What is That White Stuff Flying Around?

The sun is finally shining here in Seattle after a long harsh “Junuary”.

We have endured the storm, and the residual white stuff flying around is actually not snow. Contrary to popular belief we all do not live in a summer snow globe!

That white stuff flying around right now is cottonwood. Although an evil enemy to those with allergies, and the reason so many of us are sneezing right now, cottonwood is a great friend for those with arthritis.

Mold: The Top Five Common Sources in Your Home

Is your house a mold factory?

If you are fatigued, with a chronic itchy nose, you may be reacting to hidden sources of mold in your home.

Regardless if you have a mold allergy- mold spores proliferating in your home are surely not improving your health, especially for those with seasonal allergies, asthma, snoring, sleep apnea, or other respiratory problems.

Generally speaking, mold proliferates in dark, damp areas.

Older homes, and homes without ample sunlight will typically generate more mold.

For more detailed information on eliminating mold, read our article “Mold: Getting rid of it in your home”.

Stumble it!

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Alternative Medicine Help for Seasonal Allergies

Already the impending doom of scratchy throats, runny itchy noses, water eyes and chronic congestion are slowly setting in amongst many of us. Have no fear though, I have put together a basic plan to help avoid if not reduce the use of allergy medicines that tend to leave us feeling drowsy and groggy. Having an alternative medicine plan in store before allergy season sets in full force will save you time, medication, and misery in the long run.

First I will be discussing how to get your body in optimal conditioning to cope with allergy season, and then I will discuss specific natural medicines that will help support your immune system to reduce the overall severity of seasonal allergies. If you always tend to be “sick” the months of March, April, May and September you more likely have seasonal allergies than a bad cold.

Now is a great time to do a SPRING CLEANING. Having a healthy liver aids the detoxification of histamine, that nasty molecule that gives us the irritating symptoms of allergies.

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The Healing Power of Stinging Nettles

Let’s welcome to the kitchen table one of my favorite healing herbs…The Notorious Stinging Nettle.

Now many of you may think nettles are a pesky weed, but that is simply an exception to the rule that “ignorance is bliss”.

Wisely putting the weeds in your garden to good use after you pull them will serve your health well in the long run. Nettles are formerly referred to as Urtica diocia and fondly referred to by Native Americans as “Indian Spinach”.

My hope at least is for those of you with seasonal allergies, arthritis and enlarged prostates to gain new appreciation, if not complete love and adoration for this fabulous plant.

The freeze dried herb can be used as an alternative to anti-histamines for allergy season. Nettle leaves are also known to be useful for arthritis, asthma, and edema; and are especially helpful in treating long term chronic illness as they are a nutritive plant rich in minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

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How to Detox

Do you need a spring cleaning?

Spring is the best time to do a detox. We not only need to clean out the cupboards and the cobwebs in our homes, but our bodies and minds could use a similar sprucing up as well. Think of a detox as the “Spring Break” your body needs to get you back on track with your diet and lifestyle goals. Winter often leaves us feeling foggy, sluggish, bloated and phlegmy from lingering colds, inactivity, gluttonous holiday overeating, and lack of sunshine. Muddled thinking, low energy, and memory problems should improve with this light diet.

A spring detox is also great for those suffering from seasonal allergies as it aids the liver’s ability to breakdown and metabolize histamine, that nasty molecule that leaves us with itchy runny noses and watery eyes. The following eating plan can be followed for as little as three days or as long as three weeks. Be sure to check with your doctor before attempting any form of detoxification as pregnancy, history of eating disorder and other chronic conditions are contraindications for a restrictive diet.

Putting your body on a “Spring Break” is really quite simple:

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Allergens in the Bedroom

Allergies causing snoring and sleep apnea commonly interfere with a good night’s sleep. Allergens in the bedroom from pet dander, goose down pillows, dust mites, mold and mildew are the most likely culprits.

If you suffer from allergies you can reduce the total load of exposure by purchasing hypoallergenic pillows, bedding, and mattress covers. Pillows and comforters can also be placed in the dryer for at least 45 minutes once weekly to reduce the growth of dust mites and mold. An air purifier in the bedroom is a worthwhile investment for those suffering with allergies. Since we spend a third of our day in bed creating a clean, healthy, and restful bedroom is of fundamental importance!

Mold: Getting Rid of it in Your Home

Molds are a diverse group of fungi. Under optimal conditions, with organic matter and water, a single mold spore can germinate and produce a fungal colony with hundreds of thousands of spores in 4 to 9 days. Fungi thrive in the 65% to 85% humidity ranges, though most allergenic molds release their spores during dry conditions of humidity below 70%. People who are allergic to molds may have symptoms that persist for long periods of time, recur several times throughout the year, or are associated with specific environments where molds flourish. Molds are so widespread in nature that total avoidance is quite difficult. There are, however, a number of precautions that can help limit your exposure.

Wheat-Free Diet

Purpose: To identify if wheat may be causing symptoms. During the elimination period, wheat and wheat products are completely eliminated from the diet for up to two weeks. After symptoms improve, wheat will be added back during the challenge phase.

FOODS TO INCLUDE:

Cereals: Hot: cream of rice, quinoa cereal (Quinoa Flakes)

Dry: puffed rice, puffed millet

Grains: Rice: no wild rice but all kinds of other rice including rice products such as pasta, rice cakes, wheat-free breads, rice bread, mochi, buckwheat (kasha), millet, quinoa, amaranth, and teff

Flours: Rice, rye, millet, quinoa, amaranth, teff, bean flours, and tapioca flour

Low Salicylate Menu Suggestions

Menu suggestions and recipes for low salicylates, low amines, and wheat, corn & dairy free

• Waldorf salad - lettuce, chopped cashews, apples and nayonaise (soy)
• Salad Nicoise - green beans, lettuce, boiled potatoes and hard boiled eggs
• Cottage cheese with soy yogurt, applesauce and dry cereal such as oat bran flakes, puffed millet or hot rye cereal
• Stir-fry cabbage with tofu, bamboo shoots and celery
• Oatmeal with maple syrup and soy milk
• Pancakes made from non-gluten pancake mix

Applesauce Cake

Pediatric Allergy Prevention Recommendations

Breastfeeding:
• Exclusively for at least 4 - 6 months, then weaning may begin
• Would be best if breastfeeding accompanied weaning diet through 12 months

Formula:
• Partially or extensively hydrolyzed are recommended

Weaning:
• Begin non-allergenic foods at 4 - 6 months
• Most vegetables and fruit (no citrus)
• Iron-fortified hydrolyzed rice cereal
• Introduce new food singly and observe for allergic reactions

Allergenic foods:
• Introduce biweekly at 12 months
• Cow’s milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, soy, corn, citrus and fish

No More Peanuts?!!!

Peanuts are a major allergen. Peanuts (often in the form of peanut butter), because of their widespread use in the American diet, create health problems for many children and adults. Secondly, the aflatoxin content (mold common in peanuts) of peanuts is known to be a cancer-causing agent to the liver when eaten in large enough quantities. In addition, many of the most popular peanut butters contain sugar and additives, that may cause other health problems.

Use Other Nut Butters Instead:

Environmental Health Resources List

The following information is listed for those with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity or other environmnetal allergies or sensitivities…

LOCAL RESOURCES
Environmental Home Center (206) 682-7332 / (800) 281-9785 www.environmentalhomecenter.com
1724 4th Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98134
Retail store offering a variety of non-toxic/low toxic building, decorating and remodeling materials.

Healthy Building Associates (206) 448-9135
1932 1st Avenue #515
Seattle, WA 98101
Indoor air quality consultant.

Master Home Environmentalists (206) 626-5127
Non profit organization which provides free indoor air quality assessments.

PCC, Fred Meyer, Whole Foods, QFC, and Marketime
Various locations
Offer non-toxic/low toxic cleaning, and home products.

Common Childhood Food Allergies

The most common childhood allergies are:

Cow Milk

Wheat

Egg

Corn

Symptoms can include:

Hives

Vomiting

Eczema

Diarrhea

Sneezing

Wheezing

Coughing

Swelling of throat

Nasal congestion

Anaphylactic shock

Abdominal pain

Reaction time:

Minutes

Days

Instructions for care givers other than the parents:

Provide a written statement notifying the caregiver of the allergy.

Include a specific list of foods the child should not eat or touch.

Submit a written policy of caregiver’s responsibilities in case of reactions:

Gluten/Gliadin Free Diet

MILK
Allowed: Fresh, dry, evaporated, or condensed milk; half and half; sour or whipping cream; yogurt.
Avoid: Malted milk, some commercial chocolate drinks, and some non-dairy creamers.

MEAT, FISH, POULTRY
Allowed: All.
Avoid: Prepared meats (hot dogs, luncheon meats, chili con carne, Swiss steak, meat loaf, turkey with hydrolyzed protein injected as part of the basting solution).

CHEESE
Allowed: All aged cheeses such as: cheddar, Swiss Edam, Parmesan, cottage, cream.
Avoid: Any cheese product with oat gum.

EGGS
Allowed: Plain or in cooking.
Avoid: Eggs in sauce made from gluten-containing ingredients, such as wheat-based white sauce.

Wheat and Gluten Free Recipes

Breakfast Ideas:

Amazing Amaranth Pancakes (gluten-free)
1 beaten egg 3 tbs. arrowroot flour
1/4 cup apple juice (or other sweet juice) 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. sunflower oil (or flax oil) 1/4 tsp. baking powder (wheat free)
1/4 cup amaranth flour 1/8 tsp. sea salt
1/4 cup tapioca flour

Lightly oil frying pan with sesame oil and get medium hot. Beat wet ingredients together. Mix in dry ingredients one at a time and beat well. Pancakes cook quickly- keep pan hot and watch carefully. Re-oil pan with paper towel before each batch. Makes (10) 3-inch pancakes

Hypoallergenic Recipes

Meal Planning Ideas:

Breakfast Ideas
• Mochi with cashew butter, peeled pear or apple
• Rice toast with cashew butter, pear
• Rice cereal and rice milk
• Rice pudding with soy milk

Lunch and Dinner Ideas
• Lamb, rice and green beans
• Lentil soup and rice crackers
• Cabbage soup and rice bread toast
• Beans and rice, lettuce salad
• Rice cakes with cashew butter, celery sticks
• Lamb, cabbage and rice soup
• Lettuce salad with cashews, celery, shallots and mung bean sprouts
• Rice pasta with parsley and green beans
• Bean soup and rice cakes
• Split pea soup and rice bread toast

Spinach Quiche- Egg Free

1 unbaked 7 ½ inch pie crust
10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 pkg. (10 ½ oz.) extra-firm silken tofu
2 Tbs. yellow miso
¼ cup dried onion flakes
1 tsp. basil
½ tsp. oregano
¼ tsp. nutmeg
Dash of cayenne pepper
½ cup grated cheddar cheese or soy cheddar cheese • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Blend the tofu and miso in a food processor until smooth and creamy.
• In a large bowl combine the tofu mixture and the spinach. Add the onion flakes and spices. Mix well.
• Fill the piecrust with the tofu spinach mixture. Top with cheese or soy cheese.
• Bake 40 minutes or until the crust is brown. Cool 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Egg-Less Banana Bread

3 ripe bananas (1 cup mashed)
Juice from one lemon
1/3 cup oil
½ cup brown sugar
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ cup wheat germ

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Mix mashed banana and lemon juice until smooth.
• Beat together oil and brown sugar. Add the banana mixture, stir well.
• Sift together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Stir in wheat germ.
• Combine the dry ingredients and banana mixture. If desired, add dates and nuts.
• Turn into a greased 4×8 loaf pan. Bake 45 minutes.
• Insert a knife to test for doneness; it should come out clean.

Egg Allergy

Eggs have several different compounds in them that can cause an allergic reaction. Some of these compounds are in egg whites and some are in the egg yolk.

Food labels
Look for the following words for eggs and egg derivatives: albumin, ovoalbumin, vitellin, ovovitellin, livetin, ovomucoid, ovomucin, powdered or dried egg, globulin, silico albuminate

Hidden Sources of Eggs
Soups… bouillon, consommé, or other stock soups cleared with egg, noodle soup, mock turtle soup, egg drop soup.

Meat, egg, and cheese dishes… soufflés, quiche, meatloaves, meatballs, hamburgers, powdered eggs, egg substitutes (egg beaters).

Alternatives to Dairy

Milks
Soy Milk, Rice, Oat, Almond, and Amasake (a cultured rice drink)

Cheese
Almond Rella*, Lite ‘n’ Free*, Lite ‘n’ Less, Soya Kaas*, Soymage, White Wave Soy-A- Melt*, White Wave Fat-Free* , Lite ‘n’ Free Cheddar*, Lite ‘n’ Less American*, Nu Tofu Low- Sodium Cheddar*, Nu Tofu Cheddar*, Soya Kaas Mild American Cheddar*, Soymage Cheddar, White Wave Cheddar Soy-A-Melt*, White Wave Fat-Free Cheddar*, Zero-Fat Rella California Cheddar*

Butter
Spectrum Soy Margarine
Natural Food Store Soy Bean Margarine
Safflower Oil
Olive Oil
Nut Butters such as cashew, tahini, etc.
Coconut Butter (Omega Flow)