Allergies Suck

Good morning everyone.  Happy Friday to you!

Today I wanted to share with you all how my life HAD to change after Hurricane Sandy in 2012.  My wonderful family and I live near the ocean. So when that huge wave came and washed over the east shore of Staten Island, we were in its path.  Thank God my family and I were able to get out, and get to safety.  

Water is a powerful force.  It left behind so much destruction in our neighborhood. It took about a month for our home to be repaired.  We lived in the construction zone, which by the way is NEVER fun.  

I had already had “regular allergies” to grasses and flowers and mold.  Well friends, what happens when water sits.  MOLD.  Everywhere.  On the sidewalks, up the sides of houses, on the trees.  It was EVERYWHERE.  So here I am, going on with my life not realizing what I was breathing in.  I took precaution inside the house while in the construction zone.  Who would think to not breathe the fresh air outside?  Well, our bodies are great machines, but even the best can only take so much.  

One day after I returned to work, I was eating a snack that had almonds in it.  I LOVED almonds.  Nothing better than fresh almonds, am I right?  Well, not anymore.  I was in the middle of working with a patient, and started to have trouble breathing.  My face swelled, my eyes swelled, I thought “This is it.”  One of the nurses and a physician that I work with sprang into action.  I was having anaphylaxsis to something I ate my ENTIRE life.

I had some allergy testing done, and found out that I was allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, seeds, soy, gluten, night shade vegetables, corn, and a multitude of fresh fruits and veggies.  How did this happen?  From a storm?  Well ladies and gents, this is now my life.  So in my 30’s, I had to relearn how to cook and care for myself.

There have been many ups and downs in this adventure.  Did you know not being able to eat peanut butter can make you depressed?  Truth!!  Its crazy to know something has the potential to kill me, but my mouth still waters at the smell of peanut.  Or almond.  Or a hot apple pie from the oven with vanilla ice cream.  A girl can dream, cant she?

I want the world to know that even though there are things that I can no longer have, the things I CAN have are better for me.  Better tasting too because I know they are what my body needs. 

Over the years I have been able to re-introduce some foods back into my diet.  

My hope is that if anyone else out there is having a similar issue, they can see that they are not alone.  I am here to help you.  Reach out, leave a comment or message me on IG @Anges_Table.

I feel so blessed to be able to share my experiences and life hacks with you all. 

Have a great weekend!!

Connect with me on Instagram @Anges_Table