Everything Peppermint ('Tis the Season, After All!)

What is it about this time of year that brings out the sudden urge to have peppermint in all things? Its said that peppermint improves concentration, aids digestion and also might just make you feel fuller after meals. Which is reason enough to indulge in all things pepperminty.

Most of these products and treats are limited edition or only available seasonally, so make sure to stock up now.

• Pucker up with limited edition seasonal favorite ChapStick Candy Canewhich is just as scrumptious as the candy canes devoured on Christmas day.Adorable as a stocking stuffer!
• Chex Mix makes a Peppermint version of their Muddy Buddies snack mix. or if youre feeling extremely virtuous Fiber One offers a limited edition 90 calorie peppermint fudge brownie with peppermint chips and drizzle.(Check grocery stores for availability). Or keep some frozenVitalicious Chocolate Mint VitaTops around. At just 100-calories, theyre packed with fiber, protein and (of course)peppermint.
• Worried about havingtoo much of a good thing at the holiday meal? Pukka Herbs Three Mint tea is a combination of three mintsspearmint, fieldmint and peppermint. Yummy and refreshing.
• Looking to wash those holiday cooking smells away? Paul MitchellTea Tree Special Shampoo addsa refreshing tingle as itrids hair of impurities. Special ingredients including thepeppermintlavender and tea tree oil and it smells so great. Visit Loxabeauty.com for full buying info. And Id have a hard time recommending just one of Bath & Body Works Twisted Peppermint line of products, though for sheer coolness, its hard to beat theTwistedPeppermintSparkling Snowflake Scrub.CosMedix Purity Clean Exfoliating Cleanser is a highly concentrated, exfoliating cleanser infused with cooling peppermintessential oil, calming lavender and clarifying tea tree oil which eliminates cellular debrisanddecongests to keep normal to oily skin healthy and glowing. Or tryDECLEOR Fresh Purifying Gelwhich is designed for oily and combination skin and includes Peppermint Water to calm, soothe and balance skin.
• Feet tired after all of that holiday shopping?Kiss My FacePeppermintFoot Scrub andPeppermintFoot Crme offer a one/two punch er pamper for tired tootsies. The scrub has walnut shells to exfoliate skin and both have peppermint oil to stimulate tired feet. (Both are available at Whole Foods stores)
• Im sad to report that the most decadent peppermint bark Ive ever tasted (From Sharis Berries) is sold out, so youll have to wait til next year to get your fix; or try Vermont Nut Frees version for those with allergies and food sensitivities.Peeps makes adorableCandy Cane Flavored Marshmallow Chicks (new for 2014) which cost under $3 and arepeppermintflavored marshmallow chicks. Standard retail price is $1.69 $2.29 for a 10-count package.
• Are you in charge of bringing dessert to this years soiree?Carvel is partnering with Andes Mints for the first time to dish up ice cream treatsincludingHand-ScoopedPeppermintIce Creammade with chunks of Andes Mints and something called theAndes Mints Sundae Dasher which consists offreshly madepeppermintsoft ice cream with layer upon layer of Andes Mints and topped with hot fudge and whipped cream. (shhh. dont tell anyone, but I already had one!) Check Carvel stores for info. Want to make something at home? Try this recipe for Peppermint-Chocolate Truffles (From Atkins).
• Or be the coolest kids at the party and bring BerentzenIcemint 100 Proof German Schnapps (Elsa on American Horror Story would approve), the bottle is as cool as the contents!
• And the folks at YoungLiving.com (makers of pureessential oils) offer these peppermint essential oil tips:
• Add a drop ofpeppermintessential oil to herbal tea to help aid normal digestion
• Massage several drops ofpeppermintessential oil on the abdomen, place a drop on wrists, or inhale to soothe the minor stomach discomfort associated with travel
• Diffuse or inhalepeppermintessential oil mid-morning to curb the desire to snack.
• Inhalepeppermintessential oil or rub a drop on to your abdomen to soothe minor stomach discomfort.

Rachel Weingartenis a noted and quoted style expert, personal brand consultant, and formercelebritymakeupartist. Shes the author of three nonfiction books. Tweet with her@rachelcwor like her page onFacebook. Need help style-stalking your favoritecelebritylook? Write to Rachel at [emailprotected]

Of course the best gift this season is my new book Ancient Prayer!

Source: http://parade.com/360755/rachelweingarten/everything-peppermint-tis-the-season-after-all/