I'm working on my new look. It's been ages since I updated our profiles or pics...so that is next.
This week, I found Blogger added an email subscription feature that I had previously gotten from a different service. In an effort to keep it streamlined, I am now using the new one. If you have subscribed to email updates of my posts in the past, I don't know if they will continue. If you do seem to be missing my posts, just submit your email in the box under my profile information and you'll be all set!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
An apple a day...
About 2 1/2 years ago, I bought a caramel apple at my kids' school fall fair. It was covered in caramel and drizzled with white and dark chocolates...I couldn't resist! Half-way through, though, my mouth began to tingle. I'd never experienced anything like it.
I wondered if I was allergic to something it was made with. I tried out variations of the ingredients....caramel, fine...chocolate, DEFINITELY fine....apples, not so fine. I had never had a problem with apples, but had a friend that suddenly became allergic to nectarines, so I knew it was possible. The dilemma? I LOVE APPLES!! I mean, not just some apple pie, or the crunch of one once in a while. I ALWAYS have apples in our fruit basket.
So I wondered, since we were in Europe, was it a pesticide thing? A locale thing? A variety thing? Over the course of the next year, I washed apples with soap; I tried Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Red Delicious; I waited until we came back stateside and tried them here; I peeled apples; All with the same result...minor itchy mouth and a little phlegm, like with a cold. I tried taking a Benadryl in conjunction with eating some apple, and it did help. The only apple variations that are symptom-free are cooked apples or apple juice.
Plus, when we were moving back stateside, I grabbed a handful of fresh cherries. Mid-way through, I started getting the same symptoms. Uggghhh! I was losing my fruit choices! I did a little online research and found that a fruit/vegetable allergy often stems from an allergy to a particular pollen...for apples it's birch tree. And, with that allergy, there are more items I could have issues with, carrots, almonds, etc. None of which I ate as often as apples. Or I'd miss as much.
So, for the last year, I've stayed away from my fruit of choice. Longingly staring in the produce section...only buying varieties my kids enjoy. This week I was reading an article that referred to it as "oral allergy syndrome" (not to be confused with my allergy to speaking in Sacrament). It explained that my "mild, mouth only symptoms" should go away in a few minutes, and that only classic food allergies (fish, shellfish, soy, eggs, wheat, nuts, milk) should be concerning and warrant a doctor's attention.
I've missed apples so! I've tried to substitute tropical fruits which are plenty where we live now. And, I love them. But, they aren't the same for me...that crunch, that watery juice, the tart of a Granny Smith. And, I know I'm not eating near enough fruit anymore. So, I think I'm going to add them back into my diet. Maybe smaller portions. Every now and then. With a Benadryl.
Sometimes the reward is so worth the mild irritation. I'm sure mothers would agree...(wink!)
I wondered if I was allergic to something it was made with. I tried out variations of the ingredients....caramel, fine...chocolate, DEFINITELY fine....apples, not so fine. I had never had a problem with apples, but had a friend that suddenly became allergic to nectarines, so I knew it was possible. The dilemma? I LOVE APPLES!! I mean, not just some apple pie, or the crunch of one once in a while. I ALWAYS have apples in our fruit basket.
So I wondered, since we were in Europe, was it a pesticide thing? A locale thing? A variety thing? Over the course of the next year, I washed apples with soap; I tried Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Red Delicious; I waited until we came back stateside and tried them here; I peeled apples; All with the same result...minor itchy mouth and a little phlegm, like with a cold. I tried taking a Benadryl in conjunction with eating some apple, and it did help. The only apple variations that are symptom-free are cooked apples or apple juice.
Plus, when we were moving back stateside, I grabbed a handful of fresh cherries. Mid-way through, I started getting the same symptoms. Uggghhh! I was losing my fruit choices! I did a little online research and found that a fruit/vegetable allergy often stems from an allergy to a particular pollen...for apples it's birch tree. And, with that allergy, there are more items I could have issues with, carrots, almonds, etc. None of which I ate as often as apples. Or I'd miss as much.
So, for the last year, I've stayed away from my fruit of choice. Longingly staring in the produce section...only buying varieties my kids enjoy. This week I was reading an article that referred to it as "oral allergy syndrome" (not to be confused with my allergy to speaking in Sacrament). It explained that my "mild, mouth only symptoms" should go away in a few minutes, and that only classic food allergies (fish, shellfish, soy, eggs, wheat, nuts, milk) should be concerning and warrant a doctor's attention.
I've missed apples so! I've tried to substitute tropical fruits which are plenty where we live now. And, I love them. But, they aren't the same for me...that crunch, that watery juice, the tart of a Granny Smith. And, I know I'm not eating near enough fruit anymore. So, I think I'm going to add them back into my diet. Maybe smaller portions. Every now and then. With a Benadryl.
Sometimes the reward is so worth the mild irritation. I'm sure mothers would agree...(wink!)
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Time's a changin'
Just a heads up to all of my followers...yes, both of you.
I've had this blog background and name for over 2 years now. It's been two years of growth and self-discovery, and I have updated my life. So, it's time to update the blog accordingly. Look for a fresh new look at a fresh new address.
Coming soon!
I've had this blog background and name for over 2 years now. It's been two years of growth and self-discovery, and I have updated my life. So, it's time to update the blog accordingly. Look for a fresh new look at a fresh new address.
Coming soon!
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