The holiday season is approaching and nothing is more comforting than having the smell of xmas in your home...the natural way!
Here are some good ideas for you and your family to enjoy!
NATURAL HOLIDAY SCENTS FOR YOUR HOME
***Pomanders***
Pomander: Traditionally known as a ball of natural ingredients and aromatics used to heal the sick from infections. Today, we use them as decorations or gifts.
Clove: A dried flower bud..used as a spice in most cultures. It also has a cool "nail" shape to it.
Take some fresh oranges and lemons. Using a thick sewing needle..pierce holes in the fruit and stick cloves in all the holes.
Put the oranges and lemons in a decorative dish and sprinkle cinnamon in the bottom of the dish. Add pine cones for extra decoration.
If you want to add a modern touch to your pomanders...place them in a huge glass vase and put them on your dining room table.
*** All natural Soy wax candles with mint/chocolate oils***
This is a great activity to do with the kids during the holiday season~!
Here's how to do it.
About a pound of soy wax ( from your local health food store)
Mint and chocolate essential oils (from your natural health store)
One long cotton wick
Mason jars
1) Heat the wax up in a pan until melted
2) Remove from heat and add both mint and chocolate oils until desired strength
3) Pour the scented wax into the mason jars
4) Insert the wick into the wax and use a clothes pin or tweezers to keep it still and centered until the wax hardens.
5) When the wax is cool, you can cut the wick down to about 1/2 inch.
6) Light your candle and enjoy the AMAZING natural smell!!
Also...with the kids..you can use a hot glue gun and xmas ribbon and decorate your candle jars and give them away as gifts!!!
***Christmas cookies with all natural ingredients!***
This is my holiday PICK!
Simply Sweet Xmas Cookies.
makes about 16 2" cookies
1/2 cup almond butter2 cups almond meal (purchase at any natural food store)
6 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Place the almond butter in a bowl and mix with a fork or mixer to soften. (If you opened the jar and the almond butter had separated, you'll need to mix the oil back together with the butter and then measure.)
3. Add the almond meal, agave or honey, and extracts and mix thoroughly.
4. Place parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet on a baking sheet.
If you want, you can roll this dough between two pieces of parchment paper to 1/4" - 1/2" thick and cut with decorative cookie cutters. Or, you can just put all the dough on the baking sheet, pat it down to about 1/4" - 1/2" thick and then cut squares with a dull table knife.
Either way, take the cut pieces and spread them out across the baking sheet, about 1/2" apart.
5. Bake 10-15 minutes, until golden brown and set. Cookies will crisp as they cool.
6. Allow cookies to cool and store in an airtight container.
7. For crisper, harder cookies, bake them longer at a lower temperature.
VARIATIONS: * Roll out dough and use to make cutout cookies* Add any extract and bits of nuts, citrus peel, dried fruits, coconut, chocolate chips * Top with spices such as cinnamon sugar* Sandwich any plain or flavored cookies together with fruit-sweetened jam, flavored cream cheese, nut butters...* Place dough in parchment paper, roll into a cylinder, then chill and cut as refrigerator cookies. Edges can be rolled in nuts, coconut, etc.
ENJOY!!
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