VAGABOND | ZEN

Maine {50 States of Yoga}

2016-10-25T06:06:00.000-04:00

Me and my beautiful mother sporting tie-dyes! Now you know where I get it from!

Maine was an amazing state and awful... all at the same time! But the best part was having my mother along for the trip!

I love to shop... or more specifically.. I love to shop BARGAINS! My Mom definitely gave this gift to me, so it is no surprise that we began our day trip from her home in New Hampshire at a thrift store and the Christmas Tree Shop! At the thrift store I found a great piece of yarn art - woven wall hanging - for $1.00! Seriously... I was very excited. I saw a few other things too, that I liked, but I knew I had a whole week ahead of me visiting family and would quickly run out of room in my suitcase.. so I took it easy. Once we got closer to our destination, we also went shopping at the Christmas Tree Shop. If you have ever been, you can appreciate my excitement! We don't have them in CA, so when I visit family in New England, I try to get a trip in!

Yarn Wall Hanging from thrift store on my bedroom wall

We stopped for lunch at a roadside seafood restaurant with live lobsters and outdoor seating. It is a typical place for the Eastern seaboard, filled with fresh seafood and fishermens' charm. I had a pound of steamers and a shrimp cocktail. My mom had a crab salad sandwich.

I had to see the Atlantic Ocean while we were in Maine. We drove to the coast and walked along the shale. I like to collect rocks from different places and usually take smaller rocks, palm-sized at most. But I found a foot-long piece of shale and had to take it with me! It now resides on my meditation altar in our backyard.

Atlantic Ocean in Maine

And this is where my trip turns sour.

The sour part wasn't the yoga studio.. but what happened to me just a few minutes into the yoga class. My Maine Class was at Kusum Institute in Scarborough. Their studios are beautiful and so are their spirits! As you know, my Mom was along on the journey with me, but unable to take the yoga class. We planned for her to sit in the car, with the A/C running, while I took my class. But my lovely instructor invited my Mom in and set her up in an unused studio. How sweet!?!

As I settled into our Yin Yoga class, I started to feel extra hot, extra weak, extra sweaty. Something wasn't right. I got about 10 minutes into class and realized I had food poisoning. I spent the rest of the class between the bathroom and lying on the ground in front of my mother in the spare studio, in fetal position. It was awful. Fortunately, I started to feel a little better and was able to drive us home that night. Unfortunately, I missed most of my Maine yoga class! I half considered trying to get back up there before I flew home {I was on my first state, of 6 states, in a week long trip - it was possible.} But after I had made it through most of my week elsewhere, I decided my Maine experience, although not optimal, was my experience. And it would have to do.

Crafty Chica Cruise 2016

2016-05-08T15:16:00.001-04:00

The last week of April, 2016 I went on a cruise with 50-ish creative folks and crafted with... The Crafty Chica! {You can learn more about Kathy Cano-Murillo, aka The Crafty Chica, here.} The cruise was 8 days, 7 nights to Mexico. We stopped in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. On the 3 full days we had at sea we crafted our guts out! This was my first time on a cruise ship and such an amazing experience! I hope Kathy offers the cruise again, as I would sign up in a heartbeat!

My Crafty Chica cabin-mates! Bex {on the left} and I work together and Jany {on the right} is Bex's fabulous Mom!
Our first meet up for the cruise... boarding at SFO for our flight to LAX!

Cabo San Lucas

{Actually, most are from Todos Santos, as we took a tour there instead of checking out Cabo.}

The ship doesn't dock in Cabo San Lucas, so we have to take smaller boats from the ship into port.

Here's the little boats... They're called Tenders.

Our van ride from Cabo to Todos Santos. It was packed full of Crafty Chicas! Our driver was erratic, but entertaining.

Mission de Nuestra Senora de Pilar - Todos Santos

Look for the little bird singing in the window!

Across from Hotel California is Tequila Sunrise {both famous, according to our van driver.}

I love this painting! I want to try to paint something like this myself.

We stopped at Tequila Sunrise after walking around Todos Santos for a not-so-quick bite and margarita!
The women at the table next to us were also Crafty Chicas.

After Todos Santos our van driver took us to Modatelas, a fabric store in Cabo San Lucas. We had one hour to buy all the fabric we could! Haha.... I bought a lot. The fabric is a lot cheaper in Mexico and I love all the bright colors of the woven/yarn fabric. I bought 10 yards of woven/yarn fabric, 5 yards of some crazy printed mesh fabric, and 4 yards of oil cloth. The process to buy fabric is different in Mexico than from the US. There are several employees milling about the store. After you pick out a bolt of fabric, you either find a table or wave down an employee. At the table they cut the fabric much like they do in the US, however if you flag down someone they come over with a meter stick and spread the fabric out over other bolts of fabric and cut it freehand! After they have cut your fabric pieces, they tally up the totals on small, free-standing computers that print out 2 slips. One for the fabric and one for you. They take the fabric and leave it at a counter. Then you go to a different counter where you pay for your fabric, based on your slip. You then take your slip and receipt to the first counter and your fabric is bagged and ready to go! Once I figured out the process in this store, I felt more confident doing it alone in Mazatlan... where I did buy more fabric!

The view from our balcony. I realized as we were returning to the ship that we were docking right under our balcony!

Mazatlan

From the cruise port in Mazatlan is a Blue Line painted on the road that leads to Old Mazatlan. The walk is under a mile and leads through neighborhoods, that I felt completely safe in.

On the blue line walk through a neighborhood... this dog cracked me up!

A random church with beautiful mosaics on the blue line walk.

Graffiti on the blue line walk, just before reaching Old Mazatlan.

Teatro Angela Peralta

Old Mazatlan - Central Square - The area is surrounded by restaurants and shops.

I wasn't used the the heat and humidity at all! So I stopped for a pina colada
and guacamole and chips at a little restaurant on the square.
I sat outside, watched the throngs of tourists ebb and flow,
and listened to a couple playing guitar and singing in Spanish.

About 6 blocks from the square is the Cathedral Basilica de la Inmaculada Concepcion. Behind the Cathedral are several blocks filled with stores... some tourist traps, some local shops. That's where I found another Modatelas and bought several more yards of fabric! {I was given directions from the square to the Basilica by a "blue shirt". There are a group of retired Americans living in Mazatlan that hang around the tourist areas in blue shirts. They offer advice, directions, and guidance to tourists... free of charge!}

Cathedral Basilica de la Inmaculada Concepcion

This guy in the orange shorts! I don't know why, but he made me smile!

This man crawled the entire way to the altar.

View of Basilica from the rear.

Inside Modatelas Fabric Store! Those prices are in pesos.
At this time the peso conversion was 17 Mexican pesos to 1 US dollar.

I got 5 yards each of those red and blue woven fabrics. They were 19 pesos per yard!

On the left is a hand-stiched shawl I bought in Todos Santos.
The middle are all the fabrics I bought in both Cabo and Mazatlan.
The right is a table runner I bought in Puerto Vallarta.

At the end of my Mazatlan adventure, I was too hot and tired to walk back to the cruise port.

This was my taxi ride back!

I will say I felt completely safe wandering around Mazatlan alone. I've traveled in foreign countries alone before and feel I do a decent job of being aware of my surroundings. However, one of the women in our Crafty Chica group did get pick-pocketed in Mazatlan. They stole her cellphone. It was a good reminder for me that I can never get too complacent when I travel. Especially in cultures where I don't physically blend in well.

Puerto Vallarta

In Puerto Vallarta the Old Town area is a few miles from the cruise port. It was $6 per person to get a van taxi to the area where the Malecon and church are. From here we walked a loop through the city to a flea market, a tile factory, and back down along the Malecon. To get back to the cruise port it was $4 per person for a taxi.

I don't know who these kids are... but how fun is this!?! I had to take photos of them on the Malecon.

Parroquia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe

My friend Bex discovering a payphone... that actually had a dial tone, too!

At the tile factory at Mundo de Azulejos you can watch the tiles being hand painted.

I dream of owning my own home someday and having tile murals like this in my kitchen and bathroom!

Even the ceiling in the tile store was brightly painted!

On The Ship

Bon Voyage!

The carpets were amazing... all over the ship!

First day on the cruise! Hadn't even seen our cabin yet. This is in the main dining room, Tsar's Palace. So lux!

Watermelon and feta appetizer.

Poached peach and something dessert!

Welcome aboard! I had pre-arranged a little surprise for my cabin mates.
A Bon Voyage decorated room with this delicious cake!

All guests are given a plate of chocolate dipped strawberries and chocolates in their room upon arrival.

Jany, one of my cabin-mates, on our balcony.

Are these not the cutest!?! A monkey hanging from our ceiling.

...and an elephant on our bed. Our steward, Deepak, was amazing!

tour of our balcony cabin - Norwegian Jewel, room 10100 - aka The Binary Bungalow.

And this is the place I spent a great deal of time! They have a Thermal Spa Suites area that you can buy a day or week-long pass to. I pre-purchased the week-long pass, as I love to soak in jacuzzis! It was rare to be in there with more than a couple of other people. The space is limited to 100 passes per cruise. It is divided between Women Only, and co-ed. The women only section is clothing optional... and I took advantage of not having to get all swimsuited up to relax! I spent every morning in this space. I would wake up early {not intentionally, but that's just what my internal clock was doing}, grab a pre-packed bag full of my day's clothes, and slip out of my cabin quietly. I would soak and steam and relax before showering and getting ready for the day. It was nice to have a place to go with a little space to get ready, and not be bothering other people. I shared a cabin with 2 other women... and being an early riser on this trip, it would have been a bummer for me to have to lie in bed quietly for a couple hours waiting for the rest of my cabin-mates to rise. This space was a perfect place for me to start my day!

Women Only Area
On the left, the entrance to the Sauna.
In the middle is the Cold Plunge Pool.
The glass, steamy door is the entrance to the Herbal Steam Room.
On the right are a couple of quick rinse showers.

Women Only Area
The Herbal Steam Bath info.
This was my favorite part, after the jacuzzis!

Women Only Area
Sitting area at the bow of the ship.. with an incredible view!

Women Only Area
View of Puerto Vallarta from the Thermal Spa Suite.

Women Only Area
Jacuzzi Tub that also has the above, glorious view!

Coed Area
Heated, tiled loungers.
These were built well, ergonomically speaking. Very comfortable to lounge in!
They also have an amazing view out to the bow of the ship.

Coed Area
Thalasso Therapy Pool
There are loungers built into the pool, so when you turn the jets on you can lounge and be surrounded by bubbles!
{When we got a spa tour at the beginning of the cruise, the spa tour guide said the water in this pool was mineral waters. I have my doubts, as it smells heavily of chlorine - and all the natural, mineral waters I have soaked-in in my life, none have been chlorinated. Either way... the spa is great!}

Coed Area
A flavored water bar and hot tea bar! I filled my water bottle here every day!

Me and Bex at the White Hot Party!

Crafting on a Cruise

...and here's the best part of the cruise, the crafting! The Crafty Chica provided us with several group craft projects, instructions, and ALL the materials needed to do them! It was so much fun to try my hand at crafts I hadn't tried before, see all the beautiful creations of other crafters, and make lasting friendships!

Before the cruise we were told that many of the crafters would be bringing Artist Trading Cards. I had never even heard of such a thing before! So after a little Googling I discovered it was basically a business card size piece of art. I created these little collages and included a kindness card in each of mine. I had made too many though, and on the last day of the cruise I spread them throughout the ship for random cruisers to find!

It turns out.. that the Art Trading Card didn't have to be a card at all! Many of the crafters made beautiful little things like earrings, keychains, pins, and I even got a scissors keeper specially made for me with the Virgen de Guadalupe on it! The above trade is a Traveling Worry Box. How stinking cute is this!?!

The Crafty Chica herself - Kathy Cano-Murillo!
This cruise was like cruising with your favorite rock star! Kathy is a beautiful woman! Her smile is infectious. She is incredibly kind and thoughtful. And she is a crafting crazy woman! She is such an inspiration to me. As I decide what to do with my life in the coming months {I recently learned my company, Virgin America, is going to be acquired by another airline... which will result in a layoff for me.}, I can't help but be inspired by her effervescent spirit!

My attempt at water color.

Attempting water color clouds...

My paint inadvertently looked like a heart!

My shared creation station.. with Bex, Vesna, and Diana.

My embroidery project mid-stitch!

My mosaic before grouting and my finished embroidered apron!

Finished grouting! {and not pictured... after I grouted I painted the edges blue!}

And here's a little side story. As briefly mentioned I found out just a couple of weeks before this cruise-of-a-lifetime that my beloved employer, Virgin America, would be acquired by Alaska Airlines. This has been very tough for me {and all my of fellow Virgins} to process. I have been very blessed these past 6 years to have been given the opportunity to grow my career with Virgin America in ways I could not have imagined. Sure, I have worked hard, but I also believe it was a little bit of fate and being in the right place at the right time. I have had a tremendous amount of support from my colleagues and management there. I value their opinions and strive to mirror their work ethics. So... having had just a couple of weeks to process all of this... and naturally having a sour taste in my mouth regarding Alaska Airlines, it doesn't surprise me that the stars gave me a big slap in the face {basically telling me to stop my Alaska-loathing}.

On the first night of our cruise, a petite redhead with a darling accent and an adorable little girl sat at our table. We were having a group dinner, to meet the other Crafty Chicas, and get to know the our craft-mates. Naturally, the conversation lead to... what do you do? And it didn't take me long... as the conversation wound down that road... to realize our new crafting friend worked for.... gulp!... Alaska Airlines! Oh universe, you slay me!

Vesna, was just what I needed. Cheery, kind, creative, and an individual in every sense of the word. It also didn't hurt that her daughter, Maggie, is charmingly shy! It gave me the opportunity, not only to make a new friend, but to personalize the face of Alaska Airlines. A reminder that, whatever my feelings are about the acquisition, that that was just business.... and Alaska Airlines is full of people. Individuals like Vesna, that are not vulgar, cold-hearted, and unconcerned with the livelihoods of thousands of Virgin America employees. Individuals that are a lot like me and my fellow Virgins.

I feel blessed to have been able to spend the week creating with Vesna, Bex, Jany, and the dozens of other Crafty Chicas! Everything was just as it should have been and I wouldn't change a thing.

Me and Vesna in the Customs line disembarking our cruise!

#craftychicacruise2016

Mission San Buenaventura | CA Missions Pilgrimage

2016-04-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

Mission San Buenaventura

Ventura, CA

Find out more about Mission San Buenaventura here.

On Easter 2016 I drove from my home in Hayward, CA to San Diego - it took me 10 hours, including a few stops along the way. That Monday I began a week's journey back up the coast, visiting all 21 California Missions. You will find individual posts for each Mission with my photographs... and at the end, one final post with a link to all. If you have done a similar pilgrimage, I would love to hear about your experience! If you're interested in a road trip like this, I am happy to share my itinerary and experiences with you. During my pilgrimage I used #vagabond21missions - feel free to check out my photos on instagram, twitter, and facebook! xo-d

All images are copyrighted by Danielle Schwartz of Vagabond Zen.

These images are available for use with permission only.

Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana | CA Missions Pilgrimage

2016-04-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana

Mission Hills, CA

Find out more about Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana here.

All images are copyrighted by Danielle Schwartz of Vagabond Zen.

These images are available for use with permission only.

Mission San Gabriel Arcangel | CA Missions Pilgrimage

2016-04-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

Mission San Gabriel Arcangel

San Gabriel, CA

Find out more about Mission San Gabriel Arcangel here.

All images are copyrighted by Danielle Schwartz of Vagabond Zen.

These images are available for use with permission only.

Mission San Juan Capistrano | CA Missions Pilgrimage

2016-04-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

Mission San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano, CA

Find out more about Mission San Juan Capistrano here.

All images are copyrighted by Danielle Schwartz of Vagabond Zen.

These images are available for use with permission only.

Mission San Luis Rey de Franco | CA Missions Pilgrimage

2016-04-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

Mission San Luis Rey de Franco

Oceanside, CA

Find out more about Mission San Luis Rey de Franco here.

All images are copyrighted by Danielle Schwartz of Vagabond Zen.

These images are available for use with permission only.

Mission San Diego de Alcala | CA Missions Pilgrimage

2016-04-05T12:48:00.002-04:00

Mission San Diego de Alcala

San Diego, CA

I loved this Stages of the Cross installation. Each stage is done in a different color of glass mosaic.

Find out more about Mission San Diego de Alcala here.

All images are copyrighted by Danielle Schwartz of Vagabond Zen.

These images are available for use with permission only.

Essential Oil Roller Blends for your Dosha {Ayurvedic Energy}

2016-03-29T03:11:00.000-04:00

Essential Oil Roller Blends for your Doshas! In Ayurvedic medicine is it believed there are three energies circulating in the body and governing physiological acticity. Most have a dominant dosha or energy within. You can find out your dosha here, then come back here to for the right blend to balance your energy!

Pitta Ayurvedic Roller Blend

Balance, Contentment

Is your primary dosha Pitta? Then you have had those days when you feel sluggish and grumpy. Get back on track with this essential oils blend and find yourself on the road to contentment and happiness.

5 drops of Ginger Essential Oil
5 drops of Sandalwood Essential Oil
8 drops of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
10 ml Fractionated Coconut Oil

Combine all oils in a 10 ml glass roller bottle. Cap it and give it a shake.

Apply the oil on the inside of your wrists, behind your ears and back of neck, on your tummy, on the soles of your feet... anytime you need to relieve the fire inside and return yourself to a balanced state.

Kapha Ayurvedic Roller Blend

Uplifting, Energetic

Is your primary dosha Kapha? Then you know need a little boost now and then to get motivated! Next time, try a swipe of this roller blend!

5 drops of Clove Essential Oil
5 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
8 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
10 ml Fractionated Coconut Oil

Combine all oils in a 10 ml glass roller bottle. Cap it and give it a shake.

Apply the oil on the inside of your wrists, behind your ears and back of neck, on the soles of your feet... anytime you need to jump start your mood and get a burst of energy!

Vata Ayurvedic Roller Blend

Relax, Calm

Is your primary dosha Vata? Then you know what it's like to experience anxious feelings and stress. Get back on track with this essential oils blend and soothe, calm, relax your spirit, mind, and body.

5 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil
5 drops of Grapefruit Essential Oil
8 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
10 ml Fractionated Coconut Oil

Combine all oils in a 10 ml glass roller bottle. Cap it and give it a shake.

Apply the oil on the inside of your wrists, behind your ears and back of neck, on your tummy, on the soles of your feet... anytime you need to aid queasiness and return yourself to a balanced state.

Essential Oils are a therapeutic and pure option for the health of your mind, body, and spirit. Ask me how you can incorporate the natural benefits of essential oils into your life!

www.eo4living.com

eo4living@gmail.com

Big Sur & Hearst Castle

2016-02-27T21:14:00.001-05:00

Day One - Big Sur

Starting our drive down Coastal Route 1 into Big Sur

Bixby Bridge

Together at Bixby Bridge

Henry Miller Memorial Library on Route 1 in Big Sur

The Lizard King... or at least one of his West Coast minions

This is my glamour shot! Bwahaha

McWay Waterfall

Together at McWay Waterfall

Elephant Seals on a beach in Big Sur

We arrived at the elephant seal beach just in time to enjoy their howls, watch them scoot around on the sand, and witness this breathtaking sunset!

Day Two - Hearst Castle

The "Equestrian" Entrance to Hearst Castle... I guess they didn't want our kind coming in the front door. ;)

Outside edge of the Neptune Pool

One of several "Guest Houses" on the property

Hearst Castle

A statue in the Grand Room

The Dining Room. Apparently, if you were a guest in the house it was okay to miss breakfast or lunch, but if you missed dinner with W. R. Hearst, he would have have your bags packed to leave the next day. I also thought it was funny/strange that he used his mother's "camping" china in the dining room. Funny that anyone has camping china and strange that the man could have had any china and he was content with the his mother's old china.

Sconce in the Dining Room

And here's a couple bonus videos of the elephant seals.. they were so stinkin' cute! The first one is a young seal scooting across the sand. The bottom is of a large, male elephant seal. He is in the water and making noises. Turn up the volume - the males make a deep noise, almost like a lion roaring! {FYI - The other seals sound like they're women screaming and yelling at each other incoherently! haha...}

DIY Essential Oil Body Wash

2016-02-27T01:39:00.000-05:00

You may recognize the bottle I re-used to make my own body wash with essential oils. I love scented body washes, but never really knew what was in them. Slowly I have been changing my beauty routine over to natural products because I learned that what I put on my skin is also absorbed by my skin and eventually into my bloodstream... and hey, ew! This body wash recipe is simple and easy to make. And the best part is... you can make it any scent you want.. and change it every time!

DIY Essential Oil Body Wash

13/4 cup Liquid Castile Soap - Unscented
5 TB Vegetable Glycerin
4 TB Fractionated Coconut Oil
15 Drops Essential Oil

Mix all of the ingredients in a container about 10-12 ounces in size. Shake! Be sure to shake the bottle every time, before you use it. Also note it is not thick like a shower gel, so it will be a little runny when pouring onto your loofah or facecloth - but don't worry - it is very sudsy!

In this batch I used 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil and 5 Drops Patchouli Essential Oil. Other great combos would be Eucalyptus/Peppermint for an uplifting shower or Lavender/Roman Chamomile for a relaxing shower. Or experiment with your favorite oils!

Essential Oils are a therapeutic and pure option for the health of your mind, body, and spirit. Ask me how you can incorporate the natural benefits of essential oils into your life!

www.eo4living.com

eo4living@gmail.com

DIY Face Wash Oil for Oily Skin

2016-02-25T01:38:00.000-05:00

Do you have oily skin? Do you suffer from acne? Then try out this DIY Face Oil - you will LOVE it!

It couldn't be easier to custom blend face oils at home. All you need is a glass jar {one ounce or larger}, an eye dropper, and the essential and carrier oils below!

DIY Face Wash Oil for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin

8 Drops Geranium Essential Oil
4 Drops Frankincense Essential Oil
4 Drops Melaluca (Tea Tree) Essential Oil
1/4 ounce Hazelnut Oil (organic, cold-pressed) - Carrier Oil
3/4 ounce Extra Virgin Olive Oil (organic) - Carrier Oil

Combine all of the oils in a glass container {I use these}, cover, and shake! I give it a good shake every time I use it.

How I use my face oil: I wet a facecloth with warm water, then wring it out. I fill an eye dropper full of the oil and drop it onto the wet facecloth. I then swipe the oil/facecloth over my face in gentle, circular motions. I no longer wash my face with soap, scrubs, or anything else. I use the oil once or twice a day on my face and don't have to use a moisturizer most days.

Please ensure you are using pure essential oils! These oils are going into your blood stream through your skin and you wouldn't want to harm your body with synthetics! If you would like more information on how to get the right essential oils, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Why Geranium Essential Oil?
Minimizes Inflammation
Improves Circulation
Regulates Oil Production
Reduces Acne Breakouts
Aids in Healing Broken Capillaries, Dermatitis

Why Frankincense Essential Oil?
Astringent
Tones and Tightens Skin
Fades Scars
Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory
Decreases Appearance of Pores
Evens Skin Tone

Why Melaluca Essential Oil?
Encourages Healing
Prevents Infections
Antibacterial
Regulates Oil Production

Why Hazelnut Oil as a Carrier Oil?
Antioxidant Properties
Protects Against Ultraviolet Rays (Used in many sunscreens!)
Astringent and Antibacterial
Softens and Soothes Skin
Moisturizing and Emollient

Why Olive Oil as a Carrier Oil?
Moisturizing
Contains Antioxidants - Vitamins A & E
Promotes Elasticity, Reduces Wrinkles

Essential Oils are a therapeutic and pure option for the health of your mind, body, and spirit. Ask me how you can incorporate the natural benefits of essential oils into your life!

www.eo4living.com

eo4living@gmail.com

DIY Face Wash Oil for Dry/Mature Skin

2016-02-23T07:30:00.000-05:00

Do you have dry skin? Would like to nourish your mature skin? Do you suffer from eczema or psoriasis? Then try out this DIY Face Oil - you will LOVE it!

It couldn't be easier to custom blend face oils at home. All you need is a glass jar {one ounce or larger}, an eye dropper, and the essential and carrier oils below!

DIY Face Wash Oil for Dry and Mature Skin

5 Drops Patchouli Essential Oil
4 Drops Myrrh Essential Oil
5 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
1/4 ounce Hazelnut Oil (organic, cold-pressed) - Carrier Oil
3/4 ounce Extra Virgin Olive Oil (organic) - Carrier Oil

Combine all of the oils in a glass container {I use these}, cover, and shake! I give it a good shake every time I use it.

How I use my face oil: I wet a facecloth with warm water, then wring it out. I fill an eye dropper full of the oil and drop it onto the wet facecloth. I then swipe the oil/facecloth over my face in gentle, circular motions. I no longer wash my face with soap, scrubs, or anything else. I use the oil once or twice a day on my face and don't have to use a moisturizer most days.

Please ensure you are using pure essential oils! These oils are going into your blood stream through your skin and you wouldn't want to harm your body with synthetics! If you would like more information on how to get the right essential oils, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Why Patchouli Essential Oil?
Calming
Regenerates Skin Cells
Relieves Rashes
Heals Scars and Wounds
Normalizes Sebum Production
Great oil for Sunburn and Eczema

Why Lavender Essential Oil?
Regenerates Skin Cells
Heals Scarring and Burns
Antibacterial Properties
Restores Complexion
Slows Aging with Powerful Antioxidants
Improves Eczema and Psoriasis

Why Myrrh Essential Oil?
Strong Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Improves Skin Tone, Firmness, Skin Elasticity
Reduces Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Heals Rashes, Chapped Skin, and Eczema

Why Hazelnut Oil as a Carrier Oil?Antioxidant Properties
Protects Against Ultraviolet Rays (Used in many sunscreens!)
Astringent and Antibacterial
Softens and Soothes Skin
Moisturizing and Emollient

Why Olive Oil as a Carrier Oil?Moisturizing
Contains Antioxidants - Vitamins A & E
Promotes Elasticity, Reduces Wrinkles

Essential Oils are a therapeutic and pure option for the health of your mind, body, and spirit. Ask me how you can incorporate the natural benefits of essential oils into your life!

www.eo4living.com

eo4living@gmail.com

DIY Beard Oil

2016-02-16T01:42:00.000-05:00

Who doesn't love a man with a full, thick beard? What about one filled with breadcrumbs that is itchy and scratchy? Haha... not so much? This beard oil is incredibly simple to make and also has many benefits for a healthy tuft of chin hair. Oh... and the Clove Essential Oil makes it smell sooo... manly! ;)

DIY Beard {and Mustache} Oil

5 Drops Bergamot or Rosemary Essential Oil*
4 Drops Clove Essential Oil
7 Drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
1 ounce Extra Virgin Olive Oil {organic} - Carrier Oil

Combine all of the oils in a glass container {I use these}, cover, and shake! Give it a good shake every time you use it.

*Why Bergamot or Rosemary? Well... we all don't have a closet full of essential oils, so I wanted to give you an option. I also think the Bergamot marries very well with Clove and Cedarwood - the scent is heavenly! Lastly, although Rosemary is a fantastic oil for the beard {see why below}, Bergamot has a few fantastic properties, too.

Why Rosemary Essential Oil?
Promotes Hair Growth
Improves Blood Circulation
Antioxidant Properties {can slow gray hair growth}
Antiseptic Properties {reduces dandruff}

Why Bergamot Essential Oil?
Soothes Skin
Aids Hair Growth
Makes Hair Shiny

Why Clove Essential Oil?
Thickens Hair
Prevents Loss
Antibacterial

Why Cedarwood Essential Oil?
Antifungal
Stimulates Blood Circulation
Promotes Hair Growth

Why Olive Oil as a Carrier Oil?
Moisturizing - Softer, Shinier Hair
Contains Antioxidants - Vitamins A & E

Essential Oils are a therapeutic and pure option for the health of your mind, body, and spirit. Ask me how you can incorporate the natural benefits of essential oils into your life!

www.eo4living.com

eo4living@gmail.com

DIY Essential Oil Liquid Hand Soap

2016-02-02T01:39:00.000-05:00

You're going to love how easy it is to make this liquid hand soap! Just a few ingredients, that you probably already have around the house, and it's done! You will save on your water bill, too!

DIY Essential Oil Liquid Hand Soap

10 Drops Grapefruit Essential Oil
1/4 cup Liquid Castile Soap - Unscented
2 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Organic)
2 cups Water

Combine all of the ingredients into a glass pump bottle. Shake! That's it. Seriously... why haven't I made my own products before? It is ridiculously easy! And honestly, you can use any essential oil you like. I just happen to enjoy Grapefruit EO to wash my hands with. It smells great and has some beneficial properties! {See below.}

To use: I recommend pumping a couple of squirts into your hands, rub/wash hands together and then turn on the water for a rinse. No need to run water, wet hands, scrub under the water... there is enough water in the hand soap to provide the right amount for rubbing and scrubbing. So you will save water from the tap, too! BTW - the olive oil is a great addition to this soap, providing a little moisture retention for your hands. This is not a drying soap.

Why Grapefruit Essential Oil?
Antiviral and Antimicrobial (Great Disinfectant)
Antiseptic (Protects from Microbial Infections)
Antifungal (Protects against yeast and bacteria)

Why Olive Oil?
Moisturizing
Contains Antioxidants - Vitamins A & E
Promotes Elasticity, Reduces Wrinkles

Essential Oils are a therapeutic and pure option for the health of your mind, body, and spirit. Ask me how you can incorporate the natural benefits of essential oils into your life!

www.eo4living.com

eo4living@gmail.com

DIY "Poo-Pourri"

2016-01-05T01:19:00.000-05:00

By now you have probably seen the product, Poo-Pourri. I ran across it in a shared bathroom in an office building in Wyoming and loved it. Poo-Pourri has a cute bottle, lovely scents, and it works! Just spritz a little into the bowl before you go #2 and the stinkies are gone!

I like their product very much, but I am also a bit of a cheapskate. The travel size spritzer of Poo-Pourri is $6. I know, that isn't a lot.. but it's more than what I want to spend! And I don't need another something to carry around in my purse or cluttering up my counter in the bathroom. So... I ran a little experiment.

I dropped one drop of Purify essential oil blend into the toilet. Then I did my business. And it works! Try it... no need for a fancy formula, a spray bottle, nothing! One drop from the top and you're done! Certainly you can use any essential oil you want, it doesn't have to be Purify. I actually am a big fan of Eucalyptus, so I might try that in the future. At any rate... it's a simple way to mask the odor!

How do you freshen-up the loo?

Essential Oils are a therapeutic and pure option for the health of your mind, body, and spirit. Ask me how you can incorporate the natural benefits of essential oils into your life!

www.eo4living.com

eo4living@gmail.com

Essential Oil Chai Tea Recipe

2016-01-03T01:41:00.000-05:00

Who doesn't love a hot cup of tea on a cold winter's day? One of the reasons I love the brand of essential oils I use is because they are sourced and extracted with far more stringent requirements than any other essential oil out there. They are also extremely transparent about where their oils come from and how they are extracted. Because of this, many of their oils are ingestible.

Yes! I know. Seriously... the next time you're at your local natural foods store, look at the essential oils. Even the ones that should be ingestible, like lemon, lime, orange {this oil comes from the rinds!} are not. It is because of the purity of their product. If you know even a little about essential oils, you know one of the reasons why they work well topically is because they enter your blood stream easily through your skin. Now... stop and think about that. Other brand essential oils don't want you to ingest their products {because they're not really high quality}, but have no problem with you using them topically. Either way... they're going into your body.. and that's just scary! Okay... let me hop off my soapbox and tell you my chai tea recipe!

Essential Oil Chai Tea Recipe

Brew a cup of Black Tea {I use English Breakfast}
Add 2 drops each of Cardamom, Wild Orange, and Clove Essential Oils

Stir. Now enjoy! Wasn't that easy? If you want to make it a Chai Latte, warm some milk in a pan or the microwave and add that in too! This is such a delicious treat when it's cold outside and of course, because it is made with essential oils, it has health benefits too!

Why Cardamom Essential Oil?
Eases Indigestion
Promotes Healthy Teeth and Gums
Supports Respiratory Health
Uplifts Mood

Why Wild Orange Essential Oil?
Increases Physical Energy
Alleviates Chills
Relieves Seasonal Sadness
Appeases Colds, Coughs, Flu Symptoms

Why Clove Essential Oil?
Boosts Immune System {Antiviral}
Contains Antioxidants
Relieves Stress and Anxiety
Increases Blood Circulation

Essential Oils are a therapeutic and pure option for the health of your mind, body, and spirit. Ask me how you can incorporate the natural benefits of essential oils into your life!

www.eo4living.com

eo4living@gmail.com

Winter Hippie Blend

2015-12-22T01:40:00.000-05:00

Christmas time might be my favorite time of year for smells. Anything that has an earthy scent like a forest or Christmas tree attracts me. It's no big surprise to me then, that I came up with this particular blend for the winter!

First decide if you want less... or more scent. It depends for me, day to day. Then check out the recipes below.

For MORE Scent:
Pour a bit of carrier oil in the palm of your hand (I use fractionated coconut oil). Then drop in 1 drop each of ‪ Patchouli, Lavender, and White Fir Essential Oils. Rub palms together and swipe hands all over your arms and legs. You'll smell like a tree hugger all day!

For LESS Scent:
Make a roller blend! Add 6 drops each of Patchouli, Lavender, and White Fir Essential Oils to a 10ml roller bottle, then top off with a carrier oil. Give it a shake to combine the oils and swipe a few dabs on the inside of your wrists and elbows. A little bit of Winter Hippie can go a long way!

And the side benefits of smelling like a hippie in the wintertime...

Why White Fir Essential Oil?
Soothes Muscles and Rheumatic Pain
Increases Poor Circulation
Stimulates Endocrine Glands {Helps Reduce Cellulite}
Creates Mental Clarity
Aromatically it is Grounding, Anchoring, Empowering

Why Patchouli Essential Oil?
Relaxes Mind; Clarifies Thoughts
Regenerates Skin Cells
Relieves Rashes
Heals Dry, Chapped Skin

Why Lavender Essential Oil?
Heals Scarring and Burns
Antibacterial Properties
Restores Complexion
Slows Aging with Powerful Antioxidants

Essential Oils are a therapeutic and pure option for the health of your mind, body, and spirit. Ask me how you can incorporate the natural benefits of essential oils into your life!

www.eo4living.com

eo4living@gmail.com

North Carolina {50 States of Yoga}

2015-11-20T01:23:00.000-05:00

En route from West Virginia to South Carolina, I stopped at a rest area in North Carolina and found a brochure of a lapidary museum in Hendersonville, NC. With an hour to kill, I decided to take the minor detour to check it out.

Lapidary Museum of Henderson County

I roamed around the Mineral and Lapidary Museum of Henderson County for a short time, looking at their extensive collection. To my surprise, the small basement museum was quite popular. I purchased an assortment of small tumbled stones to create a DIY Chakra set for myself, along with a rose quartz and a smokey quartz cluster.

Chakra Balancing Crystals Set

Rose Quartz

I then walked around a few blocks of downtown Hendersonville. The streets are lined with these quirky bears. If I had more time, I would love to spend an afternoon here. There is a wide variety of stores and the bears are fun to check out!

My yoga class in North Carolina was at Be Yoga in Charlotte. I took a Restorative Yin Yoga class with CJ. I love Yin yoga and this class was no exception. And although my thigh meat got in the way of a couple of poses, it was exactly what I needed after rushing through so many states. After class I met a fellow yogi named Mary. She was so kind and hugged me. It was so sweet and such an honor to talk to her. I am blessed to have the opportunity to travel and take these classes and sometimes I need moments like that to force myself to be present. To be in and to thrive in the moment.

Clean Eating and Supplement Blends

2015-11-18T01:35:00.000-05:00

For a couple of months now I have been trying to eat better. Eat real foods. Eat fresh foods. Not eat sugar. Not eat processed foods. It's a challenge, but one well worth it. So far I have lost 12 pounds. Not bad considering all I have done is try to eat better. Some weeks I am better than others, but trying has been making a great big difference!

I try to get many servings of fruits and vegetables in my belly every day, but I am awful at prepping foods and having meals ready for work and on the go. And I get bored easily with what I do have. Fortunately, I have discovered Terra Greens and that has helped considerably! It is a meal supplement, filled with vegetables, fruits, and essential oils. It's easy. I dump a scoop into a pint size mason jar, screw on the lid, and throw it in my bag. When I get hungry, all I have to do is add water and drink!

Are you on a clean eating program? What kind of foods and snacks do you use to keep you going?

Essential Oils are a therapeutic and pure option for the health of your mind, body, and spirit. Ask me how you can incorporate the natural benefits of essential oils into your life!

www.eo4living.com

eo4living@gmail.com

Essential Oils for Lower Back Pain

2015-11-07T01:18:00.000-05:00

Recently one morning, as I began putting away the clean dishes from the night before, I threw out my lower back. This is the first time it has happened to me and the first thing I thought was, "WTF, I'm not even 40!" But... as the pain set in and I realized it wasn't going to go away on its own, I started a little research on how to alleviate the pain and speed my recovery along.

Here is how I recovered from my back pain that morning:

I applied a Soothing Essential Oil Blend topically to my lower back, along with ice. I applied for 20 minutes every hour for several hours that day. This Soothing Blend blend is my favorite when it comes to muscle pain or stiff muscles. I am not sure how I survived life before without it!

Rosemary essential oil would also be a great alternative to the Soothing Blend as a topical solution as it aids in decreasing muscle inflammation. Rosemary essential oil is also a stress reliever. I utilized Rosemary by diffusing it in my aromatherapy diffuser to help me calm down a bit and allow myself a little rest time.

Lastly, Roman Chamomile essential oil has a long list of benefits for health care and is another great choice for topical application to reduce muscle and joint pain. That day, I utilized its relaxation benefits by enjoying a cup of chamomile tea to calm myself. One of the hardest things for me to do when I am injured is to sit... and allow the injury to recover. By creating a calming environment for myself, it became a little more meditative and a little less stressful.

Essential Oils are a therapeutic and pure option for the health of your mind, body, and spirit. Ask me how you can incorporate the natural benefits of essential oils into your life!

www.eo4living.com

eo4living@gmail.com

South Carolina {50 States of Yoga}

2015-10-25T00:24:00.002-04:00

Aerial Yoga classroom at Integrative Yoga Therapy

I breezed through my time in South Carolina rather quickly. I had started my morning in West Virginia and drove through parts of Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina to get to my afternoon yoga class in Easley, SC.

At Integrative Yoga Therapy I signed up for the Yoga For Every Body class with Linda Patterson. I was drawn to Linda's class and studio because of her certification in Curvy Yoga with Anna Guest-Jelly. I had taken a class with Anna at her home studio in Nashville, TN on another 50 States of Yoga adventure, and enjoyed my experience with her immensely. Being a woman with a little extra weight on my body, I appreciate a class that is adaptable to my skill level and needs.

Linda's class did not disappoint. I was feeling very strong in her class. Pigeon pose was a joy. I was the strongest I have ever been in tree pose. And then... Dancer pose! It was my first time trying this pose and I was right at home! It empowered me and I left the class uplifted and energized.

Linda's studio was an amazing space, as well. A beautiful lounge. A studio space for aerial yoga {oh how I long to try aerial yoga!}. A small room that looks perfect for meditation, and maybe a private yoga class. Her space was beautiful and I was surprised to find it in a sleepy little town. Linda, too, was a joy. Besides being an attentive teacher, her dedication and passion for bringing yoga to her community is easily noticeable.

Smokey Quartz from SC

On my way to yoga, I stopped in Hendersonville, NC at a lapidary. More on that in my NC post.. but one thing I bought there was a smokey quartz cluster that had come from South Carolina. On many of my trips I have been collecting rocks and crystals. Some native, some not. All with significant meaning. The smokey quartz is said to shield us from negative energies. To protect us from car accidents. It is a grounding crystal and connected to the root chakra. It is an excellent crystal for safe travels. The more I discover about crystals.. the more I am drawn to them. Does it work? Who can say... but to have a little something with you to carry your worries, allows you to let your worries go.

Thanks for following along.. it means the world to me to have the chance to share my experiences with you! Stick around for the last state of this trip, North Carolina, and many more to follow! Until then... all 50 States of Yoga can be found here!

Autumn Aromatherapy

2015-10-11T01:36:00.000-04:00

Recently, it has begun to get chilly {and we even got a little rain!} here in Northern California. I was inspired by this fall-like weather to mix a few essential oils and create the sweet scent of autumn!

Here's my recipe for Autumnal Aromatherapy to enjoy this season:

3 drops Cypress essential oil
1 drop Tangerine essential oil
1 drop Clove essential oil

I love how it has such an earthy scent with just a little bit of sweetness!

Essential Oils are a therapeutic and pure option for the health of your mind, body, and spirit. Ask me how you can incorporate the natural benefits of essential oils into your life!

www.eo4living.com

eo4living@gmail.com

West Virginia {50 States of Yoga}

2015-08-14T00:46:00.001-04:00

Hello... Wild and Wonderful friends! So sorry for the delay in getting to the rest of this trip around the Virginias and Carolinas. I took a few days off to travel to Las Vegas with my husband, renew our wedding vows, and visit with friends and family! It's been an amazing few days in the desert... but back to sharing my 50 States of Yoga adventures with you.... and this state is.. West Virginia!

This trip was my first time in West Virginia. I had an idea of what to expect, but feel like I had underestimated the beauty. It truly is Wild. The landscape was lush, verdant. I was overwhelmed. The air smelled green and thick with humidity. I saw wild turkeys along the road side and crowed at them like a rooster... then realized that is not the sound a turkey makes. {City girl.} I came across Blessing Drive. I didn't know what was down there.. and figured it was private property, but definitely felt blessed for sharing this space with them, for this moment.

I stopped at New River Gorge - Canyon Rim Visitor Center in Lansing, WV. The visitor center looks beautiful, but it closes at 5:00pm. Unfortunately, I didn't get there until just after 5 and missed going inside. They also don't have public restrooms outside of the visitor center, which is poor planning. There were dozens of people who still came to this location to hike down to the bridge, and yet not a single porta-potty. This didn't stop me from squatting on a tree. When you gotta go...

The New River Gorge Bridge is huge! I am always impressed with bridges over gaps like this. {The one at Hoover Dam is another that amazes me!} There is an easy walk down to a vista point, from there you can climb down a couple hundred stairs to a view from the river's edge. I did not have the time to do this, but it is on my list of places to return to!

{I texted the below photo, along with another vista photo of WV, to my husband and he thought it looked like Iao Valley in Maui! This part of West Virginia is so lush!}

New River Gorge Bridge

I found myself in Fayetteville, WV at Kula Community Yoga Studio for Beginner Yoga with Candace. From the moment I walked into the studio, I knew why West Virginia was also Wonderful. The warmth of the reception I received was unparalleled. I chatted with Candace and a couple others {Sorry, I am awful with names!} about my yoga adventures this year, then settled into a class with Candace. I learned the most amazing thing that evening... while in pigeon pose, engage the back toes and lift the knee of the extended leg off the mat. This takes pressure off that knee cap. I've done this in every pigeon pose since, and it has been so helpful. You don't have to engage it the whole time, but it helps for repositioning and relieving the knee. Give it a try next time you're in pigeon!

Candace and I also chit-chatted about soaking in epsom salts {a favorite thing of mine to do}. She said her massage therapist recommends 8 lbs per bathtub. 8 POUNDS OF EPSOM SALTS! That is a lot! I use 1 lb. when I soak. Hahah... I think I will give it a try though... it can't hurt. We took a lot of pictures together and said goodbye. It was so nice to meet these yogis. They've left a mark on my heart.

Me and Candace, my teacher at Kula Yoga

My entire yoga class, after class!

I spent the night just south of Fayetteville in a comped room. I have been learning the ropes of reward points and how to reap the benefits. I got a credit card from a hotel chain, I book exclusively within their brands, and collect all the bonus points I can! I had already cashed in a free night in Santa Cruz, CA for my birthday {in a jacuzzi tub suite!}. This trip I cashed in for tonight at a mid-level hotel {which honestly wasn't any better than the low-level hotels/motels I have been staying at} as well as a higher level hotel in the chain the next night in NC. The nice thing is, it costs the same to redeem points for a flea-bag motel, as it does for their nicest resort hotel! I am enjoying the game of reward point earning. Haha...

Don't go far! I'll be back with the Carolinas soon! In the mean time.. check out my other 50 States of Yoga adventures! Thanks for being!

Virginia {50 States of Yoga}

2015-08-06T20:08:00.000-04:00

After my early morning flight across the country from SFO to Charlotte, NC, I spent the afternoon driving north to Virginia! My first taste of what would become state 29 of 50 States of Yoga was their Welcome Center on Interstate 77. Maybe most people don't get excited about rest areas and visitors centers like I do, but they can be a wonderful resource of information! I love Google and the interwebs, in general. Half of my enjoyment of travel is the planning! But I often find things to do at Visitors and Welcome Centers that I would have never found online. And regularly, I find tidbits of historical information, which is the icing on the cake!

A wonderful example of this... The Crooked Road - Virginia's Heritage Music Trail. The sign below is posted at the welcome center with a brief description and map of the trail. But the best part is they have a radio station broadcasting information and... the music! Unfortunately, the signal doesn't go very far, but it was awesome to listen to this old country music for a bit while I took a break from driving.

Also at the Welcome Center!

I got to my hotel early and crashed into my bed hard! I had worked 6 of the previous 7 days {10 to 12 hour shifts} and was completely exhausted. I did wake fairly refreshed and set out to find a coffee shop in Radford, VA. I didn't know when I booked my hotel room in Radford that it was a beautiful college town! Driving through early morning, during the summer, it was quiet, still, and lovely. I found a coffee shop - that was completely empty at 8am - and got myself a decent cup of joe. Oh! But before I get back on the road... this car below... that was parked at my hotel that morning. MermaidsDontCook.com on the windshield and all kinds of craziness everywhere else! The car is nuts and I was slightly jealous that they were road-tripping in such awesomeness, while I had my boring rental car with zero personality. I dreamed for a moment of road-tripping in my little car, with my California LIV WYLD license plate and pink pom poms dangling in the back window! Hmmm... maybe next year.

Mermaids Don't Cook!

Back on the road for a short drive to Cloverdale, just outside of Roanoke, to Grace Yoga & Healing Pathways. I signed up for a Gentle Yoga class and the substitute teacher was Terry. She began the class with checking in with each student - What has the past week been like for you? What brought you to class this morning? Often times teachers will ask you to "set your intention" for your practice, having some sort of specific purpose or goal to keep in mind/heart for the class {some examples of my own intentions that I set often are: Strength for enduring the class, Sending Love energy to my husband}. I find this helpful, but also tend to grasp at basic, quick thoughts in my head {which is maybe the point - I have no idea}. Anyway... when Terry asked us these questions... and we had time to consider and contemplate, I felt like this allowed me to expand my thoughts, my intentions, for the class a little. It felt a little more focused. I liked this beginning!

There were a variety of student levels, as is often the case in Gentle Yoga classes. For me, I like these classes because they are slower paced, don't require pretzel-like bendies, and I can learn a lot from the different modifications going on. Sometimes I need the mods, sometimes I don't. But I want to know what they are... so when I do... I can just help myself!

During the class we all got chairs and practiced Warrior poses on them. This was a lot harder on my legs than I had thought it would be. I will never underestimate the strength of those who use the chair during class! Something that I find in most classes that I take.. is a strength in a place that I didn't know I had and a weakness in a place that I thought was strong. Many times I have heard from yoga teachers that every day is different. Don't worry about how flexible you were yesterday or how flexible you will be tomorrow. Stay on your mat. Be present in this moment. And enjoy what your body can do for you now. No expectations. Throw them away. Appreciate the here and now. I don't remember any of these things until I start doing something that I didn't think was going to be all that hard, like a chair Warrior pose. For the rest of this trip I will have wobbly Warriors... and I attribute that to this class. In a good way. Forcing me to really focus on the muscles in my legs and thighs and my form and strength. Warrior will never be the same for me! Haha...

Terry shared a couple of things during shavasana that I will never forget. When we were flat on our backs and stretching out our arms, palms up, she said to make sure our shoulder blades were flat on the ground - this will help our arms to align out to our sides, palms up, without effort. And it does! Knowing something so simple has improved my experience of shavasana tenfold! Terry also said to make sure your chin is not pressing to your chest, is out, creating a curve in the back of your neck. This feels so much better and helps with my alignment. Brilliant! Every class since, when I am on my back for any pose, these come to the forefront of my mind. And what an absolute difference these tips have made!

Sometimes I think I am doing myself a disservice by taking so many classes of different styles, with different teachers, all over the country - that what my yoga practice needs in consistency to be able to grow a solid foundation. Then I have classes with teachers like Terry, that I would have never experienced if I hadn't been on this wild adventure, and thank the stars that I have these opportunities available to me. But wait, there's more!

This lotus was blooming outside Grace Yoga!

{First a side blurb - the cigarette car charger port was not supplying energy to charge my cellphone, which is also my GPS. I discovered this on the way to the hotel the night before, when my phone yelled at me that it only had 15% charge left - 30 minutes from my hotel! I wrote down brief directions to get to this morning's yoga class, my midday diversion {see salt cave below} and my evening yoga class. I figured I could use the GPS a little here and there, and be able to find my way to the hotel that night in West Virginia, without totally draining my battery. Anyway, I mentioned the charger issue to Terry in the below conversation, and she asked if there was not a charger in the glovebox. I quickly said no, we continued the discussion, then when I got into my rental, I realized I had never checked the glovebox! Sure enough, there was a USB charging port in there. Thank you, Terry! You helped me avert a crisis on this trip!}

As I spoke with Terry after class, I told her of my plans to drive to West Virginia and take another yoga class that evening, to spend the afternoon winding across the Blue Ridge Mountains, and going to a salt cave in WV. Terry told me about an historical warm spring, that was sort of on my way to WV, that had a soaking pool. Well... I love both random historical and inexpensive spa-like experiences, so I had to know more! She wrote down directions and gave me an animated description on how to get there over back roads. It was this beautiful drive through the mountains that led me to Jefferson Pools.

The check-in and gift shop for Jefferson Pools

The Ladies' Pool

Jefferson Pools do not have a sign on the road. In fact, if I hadn't been driving slow, rubber-necking in awe at the heavy green beauty of the landscape, I would have driven right by. I wouldn't have noticed the tiny sign on the side of a white, dilapidated, cylindrical building that read Ladies Pool. And as I slowed even more, and questioned Could this be it?, I would definitely have missed the tiny dirt road with the street sign Bath St. But I didn't. And I turned onto Bath St. and hoped I wasn't entering private property! Indeed, I had found Jefferson Pools in Warm Springs, VA.

The spring that feeds the Ladies' Pool.

The Men's Pool

The pools are segregated by sex between 1p and 6p. During this time, they are clothing optional. I did not plan to swim on this trip, so I didn't have a swimsuit with me. I decided I would wear my birthday suit into the pool. When I first arrived, there were no other women there, so I was able to take the below photos. The place is so old and rickety, and yet beautiful and magical at the same time! It is quite the gem and worth every bit of the $17 for a one hour soak. While I floated around in my naked glory, tiny bubbles crept up from the rock floor. They tickled my skin as they rose up to the top. Some gathered on my skin and created a little bubble force field around me. It was a beautiful experience. The water felt a little thicker, it was harder to stay vertical, so I didn't fight it. I grabbed a pool noodle, wrapped it under my shoulders, and leaned back to float with the tiny bubbles.

About halfway through my soak, a group of 4 women arrived. I gathered it was their first time there, too, and they had all been prepared with swimsuits. However, my being in the pool in my au natural state inspired 2 of them to give it a go. This made me smile inside, as I am a bit shy, too, and was glad that my decision to take a risk encouraged others to do the same!

Inside the Ladies' Pool

Most of these doorways lead to small dressing rooms, where you leave your belongings during your soak. A couple are restrooms - toilets only. One leads to a stairwell that has rushing water, from the emptying pool, in which you can sit for a few minutes to get a natural massage!

The water is so amazingly clear!

After my soak, I drove towards West Virginia. Originally, I was going to go to a Salt Cave and Spa there, but having decided to go to Jefferson Pools, I no longer had the time. I haven't been to a salt cave before, but the idea is you sit in a room for 45 minutes that is covered with giant salt crystals, and breathing that salt-infused air is supposed to have some positive health effects. Whether it does or not, I do not know, but I enjoy doing things that I've never done before, and that are a little off-center, so I will check this out someday.

En route to the WV border I drove past the Falling Springs Waterfall. It is huge! And has a convenient overlook from the road. Can you see the tiny people at the top and bottom of the falls?

Falling Springs Waterfall, Covington, VA

Beautiful Virginia vista of the Blue Ridge Mountains

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Virginia. The Appalachian mountains through there are stunning. I grabbed a few brochures of fun things to do and hope to come back for a longer, leisurely trip with my husband in the future.

Stick around... I'll be back with WV, SC, and NC soon! In the mean time.. check out my other 50 States of Yoga adventures! Thanks for reading!