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

HERBAL BATHS FOR TRAUMA A few nights ago I was traveling down an unlit gravel side road, thankfully slowly. As I past a junk yard, and before I even knew what was happening, one of the guard dogs ran in front of my car. I saw fur and tail flying as the passenger side headlight made contact with the dog. And all I could think was, “OH PLEASE NO”. I was sure the dog was going under my tire, then dog was gone. I pulled my car to the side of the road and hopped out. Three workers were closing up for the night and 100% percent unconcerned that I had just hit their dog. They actually tried to wave me off. One looked at my car to see if it was damaged, I think they thought that was why I stopped. Then they saw I was crying and waved me over to the junkyard to have a look at the dog. There were 3 large, beautiful dogs. I couldn’t tell which one I had hit. They guessed that it might be the one with some dirt on him. The dogs were not stranger friendly, and I couldn’t go in and rub them down to assess if there were injuries. But they were all moving with grace and none appeared to be injured. I watched them for a few minutes before leaving, feeling very shaken. I actually just pulled around the corner and found a parking spot so I could let the tears flow. And of course, I called my mom. We chatted for a bit, and I calmed down enough to make the drive home. While I wasn’t crying any longer, all of my senses were on high alert. My nervous system was in defense mode and I felt like I was electrified. I made a stop at my clinic and noticed I was afraid. I don’t reside in fear and this experience felt foreign. I was afraid of going into the dark building, I was afraid of leaving, I was afraid of going to my car. I felt as if doom was upon me. Upon arriving at home I had the same reaction…fear. My phone pinged and I jumped. Noises coming from the street had me on edge. The trauma of what had happened had gotten into my being. Fear was inside me. I knew I needed some support. After a few deep breaths, an herbal bath and a cup of tea seemed like a good place to start. As I prepared a simple tea using some gentle allies (wild oats, chamomile and lavender) I contacted a friend for some guidance with the herbal bath. I had pulled out some herbs, but when I am going through a stressful situation I usually check in with a friend for guidance. After our quick conversation where I was showered with love, I came up with a plan. Before I added each ingredient to my bath I held it to my heart and said a prayer, repeating it 3 times to each ally. I also invited Great Spirit, my ancestors and my helping spirits to participate in the healing work. To the bath I added: Salt- energetically cleansing, mineral rich for relieving muscle tension and inducing relaxation Rosemary- carries our prayers, focuses the energy of our prayers Hawthorne berries- heart medicine Basil- cleansing and brings in a blessing Bay laurel- very cleansing, breaks attachments that aren’t serving us Lavender essential oil- emotional balance Rose oil- heals grief and trauma, brings in the love Sea buckthorn oil- I don’t know the energetic properties of this oil, but it was calling me. I do know it’s great for the skin and smells divine. After climbing into the bath, I focused on full deep breaths, holding my intention for a whole and healthy dog and the release the fear and anxiety from my body, mind and spirit. I soaked in the bath, keeping my head out of the water. When I felt ready, I climbed out and let my body air dry while I intentionally shook myself from head to toe. Ever notice how animals do that after a scare? Their muscles twitch, supposedly in the sequence that their muscles twitched during the traumatic event. Shake it off, baby. That night my sleep was full and restful. I woke up ready to shine. Also consider my You are Precious aromatherapy rollerball for bringing in heart healing and love. **Update The next evening I paid a visit to the scene of the accident. I spoke with the owners of the company and they showed me to the dogs. 3 big, beautiful Turkish guard dogs; either Anatolians or Kangals and absolutely gorgeous. I still could not tell which one I had made contact with, and they all looked well and happy. I am so grateful for the help I received that night. I was able to release that trauma quickly and move forward.

I was blessed with two moms. My first mom, Cheech, has been with me my whole life while my second mom, Carol, was only with me from the age of 14 until she passed away when I was 35. Both moms contributed to me walking the natural healing path that I have been on since before I became a mom myself. When I was an early teen Cheech began the intensive process of becoming a Chinese medicine practitioner. During that time I learned about and experienced acupuncture treatments, cupping, and Chinese herbal remedies as well as other helpful healing tools. At the same time, Carol came into my life and introduced me to the world of living plants. I was not born into a plant loving, dirt worshipping family. Carol introduced me to it, and from then on there was no turning back. When I found my plant friends, I found home. My first solo food garden was at a community garden plot in the heart of Denver, Colorado. I had two young daughters and I treasure the memories of them covered in dirt and sundresses, visiting with fellow community garden members and plucking tart cherries from the fruit trees. The more time I spent with plants, and the addition of babies to my world seemed to unlock an intuitive knowing that the plants and natural medicine were essential for our health and wellbeing. I had directly experienced the positive emotional effects of spending time with plants in their natural setting, as well as the effects of plants as medicine. Those experiences inspired me to develop a deeper understanding about what plants had to offer for health and healing. Aviva Romm, James Green, Susan Weed and Rosemary Gladstar were some of my first herb guides. I read their books and enjoyed sharing my adventures in herbalism with my family and friends. For a public speaking class in college I gave a lecture on how to make an aphrodisiac tincture. During this time I began to play with growing medicinal herbs in our family’s home garden. Mullein, comfrey and red raspberry were among the first of many medicinals I have grown. As my passion grew I reached out to herbalists in the state of Colorado and beyond, leading me to study with Shelley Torgove, Ann Drucker, and Aviva Romm, among others. Eventually I was employed at a local herb shop where I learned so much, especially about blending herbal remedies, essential oils and flower essences. The owner was an inspiration. She was a strong herbalist, body worker and businesswoman. She encouraged me to add more tools to my box and I enrolled in massage school. I studied Thai massage in 2009 and soon after also trained in western style table massage and craniosacral therapy. The magic of this field is that the learning doesn't stop! There are so many opportunities to learn more and more and I am a committed life long learner. I have been blessed to find new passions in the field and have studied aromatherapy, energy work, permaculture, mushroom cultivation and fungi as food & medicine, beekeeping, and even soap making! Through all of the lessons and growth opportunities that have been presented to me over the years, the plants have been the best of friends and the wisest teachers and have literally saved my life. Respect and gratitude for my elders who led me to this path.

Why I Bleed on Sundays Since my teen years, I have found deep satisfaction in drawing a little blood while working in the garden. In my head, this indicates I have achieved a successful, kick-ass workday. With gardening season upon us, that long held belief is checking in with me...Have you bled? Did you work hard? I'm not talking stitches here. Just a few bloody nicks in the skin will suffice. This bloody display, and the sweat and dirt and sore muscles that are part of my gardening story are my truest form of self-care. Gardening feeds my body and soul on a level I have not found in any other activity. It invigorates me, connects me to Spirit and keeps me sane by providing a space for me to process thoughts and emotions and space to 'just be'. The plants teach me about tenderness and tenacity and I truly love them. They also nourish and heal my family and my community. What a gift. Sunday's are less about work, and more about myself and my family. After a couple of hours of computer work int the morning it's me time. And that usually means a portion of the day is spent in the garden. Aside from the usual spring time clean up of snipping back dead stalks, top dressing with a little compost and introducing a few cold tolerant seeds to the garden, I am also harvesting, eating and creating using plant friends that have recently emerged! How to Make Dandelion Infused Oil Dandy-lion Infused Oil- loosely pack a jar with dandelion blossoms. I tear mine in half to create more surface area and a better extraction. Go for the clean ones; dirt and chemical free. When you harvest please make sure to say, "please" and "thank you". Top off the jar with a carrier oil of your choice. Olive oil is cost effective and works well. Label the jar (ingredients, date, name, use). Place in a convenient location for daily affection and a gentle shake. Whisper sweet nothings to your dandy oil and shake it daily for 2 weeks. It's part of the medicine. Now you are ready to strain and use the oil on sore muscles and joints as needed. I like to add some to my massage blend that I use in my Vitality Center. Pure sunshine. Simple Self-Care for Vitality Other self-care tools I may pull out on Sunday include (but are not limited to): · A nourishing salad. Right now I am really into spinach, roasted beets, green onions, pecans, blue cheese and balsamic vinaigrette. It’s nourishing and easy peasy. · An Epsom salt bath. 2 cups with a little essential oil and soak for at least 12 minutes. I like to put on a meditation during this time. · I love to float through my days on an essential oil cloud. Things that smell good are my favorite things. Post gardening I am currently luxuriating in my Headache rollerball blend, which is great for melting away muscle tension. Right now, Headache blend is being generously applied to my hamstrings, which are rebelling against being stretched and contracted for long periods of time in the garden. They’ll get used to it. In the meantime, extra love for them. · A long walk (at least an hour) helps my body reset and more vitamin d is always welcome. It’s also the reason I am my dogs favorite person. We have spent many years connecting via the streets of Denver, Colorado. Another way in which I practice self-care is by challenging myself to be bigger and better by doing things like writing my first blog post. If you enjoyed it please subscribe below. If you’d like to learn more about health, essential oils and other ways in which I try to grow please subscribe below. For product information visit: