Seasonal Allergies

When we lived in northern Nevada my husband's allergies were pretty bad in the fall.  As a child he had asthma. Eventually he grew out of that. Now as an adult his seasonal allergy are awful. I believe they are linked. See this article about Allergies and Asthma.

Normally we would just take over the counter allergy medication each season. This didn't work well and eventually his allergy would lead to bronchitis. Now we want to get rid of these meds and try a more natural way of dealing with seasonal allergies.

About four months ago my husband started taking LOCAL RAW honey. Eating local honey would, hopefully, build his immune system by ingesting local pollen from the bees. We found a local beekeeper, 10 minutes away, and bought several pint jars. NOW fall allergies are in full bloom. He is also adding Allergena Texas Trees Homeopathic allergen drops to his daily regime. And now, on day number seven, his allergies are much better. Allergena has drops for every state in the USA.

Chronic over breathing is responsible for the hypersensitive state of the immune system. By breathing slowly and opening your nose with your fingers allowing air in your nose alleviates congestion.

Also eating spicy food helps. Hubby has been using Mango Habanero Hot Sauce on his food which clears up congestion temporarily. I will be cooking with spicy food this fall.

So, to recap, build your immune system up if yours is weak, take immune building supplements, local raw honey daily, and Allergena.  Get rid of over the counter synthetic medications.

Extra: squeezing half a lemon in hot water before breakfast and before bed helps with the phlegm associated with allergies. Add 1000mg of chewable vitamin C. This also helps your immune system.

September - Honey Month

Honey has so many benefits. We use it for cooking and hubby takes a teaspoon full morning and evening. He has a poor immune system and the fall allergins are just around the corner. He also takes echinesia and grape seed extract to boost his immune system.

I used to just buy plain honey in the stores, then I bought raw honey in the stores. Still there is nothing better than LOCAL RAW HONEY.

We found a local bee keeper who keeps his bees about 10 minutes from our home. He said he only harvests the honey once a year in June. Apparently, he lost a hive harvesting the honey before winter. A lesson learned. Bees need honey to eat through the winter months when there are not as many sources of food out there. This man also said that store bought, processed, raw honey isn't as good as his. The store processed honey filters out to much of the pollen needed to make honey a benefit for those who have allergies. Of course we got greedy and bought 4 pint jars @ $10 a jar. I would rather buy good food than pay for good doctors. You can even see the pollen on the top of the honey. NEVER PUT HONEY IN THE MICROWAVE. Heat it by setting it in warm water.

I use honey in my homemade granola bars and baking. I do use the store bought raw honey for my recipes so we can keep the good stuff for hubby.

I remember my mother buying honey in the comb. I can't remember if it was local but it was good. It's amazing how we once used all these natural cures so many years ago and have simply just forgotten all their goodness.

We have gone back to basics to continue the lessons learned decades ago. If we have a cold coming on we squeeze REAL lemon juice in a cup of warm water (NO SUGAR OR ALCOHOL). I also take 1000-2000 mg vitamin C. I prefer a chewable tab.. (Clues for a cold coming on are the tightness of your shoulders and being tired) Get plenty of rest and liquids. Green Tea is a benefit also.

Could you make specific honey based on what activates your allergies? Good question. Heck if rag weed is an issue put the honey bees near those flowers. This is just an example. Check out
The Walden Effect

 

You have seen this on the side of the roads. Hubby's alergies are on a 12 hour clock. He takes his spoonfull at 6am before breakfast and before dinner. It seems to work. 

Weight Watcher Tuna Steak

Tuna Steak ( 2 servs)

8 ounces Albacore Tuna Steak ($8.89 lb from Trader Joes)

Coat each side with a bit of olive oil and grill seasoning.
I used the George Forman grill cooking it on both sides at once. Total time cooking was  15 minutes at the most.
I had a few olives left over and an avocado that needed help.

4 oz Tuna Steak, 1/2 C peas, 7 olives, 1/2 avocado = 9 points VERY filling when eaten slowly.

Eating secrets: eat slowly, chew more and don't drink while eating. Your stomach enzymes will appreciate you.

Dessert: I added a glass of red wine (5 points) and 1 sq 73% chocolate square (1 point).

I MAKE room for my wine every evening. If I have enough points I substitute the chocolate for a WW chocolate toffee bar (3 points).

Simple Tuna Stead Dinner

WW BROCOLLI TURKEY STIR FRY

2 Servings

Heat 1/2 tablespoons olive oil in large frying pan or chicken fryer on medium heat.
Add:

1 sliced onion
1 C brocolli cut up
1 large minced garlic clove
1 Tablespoon grated ginger (1tsp dry)
½ sliced bell pepper
½ C sliced mushrooms
Cook 5 minutes (if it gets to dry add a bit of water)
Add more veggies if you want

Remove from pan, set aside.

Add 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
Brown 6 ounces turkey breast sliced
Add:
1C chicken broth
1 tablespoons lite salt soy sauce
1 tablespoon ketchup
1/2 teaspoon horseradish
1 teaspoon brown sugar

(ketchup and horseradish add some zip to this recipe. You could add sriracha also.
Cook on low heat until turkey is tender.

Take two tablespoons of liquid out and add 1/2 tablespoon corn starch to it. Add to pan. This will thicken the mixture

Add veggie mix, ½ teaspoon sesame seeds.

Total WW points per serving is 7 points and a very filling meal.

Serve over whole wheat noodles if you want. We had a fruit salad.

My recipes will be a bit different

As of Saturday, September 6, 2014, I have joined Weight Watchers Online. I played around with the tools on their sight and will revise my old recipes to adapt to Weight Watchers Points. My hubby is joining me. Actually Weight Watchers is a good way to eat for most everyone. PORTION CONTROL is important with meat and fat.

On Weight Watchers all your veggies and fruit have NO points. I am allowed 33 points based on a calculations they design.

Today we shopped at Trader Joe's, as usual. It is easy in the fruit and vegetable department. Pick items you like to keep on hand for munchies and for salads. Each meal will include a salad. We chose Trader Joe's Organic Red Wine & Olive Oil Vinaigrette this week. Two tablespoons is a serving and is equal to 4 points.
 
Preparing a salad has changed. Now that we are using less dressing it's easier if you put the salad in a bowl and put the dressing over it and toss it. Then put it on a separate smaller plate. You can add cherry tomatoes and some vegetables over the salad if you want. If you want to add a bit of cheese choose low-fat or a small amount of Parmesan Cheese. Adding fresh herbs can perk your salad up also.
We always put cucumbers, red onions (grilled if we have time), mushrooms, and tomatoes on our salads. Occasionally we add feta cheese if our main meal is low in points.

 Sooooo we are rethinking our breakfast meals. No longer can I have two waffles and bacon. Instead this morning we each had 1 egg/canadian bacon/whole wheat english muffin/and fruit. Total of 6 points. You can also add veggies to the scrambled egg. Hubby likes mushrooms and onions.

I will also have a blog on Weight Watchers site. I want to educate readers on how to eat and live as chemical free as possible.

Wish me luck.