God’s Gift of Olive Oil

I love the gift of olive oil! Its many valuable uses, benefits, and flavor are worth sharing and enjoying every day.

“If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the thanksgiving sacrifice unleavened loaves mixed with oil, unleavened wafers smeared with oil, and loaves of fine flour well mixed with oil.”

Leviticus 7:12

Olive trees have been around long before 5000 BC., one of God’s many gifts to man.

* Israel used it to mix with fine flour and present it to the priests as a first fruit offering. (Lev. 2)

* They used it for burning lamps in the sanctuary (Ex. 27:20)

* Wound healing (Luke 10:24)

* Annointed kings, prophets, and priests (Ex. 29:21, 2 Kings 9:1-3)

* Made cakes and bread (1 Chronicles 12:40)

They cold pressed the precious olive fruit to extract the oil and create their anointing oils, cakes, and bread. How simple life is when living off the land, yet also difficult. According to Bible History, the olives are ripe in September and are harvested and pressed for oil until November.

The branches are picked, and olives removed. They are placed on the stone surface and a large millstone is used to press out the oil. The Bible History site says the word for olive press is Gethsemane.

Oh, how the truest gift of Christ kneeling in prayer in such a place filled with history and purpose come to life!

What Makes Olive Oil a Wonderful Gift?

Olive oil makes the heart glad in more ways than one! It’s such a beautiful gift from God.

Olive oil is made of up of 80% monosaturated fat and 1-2 % polyphenols. However, the geographic location, and the way it’s processed makes a difference in retaining its precious properties.

Nutritional and antioxidant properties of EVOO are related to the presence and concentration of tocopherols, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds that greatly impact human health.

No seed oil (soybean, vegetable, corn, or canola) has these beneficial properties!

I’ll share more about benefits of olive oil tomorrow. Today, I want you to have this simple and delicious dressing to use each day on your salads.

Apple Cider and Vinegar Dressing

1 ounce apple cider vinegar

2 ounces Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 teaspoons of raw honey (optional)

1 pinch each, salt, pepper, onion powder, or your favorite herb.

Combine, mix well, and enjoy!

I use it on my Kale & Apple Salad and my Broccoli Cherry Salads

Benefits of Olive Oil

God’s gifts just keep on giving, don’t they?

How thoughtful and loving He is to provide such a delicious and functional oil to consume.

Check out these healing properties of olive oil:

*Polyphenols to reduce inflammation, bind to free-radicals, and remove heavy metals

* Reduces oxidized LDL particles and makes platelets less sticky

* Improves glycemic control and insulin sensitivity

* It increased GLP-1 (a hormone in the gut that helps us feel full and delays gastric emptying of food.

* The anti-inflammatory effects also help the liver tissue and fat cells.

*It works as a prebiotic and helps good gut bacteria grow.

My friend, our thoughtful God wants you and I to thrive physically with His provision in the garden and spiritually, through His Son, Jesus!

Gifts worthy of Thanks and praise!

Have a blessed day!

Mysty

Simplifying Health God’s Way

References:

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Ancient Olive Press – Bible History (bible-history.com)

1. De Santis S, Cariello M, Piccinin E, Sabbà C, Moschetta A. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Lesson from Nutrigenomics. Nutrients. 2019; 11(9):2085. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11092085
2. Romani A, Ieri F, Urciuoli S, Noce A, Marrone G, Nediani C, Bernini R. Health Effects of Phenolic Compounds Found in Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, By-Products, and Leaf of Olea europaea L. Nutrients. 2019; 11(8):1776. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11081776
3. Jasmine F Millman, Shiki Okamoto, Taiki Teruya, Tsugumi Uema, Shinya Ikematsu, Michio Shimabukuro, Hiroaki Masuzaki, Extra-virgin olive oil and the gut-brain axis: influence on gut microbiota, mucosal immunity, and cardiometabolic and cognitive health, Nutrition Reviews, Volume 79, Issue 12, December 2021, Pages 1362–1374, https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuaa148