Here in Texas, we are doing all we can to beat the heat. I'm so thankful for shady spots in my yard where I can sit and drink my tea in the mornings as well as for working a/c in the house so the hotter parts of the day can be enjoyed in comfort.

I'm excited to share a few recipes with you here using your Young Living Vitality oils.

Lavender Lemonade

I'm always looking for delicious alternatives to artificial flavors and drinks with tons of sugar. This recipe is easy and delicious and soooo refreshing!

Ingredients:
1/4 cups water
1 cup lemon juice
1 cup demerara sugar or 1/2 cup Yacon Syrup or any other sweetener of choice
8 drops Lemon Vitality Essential Oil
1 drop Lavender Vitality Essential Oil

Directions: Mix all ingredients in a gallon container. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Chill and serve over ice.

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Lemon Vitality: Supports your digestive, immune and respiratory systems.
Lavender Vitality: Supports the cardiovascular and nervous system.

Grill Marinades

Store-bought marinades have a shelf life, which means the ingredients lose freshness every day they sit there, and at the same time, the flavors lose their intensity.

The secret to mastering marinades is in knowing the effect of various marinating durations.

Marinating for two hours or less will impart a surface flavor.

For a fully infused flavor, marinade for 8-24 hours.

NOTE: The thicker the meat, the longer it takes to absorb the flavor.

Here are a couple of my favorite marinade recipes. They’re full of flavor AND free of any preservatives.

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Is anybody here a taco fan? Check out this killer Chicken Marinade!

Ingredients
Juice of 2 limes
1⁄3 cup olive oil
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1 teaspoon cumin
1⁄2 teaspoon chili powder
1⁄2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 drops Black Pepper Vitality Essential Oil
*2 drops Lime Vitality Essential Oil

Mix the above ingredients together. Allow chicken to marinate for 2-6 hours.

*Avoid plastic when using citrus essential oils.

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Here's a delicious shrimp marinade that is perfect for those shrimp kabobs!

Shrimp Marinade

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 drops Lemon Vitality Essential Oil
2 drops Coriander Vitality Essential Oil

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Lemon Vitality & Lime Vitality support your digestive, immune, and respiratory systems. Coriander Vitality supports your digestive and hormonal systems.
Black Pepper Vitality: Supports your digestive and nervous systems.

Citrus Coconut Popsicles are the PERFECT way to cool down on those HOT summer nights!

Ingredients:
1 can of full-fat coconut milk
1 cup of orange juice or orange pineapple juice (Get creative!!!)
1/3 cup (or to taste) agave or sweetener of choice (optional)
1-2 drops of Lime Vitality or Citrus Fresh Vitality Essential Oil

Directions:
Blend coconut milk, agave, and Lime Vitality Essential Oil.
Pour mixture into popsicle mold, dividing evenly.
Place in freezer for 10 minutes; then top with juice
Freeze again for 30 minutes.
Insert popsicle sticks. Continue freezing until firm.

Lime Vitality supports your digestive, immune, and respiratory systems.
Citrus Fresh Vitality supports your immune system.

Have a favorite essential oil infused recipe? I'd love for you to share it in the comments!