Today I want to share with you my (semi)famous pesto cheese ball with basil essential oil!
Christmas Party Make ‘n Take
Last year our local joyful oil team got together for a fun Christmas party. We had a great time of fellowship with a make ‘n take station where everyone made some oily goodies. And we all brought oily snacks to share. (want to come to our next event? Like our FB page, and join the joyful oil team here with a starter kit of your choice to be a joyful oiler!)
In addition to the pesto cheese ball, I made chocolate chip orange oil brownies. And we had two types of chocolate peppermint cookies!
For our Christmas make ‘n take items, I brought stuff to holiday make room sprays and roller blends, face serums, beard oil and aftershave oils.
A fun time was had by all! I made some simple pine cone ornaments that everyone got to take home and they double as a diffuser! Just drop some oils on it and hang it on the tree and enjoy the scent as they evaporate into the room.
Basil
Basil essential oil has a fresh, herbaceous aroma that can be calming and refreshing. You will find basil leaf in this Shawnee Moon formula to support normal healthy function of the thyroid.
“Basil Vitality oil (Ocimum basilicum) has a sweet, warm scent and flavor. This herb is found in a variety of dishes and is popular in both Asian and European cooking. With Basil Vitality™ essential oil, it’s easy to add this well-loved seasoning to whatever you like. Using an essential oil, you’ll get a brighter flavor than dried herbs without the hassle of fresh herbs. Young Living’s Basil Vitality essential oil pairs well with savory foods, but you can also add its sweet, slightly peppery flavor to any meal.” (quote source)
Here are some common uses for basil essential oil and basil vitality oil. (Remember; the purity quality of both oils from Young Living is high and the same standard, the only difference is the Vitality oils are labeled for ingesting, and the other is labeled for topical/aromatic use. For cooking with oils, always use an essential oil that is labeled for internal use to be safe!)
Basil essential oil uses:
- Dilute with V-6 or another carrier oil when applying directly to desired area.
- Diffuse 2-5 drops in your diffuser to support clarity and focus.
Basil Vitality Essential Oil Uses:
- Flavor your favorite pasta sauce recipes with Basil Vitality. Add Rosemary Vitality or Oregano Vitality for even more flavor.
- Add to deli salads, Asian- or Italian-inspired soups, and custom salad dressings or vinaigrettes to share with family and friends.
- Boil pasta noodles in basil-infused water for a subtle flavor.
- Pair with lime juice and melons, such as watermelon and cantaloupe, for a fresh summer treat. For a more complex flavor profile, garnish with feta.
- Mix with a mild tea, such as chamomile. Add a dash of honey to sweeten the experience.
Pesto Cheese Ball with Basil Essential Oil
2 8oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1 8oz pkg Italian blend shredded cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2-3 drops Young Living Basil Vitality essential oil
Pinch of dried Italian season
approx 8oz pine nuts (or sliced almonds)
Mix all ingredients (except nuts) together well. Form into a ball and wrap in saran wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. Remove from fridge, unwrap, roll in nuts until the whole ball is covered. Place on your serving tray and refrigerate overnight for best taste. I like to serve it with Wheat Thins, but any cracker of your choice will be grand. Enjoy the compliments at your next party!
SAFETY NOTE: Be sure to use an essential oil that is labeled for ingesting! I like the Vitality Line of oils from Young Living because it is specifically labeled for internal use. Just do your research on the brand that you use before you ingest them so you know they are safe. Grab your own Young Living oils at 24% off retail price here and join the joyful oil team. Or just become a retail customer and get the same great products for full price here.
Let me know in the comments below if you decide to try this recipe I made up and what you think of it! Feel free to edit it to your taste and let me know how you improve upon it.
