Red and white. Red is a bold, beautiful primary color. And white, as I learned in art class (but isn’t absolutely scientifically true) is the absence of color. Put the two of them together, in stripes, and you’ve got a combination that modern people have loved for millions and millions of years.
Yes, red and white peppermint goes back millions of years to the Greeks.
If you’re buying this so far, let’s keep going. I read an article on the origin of peppermint. And according to one section of that article, peppermint is…
“Thought to have originated in Northern Africa or the Mediterranean, peppermint gets its name from Greek mythology. As the legend goes, the god Hades was having an affair with a nymph named Minthe. When his wife found out about his infidelity, she turned Minthe into a common plant that grew like a weed and was constantly under foot. To soften his lover’s fate, Hades altered the curse. He left Minthe a weed but gave her a sweet, calming scent to remind others of her presence as they walked over her. That’s love!”
~ Side note: Call me zany (but don’t let me catch you saying it). But I always wondered why gods who “altered” curses couldn’t do better. I mean, if you can alter a curse, why not alter it so that your “true love” doesn’t still get walked over. Yeesh. ~
Anyway…
Maybe you already know about the benefits of peppermint.
According to some “experts” some are just psychological. Like those cooling sensations you get when you enjoy a red and white peppermint candy. Those sensations elicits don’t actually change anything physically. But, hey, if it makes you “feel” better, then skip that so-called “expert” naysay.
Peppermint, the scent or oil, can:
- Help extend your workouts
- Ease inflamed tissues
- Calm muscle spasms and cramps
- Reduce the growth of bacteria and microorganisms
- Relieve pain
- Prevent infections
- Speed up production of enzymes in your stomach and intestines
- Stimulate the gastric lining in your stomach to help break down food
- Aid in your weight loss
- Suppress your appetite and food cravings
- Alleviate hunger
- Relieve or reduce your headache pain
Wow!
Who knew those little red and white candies could do so much. Well, to be more accurate, it’s not the candies. Because of sugar and all. But the power of peppermint is why after-dinner mints were developed in the 1960s. And restaurants all around America offer them for free after you dine there.
So, what does all that have to do with horses?
Well, not a darn thing.
Until you find yourself listening to a song that some mentholated musician wrote a few years ago. A song called “Peppermint Pony.” I mean, c’mon. Seriously? Who thinks this silliness up? It’s goofy. Silly. Zany (there’s that word again…watch out, buster). In case you think otherwise, check out this verse:
A lemon star is like a gumdrop.
We take a bite and do a flip-flop.
We find a watermelon mountain and land right on the tip-top.
See what I mean?
Are actual human beings gonna listen to anything with words like that?
Hmm…turns out the human beings known as kids get a real kick out words like that. And there are plenty more where those came from, in Peppermint Pony. Plus, they’re in several other songs in the Lullabye Bye coloring, drawing, songbook.
And you can download a coloring, drawing, songbook that has all the words AND a secret link to ALL the songs. Just takes a click or tap to get you into the Rhyme And Reason Bookshop. Scroll down the page and you’ll find it. Get a copy today and test it on your kids or grandkids as early as tonight.
And if you’d rather find out more about me before you hand over your hard-earned dough to buy something from me, jump on the The FunderFlash. That’s where you’ll join the growing band of believers who enjoy my books, daily rhymes, songs, and videos about the power of God’s love.
Stay tuned…
