MOOOve over allergies.

When my parents moved out to a hobby farm when I was a kid, fall turned into a dreaded time of year.  I suffered from a stuffy nose, itchy watery eyes and low energy. I was that victim you see in all the Clariton commercials who can’t enjoy the outdoors, pet the cat, or garden, etc. In fact, every year the symptoms seemed to get worse. Eventually the move to college came and my family and I all thought my allergies would go away being away from the farm and all, but they didn’t. So for years I had my annual doctors appointment with the allergist and he prescribed me pills and nose sprays.  But, even with the prescription I had major side effects:  drowsiness, dry mouth, itchy skin, constipation, etc.  

Well this year was different.  Now that I am educated that most allergies are caused from food or lack of nutrients AND a lot allergies come from consuming dairy.  I decided to take charge of my own health and not be dependent on the prescription this year.  So I tried eliminating all dairy products.  I have been dairy free now for over 6 months!  AND here is hay-fever season and I’m not going to the doctor.  Now, it was’t easy quitting dairy…once you try you will find out it is in EVERYTHING!  

Tip: When you are eating out, tell the server you are lactose intolerant.  [I know, I was never really 'diagnosed' by a doctor, but hey looks like my body is operating much better without it...so if a server asks "I'm lactose intolerant" today. It makes both of our lives easier anyway.] 

I’m happy to report better health but not perfect health. I am doing a little sniffling and sneezing when I first rise and late into the evening when my body is tried and my immune system is telling me to stop and rest.  I have found some herbs and natural supplements to help:  such as hot pepper spray and herb blends like horsetail, osha root, plantain leaf, licorice root, nettle, etc.  I am looking forward to my results next year, when I will be diary free for over a year!  

Most importantly, I am eating more foods that are helpful in combating environmental allergies, such as: perservative and additive free, high in fiber and rich in vitamins especially high in vitamin A and C foods: asparagus, bell peppers, beets, black beans, broccoli, canatouple, leafy greens, mango, cold-water fish, squash, etc. 

Quercetin-rich foods are also helpful to the diet:  apples (w/skin), blueberries, onion, scallions, and herbal tea.  

Foods rich in protein and high in zinc like sunflower and pumpkin seeds, mushrooms and organic chicken or turkey may also be helpful.    

Foods to avoid:  all dairy, red meat, processed foods, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and fried food.  

And finally, keep those primary foods in check!  Include self care everyday, get your sleep, move your body and avoid stress as much as possible.  Lack of sleep and rest are one of the biggest factors to weakening the immune system and minimizing the systemic support to your body.  When your immune system is down the histamine and other molecules thrive causing you to have itching, sneezing, swelling, redness, nasal drip, and stuffed sinuses.  

Moral of my story, listen to your body. It is communicating to you all the time! 

Want to learn more about the dairy debate: Check out this book, Don’t Drink Your Milk

So what do drink instead of cow’s mink?  Try:  nut milks, such as Almond, rice milk, or hemp milk.  Watch out for soy milk, as it is also mucus forming just like cow’s milk.  

Do you suffer from allergies, try a food elimination diet. Have you already tried, and have a story to share?  Love to hear it, post below.  

Or not sure how to do it… contact me.