When Allergies Go Awry

Most people take it for granted that a change in seasons means their allergies will flare up.

Noses run. Eyes itch. Throats become sore.

But our bodies wouldn't require an immune response to a change in the weather (or to certain plants, etc.), if we didn't have so much immuno-compromising toxicity and/or deficiency in the first place.

(This is true of all diseases by the way.)

But, alas, through the course of my quarter century on the earth so far I have been exposed to a host of toxins (pollutants, chemicals, vaccines....) and have not always eaten so well (Yes, it's true, I ate cake for breakfast in college. On a regular basis. Warmed in the microwave no less.)

So when the fall made its debut this past week, my nose knew it.

I attacked the head congestion and drainage not with medications (which only cover over the symptoms and deposit more toxicity into my body), but by skipping straight to the root of the problem and boosting my immune system! My body fought it off naturally and became stronger for it.

Here's a rundown of what I did when my allergies went awry:

Book Review: Doctor of the Future

This isn't necessarily a book I would have picked from the bookstore shelf myself. Admittedly the cover is incredibly cheesy.

This came as required reading for staff meetings at work.

And I was actually pleasantly surprised at how much new information I learned from it!

The first page describes the book as a 'guidebook for how you and your family can transform American health care. It shows you what you need to know today to take better care of your health, and your family's tomorrow. It also illustrates how to use the body's own power of self-healing to produce greater health and vitality.'

It is obvious that the author was using the book as a promotional tool for his clinic (based on the number of times he references it by name and offers the phone number, website and mailing address ad nauseum). But if you can look past that, the book really does skip over the fluff and offers information you can really sink your teeth into.

Grilled Cheese for Grown-ups

You know those days when you open the refrigerator and just stand there staring into it?

You're hungry. But you don't feel like taking the time to cook anything fancy.

You're not in the mood to throw together a salad. Or to snack on veggies & hummus. But that's all you see in the fridge.

This has (obviously) happened to me more than once. And I can almost guarantee you know what I'm talking about.

But inspiration hit me recently. I saw Ezekiel bread. I saw goat cheese.

And what more could a girl want, really? It's no secret that I love goat cheese. It tops the list of my all-time favorite foods (right up there alongside pineapple and lima beans).

And so I ended up with a Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwich!

Sunny with a High of 75

Yep, not only is it the title of a Relient K song that defined my sophomore year of college, sunny with a high of 75 was the actual forecast for the day here in Nash-vegas.

And what a glorious day it is!

I love being able to curl up in the blankets at night, then wear my fuzzy robe while I drink hot tea in the morning. But best of all, I like picnic lunches and being able to lay in the sun on a blanket in shorts to soak up some vitamin D!

Street Food: Ethiopian Lentil Wat

Let it be known this was the first time I've ever cooked with lentils.

I know, I know.....what kind of health nut are you?

Just goes to show that I'm not as crazy as people might think. (Or, maybe I am. It's definitely debatable.)

At any rate, when my sweet husband bought me this Street Food cookbook for my birthday, this was one of the first recipes I tried.