2 T organic butter

1 T organic, extra virgin, cold pressed olive oil

2 small organic onions, chopped

3 large cloves organic garlic, minced

2 oz. organic cream cheese

Sea salt

Fresh ground pepper

2 lbs steamed organic butternut squash, peeled and cubed

6 T organic white miso dissolved in 4 C purified water

2 drops Young Living oregano essential oil

1 drop Young Living lemon essential oil

Heat soup pan over medium heat.  When hot, add butter and olive oil.  When the butter is melted add onions and saute’ for 1-2 minutes.  Add garlic and cream cheese. Heat until cream cheese is melted,  add sea salt and pepper to taste.

Add squash to mixture and saute’ 1-2 minutes. Add miso broth and bring mixture to a boil.   Allow to cool, then spoon out 1/2 the mixture into blender and blend until smooth.  Return to soup.

Add essential oils and allow the soup to simmer 5 minutes.  Garnish with whole grain croutons, shredded carrots or fresh oregano.

Makes approximately 5 1/2 cups.

Oregano essential oil is also packed with constituents that make it a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic and immune stimulating oil.  The best methods for using oregano essential oil are to ingest it (Therapeutic, Food Grade  Oregano only) in gel capsules or to apply it to the skin.  Inner Defense is a Young Living supplement that contains 4 different species of oregano plus powerful thyme and Thieves oil for powerful defense against infections and viruses.  Young Living’s Oregano essential oil is 4 times more powerful than penicillin.    Because of this, when ingested in larger doses, it is important to follow up the use of oregano oil with a probiotic like Life 5 to keep intestinal flora in balance.  Ideally, take a probiotic 8-10 hours after the oregano oil and never at the same time since large amounts of oregano oil will kill the good bacteria in your gut.  It is also important not to overuse oregano oil (large amounts in a gel capsule), saving it’s strength for when your system really needs support.  It is always best to support your body’s natural defenses with gentler oils like lemon first and save the potent ones for when you really need them.  Consult an Essential Oil Desk Reference for specific usage of oregano essential oil.

Oregano oil is considered a “hot” oil and can be irritating if applied directly on the skin.  It should always be diluted with a carrier oil like Young Living’s V-6 vegetable oil.  Oregano oil is one of 9 single and oil blends used in the Raindrop Technique for applying essential oils along the spinal column to boost your immune system.  It is also a strong smelling oil, so applying it to the soles of the feet or combining it with the Raindrop Oils can make the scent less conspicuous.  I would not recommend diffusing oregano oil as it can irritate the respiratory tract and will penetrate fabrics and upholstery leaving an oregano scent.   If you want to kill airborne bacteria, the Thieves blend accomplishes this with a more neutral aroma of cinnamon and cloves, also highly anti-bacterial and anti-viral.

Oregano is an essential oil that has been around for thousands of years, it is powerful weapon against some serious strains of bacteria and definitely one worth having on hand during cold and flu season.  Oregano essential oil is potent and even 1 drop can boost the immune system.  When you use a food grade essential oil, you can add it to your recipes to stay healthy this winter.  Small amounts added into foods will keep you healthy this season without the effects of an antibiotic that disrupts intestinal flora.   Watch for my next post in a few days, a savory soup for Fall using oregano oil.

# 3605 Oregano oil 15 ml              Whsl.   $22.75       Retail   $36.51

# 3295 Inner Defense Softgels   Whsl.  $24.75    Retail  $32.57

You can order Young Living oils at wholesale (select Independent Distributor and order a $40 Start Living Kit for lifetime wholesale pricing, and no monthly minimums)  or retail (select customer).  If your cookies is not enabled, enter #1003003 in the sponsor & enroller columns to support the Pure Home and Body website.  Thanks!

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure and diseases.  For medical conditions consult with your medical doctor.

J Food Protection  2002 Oct;65(10): 1545-60

Ingredients:

1 C dry quinoa (whole grain form, not flakes which may contain gluten)

1 1/2 C water

Dressing:

1/4 C fresh lemon juice (or 5-6 drops Young Living food grade lemon essential oil)

1/4 C olive oil

2 medium cloves garlic, crushed

1 tsp sea salt

black pepper to taste

Additional ingredients:

Fresh herbs  – oregano, basil, tarragon

4 scallions (whites & greens)  or red onion finely minced

1 packed cup minced parsley

10 fresh mint leaves, minced

2 medium-sized ripe tomatoes, diced

Optional

1 medium bell pepper, diced

1 small cucumber, seeded and minced

1/2 C cooked lentils

toasted chopped walnuts

1/2 C Nicoise olives

squeezable wedge of lemon

1. Combine quinoa and water in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil then cover and simmer for 15 minutes until tender.  Drain off excess liquid if needed, then pour into a bowl to cool.
2. Whisk together dressing ingredients and pour over cooled quinoa.  Cover tightly and refrigerate until about 30 minutes before serving.
3. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the remaining ingredients and mix well.  Serve cold with garnishes .  May be served on a bed of fresh salad greens as a salad or for those who can eat gluten, serve with warm wedges of lightly toasted pita bread.

This is an excellent recipe to make a day or two ahead of time, and have it ready to take in your lunch.  Just pack up your additional add-ins in a separate container and mix in right before eating.  The dressing flavor gets even better after a day.

Enjoy!