Oh Allergies...

As a child, I was notorious for being the one in the family, among my friends, and in my class who gave the first true signs of Spring: Sneezing, sniffling, and red itchy eyes. A victim of allergies for two of my favorite things in the world: Nature and animals.

Lo and behold, I was medicated in middle school, starting with Allegra.  Once I built a tolerance, I had to switch to Zertec, and alternate between the two yearly.  Then, in high school my doctor prescribed me Singulair for a double whammy for my allergies and asthma.

Today, I am allergy free, asthma free, AND medication free.

As I sit outside on this BEAUTIFUL day on the East Coast, breathing freely through my nose, savoring the smell of the air, the flowers, freshly cut grass, I think to myself, "how did I ever live without enjoying this?"

So, this is what I do, and I recommend for all of my allergy prone counterparts, do try out my recommendations.  If they worked for me, a.k.a. the sneezing mess, they could work for you:

1.) Every morning I make a smoothie (see recipe below).  Inside that smoothie a key ingredient to triumphing allergies is Bee Pollen.  Yes, Bee Pollen is not vegan, and I do eat a Vegan diet, however I still consume bee products-- they have served their purpose and more.  By eating LOCAL Bee Pollen (which you can get at your local health food store), your body builds a tolerance to Bee Pollen, which is one of many triggers for seasonal allergies.  I have been using 1 tsp. of Bee Pollen for about two years now, and although it takes time to build up a tolerance, it does work.

Green Smoothie:1-2 c. Coconut Water
1/2 Frozen banana
handful of Kale
1 tsp. Bee Pollen
1 tsp. Maca Powder
1 tsp. Spirulina
1 tbs. Chia seeds
1 tbs. Ground Flax Seed
1 soup of Sun Warrior Protein Powder
Blend in a blender

2.) A few times a day I clean my sinuses. I whole heartedly believe in the power of a Neti Pot, however I am a busy chick who will come up with any excuse not to flush my sinuses daily.  So, I found a convenient alternative that works like a charm and does not shoot snot all over my sink:

Xlear is a friggen Rock Star which I do not leave home without!

3.) A huge fan of Homeopathy, every day 2-3 times a day (or more if feeling sniffly), I take three pellets of Natrum Muriaticum 200 ck.  If you are not familiar with these little miracle pellets I suggest you do some googling, speak to a homeopath, and ditch pharmaceutical drugs for these natural miracle pills. I use them for every ailment I have from a morning after a fun night (commonly called a hangover) to a cold to digestive issues.  Homeopathy is a super star in my book, and I never resort to pharmaceutical medication. Homeopathy is safe, and natural, and can be given to pets and babies (speak with a homeopath first!).

4.) My last allergy-ass-kicker is Quercetin. Quercetin is found in many fruits and vegetables, some of my favorites which I eat daily are green tea, apples, red onions, tomatoes, broccoli, and leafy greens like my beloved kale.  I also take Quercetin as a supplement when I know the allergy scale will be high...

With Butterbur Extract,Perilla Oil, Rosemarinic Acid, and 200 mg of Quercetin, this product has  become one of my new favorites.

 5.)Oh yeah, and there's an App for that! Check out Pollen.com for the Allergy Alert to see which days the pollen is high, in which you should use extra precaution (as in make sure to clean your sinuses, and use my recommendations).

Having a healthy diet is essential to a healthy immune system.  Remember to eat lots of vegetables, try to incorporate some (or all) of my suggestions, and then, roll down those windows and enjoy breathing freely the fresh scents of spring <3

Happy Healing!

If you could do anything with your life, what would it be?

If you could do anything with your life, what would it be?

When asked this question at Easter dinner with my soon-to-be in-laws, I knew right away what I would do with my life... and I know that I can do whatever I want to do, and be whatever I want to be.  I just have to do it.  On April 15th, I turn 25.  Considered a milestone to many, to me it is more of a reminder to take inventory of my life so far, make goals for the next five years, journal about it, think about it, manifest it.

I think back on who I was 5 years ago, as a 20-year-old Sophomore in college, still in the early and insecure years of my relationship with my now fiance, John.  I guess everything at the age was insecure and unaware.  I was going through the motions of doing my best in college, but not sure what I really wanted to do when I got out, unaware of the responsibilities the future holds, and how quickly they will come. I was at the point in my life, and education when I lost all faith. Faith in my parents, faith in religion, faith in myself. I was an insecure, young girl on this journey of finding myself, luckily I had a great guy to support and love me along the way. The best part of that year? John and I unofficially adopted Avery, our little vegan fur child (who is a survivor!)

Our first picture as a little family, April 2007

Five years later, I am secure. Confident. Happy.  I am proud of my accomplishments and my responsibilities.  I accept everything I have been through, and done, to get to this point. I have taken charge of my health, become a vegan who loves green juice and smoothies, who loves to exercise to feel good and strong, to be healthy, rather than to be skinny. I now know what I want to do with my life (what I need to do), and I accept that my current situation is the avenue to get there. And, at 25-years of age, after having a pretty rough year when I have lost a lot of near and dear people in the past year, too many friends and family have been plagued with disease and other misfortunes, my faith, against all odds, is being restored.

April, 2012

Faith. Well, how can I not have faith? I was raised Roman Catholic, dragged to church every Sunday, and every week I reluctantly attended CCD classes (with my reluctant BFF, Erica :). I went to college, took my first psychology course, and everything the church had taught me, was questioned, or better put: A good fairy tale. I became a non believer, and with that, I became a pessimist.... Until recently.

I am so blessed. I know that I manifested my life today, I manifested my fiance, John.  Our life together, my job, my relationships with family and friends.  I have all that I ever dreamed.  And call me crazy, but I believe there is a higher power, whatever you want to call it, but there is a power bigger than us.  There are angels protecting us, everyday.  Those lost, are not gone. This faith, does not mean I have to go to church and ask for forgiveness of my minor sins (like not going to church for the last 5 years). This faith is something sacred inside of me, when my body is my temple on so many levels. I accept everything I have been given, and I am so grateful. There are no coincidences, everything happens for a reason, and I believe that we all really do have a true purpose in this life.

Now, with that belief, soon-to-be 25 year old me, could not be more content. My goal for the next five years is to take a leap of faith, and just do it.... I know if I could do anything with my life, what it would be, and I am going to do it.

Wishing everyone of you the happiest and most powerful year yet.
Happy Easter <3