I guess I really believe in this stuff

Last week I was talking to a co-worker about the issue I was having with food allergies (hives) and she asked what I was going to do about it. When I tried to explain the 'voo-doo' doctor I see, she said "so I guess you really believe in this stuff then." Which made me think. And well . . . . I guess I do.

I see an acupuncturist who is also a NAET practitioner. NAET stands for Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques and I've been getting treatments for a couple years. I call it 'voo-doo' because it sounds weird and it is weird and if you google it, you will find all kinds of information on how it's fake.

But I have experienced relief from my allergies. And they were severe. I was basically allergic to nature. Most trees, pollens, flowers, grasses, molds, etc. My primary care doctor asked me for a few years if I was ready to see an allergist. Then the allergist told me that my allergies would only continue to get worse and there would come a time that I would consider the effort shots would take. He was right. I got to that point. That point where dealing with my allergies got so bad, it was worth making an effort to fix them.

I told myself I would go in with an open mind and would reserve judgement for four treatments. After four treatments, I would decide if it was working or if I would start the shot regimen. Lying on the mat after my first treatment, I could breathe fully through both nostrils. I had not been able to do that in so long, I had forgotten what it felt like. So much air. So easily.

And I kept going and now I no longer take any medication and have no symptoms most of the time. (When I went on vacation to another state, I ended up having horrible congestion from a whole other group of plants that I didn't bother getting treated for. So I got treated and when I went back the next year, no allergies.) I love NAET. It works for me. So I guess I do really believe in this stuff.

Charlotte, NC

Where I decide that if given a choice, I will not choose Embassy Suites.

The week leading up to this trip was quite frustrating. I broke out in hives (an allergic reaction to food junk) and in addition to being so very itchy, I couldn't figure out what to stay away from to make it better.

After 2 hours of acupuncture, I finally felt some reprieve and had a plan to eat only protein shakes and non processed foods.

When I got to Charlotte, my co-worker informed me that she forgot her laptop. Which makes sense. I can't eat, she can't work. We're a great pair.

The embassy suites was the closet to our work location which is why I chose it. The first room they put me in smelled so much like smoke I had to call the front desk and ask if this was a smoking room. Apparently it was not so I kindly asked if they had another room available (If not, I would suck it up) and thank goodness they did. But now I sit in my smell free room with an AC running non stop and not actually changing the temperature in the room.

What I forgot: wifi hotspot, water filter.

Lavender and Lemon and Peppermint, Oh My!

A couple of months ago, a friend of mine introduced me to essential oils. I borrowed her book and read a bunch about different things that pertained to me. At first, I ordered a few simply for aromatherapy. As I started using them for things that the book recommended, I realized that applying them topically and taking them internally actually worked. Three of the most common are also the ingredients in the allergy bomb (which I use often). In addition to the lavender, lemon and peppermint “blend” lavender has been my go to for everything. Bug bite -> lavender. Kitty scratch -> lavender. Mild sunburn -> lavender. Dry skin -> lavender. You get my point. I have used more lavender than any other oil that I have on hand.

Another friend of mine has long suffered from acid reflux. I read several places that lemon essential oil can be used to raise the body’s alkalinity, which will help reduce acid reflux. And after a few days of taking it, she shared with me that it was working. Which of course I was really excited about.

The “kit” I bought as an introduction has several other oils that I’m experimenting with and will (hopefully) remember to write more as I learn.

North Carolina Recap

On my flight to North Carolina I got to ride on a pretty newer plane, a Boeing 737-800, with LED lighting. Quite frankly, I'm just so incredibly happy any time I don't have to get on an MD-80. I did not notice before I got on the plane that my assigned seat was the first main cabin row. Which means no seat in front of you for storage. My boy-scout preparedness is not okay with having to stow all my stuff. I didn't want to continue getting up since I was the window seat so I got out what I thought I would need. Headphones, phone, water . . . . . . the hour we spent sitting on the tarmac gave me plenty of time to think about what else I wish I had gotten out. Gum. Chapstick. My laptop to watch a movie to kill some freakin time.

When I got to RDU airport, I picked up my car from National and I do like their just-pick-it-out-and-go set up. (No waiting on that hotel shuttle this time!) I picked out a cute little charcoal gray Toyota Corolla. I'm not sure of the year but I'm sure it's new and it was clean and smelled good so I was happy. I told myself that I would be prepared and would have my phone GPS pulled up BEFORE I drove anywhere so this time I didn't get lost. (Which I did the last time I came here and rented a car. A couple times.) I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn near the airport since I knew how to get to work from there and really, that's important. My room was spacious, everything worked and there was no mold in the shower. (Such high expectations.)

Monday night, I had the worst sinus pressure headache and quickly realized I had forgotten my first aid kit (seriously, how could I forget that!!) I took all of the sinus pills I had in my purse in an attempt to think straight and luckily it worked.  When I took out my contacts (since I was overdosing on decongestants) I discovered I had also forgot my glasses. (Ugh)

Wednesday night, I got back to the hotel just as a thunderstorm was rolling in. I sat in the restaurant/bar area and watched the sky turned black and opened up. Within minutes of ordering my dinner, the power went out. In the hotel. The whole hotel. No power in the whole hotel. They had a couple emergency lights but the majority of light came from what was coming in the windows. After about half an hour and two beers, I went back to my room to wait until the kitchen was open again. About 9 PM, room service knocked on my room door to bring me the food I had ordered earlier and woke me up. Which was really so very nice, both for bringing me dinner and for waking me up because I had NOT intended to be asleep! All in all, the power was out for 3 hours and even the next morning, there were roads closed from debris.

Thursday at lunch I ran into two co-workers (neither of whom are located in NC) which was fun and we went to dinner that night.

What I forgot to pack: first aid kit , socks and glasses