Allergies

Posted by Samantha Rufle

Anything that we can do as patients to help out doctor get closer to helping us is great, I think. Too many times we go into a doctors office for answers and walk out with drugs. The key to being truly healthy is to research, experiment and have a close relationship with a good (and I mean good) doctor.

Just because a rash or a severe reaction to a food doesn't occur doesn't mean that you do not have some sort of sensitivity to foods. Years of eating foods that our body doesn't utilize properly can lead to serious health problems if we don't take proactive approach to our diet and health.

Some extra tips to use when attempting an elimination diet.

Try eliminating sugar. We can become very sensitive to it and it can affect everything from our mood, stomach and skin.

Plan ahead for the whole time. Write up menus. Make shopping lists.

Remind yourself that this is only temporary and take it one say at a time.

Good luck and I hope this is helpful for you!

Posted by Samantha Rufle

I have noticed that many people are at the very least sensitive to latex. I have a good friend that is severely allergic to latex and interestingly enough, works in a hospital. I think that I have gotten an itchy sensation from latex as well. Another friend of mine got a rash from a band aid. She is not really sure what prompted it. I think that if this happens it is a good idea to be checked for this allergy because, I would hate for an emergency to happen and someone use latex gloves near my mouth or inside of me and have an allergic reaction when I am at my most vulnerable.

It is also interesting to note that repeated exposure seems to be the cause of the allergy and this can be prevented. Repeated exposure to many things actually do cause allergies. What is it that your body does to think that this is bad? I mean I have repeated exposure to peanuts, I eat them all the time but, to someones else they are deadly. Theories on this could be another great article.

Through some of my research I have found out that there is a connection between latex allergy and other allergies such as fruit and pollen. I am planning to write an up coming article on this topic. There are many theories as to why this happens.

Posted by Samantha Rufle

The first time I ever ate at a Carrabba's was in Maryland with my cousin Tanya. I was so impressed with the place and their gluten free menu that I went back the next day with my mother in law. She also loved it. After those great experiences I went on a quest to find a Carrabba's here in Arizona. Luckily, I have actually found several pretty near my home. We go there all the time when we have a special occasion or the kids are at someone else's house.:) They are consistently great and good with my dietary needs.

I think that my favorite articles to do are these reviews. I love the freedom of eating out and I also love helping others know where to go and what to do. I also love good food. Sadly, special diets have a reputation for being low on flavor, spark and fun. That is too bad. I think that when faced with some limitations we are forced to be more creative and hopefully more open minded.

I think the goal for food should taste awesome even if it free of wheat, dairy, corn, casein, eggs, or anything else. We shouldn't settle for second rate food just so we can have it!

Posted by Samantha Rufle

I think that it is great that there are so many gluten free foods in the stores now. I can even find them at my regular super market. With all of the variety out there, it makes in hard to figure out which are good and which are gross. I once bought an all purpose mix that made muffins that tasted like wet cardboard. The after taste was with me for days!

I avoid any flours made from bean. Bean flour tastes like beans. So, I am not sure who came up with the idea to make dessert or something like that out of it. I also avoid soy flour for the same reason.

I think that taste and texture is extremely important. I am really not willing to sacrifice one for the other. I would rather go without that food than have a second rate product.

I would love to find a good mix or recipe for GF cinnamon rolls. I miss those allot!

Posted by Samantha Rufle

The three place that I talk about in this article are places that I frequent. I enjoy going on road trips so know there are safe places to eat when I am on the road is important. The tips toward the bottom will hopefully give you clear ways to eat at other fast food places. I plan to add more soon. I have a few others that I found out have allergen evaluated menus. Chik Fil A for one. I didn't think that there was anything there but, apparently there is. Also, in the tips I talk about diner cards. They are great to have with you. They do make everything very clear for the restaurant. I have to admit though, that I barely use them. Sometimes I have given one to my son to use. They are nice but, not absolutely necessary. Eating out should not be stressful.

I do suggest however that you make it a goal to find three to five places to eat out at for yourself or your child so that at the very least, you have some places to go just in case.

One nice thing about having an allergy- you always get to pick the restaurant!

Posted by Samantha Rufle

Generally the symptoms to each are very clearly different. Fortunately for most people they grow out of them. I had an allergy to milk as an infant and, what I think was a sensitivity to milk as I got older. Now, I don't think that I have it anymore. I do know that I am now lactose intolerant. Many experts agree that that goes hand in hand with gluten intolerance.

It is important to know the difference, because they both have very different effects on the body. One does allot more damage than the other.

If you need more information on how live without milk, below is a great link.



http://nomilk.com/

I will be trying some different milks such as soy, rice, almond, etc in a future article and letting you know what I think of them. Right now, I can tell you that I am not a huge fan of soy milk, but it has been a while since I have had some. I hear that there are some new ones that are pretty good. I also might try some ice creams and cheeses as well. We will see how that all goes.

Posted by Samantha Rufle

I wrote this article so that people who suffer from hay fever from pet dander, pollen, dust mites or any other source can have some natural remedies to help them combat the symptoms with out drugs. don't get me wrong antihistamines, decongestants and the like can be very helpful, but they should only be part of a treatment program. Taking a proactive approach to allergies can prevent infection and side affects of the drugs, if used to much.

I hope that these tips are useful. I personally use all of them and I have found them very helpful for me and my family.

Posted by Samantha Rufle

Here in Arizona, everyone seems to allergic to the olive tree pollens. While many people move here to avoid allergies. It is no longer that allergy safe haven that it once was. Almost everyone here moved form somewhere else, and they have been bringing their favorite plants. Only recently, because of our drought, has it become fashionable to use local plants in our yards. Now because of the dry, windy air, some people have worse allergies here then where they are from. Tomorrow, so that I can add the link, I plan on putting up an article on natural hayfever remedies. These are remedies that I have used and have been useful to me and my family.

Posted by Samantha Rufle

This allergy is one of the most intriguing to me. I have an allergy to gluten, but my reaction, while very unhealthy for me, could not kill me on the spot. I am very interested to know how people with such severe allergies cope emotionally.

I also learned while writing this article that people use peanut butter to thicken chili and soups. What an interesting idea. It does show though, that peanuts can be hidden anywhere!

Posted by Samantha Rufle

I wonder, how many people with celiac disease have problems because a food that claims to be gluten free and really is not? I have never run across this. So the idea of this being regulated scares me. It make me think that, perfectly good gluten free foods will not get labeled as such for fear of repercussions.

The FDA claims that the companies that advertise their products as "gluten free" do so with inconsistant standards. I have to say, I so disagree. If I was getting sick from these products I wouldn't be buying them.



Link to article in Scientific American.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&articleID=B85437CFC53B6DE51098F159B0FB909D

Below is the link to the proposal-

http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/05n-0279-npr0001.pdf