The Perfect Time of Year for Peppermint!

Ah Christmas!  Decorations, family fun, good food, presents and Candy Canes!!!!!!!  Do you hang them on your tree, add them to gifts as part of wrapping, put them in a cup of hot coco or just eat em? What's Christmas without that little red and white treat that we usually only eat once a year at best.  Peppermint in winter seems so appropriate because of its cool taste. 

Did you know that Peppermint...real peppermint oil is a very healing herb?  Of course most of what we find in candies is artificial flavoring, but the real thing is very therapeutic!

The fancy dancy name for Peppermint is actually Mentha Peperita and Peppermint essential oil is one of the oldest and most highly regarded herbs for soothing digestion. But did you also know that Peppermint Essential oil is great for helping with .Asthma, bronchitis, candida, diarrhea, digestive aid, fever reduction ( I had a 103 fever, put this on the bottom of my feet and in no time the fever was down to 100!!), bad breath, heartburn, hemorrhoids, hot flashes (very cooling ladies!!), indigestion, menstrual irregularity, headaches, motion sickness, nausea, tumor growth, respiratory infections, shock, itchy skin, throat infections, and varicose veins. Other Uses: This oil may help arthritis, indigestion, depression, skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis), food poisoning, headaches, hives, hysteria, inflammation, morning sickness, nerve regeneration, rheumatism, may elevate and open sensory system, toothaches, and tuberculosis.

Jean Valnet, M.D., studied peppermint's effect on the liver and respiratory systems. Other scientists have also researched peppermint's role in affecting impaired taste and smell when inhaled. Dr. William N. Dember of the University of Cincinnati studied peppermint's ability to improve concentration and mental accuracy. Alan Hirsch, M.D., studied peppermint's ability to directly affect the brain's satiety center (the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus) which triggers a sensation of fullness after meals.

Peppermint oil may be diffused, massaged on the stomach or added to water or tea. Apply to the bottoms of feet or rub on the temples to treat headaches. To improve concentration, alertness, and memory, place a drop of Peppermint oil on the tongue. Add to food as a flavoring and preservative.

So even though the candy cane doesn't contain real live peppermint - maybe it will be a reminder to you of just how wonderful Peppermint really is!   Enjoy!

Stressing and De-Stressing During the Holidays

The holidays are a wonderful time of year - my favorite and probably yours too!  However with the warm and fuzzy feeling of the holidays comes stress - many times more so than the rest of the year.  Shopping, meal planning, running the kids all over, going  to company gatherings, visiting friends and relatives and on and on and on.  Sometimes we feel like a hamster in a wheel! The holidays can be the best time of the year because of the happiness the holiday fun brings. But it can also be overwhelming.  So....what to do to make the holidays less stressful?  Here are 10 tips to help you through the hectic, and heartwarming holiday season.

1.  Keep up your exercise program.  This is key!  Exercise helps to de-stress you, keeps your immune system up and also helps keep the pounds off for the holidays. Make the time!

2.  Take some 'me' time.   Holiday planning tends to revolve around everyone else.  It's important to take at least a half hour or so a day for yourself.  Take a breather, take a warm bath, take a walk, take a cat nap...anything to help you unwind. 

3.  Deep breathing!  Walk outside,  and take in some deep breaths all the way down through your lungs.  Take a moment and visualize a happy place - maybe at the beach, beside the fireplace - close your eyes and slowly inhale deeply and exhale slowly.  Oxygenating your blood like this is a great way to alkalize your body as well, keeping your immune system up to par at the same time.

4.  Turn off the phone (and cell phone) on your busy days.  You'll get your work done much faster. Let the caller leave a voice mail or text and answer it later.  This takes some discipline, but you can do it!

5.  Start a schedule.  On days I have so much to do, the schedule is a God-send to me!  Make it do-able and stick to it.

6.  Make up a list.  Making a list keeps the thoughts off your mind and on the paper!  This helps to de-stress and de-clutter your brain.

7.  Use Essential Oils.  There are many great ones that are soothing, relaxing, and healing.  You can diffuse them into the home - a great way to get everyone to be more calm and enjoy the holidays as well. Or diffuse a scent that brings Christmas to mind which will give you a feeling of peace or you can put some on your wrists, behind your ears, temples, neck..where needed.

8.  Start a Journal. This may sound like it will add to the already frustrating times, but honestly, it helps keep the focus, and helps you keep in tune with yourself.  Make a new journal every year from October through December and keep it to share with the family years down the road.  Include all the memorable times, pictures, foods, scents of the season, trips, etc.

9.  Pray!  To me, there's nothing like laying my cares at the feet of our Lord and Saviour for taking off all the stress and worries of my day.  This is a good thing to incorporate into your 'me' time.  And it helps you to focus on what the season is all about too. Spend some time thanking God for all  your blessings.

10.  Enjoy the holidays!  Most of the time we tend to see it as a nightmare instead of a dream.  Keep the focus and keep it simple, happy, joyful!   Dont beat yourself up on the little things that dont get done.  There;s always tomorrow, or if they dont get done at all its no catastrophe! After all, what's the reason for the season anyway?

Wishing you all the best for a happy, healthy and fun-filled holiday!