me know how you go!