When I started food blogging last year, I was dealing with some pretty bad eczema. I’ve suffered with eczema as a child which was treated with weekly steroid injections at the allergists. The injections worked and I’d built an immunity which let me go on for years eating everything under the sun without incidence.
Then suddenly during my second pregnancy, the Eczema had come back and with a vengeance. I switched to all natural and organic products, I stopped using perfume, I changed my sheets 4-5 times a week, I cleaned insistently, but nothing worked.
I was accustomed to Hydrocortizone creams, Benadryl, and some pretty intense prescription drugs courtesy of my Dermatologist becoming apart of my daily routine. Eventually I started evaluating internal changes I could make that may get rid of the Eczema as a whole instead of simply treating the symptoms. I tried everything including an awful apple cider vinegar mixed with baking soda concoction daily, yuck!
It had to be something I was eating. So I finally decided to go back to the allergists and low and behold I’m allergic to everything outside, inside, and worst inside my refrigerator. This was not an easy fix I was allergic to some of my favorite and most often prepared foods.
Let me just give you an idea, apples, watermelon,cantaloupe, strawberries, eggs, wheat, rice, corn,nuts, oats, barley, cottonseed, onions, garlic, green beans, and the list goes on. When I first learned I was in denial, I was upset, I was confused. I told myself “I have to enjoy life”, and if that meant enjoying these foods despite what the tests proved then so be it. I couldn’t even imagine having to get rid of these things.
Well, to make a long story short it’s taken some time but I am slowly but surely off all grains, and most of the other allergens.
Garlic is one I’ll probably never give up, and regardless of my garlic obsession I’m seeing marked improvements in my skin, energy and overall health. I feel amazing. My body feels great, I’m having increased stamina, and my”mommy brain” is no longer a thing. I’m sleeping better and less cranky. Plus I’m losing weight.
Well I think I’m losing weight, I don’t get on a scale but my clothes are fitting just a little looser and all without really putting much effort elsewhere. So grains are no more apart of my life, which is kind of like a paleo/primal diet, but I’m not off dairy, and refined sugars as of yet. I always thought I would eventually be vegan at some point in life, but with soy and legume allergies this is nearly impossible.
Meat is my main source of protein and I can eat it to my heart’s content without my immune system going into overdrive. However, I am a conscious meat-eater, we buy grass-fed organic beef, and my poultry is free range and organic as well.
I’m changing the way I buy, prepare, eat and ultimately see my food. Still every now and then I just need a sweet treat besides a piece fruit, and this recipe is it!
I’ve seen tons of grain free cookie recipes that look pretty promising, unfortunately many use almond flour which is just another food my immune system has determined is harmful and will trigger an immediate histamine response. With a few experimental batches of these grain-free/nut-free cookies I finally reached the consistency and flavor I was going for.
It’s made with coconut flour which provides great nutrition, but it also lends a great coconut flavor that you can imagine is incredible in a chocolate chip cookies. These things are pretty close to the real deal. My kids (who are not grin free) ate them as if it was a traditional chocolate chip cookie, no complaints. Someone with a more mature palette may find the texture a bit of putting but not a total deal breaker, I promise.
Overall these cookies are a great substitute for the real thing!eciphttp://asoulfultwist.com/wp-content/uploads/Cookies-texture.jpgard
I feel you on the allergies. I don’t have any personally (aside from medication) but my husband, daughter, and son all have eczema and it’s all food born! My son is allergic to butter and a few other things, my daughter is allergic to coconut and a few other things, my husband is allergic to everything & shellfish. Trying to cook something in here has been a like walking through a landline, but we just take it one day at a time.
KalleyC recently posted…LTML-20: Walking Through Chinatown
You are fortunate not to have any allergies yourself although I’m sure all of their allergies feel like yours and cooking for them can be a task! Your son may have a milk allergies which is pretty common and it would cause a reaction from butter, or it could be chemicals they put in the butter specifically unsalted butter. Allergy testing has certainly helped me to eliminate things I had no clue was causing allergic reactions, I def recommend them! Poor hubby though he has it pretty bad Good luck Kalley and thanks for commenting!
Oh Christina, you poor thing! I can’t imagine how hard it must be to give up so many foods you love. It can’t be easy, but I think it’s wonderful that now you’re finding new ways to cook and enjoy food that excludes the foods/ingredients you can’t (or shouldn’t) eat. Those cookies look scrumptious!!!
Jamie recently posted…Refreshing Cherry Lime Cocktail
It’s been tough to change everything but, I feel great and I know it will be better for me long term. Thank you Jamie!
Thanks for sharing this, I have really bad allergies myself and my daughter has eczema-so I am always looking out for things that will help her have less outbreaks.
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