YourHealthPotential.com - Article September 2010

" Meditate, dance to your own rhythm and watch synchronicity happen. "
~ Sheryl Worthington Turgeon

Tasty Ways to Tame Your Allergies

It seems we had the “Perfect Storm,” for this fall’s allergy season—a cold winter followed by a sudden and sustained warming trend, along with widespread growth of plant life due to global warming.

And the climate isn’t expected to improve any time soon, according to Meteorologist Carl Parker of The Weather Channel. “Carbon dioxide has increased in the past 100 years and plants thrive on increasing levels of CO2. Some types of pollens have doubled because of climate change,” Parker said.

Does this mean allergy sufferers are doomed to years of popping antihistamines and other pharmaceuticals? Not at all! Of course the first line of defense is to avoid pollen on high count days by staying inside with the windows closed. If you must go outdoors, it’s best to avoid the morning hours when the pollen is much worse. If you use an air filter or ionizer when sleeping, it can help reduce allergy symptoms as well.

The more long-term approach is to strengthen your immune system through targeted nutrition, exercise and rest. Foods that reduce inflammation, such as those containing Vitamin C, which lowers histamine levels and boosts hormones to reduce allergies include citrus fruits, broccoli, leafy greens, peppers, strawberries and tomatoes.

You can prolong the benefits of Vitamin C in your body by eating fruits and vegetables high in bioflavanoids, such as Brussels sprouts, oranges, blueberries, grapes and cherries. They also strengthen the immune system and reduce histamine production.

Mushrooms, broccoli, and sunflower seeds are great sources of pantothenic acid or Vitamin B5. This vitamin stimulates antibody production and is referred to as the anti-stress vitamin. According to Roger Williams, Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Texas, 500 milligrams of pantothenic acid taken daily will do wonders in the treatment of hay fever and pollen-type allergies.

Foods like flaxseed, fish, and walnuts provide us with Omega 3 fatty acids, which are called essential fatty acids because the body must obtain them from food. They reduce the inflammation in the body that accompany allergic responses.

So what would be the perfect dinner for the “Perfect Storm” of allergens? See below for a couple of ideas and eat your way to delicious health!

Ingredients:	2 pounds wild salmon 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice freshly grated orange peel 1/2 teaspoon Herbamare or sea salt freshly ground black pepper extra virgin olive oil
Dressing:	DRESSING
OPTIONS:	OPTIONS
Directions:	Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Rinse your salmon fillet and pat dry with a paper towel. Cut it into 6 fillets. Arrange fillets on a baking sheet or large glass baking dish. Drizzle orange juice over the fillets, then sprinkle each with a little grated orange peel. I use my microplane fine grater to do this. Make sure you do it before you juice your orange. You'll want the zest from the whole orange. Sprinkle with Herbamare (or sea salt) and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle each fillet with a little olive oil. Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon takes only about 8 minutes to cook at 400 degrees. (Used with permission from the Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen)

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Chopped Walnuts
Ingredients:	2 Cs Brussels Sprouts, ends trimmed and sliced in half ½ C Walnuts chopped fine 1 to 2 Tbs Organic Coconut Oil Celtic sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions:	Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place brussel sprouts in baking dish and toss with coconut oil and chopped walnuts. Turn each of them so the cut side is down. Roast for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper.

7-Minute Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients:	2 Sweet Potatoes cut into 1-inch cubes (If organic, no need to peel) ¼ t Rosemary Celtic sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 t Organic coconut oil or butter
Directions:	Steam cubed sweet potatoes for 7 minutes. Add rosemary, sea salt and pepper. Drizzle with organic coconut oil or butter.

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