I have found another great tea blend. The Wellness Energy and Turmeric are some kind of marvelous! We all know the benefit of Turmeric’s inflammation reduction properties, which I my main for reason for drinking it, but when it is added with any other tea the taste is taken to another, higher level. When I added it to the Wellness Energy blend, and a dash of honey, I was transported to another place and time. Before these blends were sold in stores, indigenous people in this country were blending all sorts of plants for medicinal purposes. This blend made me think of some blends I have run across during my traverses across this country. Turmeric was not as prevalent some years back; not as it is now. But in some of the off the road places one could come across it here, and sometimes they people would add a little something extra. You never ask what it is, best to just add honey and follow instructions. Now, of course, there are regulations, but this Turmeric gets the job done, and I found that when it was added to the Wellness Energy, I was pleasantly surprised. Let me know if you have tried some blends, so I can try them, too. 

Did a blend today that was quite delightful. I used five drops of Lavender and four drops of Helichrysum; to my surprise I was mellow while enjoying some lovely Wellness Energy blend. Many know Lavender,  will calm every aspect of the day, but did you know it is also a bug repellent. That was my main reason for diffusing it, and it worked to keep the mosquitoes at bay, but when I added the Helichrysum I found a nice counterbalance.

Helichrysum not only does wonders for the skin when applied directly, and is known for its anti-aging properties, but when diffused it acts as a great pick me up. So, when I blended the Lavender with the Helichrysum, I received the bug repellent I desperately needed and the added benefit of a slight pick me up. The blend of the two worked really well with one another for a very productive day, and the Wellness Energy was the cherry on top of my sensory cake.

If you decide to try these two products together, let me know how they made you feel, or if you have your favorite blend let me know so I can give it a try. 

It’s an inevitable truth that as we grow older, we will experience pain. The pain is exponentially more intense if we are working out preparing for a charity walk like the Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk for breast cancer. If you are anything like me your first choice is not some over the counter pain reliever, and certainly a prescription pain reviler, but sometimes the pain is just too much, so Tylenol is a welcomed friend. Let me recommend one the CBD pain relievers at Corrales Tea & More

The first one is a Natural Health product called Hemp Extract Salve that comes in Unscented, Lavender and rose CBD Formula. This product worked almost immediately! The only drawback is it’s a little greasy when first applied but it does absorb quickly, so that was not too troublesome. The other one is The Big Hurt Cream. Much like Hemp Extract Slave the pain relief was quick, however one the first things I noticed was the scent. It doesn’t smell like hemp, but more of a medicinal pain reliever smell, something along the lines of Ben-Gay or Icy Hot, if anyone remembers that smell. The best part about it is it does not have a greasy residue.

Both take care pain quite effectively, and I highly recommend them for quick and easy pain relief. If you try them let me know how they work for you in the comments.

​One of my favorite oils is peppermint. You probably have enjoyed its aromatics in many ways, but I have and actual moment in time when this essential oil has helped me make over a bump in the road of my life. It happened some years ago, before I knew peppermint had medicinal applications. My family and I were coming home from one of our many trips to Northern California visiting family. We were on State Route 99, which if you are from California you know, is the agricultural highway. It’s on this highway you get to see the miles upon miles of land dedicated to growing everything from almonds to tomatoes, but it runs low on places to stop for relief of bodily functions. I am trying to keep my conversation professional, but I needed a clean restroom. Something had upset my stomach and I was about to regurgitate the meal we had stopped to eat at one of the very few eating options on that road. My niece, who is an avid essential oil user, had her peppermint essential oil with her, and proceeded to give it to me to put right under my nose. This was the miracle I needed! Not only did it instantly relieve my symptoms, it kept them at bay. The bad food did make its way through me with a not so fun exit, but that didn’t happen until we were home. Because of this incident I keep peppermint in my red bag in my purse that contains essentials like lipstick, tweezers, and nail clippers. I highly recommend peppermint because it is more than an invigorating oil. Try it and let me know how it made you feel.

​There are some places you never forget. One of those places for me is the state of Oregon, where for first time in my life, I saw Christmas trees fully grown, majestically reaching for the sun. Never have I been so inspired, awed, and saddened all at the same time. Inspiration flowed from the smell and different shades of greenery in the Pacific Northwest rain forest, awed by the beauty of a full grown Noble pine tree, and saddened because, even if I decided to never own another live tree at Christmas, it wouldn’t help to stop the logging of these beautiful trees. My nephew explained that it’s an industry that has been around for a long time, but the good news is it is well managed, and in fact having that tree in my home is feeding someone’s family. I am still conflicted, but that is not why I am writing to you. Have tried Bingo Blueberry from Corrales Teas & More? I was transported to Oregon, and the day we went to a berry picking farm in Oregon. Berries from Oregon are just better! When you pick a blue berry off the bush it grows on, and pop it in your mouth, the sweetest, juiciest, sun ripened experience delights your taste buds. If you don’t believe me, go to Oregon in the heat of summer, find one of these farms, get your bucket, and start picking. While you are there eat some of those berries. If you can’t make to a berry picking farm in Oregon, the next best blue berry tasting experience can be found in Bingo Blueberry. Add some honey, close your eyes, lay in the sun by the lake and relax. I dare you to try it, and when you do, let me know how you felt after you opened your eyes.

Have you ever wished it was Christmas every day, minus cleaning the kitchen after the festivities? Close your eyes and try to smell the scents of your home. What do you smell? Maybe cinnamon or nutmeg or cranberries cooking in the slow cooker. In my home there is all those smells along with the smell of pine from our tree. It is one of the most important parts of the season in my house. Do you hope that you could have that pine smell your house in July? If this sounds like you, let me introduce you to the Black Spruce essential oil.
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It has been used by Native Americans to cleanse the skin problems since ancient times passing this knowledge through the generations. Black Spruce can calm the anxious soul and can support your breath when breathing is challenging. The one use for this oil that surprised me was its cleaning properties, but the Native Americans used it for cleaning all manner of surfaces. I hope you all give Black Spruce essential oil as chance to transport you to Christmas anytime of the year.

Just when I thought I couldn’t make it, I made it! Does this ever happen to you? You are so deep in making the dream happen that you forget to see how far you have come in making the dream a reality. A dear friend recently told me to remember to celebrate my accomplishments, so I want to remind you to celebrate all you have come through during this pandemic. You have overcome drastic changes to the way you lived your life. Your schedule has changed, and if you have children at home who are still in elementary, middle, or high school, you are now teaching, on top of doing your regular job. You are, incredibly, the proverbial super person.
Find a way to celebrate. Maybe it’s time for you to take a sanctuary bath that includes candles, a cup of calming tea, and some lavender diffused in a diffuser that projects your favorite colors. Take time to pamper yourself during this time of sheltering in place at home. It can only do you, and by default, your family well if you take care of yourself. So many times, the caregivers forget to care for themselves. Don’t be in that number. It takes some time out of your busy day, but take the time, and watch how much better you handle this new normal.

It’s day, I don’t even know, of this new normal, and while I am trying to remember what it was like to greet someone I haven’t seen in a while with a hug, the hardest thing for me to shake is the feeling of separation. The slogans saying, “we will get through this together” and “stay home and safe lives” are wearing thin. Anxiety is not something familiar, so what should be done to stay calm while getting through these last couple of phases of this gradual reopening of our neighborhoods, country, and commerce? First, let us remember the resurgence of the virus that happened in China when people tried to get back to life as usual. This is apparently a process, and we have to remember those in our community who are at risk. We will make it through this together, so let’s continue to take it step by step. To make a difference to those we can reach, let’s share some relaxing remedy’s that have gotten us through the moments of anxiety. Here’s what happened to me on a particularly anxious day. After walking away from the refrigerator for the umpteenth time, I decided to have some tea, then it dawned on me to turn on my diffuser. The diffuser was empty so I tried a combination that I think you will find effective in changing your outlook. I put in some On Guard and Lavender in the diffuser. I didn’t stop there. I made a cup of Chai tea, and the rest is history, as they say.
Stay safe and explore the wonder of new discovery in whatever way that comes to you during this time of sheltering place for the sake of our most vulnerable neighbors. Here’s to new adventures at home and staying away from the refrigerator.

​Is the morning sun greeted with worry that leads to the beginning of an anxiety filled morning followed by a stressful afternoon culminating to an exhausting evening? I am sure you have heard all of the clichés telling you worry will not help you or your family through these trying times, but you just can’t help it, especially if your routine is turned upside down. How about those of us who have pets in the home? Are they driving you up the wall causing their cuteness to rapidly wane, making you wonder why you fell in love with them in the first place? Here at Corrales Tea & More we can help you navigate through this new normal.
There are two oils that are on my table at all times. They are Frankincense and Lavender. These are common oils that have been around for thousands of years because of the benefits they offer. This is not a medical commentary. I am sharing what I have experienced with these two essential oils. Frankincense promotes in me a boost in my immune system, and a feeling of overall better health. When mixed with Lavender in my diffuser there is a feeling of calm with my feeling of better health. I have noticed that during the time I am diffusing my anxiety is not as intense, and my animals, again, become my dear companions. This is my experience. Tell me about yours by sharing in the comments, and stay safe knowing we will get through this together.