Food Allergy Testing – What You Need to Know

Food allergies have increased by up to 500% since the 1990s based on data collected from hospital visits. There is also a dramatic increase in other allergic conditions including asthma, hay fever and skin conditions.

This blog aims to give an overview to food allergies – an otherwise, very complex and individual issue.

These days, a lot of people simply believe they are gluten-intolerant due in some part to the popularity of gluten-free life style news in the media and products on grocery store shelves, but the bottom-line is – until you are tested, your symptoms could be one of 100 or more possibilities.

A food allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction resulting in an abnormal immune response to a substance (allergen) that should be harmless. Food allergies have been identified as being mediated by a specific antibody (IgE), but new research and testing is now encouraging doctors to explore the role other types of antibodies may play in disease, specifically IgG and IgA.

IgE-mediated responses are quite severe and usually need hospitalizations, while IgG and IgA-mediated responses are often less severe, and symptoms often seem more generalized. Symptoms from IgG-mediated allergic responses may manifest as skin and complexion issues, headaches/migraines, nervousness and irritability, fatigue, joint aches, immune compromise, gas and bloating, inflammatory bowel disease, and other more common allergic responses such as itchy watery eyes, runny nose, and swelling.Continue reading→

Snack, Dinner: Irresistible Baked Gluten and Nut-free Onion Rings

There are a lot of recipes for baked onion rings, but most are still quite unhealthy due to the “breading” component. The best ones I have come across actually use almond meal. We like pumpkin instead as it is both gluten and nut-free, and also a good protein source.

Makes about 3 servings

Base Ingredients
• 1 large onion, cut into thick slices
• 1/2 cup organic pumpkin seed meal (just raw pumpkin seeds ground up in the mini-chop pro)
• 1 tsp. piripiri or cayenne (less if you don’t like kick)
• 2 tsp. dried minced shallots
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 1 tsp. dried parsley or oregano
• 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 organic Meyer lemon (if in season) juiced
• 1/2 cup liquid egg whites
• Olive oil sprayContinue reading→

Easy Oat and Protein Muffins

Everyone should have a simple base muffin recipe in their arsenal – this is a good one. The use of a high quality protein flour mix goes a long way to ensuring breakfast fuels you through to lunch and keeps you focused and tuned in to whatever you are up to. Add what you like into the mixture – just try and make it something nutritionally worthy to your day*.

These are an excellent “take on the plane” snack/meal as well!

Base Ingredients
• 1 cup 2% organic milk**
• 1 cup quick cook organic oats
• 1 free range egg
• 1/4 cup light olive oil
• 1 cup mix kamut/quinoa flour
• 1/4 cup organic liquid honey
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon organic vanilla

**if you are dairy intolerant substitute coconut milk.

Optional Ingredients
1/2 cup mix raisins and raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup mix dried cherries and organic dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup mix chopped up dried apricots and toasted flaked coconut
1/2 cup diced pineapple and toasted flaked coconut*
1/2 cup organic raspberries or blueberriesContinue reading→