Allergic Responses, Brain Inflammation and Neurological Degeneration

Brain inflammation, causes pain and swelling. Chronic brain inflammation may cause cognitive changes, neurodegenerative diseases, chronic pain and fatigue. With significant loss of quality of life.

         

I've been doing some research on allergic responses, brain inflammation and neurological degeneration.

I'm gluten and lactose intolerant causing digestive inflammation and pain, meat causes me muscle and joint pain, nightshade vegetables appear to cause me joint pain with burning, all of this causing both body and brain exhaustion with migraines. This is all basically an inflammatory response of the whole body including the brain. This can lead to neurodegeneration and cellular changes when it is a chronic condition.

Why is this so important to me? My younger sister died due to a rare neurodegenerative genetic disorder that caused changes to her brain cells. It can't be tested for, or treated. She suffered for two years in hospital ending her life way too young.

My goal is to reduce my own inflammation and reduce the chances of causing changes in my brain structure that may trigger the onset of the genetic neurodegenerative disorder. Also to gain and pass along as much of my own experiences and information to my siblings, my daughter and nieces.

I know in the past 12 months I've overall reduced the inflammation that my body experiences. I've done this using a vegan diet, removing gluten and now eliminating nightshades from my diet. It all hasn't been smooth sailing as I still have occasional inflammatory days that can extend into weeks if I'm not diligent. But overall I'm better than I was when I stopped working 14 months ago.

Improving my health and reducing my pain by adjusting my diet is a daily conscious effort. The spinal column injuries and reduced mobility are a source of daily challenge. Without the addition of underlying inflammation the back pain can be more manegable.


There is without a doubt a link between diet and physiological/psychological health.

Here's an article that encapsulates the message between food, mood and brain function.

http://www.ultramind.com/epidemic_brainfog.php

another article:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101020091857.htm

another article:

http://news.bioscholar.com/2011/04/chronic-brain-inflammation-‘linked-to-memory-loss-in-older-adults’-re-issue.html

another article:

http://www.drthrasher.org/page160.html

To better health! Chin, chin!

    Karen

   

Recipes for Alternatives for Tomatoes, Potatoes and Eggplants

Livingwithout is an on line paper/magazine with lots of health articles. Here's one that has recipes for alternatives to tomatoes, potatoes and eggplants.
No More Nightshades!

by Rebecca Reilly

Recipes to satisfy your cravings for the foods you once loved.

Some researchers believe that consumption of nightshades - a family of plants that includes white potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant - contributes to arthritis symptoms in certain sensitive people. If you’ve stricken these plants from your diet because your joints get achy when you ingest them, chances are you’ve been missing the standard “comfort foods” you once enjoyed, like mashed potatoes, tomato sauce and French fries. You may get wistful just thinking about all those tomato-rich Italian and Mexican dishes you used to down.

Letting go of beloved foods can be a challenge but help is on the way! These recipes bring back the good, old days of dining. Cozy comfort and tons of taste–without the nightshades! No gluten or dairy either.

Here's a link to the recipes the Rebecca has adapted-

http://www.livingwithout.com/issues/1_6/no_more_nightshades-2587-1.html

Try the  "Marinara Sauce" without tomatoes, the Roasted Garlic "Mashed Potatoes" witthout potatoes, or the Tofu Parmesan without eggplant.

After I trial my nightshade sensitivity and if positive I may order the "Arthritis Free Cooking" book listed at the bottom of the page. For Canadian customers it is listed at $40.00 with $20.00 for shipping. 

My adventure to recoverying my health continues.

       Karen

Unpredictable Fibromyalgia, possible Nightshade connection

Fibromyalgia trigger spots

I'm still figuring out the fibromyalgia triggers that take me to a place of crash and burn. Yesterday was a crash and burn type day. Every muscle and joint burning and spent 90% of the day in bed or on the couch. Daily I'm challenged with a level of fatigue and pain, but at times it ramps it up and wipes out my day. Sometimes it lasts just a day, sometimes up to several weeks. I know the frequency of my wipe out days has reduced with my dietary changes, use of Omega 3's and glutamine. But when those wipeout days happen they still are a surprise to me. It's like running into a wall you didn't see.

I mentioned this to my friend on Facebook and she suggested that I may be sensitive to "nightshade" foods. 

Tomatoes are also a nightshade plant, that can cause                  arthritic type pain in some people.

Peppers are a nightshade and can cause reactions like                      joint and muscle pain with slight fevers.                              

Most common nightshade vegetables are potatoes and tomatoes. I've already eliminated white potatoes from my diet, but that was mostly a caloric issue. Now I'm going to go without my favourite nightshade, tomatoes. Oh, how I love tomatoes. It's going to be hard, but it will be worth reducing the pain.

Please check out Living Without for Rebecca Reilly's article on nightshades.

I still have more research to do but here is another helpful article I found-

What are nightshades and in which foods are they found?

Another article on nightshades-

Nightshade...no it's not a skin cream!

Here's a link to the Mayo Clinic- for Fibromyalgia

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079

If I can live with reduced pain and fatigue though it means giving up some of my favourite vegetables, it's worth it. I plan to go without any nightshade vegetables for at least a week then try my favourites-tomatoes. Then see what happens.

       Karen

      

Getting to Know My Waffle Maker and GF Vegan Waffles

Gluten Free Vegan Waffles

I bought a new Belgian Waffle Maker at Walmart.

1 ½ cup soy milk or other non dairy milk

1/4 cup vegan protein powder of your choice

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp canola oil

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp lemon juice

1 TBSP Stevia or other sweetener of your choice

1 cup GF Vegan Baking Mix-see recipe bottom of page

1 tsp GF Baking Soda

1/3 cup fruit optional

Preheat the waffle maker.

In a 4 cup measure(this makes it easier to pour out the batter) whisk together the soymilk, vegan protein powder until frothy. 

Then add cinnamon, canola oil, vanilla, lemon juice and chosen sweetner and whisk again until blended.

In a small bowl measure out the GF Vegan Baking Mix and the GF Baking Soda. Blend together.

When the waffle maker is at the correct temperature, THEN add the GF Vegan Baking Mix with the GF Baking Soda to the wet ingredients. Whisk together quickly.

The batter will become very thick and fluffy.

Fold in the fruit if adding.

Follow the waffle maker’s directions for cooking the waffle. Cook until desired doneness.

When I poured out the waffle mix I used a silicone spatula to spread it evenly around.

Makes 2 -7 inch round Belgian Waffles

The inside of the waffle was fluffy.

                           2 perfect Gluten Free Waffles

Some suggested toppings: fruit, vegan chocolate sauce, vegan whipped cream, icing sugar, fruit syrups, maple flavoured agave syrup, vegan ice cream.

Gluten Free Vegan Baking Mix

– this is like GF “Bisquick” based on Ginger Lemon Girl’s Master Baking Mix

3 cups brown rice flour

2 cups sorghum flour

11/2 cups arrowroot starch

1/2 cup tapioca starch *

1/4 cup vegan protein powder of your choice

1/4 cup ground flax seeds

1 tablespoon xanthan gum

2 teaspoons salt

3 tablespoons baking powder

1/2 cup unsalted non-hydrogenated margarine

Add rice flour, sorghum flour, arrowroot starch, tapioca starch and vegan protein powder together. Whisk thoroughly until there is no lumps of starch.

Add in the ground flax seeds, xanthum gum, salt and baking powder and whisk thoroughly again.

Cut the margarine in until the mixture looks like grains of sand. Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool place.

I use a Lock “N” Lock container. It was sturdy enough to take camping and keep the contents dry.

*I changed the potatoe starch in the original recipe to tapioca starch, because potatoe starch is in the nightshade group and may cause inflammation in some people.

NOTE: GF Betty Crocker Mixes are currently not available in Canada including their brand name Gluten Free Bisquick. Ginger Lemon Girl has come up with a good approximation of this product which I have changed to suit my needs.

       Karen

The Lesson of the Scotch Thistle

The Scotch Thistle now stood over 6 feet tall. It's spiny leaves reaching out and protecting the more spiny main stems of the plant. 

There were many buds ripening and ready to flower. One bud had blossomed into a pretty fuschia purple fuzz on the very tallest main stem.

I knew I had to remove the whole plant and destroy all of it's root system. This hardy weed yet beautiful plant needed to die.

As I looked at the plant, determining how I would go about cutting it down, the Holy Spirit nudged me.

This tall impressive weed was like sin in our lives.

It had once begun as a small plant with few thistles and poorly rooted. But we had not noticed or dealt with it at that time. Now the weed was well rooted and mature. It would be more difficult to deal with.

The outreaching leaves would need to be cut off first.

Just like temptation, identifying it in your life, cutting it out daily.

Next cutting the the weaker stems into pieces to be removed along with the buds: removing unforgiveness from your life.

Now onto the main stem cutting through the well established plant piece by piece; removing judgement of others lest you be judged.

Now the root of this plant, digging purposely, careful to not break the tap root and the fine roots around it. To remove it whole so that it cannot re-establish itself. To remove the fear and worry in my life that presses me down, replacing it with absolute trust in JESUS. Knowing that I am beloved by HIM.

I need to deal with the issues of temptation immediately when they arise, denying them in my life. Seeking HIS amazing strength.

To confess my sins, in order that they may not grow and mature into my life. 

To remember to love and forgive others. And when I don't have the strength to do so, seek the strength of JESUS believing HIM to supply me what I need.

Not to judge others. I am not qualified. JESUS did not judge me, HE choose to love and forgive me. And HE chooses to love me daily.

Finally, to re-nourish the soil of my heart with the word of GOD. In order that I will not become hard hearted.

I will replant the seed of HIS compassion in my heart for others that are seeking, hurting and needing HIS love.

I know GOD has many more lessons in my garden.

I choose to let JESUS lead me in what I need to nurture and what to weed in the Garden of My Life.

The TVP Cookbook

I found this little booklet that I purchased in the '90's. The copyright says 1991. Checking it out I noted that I could convert the recipes to gluten free easily. It is still available on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com. More experimenting to come.

                       TVP Comes in many sizes and shapes.

            Karen    

The Wonders and Benefits of Black Rice

Black Rice the New Super Food!

 

Black Rice

Black Rice is a highly nutritious species of rice that is now considered a modern super food. Check out the above link to find out more.
I found some organic black rice at my local Bulk Barn. I made some up. After it was cooked I added a large can of drained chickpeas and warmed the mixture through. Seasoned it with salt, pepper, a little cayenne and some margarine. It was tasty.
Black Rice has a very interesting and royal history. See the report below.

Black Rice: the Emperor’s Rice

Published on Sep 06, 2010

It’s kind of difficult to imagine the archaic times of the ancients when comfortable living was reserved for royalty or only a few lucky individuals. Yes, it’s very hard to picture a time when something as simple as stealing a few handfuls of Black Rice would result in being put to death. Yet that’s exactly the way it was according to the history books. Black Rice is also known as “forbidden rice”, and as the name might imply, consuming it without approval from the proper authorities can have life threatening consequences for those involved. Luckily, we no longer live in times of Black Rice prohibition.

The natural healing power and goodness of black rice has been very well noted in modern times. Loaded with antioxidants, Vitamin E, Fiber, and valuable anti-inflammatory properties, this special rice is truly remarkable in its abilities. In ancient China Black Rice was set aside specifically for the Emperor and / or the royal family, regular people weren’t allowed anywhere near the stuff. Much has been written recently about the studies linking antioxidants to anti-aging. What’s really incredible about Black Rice is the fact that it contains even more antioxidants (per serving) than blueberries; which are famous for their anti-aging properties.

The Emperor says, “Hands off the black rice! It’s mine.”

In ancient times, Emperors reserved this wonderfully nutty rice for their own consumption because it was thought that it would extend their lives; actually, it seems they weren’t that far off the mark. Black rice does provide many health benefits that we are just finding out about now; including prevention and treatment of very serious ailments. Avoiding diseases and conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and others is surely a great way to extend the length and quality of your life.

In addition to its healing and nutritious qualities, it would seem that Black Rice was also considered to be somewhat of an aphrodisiac at one time. It is highly likely that the Emperors down throughout the ages probably shared their Black Rice stock with their consorts or concubines.

Black Rice is surely ‘one of the’… if not ‘the most’ special breeds of rice that are cultivated on Earth. Its special, near medicinal values are truly stunning, even today with all of our medical knowledge and tools Black Rice is the kind of food that can save your life. Now every time you set down to enjoy a few servings of this awesome super food, you can remind yourself that you are eating something specifically reserved for kings.

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I'm going to try the many recipes listed at the linked website for black rice. I'm considering grinding it for use in my gluten free flour particularly for chocolate baked goods.

        Karen