I cannot believe I have been in Colorado for three months now; it feels like I have been here for so long and yet also like I just got here.  I caught the cold-flu that has spread across the country in less than two weeks.  I usually don't get sick unless I have one or two other issues in my body and I did; I have a wisdom tooth coming in and I ate Mc Donalds.  I eat really well most of the time so when I don't it is always a little hard on my system.  I could tell when I finished my chicken nuggets and french fries that my body was upset and the next day I got a fever, sore throat, achy body, and slowly a stuffy head then congested lungs. 
I love sharing what has helped me:

• High doses of vitamin C (I drink 3-5 Emergen C packets a day).  Vitamin C helps carry garbage out of the body.
• Extra sleep; sleep as much as your body needs.  My body likes to sleep about 12 hours when I'm sick.
• Chew on garlic.  Garlic is an antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal agent.   I love to chew on half a clove at the back of my mouth (you will smell like Italian food).
• A lot of water; helps wash out the toxins.
• Oil pulling got rid of my sore throat. Oil pulling helps rid the mouth of bad bacteria: use 1 Tbsp. of organic coconut oil and swish in your mouth for 5 to 15 minutes (I like to do it while I shower) 1-2/day.  When the oil turns thin and milky you know it is time to spit it out.  Be sure to spit out the oil since it has absorbed a lot of the bad bacteria in your mouth.
• A nice walk and/or gentle yoga; out lymphatic system, immune system, moves when we move = moving will help your body detox.
• Vitamin D3 50,000 iu single dose; Vit. D fights infections, including colds and the flu by regulating the expression of genes that influence your immune system to attack and destroy bacteria and viruses. More Info
• Elderberry syrup 1 tsp every 1-4 hours.  Elderberry helps induce sweating, and helps relieve congestion.
• Laugh a lot; I watch really funny shows.  My favorite funny show on Netflix right now is: Comedians in Cars

Blissful Buddy,

So much has happened since I've moved to Colorado!  I wanted to share more of my adventure with you, but sometimes when life doesn't go as planned I hide away but the truth is I feel better when I connect and share. 

Leaving Olympia was so hard and beautiful.  I'm wearing socks and a jacket from my friend, Becky, who came over to my house with a basket of winter clothes for me to shop from.  I'm wearing really warm Sorrel boots I bought from a gift certificate given to me by my yoga students/friends; Lindy, Barb, and LouEllyn.  I have a cozy hand made sweater from my friend/yoga student, Peggy,  and a homemade scarf my friend, Donnette, and I have warm mittens from my yoga student/friend, Hilarie.  I was tipped extra and gifted books and clothes and money for my trip and transition to Colorado.  You all helped me move here and your love surrounds me.  My mom gave me a hat she bought in Iceland and I think of her whenever I wear it (haha, she told me to think of her when I wore it).  I think of you all quite often and send my love and prayers.

Sometimes we have an image of how our lives will look but then they take a detour.  Devil's Thumb Ranch is amazing in many of their ideals with sustainability but they had very little integrity and treated me very poorly.  I was very disappointed with how they treat their employees.  I no longer work there nor would I ever recommend anyone to work there until they change their policies.  

But don't worry I got a wonderful new job at Bella Vita Day Spa doing massage and 
I'm now teaching yoga at the most wonderful yoga studio called Mountain Moon Yoga.  The owner of the studio is one of the best teachers I have ever had!  She has a theme for every class and makes it: spiritual, emotional, and physical.  I always leave feeling transformed.

I'm going to have a Colorado Yoga Retreat here in February 15-18th, details coming
COLORADO YOGA RETREAT

 
May you be happy,

Vanessa Charles