This blog was originally from the Sunday Steep series.

We are entering the season of hearty, heavy, rich, and delicious meals! Parties and potlucks abound, as do cozy meals around the hearth at home. I don't know about you, but that means my digestion could use a boost in helping to make sense of all those delicious treats and homemade goodness. I created this tea recipe for savory sipping either right before or right after a heavy meal.  It can be sipped hot or cold and has a nice, savory aroma too!

The fennel and cardamom seeds in this recipe are a wonderful addition for the tummy. If you're in a pinch and not in the mood to make tea, take 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds and a 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom seeds and chew (you can add a little sugar if you like). These herbs are helpful to keep your tummy happy after eating large meals! 

Mountain Rose Herbs is a Business Member of EarthShare Oregon and we have setup a generous employee giving program that connects our staff with like-minded environmental organizations working to protect and defend the places we hold dear. Through this program, Mountain Rose Herbs generates thousands of dollars each year for numerous non-profits in the state of Oregon. Employees also work closely with many of these organizations through the Mountain Rose River Project. Our staff loves to give!

Our new AromaMist Ultrasonic Diffuser is a must have for the home or office!

Create a tranquil, fragrant environment in any room with this simple-to-use ultrasonic diffuser. The AromaMist diffuser uses half a cup of tap or bottled water and a few drops of your favorite essential oil to create a continuous fragrant mist for up to three hours. This nearly silent unit has a built-in shut off for when the water level gets low. This pearl white diffuser also has an optional light setting that glows in blue, pink, or a revolving rainbow of colors.

From our weekly series: The Sunday Steep

As much as I always hope the end of summer will bring on easy relaxing times, it actually seems that my world gets even busier as the leaves start to fall! There is still plenty to do in the garden and the last of the preserving (the figs are just getting ripe and the persimmons look quite promising this year!) Meanwhile, between trips to the pumpkin patch, parties, and the autumn blast of fundraisers and community events, I find that extra boosts of nutrition, antioxidants, and vitamins are definitely in order.