However, MY normal typically involves most of the day spent at home either in my sewing room or doing the routine cleaning/chores, and an occasional trip to the grocery store or the bank. Pretty boring, but I'm okay with that.
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to travel to Fort Collins for an allergy testing/clearing treatment. I was simply seeking relief from the seasonal allergies that have plagued my life every spring and fall with more sinus infections than I care to remember. Over the past six years or so I have learned how to manage the symptoms and prevent the infections by having facials and other natural therapies offered at the Massage Therapy program at Trinidad State Junior College.
Like I stated, I was simply seeking relief from seasonal allergies... But it was suggested that I follow an anti-inflammatory diet that includes being soy free and dairy free. :P Throw in on top of that, I was also told to avoid corn, white sugar, white potatoes, pork and shell fish!
ugh! "I'm fine... I don't really have these food allergies. Pffft... Ridiculous." And then I recalled waking one Thursday morning with such pain and stiffness in my shoulders and recalled all that I had eaten the day before. I had consumed a banana, fresh pineapple, yogurt and cheese & peanut butter crackers... all foods I should avoid. :( Okay, maybe it is worse than I thought...
I have since been on the hunt for soy free foods. That is tough! I have had some success, and I do feel much better. My shoulders don't ache near as bad as they had. This is progress!
But the no sugar thing got to me yesterday. I was really, really wanting something sweet... chocolate chip cookies, specifically! I pulled out my bag of chips and they are packed with soy! Not good! I began searching for alternatives. Using my favorite recipe I altered it by cutting out the white sugar and used 1/2 the amount of maple syrup. I added baking soda to cut the acidity of it allowing the cookies rise and increased the flour by 1/4 cup. I mixed in dried cranberries and almond slivers, and reduced the baking temperature by 25 degrees
SUCCESS!
My craving was satisfied and I don't have suffer!
Here's my recipe...
3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
2-3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
Bake at 325 for 9-10 minutes
Oh yes, my allergies are so much better! There are still a few things that are bothering me, but over all, I am actually enjoying this spring. A few weeks ago we were enjoying a day of antique window shopping with trees in full bloom lining the streets. My eyes did not itch, I didn't have a runny nose, or constant sneezing and wheezing. Woohoo!
Changes can be hard! But I have a new normal... and I am loving it! Now that I can satisfy my sweet tooth. ;) Carry on with your normal!
See what other quilters are talking about at QuilterBlogs.com
Love the quote in this post. Glad to hear you have got on top of your allergies. I have a long list of foods to avoid as well - no cake for me either - so I can totally sympathise. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDelete