World Beat

Working in a store that promotes fair trade is wonderful because I am surrounded by arts and crafts created by talented people from all over the world. In addition to these beautiful goods, I am also surrounded by global music. Putumayo is a company that makes CD compilations of songs related to a particular theme or ethnic culture. 

The Yoga and World Yoga CD's are both soothing music which inspires both meditation and relaxation. The American Blues and Rhythm and Blues CD's are both classic blues tunes as well as remakes of songs. The Taj Mahal CD has a version of “Cakewalk Into Town” which is a blast! Women of Africa is a great mixture of diverse, soulful and inspirational music from all over Africa, that is fun, upbeat contemporary music that I can really relate to. The Acoustic Cafe and Acoustic America have mellow and fun tracks you can sing along with. 

My favorite choice though, is Arabic Groove. The Arabic Groove CD is a collection of funky contemporary dance party music from North Africa and the Middle East. Women of the World is my second favorite CD. It is a compilation of beautifully written songs by women from all over the world. There is also a Women of Jazz CD that is so good, it makes me proud to be a woman! The Vintage France and French Cafe CD's make you feel like you are walking around the Eiffel tower. I love these compilations because they never get old. I can listen to them over and over again and always hear something new and different. It is so refreshing to hear the diversity of so many different bands compiled on one album. People often ask me which CD is the best and that is really hard to answer! They are all so good!

Stop by soon and pick up a few Putumayo CD's to enliven your life, soothe your soul, inspire your creative muse and burn those winter calories as your feet dance to some fun and lively world beats and rockin' rhythms!

Tea Love

Thanks Ginny!

 It can be argued that the heart is our emotional center. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is believed that the “shen,” which translates to spirit or mind, resides in the heart. You can prove this theory yourself. Think about the last time you were emotionally distraught, you may have experienced a dull pain deep in your chest.

Regardless of whether or not the heart is the seat of our emotional consciousness, it's so essential to take care of this vital organ. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention website states that heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the US. All the more reason to nurture your heart!

Terressentials offers a tasty, nourishing Pukka Tea blend called “Love Tea.” This tea contains a delicious combination of chamomile, elder flower, marigold petals, licorice root, rose petals and lavender flower. While lavender and rose act to warm the heart, the elder and chamomile calm and relax the body, and licorice root adds a sweet, soothing undertone. In its beautiful deep pink box, this tea would make a wonderful gift for your Valentine or any other tea lover in your life.

 Another Pukka blend perfect for when you're in need of a little comfort to get you through these cold winter days, is the “Elderberry and Echinacea with Elderflower.” This tea is super fruity and offers some immune support when you most need it. Along with the elderberry, echinacea root and leaf, and elder flower, this tea also contains licorice root for a rich, sweet flavor while the addition of anise and peppermint lend a minty, spicy bite. To add to the fruity fullness, there's a citrus surprise: orange peel and acerola orange essential oil.

Come to Terressentials and browse our section of Pukka teas displayed on our colorful wall. There's nothing like a hot cup of tea to warm you, heart and soul.

Homemade Cream Cheese Peppermint Mints

Here's a fun Valentine's Day treat you can make which is super easy. These melt-in-your-mouth sweet mints will impress your loved ones because they were made especially for them. It's one of the easiest candy recipes around.

You'll need:

4 oz organic cream cheese, softened at room temperature

3-4 cups organic powered sugar

¼ tsp organic peppermint extract (you can add a little more if you want a bolder peppermint taste)

Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper. In a medium size bowl, combine softened cream cheese, 3 cups powered sugar and peppermint extract. Form into a ball, adding more powdered sugar if needed so it isn't sticky. Taste to see if you would like a little more peppermint flavor added.

Roll the mixture into small balls and place on waxed paper. Flatten with a fork dipped in powdered sugar. You can also make cut-outs using tiny cookie cutter, or decorate with chocolate chips, a drizzle of melted chocolate or even sugar sprinkles. Let dry on waxed paper for at at least 2 hours, then put in air tight container, separating layers with waxed paper, and refrigerate.

You will be so pleased to find how delicious these little mints are!

Valentine's Day Everyday

Ah Valentine's Day! The day of LOVE. A day to show appreciation for that special someone in your life, or so the greeting card companies say. We, as emotional human beings, tend to put great value on this day-waiting, sometimes in vain, for that box of chocolate or that bunch of roses or the tender verse from the object of our desire. But, I say, look around! Love is all about you everyday, not just on Valentine's Day and it doesn't always have to be about you. Don't wait for someone to throw you a line of love, cast out yours first! Offer kind words, a smile, a chocolate, a flower, or a small trinket or even a wave! If love comes from the heart it will bestow an awesome vibe on the chosen ones, even if your chosen one is a stranger on the street. This year, my Valentine's Day gift to you is a beloved poem from my childhood:

Thanks plaisanter~!

What the Brownie Kept

A brownie found a feather white.

He gave it to an elf.

He could have put it in his cap

And kept it for himself.

A brownie found a pebble bright.

He gave it to a gnome.

He could have kept it for himself

To brighten up his home.

A brownie found a milkweed pod.

He gave it to a sprite.

He could have kept it for a bed

To nestle in at night.

A brownie found a pumpkin seed-

He found it in a ditch.

Instead of keeping it himself,

He gave it to a witch.

The brownie found some special thing

Almost every day,

But all he kept was just the joy

Of giving things away.

--Leland B Jacobs

Remember, everyday can be Valentine's Day if we treat each other with respect, care, love, compassion, and appreciation.