During the allergy testing process, Jake had no food allergies.  However, he was very allergic to formaldehyde and aspartame.  I brought up the ranch dressing.  The doctor looked at me like I was crazy.  He said, “That is not food.  It is nothing but chemicals.”

Well I don’t know about that.  I mean there are chemicals in the dressing, but all chemicals?  Anyway, I have not purchased any ranch dressing in a couple of years now.  After making my own Italian-style dressing for years, I was really beginning to crave ranch dressing.  So after reading several different recipes, I branched out and experimented on my own.

Ranch Dressing

1 Tbsp parsley flakes
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp lemon juice
1/2 cup mayonnaise
goat milk to desired consistency (I use about 1/4 cup.)

In a small bowl, combine all the seasonings.  Add the lemon juice and mayonnaise.  Stir it together well.  Slowly add the milk and whisk until well combined.  Add more milk until you get the consistency you desire.  My family prefers ours to be thicker than runny.

Pour into a small jelly jar.  Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for a day or two.

This recipe makes what we need for one dinner for our family of seven.  It is an easy recipe to whip up right before dinner.

We had always like dipping our vegetables or potato chips in ranch dip, too.  I had also stopped purchasing the ranch dip packets at the store after the whole “chemical” comment from the doctor.  This recipe is wonderful for dip, too.

Ranch Dip

2 Tbsp parsley flakes
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp onion powder
8 oz sour cream

Stir it all together in a bowl and chill well before serving.

These recipes have enabled my family to enjoy ranch dressing and ranch dip again.  They are delicious and chemical-free.  I hope that your family likes these recipes as much as we do.  Try them this weekend.

A bargain at Wal-Mart.

For some time now, I have been saving up to purchase an essential oil diffuser.  I wanted to be able to fill the air in my home with the refreshing and healing scents of my essential oils.  Since Jake is allergic to formaldehyde, I have steered away from store-bought air fresheners.  I have successfully used essential oils in vodka as an air freshener, but the scent does not stay for very long.

Essential oil diffusers are becoming more and more popular.  They are not very cheap.  The company Beeyoutiful carries two different kinds through their catalog.  One is $60.00.  The other is $90.00.  I was saving up for the $90.00 diffuser/nebulizer.

As I was walking through Wal-Mart the other day, I happened to notice a wall of boxes in the craft section.  The picture on the box caught my eye.  I could not believe it; Wal-Mart is selling essential oil warmers.  They are only $4.97.  So, I decided to try one.

The expensive diffuser I wanted uses electricity.  This option is more green in that it only uses a tea light candle to heat the essential oils.

The set-up is really simple.  There is a shallow plate that sits above a tea light candle.  I poured a little warm water in the shallow plate and dropped a few drops of Cassia oil.  Cassia smells just like cinnamon.  I lit the candle and waited.

I really did not smell anything at first.  I had to run outside for something and when I returned I noticed the warm scent immediately.  You could smell it upstairs and at the other end of the house.  The scent carried well throughout our entire home.

When the water had almost evaporated, I added more water.  This time I put a mixture of eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil.  Eucalyptus oil kills germs.  Since we had all been under the weather, I thought it was a good opportunity to disinfect the house.  Peppermint oil is soothing and refreshing.  I really liked the combination of the eucalyptus and peppermint oils.

I am very pleased with my essential oil warmer.  It works very well.  The downside is that the water evaporates.  I have to keep my eye on the water level.  I am finding that I have to add water and oil about every hour.  It certainly is not something you would want to leave burning while you went outside.

I am looking forward to all the different scent combinations I can make.  Both cassia and peppermint were festive for this time of the year.  They made my house smell like Christmas.  Since it is still cold and flu season, I will continue to use the eucalyptus oil.  Every house needs a breath of fresh air.  This inexpensive essential oil warmer does the job.  It goes to show that inexpensive and simple alternatives can still get the job done.

If you want to recommend a scent combination, please do.  Just leave a comment or contact me via email at laradehaven@texashomesteader.com.