Allergies

Even though we are getting a nice soaking rain after a thunderstorm last night, my allergies are really bad.  I started feeling the dry eye, sinus headaches mid week last week.  Sunday, Monday and today I can add in stomach issues.  I looked up the chart on the internet for allergens and no wonder!

On top of allergy season (spring and especially fall, for me) I was anxious to hear some bad news and struggling family members, then the trip to the lake and back home so late (I barely ate anything that sets me off)...even though I slept late Sunday, it is all catching up with me.  Monday I felt horrible.  I went home after work and went to bed.  DH ordered Chinese food and I sipped some soup.  I got a good rest, no walk last night.  I am going to eat very light today, see of I can be gentle with my system. 

I know we need the rain and maybe that will help.  Then allergies back to high tomorrow as we go into ragweed season, which is bad for me.  I know it is just temporary.  At least I will lose some weight, so there is that!  When allergens are high, my autoimmune goes into high gear.  I have tried allergy medicine, but not much helps my tummy with the allergen irritation.  About the only thing I can do is eat well, rest and moderate exercise.  It will last about 2 weeks.  I don't really have the weight to lose this summer, so I am praying it is not too bad this season. 

Do any of you have late summer/fall allergies?  Spring?  Any of you notice a coinciding gastrointestinal dysfunction?  Any remedies you can think of.  I try to do lots of whole foods, soups, broths and smoothies.  Maybe I will crockpot a chicken over the weekend at Retirement Home and get some good old fashioned bone broth, rich in collagen and sip on it all next week.  Sitting here thinking about trying some Kombucha.
Have a great Tuesday!

C for Choices

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/?m=1
I got my labs the weekend I was out of state for a wedding.  My numbers all look really good.  It made me think about personal choices.  I have been improving my eating slowly and sometimes too slowly, out of a desire to be more healthy and stay trim, but also because of all my stomach woes.  In my search to find answers about my stomach problems, I fluctuate between the hope that I can find medicine that helps and being able to find a lifestyle/eating formula that helps.  If medicine helps, then I don't have to be personally accountable and I don't have to feel like I have failed.  But, the longer I travel this journey, the more I am understanding that what I put into my body affects me, just like it affects anyone - our health.  But almost immediately I can feel horrible and be sick for hours or days.  So, I keep trying to tweak it.  My cholesterol, good and bad are good, my glucose is good.  My blood pressure good.  My vitamin D still on track going on 2nd year in a row.  My weight is good.  I am going to keep trying to put one foot in front of the other.  After all, isn't it better that I do have accountability and realize how I feel is in my own control and directly related to the choices I make?
Here are some of the changes I have made over the years to improve my health.  I exercise (walking and yoga).  I eat at home mostly.  I limit carbs and processed food.  Carbs i eat are potatoes, quinoa, rice and home made bread/biscuits.  I eat more vegetables, fruit and lean meat.  I have pork or beef maybe once a week.  I cut dairy 2 years ago.  I limit sugar, but when I have sugar I have a small amount of what i crave.  I eat my potatoes i love, but switch to sweet potatoes half the time.  I stopped drinking soda 2 years ago.  No artificial sweetener.  I have been doing intermittent fasting since Nov and feel it is working for me - i skip breakfast.  For the past year or so, I have been eating very small evening meal - sometimes broth (google bone broth) or smoothie only.  In my smoothies I put bunch of spinach, ground flaxseed/chia seed, vegan protein and fruit.  I blend with almond or coconut milk.  Only caffeine is 2 cups of coffee in the morning.  i put a mix of nutrients in it that include cacao, lacuna, collagen, maca and coconut sugar - along with spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom.  I enjoy it so much, it has helped me cut back to almost no more artificial powder creamer (i know, i know).  Every day i have 1 green tea and take vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements and after much research and trial and error, have found a combination that helps me feel my best (including vit C, vit D, B chewables, probiotic, digestive enzymes, fish oil, calcium, zinc, magnesium and special eye supplement).  On Friday and Saturday I pretty much eat what I want.  The rest of the week is pretty regimented. 
What are you doing to be healthy?