Pan Fried Tilapia w/ Lemon Cream Sauce

Food is definitely one of my favorite things to blog about. Lemon essential oil in a cream sauce over crunchy fish? Yes please! I discovered this incredibly delicious dinner recipe at mamalovesheroils.com. I don't typically fry my fish, as it's not the healthiest option, but this recipe is a winner. My picky children actually love how this fish is prepared, and don't hesitate to eat every bite. That alone makes this recipe a keeper! It also doesn't require a ton of ingredients and it is easy to prepare; a bonus for us busy families.

Ingredients:

• 4 tilapia fillets
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• salt & pepper, as needed

Essential Oils:

• 10 drops of Lemon Essential Oil

(You could also substitute lemon juice for the essential oils.

I only use therapeutic grade essential oils that are safe for consumption.

For more information on how to purchase these oils, please feel free to contact me.)

Instructions:

Heat olive oil in skillet on medium heat.

In a shallow dish, combine 2 tablespoons flour, lemon pepper, panko, and salt & pepper if needed.

Whisk the egg in a separate dish.

Dip the fish in the whisked eggs, then coat the fish with the panko mixture and add to frying pan.

Cook for 3 minutes, then flip at cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until golden brown.

Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to cool.

To make the cream sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

Add 2 tablespoons flour and cook for one minute, or until filly combined.

Add the milk, onion powder, lemon essential oil, salt & pepper.

Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until sauce thickens, stirring constantly.

Serve fish with lemon cream sauce drizzled over top with a side of veggies. 

Nerdy Extras:
Lemon Essential Oil is a powerful antioxidant, and can help ward off free radicals. It has been known to aid in digestion, help support healthy respiratory function, and to promote a positive mood and cognitive ability.

FDA Disclaimer: "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease."

Hard Lotion Bars

I was initially inspired to make these lovely hard lotion bars due to the very hot and dry weather here in Arizona. My skin is naturally on the dry side, so living out here just made it worse. I needed a lotion that was able to keep my arms, legs, hands, and feet looking moisturized all day long. These little bars do exactly that! Now, I warn you, this is not a light moisturizer. This is a very heavy moisturizer, and a little bit goes a long way. I tend to have sensitive skin with certain lotions, but this lotion has yet to give me any problems after having used it for months. That being said, I'm clearly a big fan of these powerful little lotion bars. I liked them so much that I thought they would make great gifts, so that's exactly what I did. I really enjoy making homemade products, it's a lot of fun to me. Sure, it may take more time, but it's so original and you can really customize your products based on the needs of the person you are making it for.  Plus, it's economical once you are all stocked up on all of your basic DIY materials.

Shea Butter is a softer butter, so these bars will be a little softer, which is why I recommend storing them in the refrigerator until ready to use. Especially if you live somewhere hot like me! The beeswax smell does tend to overpower the smell of the oils. Despite lacking an aroma, the essential oils are still in there, providing the same level of therapeutic value.



Before you embark on this DIY mission, you are going to need a silicone treat mold, This recipe makes 2-3 dozen mini lotion bars, depending on the size of the mold. I recommend sticking to smaller mold sizes. I also recommend not making thin lotion bars, as they will not hold up well when applying them.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup Beeswax 
• 1/2 cups Coconut Oil
• 1/2 cup Shea Butter 
• 1 teaspoon Vitamin E Oil (approximately 4 capsules)

 

Essential Oils:

• 20 drops of an essential oil of your choice.

...Lavender, peppermint, and citrus are always popular choices...
(I only use therapeutic grade essential oils that are safe for consumption.

For more information on how to purchase these oils, please feel free to contact me.)

Instructions:

• Measure the beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, and vitamin E in a glass jar. I used a glass Pyrex container, but anything glass or metal would work just fine.
• Fill pan with about two inches of water. Bring to a boil. 
• Place Pyrex container with ingredients into the boiling water. This is an important step. You want to do this to avoid having the ingredients get too hot, or use a double boiler.

• Bring heat down to a simmer. You don't want to overcook the lotion.
• Stir ingredients until combined. Should take about 10-20 minutes. I used a wood craft (Popsicle) stick to stir, so that I could just toss it in the trash when done.

• Once the lotion has been melted, remove it from the heat, and let it sit until the glass jar is no longer hot to the touch. Approximately 2-3 minutes.
• When the lotion is cooled, add about 20 drops of essential oil and stir.
• You could do one of two things here. You could pour the lotion directly into the silicone mold, or you could do what I did and pour the lotion into a wide mouth squeeze bottle (like this). It was so much easier to just squirt the lotion into the molds this way. Clean up was a breeze, too.

• Once all of your molds are filled, let them harden for at least 3 hours, preferably in the refrigerator.
• Remove the bars from the tray, and place them in a glass jar or ziplock bag in the refrigerator until ready to use. You could also store them at room temperature if you live in a cooler climate. 
• When you are ready to use the lotion bars, simply rub them on the areas of your skin needing extreme moisture. 

Nerdy Extras:

Beeswax acts as a surfactant, meaning it acts as a barrier on the skin when blended into a cream or lotion. This barrier protects the skin from irritants, while still allowing the skin to breathe.

Coconut oil is a wonderful, and wildly popular, all-natural base for many DIY skincare and wellness practices. When applied to the skin, it absorbs into your skin and connective tissues, keeping them strong and supple, thus helping to reduce the sign of aging. It also helps exfoliate the outer dead layers of skin, making skin appear smoother.

Shea butter is extracted from the nuts of a Shea tree, which is indigenous to Africa. It's chemical constituents are rich, which include unsaturated fats, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin E and D, among other noteworthy constituents. It is considered to be "Super-Food" for your skin, and one of the best anti-aging agents available; improving wrinkles, fine lines, and scars. It is deeply moisturizing, and stimulates collagen production (what makes your skin look younger). It protects your skin from UV sunlight, harsh (cold/dry) climates, dehydration, and pollution, making it invaluable for after-sun or winter skincare. 

FDA Disclaimer: "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease."