If you are looking for a healthy little taste of the season (between egg nog, stuffing, and holiday cookies, that can be hard to come by!) I suggest peppermint! Its assistance in digestion and relaxation is a fantastic complement to all of the heavy foods you will be eating, and their best friend, the nap. Peppermint's active ingredient, menthol, relaxes your muscles. This is why the stuff you rub on your chest when you have a cold smells minty. It can be good for your respiratory system, as well as your digestive system. When you feel tight, full, or cramped in your stomach, a dose of peppermint will help clear that up. Peppermint tea is the easiest way to get it into your stomach. If you have anything going on in your head, chest, or skin, a peppermint cream will help. Peppermint capsules are available as well.

Now for the queen's recommendation...

Get your own plant! It's a beautiful flower and will remind you of all that it can do for you. You can buy one here. If you are ambitious and want to make your own peppermint tea, simply dry the leaves and steep them in hot water, approximately ten minutes. You can drink as much peppermint tea as you want, there's no such thing as an overdose! [This does not apply to other methods of peppermint intake].

If you are really not into herbs or a calm tummy, then I will point you in the direction of buying the plant for its festive flower and grabbing a Starbucks Skinny Peppermint Mocha. While it may not relax your tummy, it will bring a smile to your face at a few less calories than the original.

Notes on Peppermint: Do not take if you have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) as peppermint will further inhibit the use of your sphincter and make you much more uncomfortable and possibly increase your risk of cancer. For you, the Starbucks option may be your better choice.