Less pain with better posture; paleo pumpkin pie bites

Bailey, the cat, uses a leftover Christmas present box for a hideout

Bailey, the cat, is just like human kids when it comes to boxes. They can be transformed into anything your imagination wants.  He makes them into hideouts from which he springs out to surprise passersby (the dog fur kids). That's when the chase game begins.

Paleo pumpkin pie mini pie

Less pain with better posture is my goal this year. I have always strived for good posture but fibromyalgia flareups have set me back in my efforts. I recently had a month+-long flareup but have gradually gotten better. However, the flareup left me with increased upper body pain, especially in my shoulders and arms.

I have found some things that help me that you might want to try. One is Essentrics mini-workouts. You can find them for free on the internet at this link: http://www.essentrics.com/media.html 
 
I especially recommend the posture mini-workout to relieve your upper body pain and begin to improve your posture. You can do this mini-workout as often as you like for relief from pain. I always find my pain can be reduced if I am elongating my body with good posture. The mini-workout is gentle and soothing too.

Another one of my picks for reduced pain and improved posture is the Align Me Posture Bra at http://www.alignmed.com/shop/women/alignme-interactive-bra-seamless.html  
They also make a posture shirt which I haven't tried.

I wear this bra while exercising. It helps keep me in the proper position. I do find that the bra becomes uncomfortable after several hours of wearing do to the pressure panels. That's why I limit how much I wear it but it does help, especially during exercising when you need to concentrate on so many things like breathing, proper positioning, etc.

Here's my pick for a simple, clean paleo dessert or snack: Paleo Pumpkin Pie Bites or Mini Pies.
These pumpkin pie bites are suitable for the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol too.

What you need for 8 mini-bites or pies:

1 can organic pumpkin puree or 2 cups fresh pumpkin puree
2 T. coconut oil
2 T. grassfed gelatin
sweetener of choice
pinch of salt
1 T. cinnamon 
1/4 tsp. ground ginger or cloves (These are optional.)

What you do:

 Put all the ingredients (except gelatin) in a saucepan. Heat until coconut oil melted. Then add in gelatin and continue cooking on low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and place the mixture in mini-ramekins or in 8 sections of a cupcake pan (silicon works well). Refrigerate until firm. Then enjoy!

 I like eating these mini-bites made in a cupcake pan for snacks. Yum!

http://vegetarianmamma.com/gluten-free-fridays-175-happy-new-year/ 

 http://www.phoenixhelix.com/2015/12/30/paleo-aip-recipe-roundtable-102/#more-21976

Surviving the holidays; plus pumpkin pie with pumpkin flour crust

Make a pumpkin pie with ingredients you can eat

I’ve always enjoyed the holidays but found them stressful as I tried to create the perfect, magical holiday. Now that I have fibromyalgia, I approach the holidays from a new perspective. I’ve let go of the “have-to’s” and kept only the traditions and activities I really love.

I can’t blame this new philosophy all on fibromyalgia as I already was headed in the direction of simplifying the holidays. I call it my “keep it simple” (KISS) rule for the holidays and for life, in general. I recommend that everyone give himself/herself a “KISS” and start really enjoying the holidays.

K—Kick away guilt and expectations for a perfect holiday.

No one can do it all and have anything left over for himself/herself. This is especially true if you have a chronic illness like fibromyalgia. Individuals with fibro have so many additional things they have to do on a daily basis just to manage their symptoms. You want to stick with these things to prevent a flare-up which might occur with the stress of being a holiday overachiever.

Decide what things you really want to do and kick away the rest.

I---Invent or create new traditions.

Maybe it’s time to let go of the past and change your holiday traditions.  You don’t need to cook up a huge feast for Thanksgiving. Instead, keep your meal simple. Tell your guests you’ll prepare the turkey and they can bring the side dishes. Or instead, go on an outing on Thanksgiving and make that your holiday celebration.

Enjoy time with your furry friends

S—Spend time with family and friends.

Spend the holidays with people you truly enjoy. Family and friends who understand your situation will embrace this new way of celebrating with you. Leave the gripers behind.

S----Seize the moment.

Plan ahead so you can enjoy every moment and be more relaxed. Make a list of what’s important but give yourself permission to modify the list if you don’t feel well. Or better yet, enlist some help from other family or friends.

Remember if you stick to the “KISS” rule, you’ll be more likely to take care of you (which should be your first priority) and enjoy the holidays at a relaxed pace.

Pumpkin pie made with pumpkin flour from Anti-Grain

 I love baked goods as much as anyone but I must avoid grains for health reasons. I consider the new “flour” offerings from Anti-Grain to be a holiday gift to folks like me. Anti-Grain flours are made from apples, pumpkin, butternut squash and sweet potatoes which are far from the “grains” most of us think of.

Anti-Grain pumpkin flour is my personal favorite. A one-pound package costs $16.99. The flour is made from more than 90 percent pumpkin flesh plus pumpkin seeds for added protein and fiber. A one-quarter cup serving contains 102 calories which includes 20 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber and 4 grams protein. You can purchase the pumpkin flour or other Anti-Grain flours at www.anti-grain.com or www.amazon.com.

I cooked up a delicious pumpkin pie using the Anti-Grain pumpkin flour. I tweaked the pumpkin pie recipe I found on the Anti-Grain website. You can find lots of other recipes on the website to use your Anti-Grain flours.

Pumpkin Flour Crust Pumpkin Pie

For a pie crust:

¾ cup pumpkin flour

1 cup almond flour
stevia or sweetener of choice

1 T. coconut oil or olive oil

¼ tsp. sea salt

¼ tsp. ginger

¼ tsp. cinnamon

1 large egg

For the filling:

1 can pumpkin puree (15 ounces)

½ cup milk beverage of choice
optional: 1/4-1/2 cup sunbutter or nutbutter of choice

3 large eggs plus 1 yolk

¼ tsp. salt

1 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. nutmeg

¼ tsp. cloves

¼ tsp. cardamom

½ cup sugar

Crust preparation:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix crust ingredients in a food processor. Press “dough” in an 8-9-inch pie pan or you can use an 8-inch square pan as I did.  Bake crust 10-15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow cooling for 10 minutes. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes.

Filling preparation:

While the crust is in the freezer, prepare the filling. Mix the filling in a large bowl. Pour filling into the pie pan once the crust is cooled. Bake the pie at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Turn off the oven, crack the oven door and allow the pie to cool.

Serve with your favorite pumpkin pie topping.

Article submitted to :
http://www.fibrobloggerdirectory.com/

Cleaning up mold may help fibro; plus easy mock cinnamon rolls

Every fall I face my toughest allergy adversary: mold. This almost indestructible foe may be the hidden link behind fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) as some studies suggest.

For the past five years or so, I’ve had a formidable weapon to deal with indoor mold. The WhiteWing Steamer Vapor Steam Cleaner has served me well in battling mold which can leave me, a severe mold sufferer, as weak as Superman with kryptonite.

Mold allergy can be a problem year-round unlike other allergies which tend to be a nuisance during the growing seasons. However, mold allergy gets worse during the fall and winter because it seems like the majority of wetter weather happens in those seasons. Mold thrives in damp, cooler climates.

The WhiteWing Steamer was a perfect gift for a year-round allergy sufferer like me. According to WhiteWing materials, the steamer …

·  Destroys germs, viruses, dust mites, mold and bacteria

·  Removes grease and dirt better than chemical cleaners

·  Removes soap and mildew from bathrooms, tiles and grout

·  Removes grease from kitchen floors, counters and appliances

·  Sanitizes and disinfects nurseries and pet areas

·  Cleans upholstery, drapes and bedding

·  Deodorizes all cleaned surfaces

·  Cleans windows and glass

·  Quickly cleans sealed hardwood floors and other flat floor surfaces

·  Dissolves and emulsifies calcium, grease and more.

 If I am persistent about using it, I always having a healthier winter with less sinus problems, fibro pain and other symptoms. The WhiteWing is supposed to kill mold but apparently, there is always more waiting to be reactivated by the right conditions. 

Two hairy, but loveable, culprits who help bring mold inside

Mold spores are persistent, opportunistic little creatures. Active mold produces microscopic spores in enor­mous quantities which are spread by air currents—meaning they are almost always there waiting for the right conditions to reproduce. Extreme cold, freez­ing and heat can deactivate spores but it does not kill them. They are resistant to desiccation (drying out). If temperatures go up after a cold spell, spores can reactivate and continue to grow.

All of this means you have your work cut out for you to keep these demonic little creatures at a level that you can tolerate for your allergies and related symptoms.

Some of the symptoms of mold allergy include:

•           Fatigue

•           Weakness

•           Aches

•           Muscle cramps

•           Unusual pain

•           Ice pick pain

•           Headache

•           Light sensitivity

•           Blurred vision

•           Sinus problems

•           Digestive problems

•           Joint pain

•           Morning stiffness

•           Memory problems

•           Focus/concentration problems

•           Mood swings

•           Increased urination

The conditions that mold loves have already arrived in my area. You can probably guess I have been busy steaming up a storm with my trusty WhiteWing.

As usual, I start with the bathrooms. They can be a breeding ground for mold because let’s face it, showers and such leave behind plenty of moisture. I do try to reduce the amount of moisture by towel drying the shower after each use. This works pretty well during the warmer months but once fall arrives, the mold thrives despite my efforts.

I steam clean the tile, the shower doors, the bathtubs, the floors, the counters, and anything and everything where moisture lands and mold can grow. The bathrooms look hospital clean after I get done steaming and it’s all done without harsh cleaners.

Each steaming session lasts about two hours before the WhiteWing needs a refill of distilled water. My next stop is the kitchen, a breeding ground for mold, grit, grime, bacteria and germs. I’m really into my cleaning rhythm at this point but I still like to spread the kitchen job over several days because there are so many areas to clean including counters, cabinets, shelves, sink, stovetop hood, stove exterior, tile splashboard and floors.

The White Wing allows me to kill a lot of mold with just steam but occasionally, I pull out a bottle of Simple Green all-purpose cleaner and spray an area before steaming it. The two make a formidable cleaning pair.

During the next session, I focus on cleaning the refrigerator and dishwasher.  I am always surprised by the mold which hides in the refrigerator door gaskets. After a few days of cleaning, I have defeated a lot of mold, dust mites, germs and bacteria. And to think, I do it all with steam and no harsh cleaners.

Mock cinnamon rolls/crepes

All this steam cleaning has helped me with my mold allergies and to get ready for holiday company. I'm still waiting for the outside mold to get stunned by freezing temps and snow. 

I’ve also been experimenting with holiday treats that I can make without starches or sugars. You’re probably wondering how it can be a treat without starches or sugars. It’s not easy and you also have to retrain your palate but you do what you have to do to feel as well as possible.

Crepe-like dough with yogurt cream cheese

I was pretty happy with my mock cinnamon rolls. They are built around a crepe-like dough. They are grain and sugar free but use eggs and yogurt. You can use whatever yogurt works for you but I make lactose-free yogurt from organic cow’s milk.

Here’s what you need for the “dough” or crepe:

2 organic eggs

¼ cup farmer’s cheese or sub almond flour for dairy-free

1 T. water

Pinch of sea salt

½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. grassfed gelatin

1 T. olive oil

Here’s what you need for filling:

1 cup yogurt cream cheese
see here for directions http://catsinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2015/11/mold-allergy-may-be-hidden-cause-of.html;
 must be prepared 12 hours or more ahead.

Stevia or other sweetener, to taste

Cinnamon for dusting

Crepe with "cream cheese" and dusting of cinnamon

Here’s what you do:

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and drizzle with olive oil. Mix the “dough/crepe” ingredients. Pour the dough on the baking sheet. Spread it out a bit although it will continue spreading during baking. Bake until firm and slightly crispy, about 10-12 minutes.

This how you roll it up

In the meantime, mix your filling. Once the crepe is slightly cooled, spread the filling all over one side. Dust with cinnamon. The amount depends on how much you love cinnamon.

Roll up the crepe lengthwise. Spread on top more yogurt cream cheese dusted with cinnamon. Cut into serving-size pieces and serve with additional "cream cheese" or yogurt or kefir.

Submitted to:  http://www.fibrobloggerdirectory.com/

Rolled up and ready to eat

Mold allergy may be hidden cause of fibro and more; plus carrot cake cupcakes

Bailey, the cat, on the job in the shop

Allergies mean sneezing, sniffling, watery eyes, itchy ears, right? Most people think of those typical symptoms when you mention allergies. But sometimes allergies present themselves in a more clandestine manner. Sometimes allergic reactions are the cause of fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, depression, sinus infections and more. I call this “allergies gone extreme.” Not everyone agrees with this theory but there is a growing body of evidence to support the link.

The connection between allergies, especially mold allergy, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FMS) is one of the most interesting to me. I suffer from mold allergy and FMS.
There are many symptoms for mold allergy but interestingly, they correspond to those exhibited by individuals with CFS and FMS. They include:

·         Fatigue

·         Weakness

·         Aches

·         Muscle cramps

·         Unusual pain

·         Ice pick pain

·         Headache

·         Light sensitivity

·         Blurred vision

·         Sinus problems

·         Digestive problems

·         Joint pain

·         Morning stiffness

·         Memory problems

·         Focus/concentration problems

·         Mood swings

·         Increased urination

 (Get more info about mold allergy here: http://www.survivingmold.com/mold-symptoms?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SurvivingMold_EmailMarketing)

Research suggests that being an allergic person may predispose you to CFS and FMS. Both disorders seem to be associated with over-reactivity of certain parts of the immune system, just like allergies. 

Researchers have found that more than half of CFS and FMS sufferers have allergies. And a significant proportion of people with CFS and FMS have mold sensitivity which is a big cause of fatigue and muscle aches.
  
 Treating allergies is an important part of treating these two disorders. Individuals usually see their fatigue and other symptoms improve when their allergies improve. I found this to be true. My flare-ups occur when my allergies are at their worst. 
  
How do you control mold allergies?

Allergy to molds is a year-round problem, unlike other allergies that may only be present during pollen season. Molds live everywhere and especially flourish in damp, cooler climates.

Mold allergies can get worse during the fall and winter, especially if you live in an area where the majority of the wetter weather happens during those seasons. Some areas, like Hawaii, will have high mold levels year-round.

Your best defense to lessening your exposure to mold is to be vigilant. However, it is not possible to completely avoid mold in most areas as it thrives indoors and outdoors.

Molds grow on fallen leaves, rotting logs, compost piles, grasses and grains. Indoors, fungi can be found in damp areas, such as basements, bathrooms and kitchens.

Here are some lessons I have learned about avoiding mold:

·         Avoid climates with increased humidity and rainfall.

·         Frequently clean kitchens and bathrooms to remove mold and mildew. Pay particular attention to showers and refrigerators. Don’t forget to clean the refrigerator door gaskets where molds hide.

·         Use central air conditioning with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters. It will help trap some of the mold spores.

·         Keep the humidity level in your home below 45 percent.

·         Be vigilant about cleaning up damp areas in your home.

·         Clean garbage pails often.

·         Use a cleaning solution made of one ounce laundry bleach per quart of water.

·         Consider purchasing a steam-cleaning device, which can kill mold and make cleaning faster and easier.

 Here is what I have been cooking this week: Mini-Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Yogurt Frosting (gluten-free with grain-free options)

 Ingredients: (makes 2-3 mini-cupcakes)

1/4 C flour (I use blend of almond flour and Anti-Grain pumpkin flour; or use your favorite gluten-free blend.)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/8 tsp. sea salt

1 egg 

stevia, to taste

1/3 cup cooked, pureed carrots

1 T. kefir or milk of choice

1 T. oil (olive oil or your choice)

1/4 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

Set out 3 silicon cupcake liners or 2 ramekins. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in food processor or by hand. Pour into containers. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove to cool.

 For the frosting:
1/4 cup yogurt cream cheese or your substitute, such as plain Greek yogurt
Dash of salt, vanilla and stevia.

To make the yogurt cream cheese:

 Spoon four ounces of plain yogurt (preferably homemade and lactose free) into a fine-mesh strainer. Place over another container. Allow to set for 8-12 hours or more as the liquid whey separates and leaves a thick cream-cheese like yogurt behind.

Article shared here:
http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2015/11/allergy-free-wednesday-192.html

http://www.fibrobloggerdirectory.com/ 

 http://vegetarianmamma.com/gluten-free-fridays-167-goodbye-gluten-hello-delicious-recipes/

Kefir: better than medicine; plus chocolate pumpkin candy bars

 

  Healing illness from the gut out has always been one of my beliefs. Seventy-five percent or more of our immunity resides in our digestive system. If we can heal our guts, we can absorb the nutrition our body needs to function properly. Seems simple, right? 

Unfortunately, it's not so simple for those of us with fibromyalgia and other chronic illnesses who have majorly screwed up guts. Some things work and others don't. The only thing you can do is keep trying. But Hippocrates was right on with his famous quote: "Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food."

Homemade kefir culturing on counter

Recently, I started making homemade kefir. I had tried it once before but then I broke my wrist. I had to ditch the project. With both wrists intact now, I've rediscovered cultured kefir, one of the most probiotic-rich foods on earth. It may help you beat colds and flu, lessen allergies and asthma, and heal chronic illnesses, like fibromyalgia. In studies, kefir has either done as well as or outperformed antibiotics when treating illnesses. With its amazing medicinal properties, no surprise, its name comes from the Turkish word for “good feeling.”

What really impresses me is this fermented milk drink when homemade contains up to 35 strains of good bacteria and yeast compared to yogurt which has just a few and bottled kefir which has 10 strains plus some unwanted ingredients like sugar and thickeners. It’s a complete food which contains high levels of vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, vitamin K2, biotin, folate, enzymes and probiotics.

Some of its benefits can definitely help those of us with fibromyalgia. They include:

·         Boosts immunity

·         Fights allergies

·         Supports detoxification

·         Lessens asthma symptoms

·         Heals bowel disease such as  Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

·         Improves lactose digestion.

Wouldn’t it be great if eating a bacteria-rich food like kefir could help you beat illness, like fibro, and feel better overall? Our digestive systems play host to trillions of good bacteria. But we eat poor diets and take antibiotics which wrecks up our perfect balance of good and bad bacteria. All of this leads to digestive issues and immune system problems. 

We don’t want that if we want to be healthy. Kefir can be our medicine too. Studies have shown that kefir whey neutralizes most pathogenic bacteria within 24 hours. 

King Bailey on his favorite blanket

What kefir does the best job of keeping you well? Homemade works best as I have found out. I have been drinking plain bottled kefir for several years with some health benefits but nothing compared to what I experienced after making and drinking homemade kefir. 

My experience confirmed studies I read that showed homemade kefir has strong anti-inflammatory properties which can heal IBS, IBD and allergies. Those of us with fibro know all about those problems.

You can make homemade kefir from cow, goat or sheep milk. You need kefir grains which can be purchased from various websites such as www.culturesforhealth.com. Get a gallon of milk to start. Organic whole milk or raw milk, if available, will work. Follow the directions that come with the kefir grains to start fermenting your own supply of this super food.

One word of caution: you may need to build up your "tolerance" to kefir.  Some people thrive on kefir right from the start and others may need to proceed more slowly. Start with about four ounces or less and build up to eight ounces per day.

Chocolate Pumpkin Candy Bars 

 Here's what you need:

1 cup of coconut oil, melted

4 T. cocoa powder

1/4 tsp. salt

stevia, to taste

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Combine the above ingredients and pour into a 8 X 8-inch square pan, lined with parchment paper. Place in the fridge to firm up the mixture a bit.

You also will need for the pumpkin swirl:

2 T. pumpkin puree

1/4 cup sunflower seed butter or alternative

pinch of salt

a little water to thin out the mixture, if needed

Mix the pumpkin swirl ingredients until smooth. Spoon the mixture onto the chocolate before it completely firm up. Return to the fridge until bars are firm and ready to cut.

http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2015/10/allergy-free-wednesday-191.html
 http://vegetarianmamma.com/gluten-free-fridays-166-hello-delicious-recipes/

Love healthy fats; chocolate pumpkin fudge

Chocolate pumpkin fudge

There are so many reasons to love my favorite fat--- olive oil. Along with other healthy fats, it can reduce silent inflammation, the root cause of chronic disease; lessen your pain; and help you lose weight, all of which are important to those with fibromyalgia.

Extra virgin olive oil---my favorite fat

You’re probably thinking but how can this be true. Doesn’t fat make you fat? The truth is healthy fat does not make you fat. Our bodies need fat to perform many functions for good health. Our brains are 60 percent fat. Our cells are encased in fat. If we avoid fat, we fail to replenish essential nutrients needed by the body.

Not all fats are created equally. Omega 3 and 6 polyunsaturated fats are essential. They are not produced by the body. We must get them from our diet as they are a significant part of almost all cell membranes.Olive oil, my favorite, along with flaxseed oil, coconut oil and ghee are some of the healthiest fats.

Sunflower seed butter and coconut oil---also favorites

 Olive oil, however, is in a class by itself. It is neither an omega 3 or 6 but rather an omega 9 with the highest concentration of monounsaturated fats of any edible oils This makes it one of the healthiest oils there is.
 If those aren’t enough reasons, now there is another reason to “hug this healthy fat.”A new study suggests that women can dramatically reduce their risk of breast cancer by following a version of the Mediterranean diet that goes heavy on extra virgin olive oil.


Women who followed such a diet were 62 percent less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than women who simply reduced the overall amount of fat in their diets, according to the results of a randomized clinical trial published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.


The focus of the clinical trial originally started out to assess the cardiovascular benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and olive oil. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups – Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil, Mediterranean diet supplemented with mixed nuts, or a regular low-fat diet. After studying nearly 7,500 people for about five years, the researchers had compelling evidence that those who were on either type of Mediterranean diet had better heart health than their counterparts who weren't.

Researchers also tracked the incidence of breast cancer in the women participants in the study. The results once again showed the amazing benefits of olive oil. The risk of being diagnosed with invasive breast cancer was lowest in women who were on the Mediterranean diet with additional extra virgin olive oil---1.1 cases per 1,000 person-years or 68 percent lower. The highest rate in those women studied was for those who were advised to eat less fat – 2.9 cases for every 1,000 person-years. That compared to a diagnosis rate of 1.8 cases per 1,000 person-years for women who were on the Mediterranean diet with extra nuts.

The women in the extra virgin olive oil, Mediterranean diet group got 22 percent of their total calories from the oil, on average, but getting at least 15 percent of calories from the oil could provide significant protection, according to researchers.


Lesson from this study: women have nothing to lose – and potential much to gain – by eating more like the people in the Mediterranean.

 I use olive oil at every meal, especially as the main ingredient in my salad dressing. But two of my other favorite fats are coconut oil and sunbutter. Here is a recipe for one of my favorite treats featuring these two fats---Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge.

What you need for 5-6 mini-servings:
2 T. pumpkin puree
2 T. sunflower seed butter
2 T. cocoa powder
¼ cup coconut oil
½ tsp. stevia
Pinch of salt
Optional: 1/8 tsp. cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

What you do:
Melt oil and sunflower seed butter in a small saucepan. Add other ingredients and blend. Pour into a small loaf pan lined with parchment paper. Place in the fridge until firm. Cut into pieces. Serve as it is or topped with a bit of chocolate sauce.

http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2015/10/allergy-free-wednesday-187.html 

 http://www.fibrobloggerdirectory.com/

Do seasonal allergies trigger flares? Plus easy frappuccino recipe

Five-lake view while hiking to Ruffneck Peak

Can a change of season with its accompanying seasonal allergies trigger a flare up of your digestive and fibro symptoms? I say a definitive "yes." Every year in May and again in late August to early September, I experience a predictable flare up. Perhaps, you experience the same unpleasant phenomenom. I have searched for answers as to why this occurs but more importantly, how to prevent these flares.  (Please participate in my informal poll on the left-hand side of this page to find out how many experience seasonal flares.)

 Can A Change Of Season Cause a Flare?

People with all kinds of autoimmune diseases, ranging from ulcerative colitis to Graves' Thyroid Disease, have noticed they have a flare when the weather changes in the fall or spring. There is a theory that links these seasonal flare-ups to seasonal allergies.

Allergies are your immune system's response to an allergen. Throw in your autoimmune disease and your immune system goes haywire. Your body may start mistaking things you were okay with before as invaders. The result is the flare up of your symptoms.

I have had flare ups, especially of stomach symptoms, for years in the spring and fall. The fall flare up is the one from hell. I cannot take regular allergy meds so I try to do what I can to minimize these flares---keeping stress low, sticking with my regular routine, eating a clean diet, getting lots of rest. Even so, it is what it is.

What types of things do you do to minimize your flares?

Making toast the rustic way while backpacking

Here's why we may experience flares?


First of all, studies show that most people with all kinds of autoimmune disorders have allergies. So, there is definitely an allergy connection. Many also have bowel, digestive disorders.


When allergies are at their worst (e.g. during spring and fall), our mast cells get activated. They in turn release all kinds of stuff, including leukotrienes. These leukotrienes attract a type of white blood cells called eosinophils.

These special white blood cells are ready to do battle with an invading allergen but in the process they release four chemicals that are toxic to the body. In studies of individuals with IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease), these toxic substances are found in their stools in greater amounts than they are in people without IBD.


Not everyone with autoimmune disorders reports a spring, fall connection to flare ups but there are plenty of us who do.  Studies have also shown that elevated IgE and eosinophil levels directly correlate with the severity of symptoms and the occurrence of relapses in patients with Graves' disease, an autoimmune hyperthyroid disease.

Easy-to-make frappuccino

 I am still dealing with my fall flare up as I am most allergic to sagebrush which is producing pollen like crazy in my area. What am I experiencing? My stomach is super sensitive; my eyes, nose and throat are irritated 24/7; and my pain is worse.

As I mentioned before, I am digging in my heels and sticking to my regular routine. I am especially monitoring what I eat,so I guess I won't be eating one of these delicious frappuccinos for awhile.

Here's what you need to make one:

1 cup yogurt or milk beverage of your choice (I used full-fat, lactose-free yogurt)
1 1/2 T. cocoa
smidge of vanilla
pinch of sea salt
1/4 cup cold coffee

Here's what you do:

Blend the above ingredients in your blender. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays to freeze. When ready to eat, remove the frozen cubes and blend again in your blender. Add a bit of additional cold coffee or milk beverage, if desired, to hasten the blending process.

Enjoy with a dollop of yogurt on top drizzled with chocolate sauce. I make my chocolate sauce by blending 1/4 cup melted coconut oil with 2 T. cocoa powder and stevia, to taste. Use a bit for a drizzle and save the rest to make homemade chocolate chips by hardening the mixture in the fridge.

 http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2015/09/allergy-free-wednesday-185.html
 http://www.fibrobloggerdirectory.com/