​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.