Being an earth admiring, tree hugging, gift loving, product producing Mama entering the #holidayseason has me feeling all kinds of ways about gift giving. It’s easy to get caught up in the commercialization and encouragement to buy, buy, buy during this season. I LOVE to give #meaningfulgifts that honor the receiver and the planet, and I think I am pretty good at it. Here are the questions I like to ask myself when deciding on a purchase, to make sure I am in alignment with my beliefs: 1. Is it useful and will it bring #joy to the recipient? In my experience, the most appreciated gifts are gifts that encourage fun, growth or nurture in some way like an experience or something that is useful. Consider an #experientialgift! I love to gift a trip to the local movie theater, a relaxing massage, a trip to the ice-skating rink, or a class that excites the recipient. These gifts nurture on so many levels: they encourage community building and new friendships, support your local economy, and help develop a skill-set. From learning herbal medicine making, to ceramics, second or third languages, to mala making and intro to EVERYTHING, there are so many local educators and service providers that love to share their skills. Make it a date and join the recipient and grow your relationship to your loved one! 2. Is it locally sourced? I get it, local isn’t always possible. Can you purchase the item in the US? Or as near the US as possible? When I order my coffee beans (the company, Conscious Coffees, supports organic, fair trade) I always request the bean closest to my geographical location. BUT WHY? · Local businesses are more likely to utilize other local businesses such as banks, service providers, and farms. · For every $100 you spend at local businesses, $68 will stay in the community. · Independent retailers return more than three times as much money per dollar of sales to the community in which they operate than chain competitors. Independent restaurants return more than two times as much money per dollar of sales than national restaurant chains. · Small businesses employ 77 million Americans and accounted for 65% of all new jobs over the past 17 years. In addition to helping build the local economy, there are also notable intangible benefits that come from supporting businesses in your local community. · Local businesses are owned and operated by your neighbors! They care about and are invested in the well-being of your community and its future. · Local businesses are more accountable to their local communities and donate more money to non-profits. · Supporting local businesses is good for the environment because they often have a smaller carbon footprint than larger companies. This information was sourced from: https://blog.mass.gov/blog/consumer-advice/think-local-7-reasons-why-supporting-local-business-is-good-for-your-community/ 3. Will it last? It’s so tempting to buy those cute or funny gifts that give someone a quick smile, but don’t really provide any long lasting pleasure or benefit. And unfortunately those items quickly make it into the trash bin, which equates to us essentially paying to pollute our lands. One of my favorite gifts I recently received is a beautiful ceramic mug that I get to enjoy my coffee out of every day. It holds my liquid gold and provides endless enjoyment! 4. Is it natural/organic? Natural and organic products support our personal health and the health of the planet. Period. I have babies, and other people have babies and I want those babies to enjoy a good life on a planet that is healthy enough to support them. 5. How is it packaged? Unnecessary packaging is, unnecessary. Minimal, plastic free and recyclable packaging is my preference. Also, did you know plastic bags should not be recycled at home and plastic wrapping is not recyclable? Here is a link to learn more about that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwuBfgvfUC4 Amazing Gift Ideas: Locally made art, jewelry or ceramics…that mug! Palm-free, organic essential oil bar soap. Palm-free everything actually. Learn more about why palm free here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q77VbTcUhUw Bar soap because clean is nice and bar soap is an #ecofriendly alternative to plastic bottles of body wash. Cute, fun or stylish warm socks make everyone happy! A quality clothing item from a company that gives back! Patagonia is a good one. Their items last and they support many organizations on the front lines of environmental welfare. Visit here to learn more about Patagonia Action Works and The Cleanest Line: https://www.patagonia.com/home/ A gift to: wine and craft night, a local restaurant, movie, skill building class, climbing gym, exercise package, acupuncture or other self care experience, a local boutique gift card, meditation app membership, museum or roller-skating adventure, something useful for the house: cloth napkins a mushroom growing kit, a nice pan or cooking tool, a garden tool! Donate money to an organization on behalf of the recipient. Herbin Alchemy Aromatherapy Blends or Vitality Center experiences. My company is clean and organic focused, never incorporating junk that isn’t in the highest good of our bodies or out planet. https://www.herbinalchemy.com/ Thank you so much for reading, for considering and for making the most of this glorious time of year! A Merry Happy Joyous Holiday to you! #giftgiving #holidaygiftguide #holidaygiftideas #xmasgiftideas #responsiblegifting #teachergifts #stockingstuffers #herbinalchemy #smellmymagic #jinglebells #letsrockthisgloriouslife #earthcare #earthdayeveryday #palmfree #palmfreeeverything #patagonia #thecleanestline #thecleanestlife #organic #patagoniaacionworks #shoplocal #supportlocalcreatives #supportlocalmakers #denvercolorado #smallbusinessescare #coloradosmallbusiness #meadowsweetgiftsandwellness

I look back on my (many) days of pregnancy with fondness. They were some of my best, most exciting days and also some of the most demanding! While each mama and each pregnancy is different: as my belly grew so did the aches and pains, especially in subsequent pregnancies. And even though they were some of the best times of my life, mostly filled with good stressors, it was stress nonetheless. During that time my massage therapist was my shining light, my hero, my favorite person in the world. She improved my quality of life and I’m sure the in-utero experience of my babies. I held her in such high regard in fact, that as my health education journey progressed I decided to study prenatal massage therapy. Through my own experience receiving prenatal massage and through providing the service to many women during my career I have discovered that massage can have the following benefits: Benefits of Prenatal Massage Improves breathing and digestion. I actually learned how to breathe while I was pregnant and I believe it changed my life moving forward. Encourages deep relaxation of the body and mind! That little bit of down time, the blissful essential oils and soft music all provide an environment for disconnecting from external stimulation and finding connection to your baby and yourself. The stress-reducing effect of massage not only relaxes mama (and baby), but it may also improve blood supply (ie oxygen, nutrients, etc) to the uterus! Relieves muscle tension and joint pain. Babies are heavy and the weight can cause postural changes resulting in back pain, hip pain, tension in the ribs and neck, even swelling of the feet and legs. Having a skilled body worker get into those achy, bound up, swelled up and over stretched areas is life changing! Finding the now. Massage feels good and brings you into your body and the current moment in a relaxed and peaceful way. The moment we are in is the only one that truly exists. It is a gift to feel it and acknowledge the blessing that it is. The benefits of massage therapy may also improve labor and delivery…my last babe was born 10 minutes after arriving at the hospital! Postnatal Massage for Recovery The package has arrived! Congratulations! The postnatal period is a new adventure indeed! Massage may help in these ways: Relaxation and rest is key to recovery. Carving out time to connect to (and care for) your self is an important skill to master early on as a parent. It will literally keep you sane, healthy and enjoying your life as a parent. Trust me. Aaaand...nap time. Seriously, you might just adore the time to take a nap. There is nothing like dozing on the massage table only to wake to a refreshed body and mind! Relieve newly acquired tension in the back, neck and chest from carrying and holding and bouncing the babe. Isn’t it surprising how heavy that tiny babe is?! At this time your body is readjusting from carrying babe inside, to outside…WOW! This is a great time to rebalance tension patterns and reconnect to you. 6 weeks to 3 months after birth, light abdominal massage therapy can aid in abdominal recovery. While not required, time to chat with an empathetic listener can work wonders in improving the new mamas mood. And I am always happy to discuss natural remedies to aid in health and healing. Have you ever heard of a vaginal steam? Let’s chat! Identifying Qualified Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapists Finding a therapist who has specific training in pre and perinatal massage therapy will give you a safe, effective and overall better experience. Your therapist should be educated in specific techniques for prenatal issues, and also be aware of contraindications during a session. This information is covered in prenatal massage training. Also keep in mind that there are topical applications (liniments, essential oils, etc.) that are not suitable for pregnancy. There are also some that are safe and hugely beneficial! It’s important for your therapist to know what is going to provide you with the greatest benefit! I hope you found this information useful. To book a prenatal massage at our sweet Vitality Center, Meadowsweet Gifts & Wellness in Morrison, CO please visit www.herbinalchemy.com or call 3035249831. For questions or concerns call us or email herbinalchemy@gmail.com Be well and may your pregnancy and family life be blessed. -Talai #vitalitywork #prenatalmassage #meadowsweetgiftsandwellness #simpleselfcare

Suffering from Seasonal Allergies? Oh the travesty…just as the weather gets glorious, our immune systems start to freak out and enlist a full on assault against pollen, and well life in general. Such a beautiful time should not be such a miserable time. Here a few suggestions to help relieve the discomfort: You’ve all heard EAT LOCAL HONEY! Great, but that needs to be consistent beginning in February to have an affect. Let’s talk about things you can do now to get some relief. Wash your face! Sounds too good to be true, but a simple face washing (rinse your nose out too!) or shower can remove pollen and irritants attached to your skin and hair. This can be especially helpful for those with facial hair. Steam Inhalation- an effective way of delivering essential oils to the lungs and sinuses. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add 1 drop of ravintsara and 1 drop of frankincense essential oil. With your eyes closed, lean your face over the pot and cover your head with a towel. Alternate inhaling through your nose and mouth for 2-5 minutes. Eucalyptus essential oil can replace ravintsara essential oil. Breathe Aromatherapy Roll-on- Herbin Alchemy’s blend is great to carry on your person. Use it several times daily and as needed to encourage a full deep breath, reduce inflammation and relieve congestion. Pollen Count Tincture Formula- taken by the dropper full this blend is amazing for balancing excess mucous production, moderating overactive histamine response, and soothing irritated mucous membranes. Happy to talk about how to use this blend just give us a call or come in! Wish Garden Herbs Kick Ass Allergy- “For when your head feels a lot bigger than it is...seasonal stress and irritation can lead to case of mistaken identity. WishGarden Herbs' Kick-Ass Allergy supports a healthy immune response to seasonal stressors. Your body thinks you're fighting something and watery eyes, cough, and endless sniffles result. Kick-Ass Allergy helps to bring your body back into balance, naturally!” Happy to talk about how to use this blend just give us a call or come in! Herbs that save the day: Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis- antispasmodic, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, nervine Yerba Mansa Anemopsis californica- balances mucous production…not over-drying to the sinuses or other mucous membranes Nettle Urtica dioica- astringent and tonic Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra- demulcent, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic Ambrosia - mediates acute allergic reactions including rhinitis and sinusitis: itchy watery eyes, excess mucous, runny nose. Yerba Santa Eriodictyon californicum- decongestant for middle ear and general decongestion. We are here to support you! Stop in for a visit at our Morrison CO location, or give us a call at 3035249831. We do ship. #vitalitywork #meadowsweetgiftsandwellness #seasonalallergyrelief #localhoneyforallergies #herbsandallergies #bewell #comegetcozy #nettle #licoriceroot #ambrosia #yerbasanta #yerbamansa #hyssop #herbsforwellness

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