Nika and Bailey play hide and seek

Every fall I have suspected that my fibromyalgia is affected by allergies. My symptoms are probably a 9-10 (on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the worst). The rest of the year I’d rate my symptoms as 1-5.
These days, data backs up what I have long believed: there is a strong relationship between fibro and allergies. In fact, the majority of people with either fibromyalgia (FMS) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have classic allergy symptoms, including runny nose, nasal congestion and difficulty sleeping.

Unfortunately, researchers don’t know why they go together. One theory is that the entire central nervous system becomes sensitized (central sensitization) which leads to things like the way the body amplifies pain with FMS, CFS. Others believe that allergies are a risk factor that make you more prone to developing these conditions, especially when combined with genetics and immune system problems.

Basically they are saying, I’ve been predestined to get FMS since the day I was born as I’ve had lifelong allergies. My belief is that allergies are Step 1 in a timeline to developing FMS. Step 2 toward FMS is the silent inflammation that allergies cause. This silent inflammation is caused by gut imbalances which may be traced back to allergy medications and antibiotics.

Step 3 is the damage to your gut caused by this silent inflammation which leads to leaky gut. Step 4 is the overload tothe immune system caused by leaky gut as it deals with an increase in bacteria, toxins and inflammation.

Step 4 is fibromyalgia.

Then what?

Researchers oversimplify the effects of the allergy season on FMS. They say it might disrupt your sleep or cause your muscles to tighten if you are sneezing or coughing a lot.

I don’t think they have a clue. This fall allergy season has been like a nightmare for me. There is not one part of me that hasn’t being affected as the pollen counts have climbed into the extremely high category. To add insult to injury, the fall allergy season is going on weeks beyond normal and the pollen-producing plants are behaving like they are on steroids.

The only “good” thing about all of this is that it has helped crystallize for me that “yes” allergies definitely impact FMS. Every time, pollen counts have dipped a bit I have gotten some relief from my FMS symptoms, along with allergies. Every time pollen counts have risen, the opposite has occurred.

What does this mean for FMS sufferers?

I’m not sure but I do know we should get on the bandwagon to stop climate change. Researchers say climate change is responsible for longer allergy seasons that continue to grow in length each year. I say “get politically active” on this issue.

In the meantime:

•Use your Neti Pot,
•Go outdoors when pollen counts are lower,
•Watch what you eat as anything but a clean diet may make your allergies worse,
•Take your allergy medication if it’s safe for you,
•Stick religiously to your symptom-relief protocol.


Pumpkin flour by Anti-Grain

Pumpkin flour buns

During peak allergy times, I've found it best to stick to an organic, whole foods diet. Fortunately, I am still harvesting produce from my vegetable garden. (No surprise, given our warmer than normal temps.) Recently, I discovered Anti-Grain flours, which are all-organic flours made from pumpkin, butternut squash, apple and sweet potatoes. I decided to try the Pumpkin Flour as it seemed to be the lowest in carbs and fermentation potential.

Pumpkin flour buns, cut in half

I ordered the Anti-Grain Pumpkin Flour from the company's website at http://www.anti-grain.com/products.html

Here's what you need to make five Pumpkin Flour buns:

1/2 cup pumpkin flour
1/2 cup almond flour
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup kefir or other milk beverage or water
olive oil
parchment paper

Here's what you do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix ingredients. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and drizzle with olive oil.
Make five discs of batter on your baking sheet. Make sure the discs are evenly spaced.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Chicken sandwich on pumpkin flour bun

Once the buns are cooled use a sharp knife to cut them in half for sandwich buns or leave them whole, if desired.

Poached egg on pumpkin flour bun toast

http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2015/10/allergy-free-wednesday-188.html

http://www.fibrobloggerdirectory.com/

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Chewing your food properly may help with fibro; campers' brownies

My stomach is upset right now because I didn't chew my food properly this morning. It's bloated and gassy, rumbling, and I'm burping. I was in a hurry as many people are when eating. I swallowed big bites which means I won't get the nutrition from the healthy meal I prepared. Swallowing big bites means improper digestion and all the assorted unpleasant symptoms.

Eating too quickly is a big problem for many people but it is a HUGE problem for someone with fibromyalgia. Those of us with fibro don't have robust digestive systems to begin with. Our digestive tract has been damaged; we lack many digestive enzymes; we have many food intolerances; we suffer from bacterial overgrowths; and we have numerous nutritional deficiencies.

And then, here I go gobbling up my meal. Yes, it takes longer to eat a meal slowly but the benefits our enormous for one's health. Chewing slowly is the beginning of the digestive process. By breaking up food into smaller pieces, your food is more easily digested. That's right, we're not snakes. We can't swallow our food whole and then digest it.
EAT SLOW

Chewing releases saliva which contains digestive enzymes. The longer you chew, the more time these enzymes have to start breaking down your food. All of this makes digestion easier on your body and your body more able to absorb nutrients from the food.

I, of course, have promised many times not to violate the rule: "I will not eat my food quickly." But I've already confessed that I violate this rule when I am in a hurry and/or really hungry.

Every time I violate this rule I am undermining all my other efforts to control my fibro symptoms. Duh! I have a bacterial overgrowth (SIBO and candida). I suppress it by eating the right foods that are chewed properly, not by gulping down my food.

Are you like me? Then, this is what we need to do all the time.

Take smaller bites of food.
Chew slowly
Chew until each bite of food has been liquified or lost all of its texture.
Finish chewing and swallowing completely before taking another bite of food.
Wait to drink fluids until you've swallowed your bite of food.
Don't talk while eating.
Don't eat with your mouth open as you swallow air.

What do you do if you are crunched for time?

Eat just enough to alleviate your hunger.
Save the rest to eat later as a snack.

Campers' brownie

Here's what I'm eating slowly---campers' brownie. You can make it in a skillet over your campfire or on your stove.

Ingredients you will need for one serving:

1 grassfed egg
2 T. flour of your choice (I chose cricket flour because other flours have more fermentation potential)
2 T. farmers cheese or seed or nut butter of choice
2 T. cocoa powder
stevia, to taste
pinch of sea salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup plain kefir, yogurt or dairy beverage of choice
optional: chocolate topping and dollops of your favorite seed or nut butter
1 T. coconut oil