Sleeping Under the Stars, Walking Barefoot on the Grass, and Stepping on Wet Rocks

 

I have been implementing more of my favorite naturopath remedies and habits over the past week.    I have to say that the results are incredible!   A lot of these behaviors are things that many of us did naturally, as children.  

 As a little girl, I always wanted to sleep outside on the chaise lounges with my best friend.  I regularly  spent the night at her charming  home in Hillsborough, California.  It was surrounded by oak trees, and there was an abundance of wildlife in the area.  Raccoons, mountain lions, deer, and squirrels were frequent visitors.   We agreed to camp outside one night, placing our sleeping bags on her family's plush, redwood lawn furniture.  I loved it, the sound of the crickets, the fresh night air, and the excitement,  but  Karen decided that she wanted to go back inside, and sleep in her own bed.   She ignored my begging, and  I reluctantly followed.  I didn't want to get eaten by a wild animal, and was too afraid to stay out on her deck alone.  

Nudity is also an element of what some of the naturopaths teach.  In Europe, people are relaxed and comfortable with using the sauna, whirlpool, and cold plunge naked.  Sunbathing in the nude can be incredibly liberating, but you need privacy.  (or to be in a country where it is considered acceptable.)  Some balconies are built in such a way where you can't be seen.  They look like boats, and are usually upstairs, away from prying eyes.

When I was in Vienna with "42nd Street," I loved to visit Krapenwald, an outdoor swimming pool set in a gorgeous lawn, with my show friends.  The place was filled with swanky people, all very beautiful and chic.  It felt like a resort.  The women sunbathed topless, and the pool was surrounded by the enchanting Vienna Woods.  I remember watching some of the women, (who looked like models,) drinking buttermilk from slender milk cartons.  It was very popular with them.  Their bodies were smooth, feminine, and sleek.

The last time I was in Malibu, I pulled over to the side of Pacific Coast Highway, and climbed down on the large, black rocks that were stacked on the shoreline.  Lula and I listened to the waves crashing and absorbed the salty air on our skin.  It was hypnotic.  I swear the energy from those rocks charged me up in a way that I've never felt before in  my life.  They were huge, and felt like vast storehouses of life force energy.  

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Swimming In a Fresh Water Lake

This morning I drove back up to the cabin.  I stopped on the way at a campground, and took a dip in the lake.  The scenery was gorgeous.  The jagged mountains were lined with tall pines.  The sun was sparkling on the lake.  I could hear the fish jumping and bubbling in the water.  The whole place was teeming with energy and  life.

Lula and I were the only ones there.  We had the entire lake and campsite to ourselves!  I hung my Adventure Pass on the rear view mirror, and  changed into my swimsuit in the public restroom.  We went for a walk and stumbled upon a Bible Camp that had incredible facilities.  No one was staying there, but there were some workers on the premises.  I could hear a generator and some voices shouting over it.  We headed back to the peace and stillness of the lake.

I had forgotten how invigorating it feels to swim in fresh water.  Lula dog paddled around and tried to lean on me as I was swimming.  Her nails were scratching my skin, and I kept laughing.  Labs always want to have contact with you, like guide dogs.   She is so funny.  We both were in a state of pure joy.

Here are a couple more links to the area. stayinwrightwood.com has a hysterical episode of Judge Judy deciding on a court case about a rental cabin up there.  I love Judge Judy.  She's such a New Yorker.   She always makes me laugh with her comments to people who don't want to follow the law.  She is so cut and dry; nothing gets by her.   

This article shows some gorgeous swimming holes across America.  I explored one in Yosemite when I was there.  There is something so simple and pleasurable about them.  I am looking forward to the change in seasons,  but am still soaking up the healing sunshine and beach opportunities while I can.  Hope you enjoy...

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Thyme Tea

Recently I have been experiencing some symptoms of a slight sinus infection. My left nostril was burning, and I was getting almost daily nosebleeds. It seemed like it might be some sort of allergy. Because of the pollen in the air, I wondered if it was hay fever. I did some research online, after starting to get nervous about the frequency of the nosebleeds.

Once I had  read about these natural remedies, I decided to try them. I would use what I have in my home and garden. I brewed a cup of fresh thyme tea. It fights infection,  I also chopped up a clove of fresh garlic, and swallowed the pieces, like a pill. Raw garlic has always had a miraculous effect on my system. It's instant.

I felt an immediate sense of relief. It was amazing! My body has always been extremely responsive to herbs. I find them so comforting and elevating. I even made a mug of lavender tea, and poured it into the bathtub. I soaked in the water for about twenty minutes, allowing the nurturing, fragrant water to seep into my skin. The scent was soothing and  intoxicating.

Once in my pajamas, I felt like I had taken some sort of relaxation pill. As I laid on the couch, reading a book, my whole body felt very peaceful and receptive to healing. I felt a renewed sense of  spirituality and appreciation. My life force energy was buzzing. I mused at the power of Mother Nature.

I haven't had any more nosebleeds, and the burning sensation in my left nostril has stopped. I didn't have to see a doctor, who probably would have prescribed an antibiotic. Now I know what to do at this time of the year, when the air is dry. Do you use any herbs to treat common ailments?

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Getting Up the Courage to See the Doctor or Dentist

Until recently, I was a terrible procrastinator when it came to making doctors' appointments. I would wait and see, hoping that I could cure whatever was wrong with me through diet, yoga, or rest. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. I was big into the self healing movement.

 As children, my mother used to take us to the doctor as soon as we had any symptoms or pain. "Why do we always have to run to the doctor?" my father would ask. "Just wait a few days," was his advice. That approach always made sense to me. I thought it was kind of funny the way  he called it "running to the doctor." He felt the same way about taking the dog to the vet. Quite often, our dog would get better on his own. Sometimes it seemed like he would limp on purpose, for attention. It was like a trick. We would all make a big deal over him and he liked the sympathy. I saw the parallel with people.

I always  liked the folk remedies. I still do. Gargling with warm salt water for a sore throat is one of my favorites. I am amazed at the power of salt. Rinsing with heated salt water after having dental work  gives such immediate relief. You feel an instant sensation of healing in the gums. No wonder salt was so valuable in ancient times.

At some point in my life I really took the do it yourself method  too far. One example was not seeing a dentist out of fear. I had experienced a lot of trauma in the dentist's chair as a child. As an adult, I became very avoidant.  It backfired. By the time I would finally visit  the dentist, I  needed a root canal or a crown. It was always expensive, especially for a dance teacher. Since several years had passed,  it usually  involved weeks of appointments to fix numerous cavities. It was also embarrassing. Once I discovered a preventive program by Dr. Ellie, I began to enjoy going to the dentist. Her system of using zylitol and mouth rinses completely changed my life. Now I rarely get cavities and I go to the dentist at least once a year. It's such a relief to be out of that cycle of fear and dread.

As I've gotten older, I've made a conscious choice to take the reins. I address health problems while they are a whisper, instead of waiting until my body is screaming at me for relief.  By the time I saw a doctor about my hips, they were bone on bone and had reached the stage of deformity. In retrospect, I see how sad it was that I waited until my joints were so painful and damaged. Now that I have new, pain free hips, I really want to take care of them. I never knew it was possible for my hips to feel so good. It's just incredible.

The other day I had an earache. I am normally perfectly healthy. I have always been very fortunate that way. I rarely, if ever, "catch" colds or the flu. I waited a few days, but it didn't improve, (in spite of my salt water gargling and eating fresh garlic.) I went to see the doctor. He diagnosed it as swimmer's ear. He prescribed ear drops and antibiotics. Since artificial joints can't fight infection, I have a lot at risk. I am very protective of these hips, and they've made me more responsible.   

The doctor asked me if I had been swimming. I had been working out and doing hydrotherapy at my local gym. I probably contacted it in the jacuzzi. It's ironic, because I've always loved water therapy. I guess being in other people's water is not the greatest idea. You never know what kind of bacteria is lurking in the pool or the hot tub. One can only imagine...

A simple thing that  I've learned as I've gotten older is that it's better to find out what's wrong right away  than to wait. I used to pretend that the symptoms I had weren't there. I tried to heal osteoarthritis with exercise. I was in denial. We are fortunate to live in an age where we have so many solutions and medical advancements. Although I try to cure most things with diet, garlic, and herbs, sometimes a professional is really what's needed.