Healing with Allergies, Embracing Life

Claritin 24 hour tabs
Benadryl Liquid Gels
Eternal Naturally Alkaline Water–for re-hydrating and cleansing the body post-allergic reaction.
Now Solutions 100% Shea Butter–to soothe the skin when I have a rash break out during my reaction. Warning! Shea Butter does come from the tree nut, so if you are sensitive to tree nuts, I really don’t recommend it. The only nuts I am sensitive to are peanuts. And of course, nutty people
Epinephrine (Epi-Pen) –I carry this with me at all times.

Relaxing and healing in our favorite cozy spot.

Today I had some accidental exposure to soy while at work. There was a bustling conference of about 30 people zooming around the front lobby I was working in, and they had just ordered a plethora of pizzas, breads, sauces, steaming wings, sandwiches, and more. It wasn’t the first time I’d been around a lot of allergens so I thought I’d be pretty much fine…and I was for a short time. That changed quickly when a few people approached my counter with steaming plates of allergen filled food and asked me for some favors. I served them quickly as I felt my throat tightening from inhalation of the steaming food. I made a run for my allergy medication.

The reaction got severe enough to cause twitching, shaking, numbness in the limbs and chest pains even after the throat swelling went down. I actually sat with my EpiPen in my lap for the first time in months. Right now, I’m bringing myself back to health and a good mindset from the safety of my favorite worn in seat on our cushy couch. After a food allergy scare, I remind myself it’s okay to feel vulnerable and it’s normal to recoil to a safer place. Nourishing myself with freshly made green juice with ginger (natural anti-inflammatory), hot water with lemon, and a comforting plate of buckwheat pilaf is a nice way to return to my spirited self. I find taking some time to heal physically and mentally, or in whatever way suits you best, is more beneficial in the long run than simply trying to play tough and reckless by just “powering through” a reaction and the aftermath. I don’t take my health for granted. Not anymore. I treasure myself.

This video by the Food Allergy Initiative illustrates the life of an extremely food allergic young boy. His father speaks of the importance of being aware, growing as a food allergic individual, and trying to find that sacred balance between being careful and thriving happily. It’s true to say that food allergic children are different from others, but I believe it’s a difference that gives strength eventually, instead of initial fear. A stronger individual emerges from every challenge faced in life, and food allergies are no exception. I have hope for food allergic children (and adults) everywhere, that we will grow brighter in spite of setbacks and supposed limitations. I love this video, and it is very eyeopening to these realities. Let’s rally our strength in hopes of a brighter future for our kids and for a food allergy cure.

Watch the video below, or Click the Link here.

What are your thoughts?

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Sunday

September 2011

Soy in the Produce section

Just a quick post reminding everyone to check their fresh produce for “vegetable wax”–meaning soy based wax coating! I found out firsthand by purchasing a large bag of Sunkist oranges from the Meijer produce section and not thinking I had to read a label for “fresh” fruit. Who would even believe a bag of oranges has an ingredients label? Anyway, as soon as I pulled the bag out of our pantry and started to wash the oranges for juicing, I felt a waxy substance on the peel and a small itch starting in my throat. Sure enough, the back of the back listed vegetable wax on the back and I was popping a Benadryl.

So moral of the story! Check your fresh fruits and vegetables for soy based waxy coatings before you bring them home. And watch out for soy based candles. They are often really pretty and decorative and smell awesome, but trust me, the smoke or even the smell of the candle will set off very sensitive individuals. So I guess what I’m trying to say is…read labels on everything. Even things you never thought HAD an ingredient label.

The bright side of this is that I’ll be buying a lot of local, in season, organic fresh fruits and vegetables from the market =) And there’s nothing wrong with that!

Leaving you with some positivity and a book recommendation– For any young women struggling either with food allergies, depression, or self acceptance, I really recommend Treasure Yourself, by Miranda Kerr. I mentioned last post on how Kerr uses her fame to spread positivity, health, and help to people all over the world. Her book is a great read for young women to learn how to embrace their uniqueness and deal with hardships that most young women will face while growing up. Here’s a positive affirmation written by Kerr that I wanted to share:

“May you treasure and learn to love every unique and incredible part of you. May you allow your soul to shine and your spirit to soar. May you find inner peace in the acceptance of yourself.” –Miranda Kerr

Best wishes and happy Sunday,

Bethany xoxo

In the spirit of fresh, organic fruits and veggies, here is a photo of some baby apples growing on my parents' apple tree in their backyard. They are so sweet, crisp, and delicious this year!

Thursday

September 2011

Earthquakes, thunderstorms, and the mystery culprit.

It seems my life has been a bit of a tornado lately, and I haven’t had much time to post. Well, actually it’s been more like an earthquake…literally. Last week, I thought I was just feeling woozy after a double whammy (gluten and soy attack in the same day), but apparently a 5.8 or 5.9 earthquake hit part of Virginia today and the aftershocks shook our brick apartment building here in Ann Arbor! I was surprised to hear that someone as far as the Netherlands felt some shaking afterward too. Glad I didn’t have to add “earthquake-y feeling” to my soy reaction symptoms =D That one would have the doctors even more puzzled…

This week, I’m finally starting to put a small bit of weight back on, as my body is healing and I’m beginning to absorb nutrients correctly again. As I understand, soy can attack the villi of the small intestine in the same way that gluten can attack it in Celiac Disease. I’ve been taking some extra vitamins to help the healing process and was thrilled when Nature’s Bounty company responded to my inquiry regarding the use of soy in their letter vitamins. They responded with full details about allergen standards and cleaning processes to assure me that no cross contamination was present. If you would like the full disclosure they sent me, please email me at sprinklesandallergies@gmail.com, or leave a comment at the end of this post. Nature’s Bounty was super helpful. Be sure to read the labeling on each product though, since some of their non letter vitamins may contain soy, gluten, or other allergens. I am currently taking the C-500 with Rosehips and the B-12 dissolving tablets without reactions.

I wish it was as easy to contact and receive response from every company as it was with Nature’s Bounty. I’ve had to stop writing this post three times already today to try and get my latest soy reaction in check. You would probably have a difficult time guessing what the culprit was. I couldn’t figure it out myself for the last few weeks.

I’d been dealing with small to moderate soy reactions a few times this past week, but the worst showed itself yesterday and today. Here’s the scoop: I was using Meijer brand eggs in my allergen free Browine and Blondie mixes. About 10-30 minutes after eating said sweets, moderate reactions bubbled up and I was in the Benadryl zone for the next 8 hours while my body attempted to rid itself of the offending food. As I thought back, I realized that each time I had eaten Meijer brand chicken or eggs, I’d experienced soy symptoms. Though I have not confirmed it with Meijer, I suspect that they are using soy feed in their chickens. It’s absolutely crazy the places you find this stuff.

Yesterday (obviously before today’s realization), I ate two Brownies made using Meijer eggs and had quite an off night during the raging thunderstorm. I took two Benadryl to control the reactions over the course of 8 hours, and still had to take another one before hitting the sack. Upon waking, I was feeling much better and decided to treat myself to a Brownie for breakfast (C’mon, don’t judge! ) Shortly after, I felt a lump in my throat and the familiar stomach swelling. And it was Benadryl to the rescue again, before things could get out of hand. (On a side tangent, Benadryl is seriously awesome and works for me within 10 seconds. I bite open the liquid-gels before I swallow them for faster absorption. Whoever invented this stuff totally rocks…even though it rocks me to sleep). Long story short, I had to stop writing this entry 4 times due to the reactions from Meijer eggs in my allergen free mix. Moral of story and new mission: Find soy free eggs stat! And chicken for that matter. I’m wondering if anyone else has these problems, or if I’m just ultra sensitive. Let me know if you’ve reacted or what you think in the poll box, or leave a comment below.

As luck would have it, a new follower of my twitter page ( https://www.bethyglutenfree.twitter.com ) named @soyfreeeggs links to a site called http://www.soyfreeegg.com which has information regarding a completely soy free egg. I have yet to order or try it out, but I plan to contact them within the next few weeks to see where their products are distributed. I’m hoping anywhere in Michigan is on the list. But for now, I’m off to cook some herb encrusted broiled steaks while my boyfriend cooks his delicious Belarusian style fried potatoes. This hearty meal should help us both fight off this nasty cold we’ve had for a week… I’ll list the recipe for the steaks coming up in one the next few posts.

Next post: Soy free, gluten free Makeup!! I finally found it!!

Stay well, let your light shine,

xoxo Bethany

P.s. Here’s a few pictures from my cousin’s beautiful wedding at Cranbrook House and Gardens in late July. The meal I had was a gluten free quinoa dish that was absolutely fabulous. The best part is, it was also soy free as I was sans reaction.