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→

2 Minute Raw Pesto

This recipe is nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and suitable for both vegetarians and raw foodies.

Pesto is a very versatile sauce/condiment. Traditionally it has been used with pasta. Now it has evolved into a popular marinade.

This recipe is made with basil or alternatively with one of the following as the main ingredient:

• Cilantro – goes amazing with white meat and fish and makes a crazy delicious salad dressing. You can also mix this into short grain brown rice to make one of my specialties – green rice (recipe to be posted later).
• Arugula – great with any cold appetizers, salads or on a fresh baked focaccia
• Spinach/mint – with Israeli cous cous salad, barley dishes, quinoa. It can also be used to make a fantastic Greek pizza base.Continue reading→