When I first started meal planning for my family, I just did a few meals at a time.  I think I started several years ago and stopped, then started again, stopped again... you get the idea. 

What I learned is that having a meal plan is better than not and while learning to do it can be somewhat challenging, frustrating and time consuming -- AT FIRST -- it is well worth the effort.  Not doing it creates more stress on me and on my finances.  I spend more and end up with more food wasted when I don't meal plan.  

So, over the years I've learned what works for me and what types of meals my family likes and enjoys.  It helped me develop my format for meal planning and it has made it so much easier, faster and more budget-friendly too. 

So, what is my "magical formula"?  Well, I'm going to tell you!

Monday - Pasta Night
Tuesday - Tacos/Mexican
Wednesday - Sandwich Night 
Thursday - Meal In A Bowl
Friday -Sheet Pan Supper
Saturday - Leftovers 
Sunday - Family Meal

So, what does a weekly meal plan look like for my family?  I'm going to share that too!

Monday - Beef Ramen & Broccoli
Tuesday - Beef Taco Skillet
Wednesday - Sloppy Joe's and Chips 
Thursday - Egg Roll Bowl 
Friday - Cheesesteak Potato Sheet Pan Meal 
Saturday - Leftovers 
Sunday - Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans 

Every meal has veggies on the side or added to the meal itself in some way.  

Here is another week's as an example:

Monday - Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Applesauce and Salad 
Tuesday - Spanish Rice & Beans
Wednesday - Grilled Cheese 
Thursday - Chicken & Rice Bowls (uses the leftover rice from Tuesday)
Friday - Sheet Pan Pesto Chicken, Potatoes and Green Beans 
Saturday - Leftovers 
Sunday - Pancakes, Bacon & O.J.

This has simplified my meal planning immensely.  I can easily do a month at a time and plan to use our leftovers up as well.  Our nightly meals are something we all look forward to and enjoy. 
I save them all and can go back to the beginning of the year and use it to help me plan for the current month.  

A lot of my meals use a lot of the same ingredients, just in different ways, so that also helps me buy ahead and keep my pantry stocked -- I know I almost always have what I need to make a meal my family likes!

I hope this helps you too!

xoxo 

Lori

I have not posted here in quite a while.  Life has been a struggle recently and I just felt like I had nothing good, helpful, wise or important to say -- who else can relate?

Anyway, I'm attempting to get back into the habit of regularly writing, blogging and sharing things I find helpful, insightful, useful, tasty, meaningful or exciting!  Wish me luck!  LOL

As a person, and as a family, we have had to make so many adjustments over the past couple of years and some of them have been hard.  I've struggled as a person, as a mom, as a woman and I've seen my kids struggle and feel helpless when it comes to "fixing" it for them, or even just helping them feel better.  I hate that as a parent -- that helpless, defeated feeling, ya know?

All I know to do is listen, take it one day at a time, encourage them to talk when they feel comfortable and teach them how to bounce back -- which is something I've done more than a few times in my life. 

It's ok to fall, we just have to eventually get back up and keep going.  It's all about mindset.  And self- care too.  It's hard to teach something you weren't taught yourself but I'm learning alongside them and that's ok too. 

And that's what I'm doing -- getting back up and moving forward.  Practicing better and more consistent self- care, controlling what I can and letting go of what I can't, loving myself and my kids and pursuing what I'm passionate about. 

I hope you are doing well, or are on your way to doing well, and if you're not yet --that's ok.  I was there too and I'm finding my way out of it now.  You can too.  You're not alone in spirit.  

Hang in there, one day at a time -- sometimes it's one minute or one hour at a time, friend and that's ok too. 

xoxo 
​Lori

Coffee Recipes 


So there are a few ways you can incorporate Vitality oils into your coffee routine. You can add a drop or toothpick swirl straight to the mug. You can add a drop or two to the coffee grounds before brewing.  You can make up a simple syrup or infuse sugar with them. You can even get creative and use them in creamers. So many fun ways to add them! First, let me give you a few “fancy” drink recipes, then we will talk cream and sugar.



Lavender Latte

• 2 oz. espresso
• 4 oz. whole milk
• 1-2 drops Lavender Vitality 
• Dried lavender flowers (optional) 

While the espresso is brewing, add the essential oil to cold milk. Warm the milk to approximately 150°F using a steam wand; allow the milk to froth slightly. Pour the steamed milk into the espresso. Sprinkle with dried lavender flowers if desired. Enjoy!




Peppermint Mocha

• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups strong brewed coffee
• 2 TBSP cocoa powder
• ¼ c sugar, adjusted to taste
• 1-2 drops Peppermint Vitality
• Chocolate syrup (optional)
• Whipped cream (optional)

Using a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium high heat. Continue to whisk the milk until it starts to bubble, careful not to let it burn. Add the brewed coffee. In a small bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder and sugar until no lumps are found. Add the mixture to the saucepan. Whisk the two together until a creamy texture is achieved. Pour into two coffee mugs and add 1-2 drops of Peppermint Vitality to taste. Add whipped cream and a chocolate syrup drizzle if desired. Enjoy! 




Rosemary Lavender Latte 

• 1 cup oat milk
• 2 drops each of Rosemary & Lavender Vitality
• 1 TBSP honey
• 1 shot espresso

Combine milk, honey, and oils in a small saucepan and bring to boil. Prepare espresso. Froth the milk mixture and pour over espresso.
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Mmmm, don’t these sound so good! Which one do you want to try first? 

xoxo 
​Lori

Young Living Tea Options


Did you know Young Living has four ready-made tea bags that are already infused with essential oils? Yes! They’re super tasty, too! Let’s take a look… 

• Slique Tea - formulated with natural ingredients to help support individual weight goals. This tea is rich in flavonoids, a dietary compound generally associated with helping maintain certain normal, healthy body functions. It also contains polyphenols, which makes it a great addition to a healthy diet and exercise plan. This tea is also enhanced with 100% pure Frankincense powder.

 

• Vanilla Lemongrass Green Tea - contains organic Chun Mee green tea, organic Clouds and Mist green tea, organic lemongrass, organic licorice root, natural lemon flavor, and organic vanilla flavor. It starts with sweet, herbaceous notes and melts into a brighter taste of lemongrass before finishing with an earthy hint of licorice. It pairs well with Orange Vitality essential oil and contains less caffeine than coffee.

 

• Spiced Turmeric Herbal Tea - contains organic ginger root, organic cinnamon bark, organic rooibos, organic fennel seed, organic peppercorn, organic turmeric rhizome, organic sarsaparilla root, natural chai flavor, and organic vanilla flavor. It pairs well with Tangerine Vitality essential oil and is caffeine free. 

 

• Orange Rose Hip Black Tea - contains organic herbs and roots, including licorice root, rosehip, Assam black tea, and pu’erh tea. Prominent top notes of orange gently segue into a subtle flavor of honey that finishes with the simple, comforting taste of rosehip. It pairs well with Lemon Vitality essential oil.
  
  

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Have you tried any of these yet? If so, which one is your favorite? If not, which one do you want to try first? 

xoxo
Lori​

Tea Recipes


Now for the moment you all have been waiting for - recipes! We will start off with some tea recipes using some of the Vitality oils we just discussed. I’ll be sending some coffee recipes your way soon so stay tuned! 


Wellness Tea

• 1-2 drops Thieves Vitality
• 1-2 drops Lemon Vitality 
• Honey to taste
• 6-8 oz. hot water; tea bag optional

Heat water (or brew tea) to your liking. Add essential oils and honey. Stir well and enjoy!



Coconut Thieves Tea

• 1 TBSP full-fat coconut cream
• 1-2 drops Thieves Vitality
• 1-2 tsp honey or sweetener of choice
• Tea bag of your choice
• 6-8 oz. hot water

While water is heating, mix coconut cream and essential oil in a mug. Stir in honey or sweetener. Carefully add hot water and drop in tea bag. Allow tea to steep for 3-5 minutes. Stir again and enjoy!



Spiced Chai

• 1 drop Lemongrass Vitality 
• 1 drop Ginger Vitality
• 1 drop Cardamom Vitality 
• 1 Chai Tea bag
• Honey or sweetener to taste (optional)
• 6-8 oz. hot water
• 2 TBSP frothed milk (optional)

Once heated, add water to mug and drop in tea bag. While tea is steeping, froth milk. Remove the tea bag; add in essential oils and honey. Stir well. Add frothed milk to top and enjoy!


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Do you prefer hot tea or iced tea? Or neither?

xoxo 
​Lori

Cinnamon Bark Vitality & Ginger Vitality 

Now it’s time to talk about some of those spicier options like Cinnamon Bark and Ginger! Remember - essential oils are highly concentrated so start small with a toothpick swirl and go up from there. You can adjust these to your liking! 

Cinnamon Bark Vitality has a warm, spicy flavor that can enhance a variety of treats and drinks. You can substitute Cinnamon Bark Vitality in any recipe that calls for ground cinnamon so try a toothpick swirl in your freshly poured coffee OR try a drop or two in the grounds before you brew it! Trust me - you’ll smell that delicious nostalgic scent in an instant. This oil contains the naturally occurring constituent cinnamaldehyde, has antioxidant properties, and can help support a healthy digestive and immune system. It’s also one of the main oils found in the Thieves blend and the Inner Defense supplement so you know it’s powerful. 


Ginger Vitality is distilled from the root of the ginger plant and is a great, versatile oil to keep handy in the kitchen. This oil pairs well with Fennel Vitality so try a toothpick swirl of each mixed into some honey and add it to your favorite hot tea - like Peppermint or Chamomile. The benefits of this oil come from its naturally occurring constituents zingiberene and beta-phellandrene. It’s also one of the key ingredients in several of Young Living’s digestion-supporting products: DiGize, Digest & Cleanse, EndoGize, ICP, and Essentialzymes-4. Think gut health! BONUS TIP:  I love using this in stir fry's, lo mein and other Asian inspired dishes -- so good! 



We are almost to the recipes portion of this class. Drop me a comment if you're still with me!
​
xoxo 
Lori

Lemon Vitality & Lime Vitality ​

So earlier we talked about Orange essential oil… now let’s talk about some more of the citrus oils Young Living has to offer for consumption - Lemon Vitality and Lime Vitality. Citrus oils are some of the most budget-friendly Young Living has so stock up or give them as gifts. They’re extremely versatile and can be used for a variety of things. It’s also important to note: citrus oils are cold-pressed from the rind so they don’t contain the same acidity level that the inside of the fruit has. In other words, you don’t have to worry about them messing with the enamel on your teeth! 


First up - Lemon Vitality. If you joined Young Living with one of the Premium Starter bundles then you already have this gem. It’s got such a bright and dynamic flavor profile and can be added to both savory and sweet dishes. And of course you can add it to your tea or favorite beverage - hot or cold! This oil has antioxidant properties, supports the immune system, provides circulatory support, and contains cleansing properties. 


Now let’s chat about Lime Vitality. Just like lime zest would bring some flare to your dish, Lime Vitality adds a punch of citrus and elevates the flavor with a zing! This oil supports the skin as well as the lymphatic system, respiratory system, and immune system. Add a drop to some honey and stir into some hot or cold tea and drink up! It’s delish! 


You’ll also want to go check out Citrus Fresh Vitality, Jade Lemon Vitality, Grapefruit Vitality, and Tangerine Vitality. Citrus Fresh is a blend of Orange, Grapefruit, Mandarin, Tangerine, Lemon, and Spearmint essential oils and tastes amazing! Jade Lemon has a bit of a lemon-lime flavor and is a member fav. Grapefruit has a slightly tart flavor but is packed with benefits! Tangerine is one of the sweetest oils available so it’s a surefire way to bring a little liquid sunshine into your life. 



Which one of these are you ready to add to some tea? 

xoxo 
Lori