Creative Substitutions

Living with allergies means getting creative about replacing ingredients in recipes.  It is much more than that when a person's allergies include allergies to ingredients added to commonly used hygiene items such as soaps, lotions and even tissues.  When allergies include commonly used additives like aloe vera, even a simple choice of lotion or tissue can result in an 'irritating' experience.  Some brands brag about their additives which make it easier to avoid the allergen.  Other brands hide under generic terms like 'natural flavors' or 'herbs'

It takes a lot of reading, exploring and cautious testing to find usable personal care items in a world that is enchanted about adding aloe vera to everything. 

Because of allergies to aspirin and motrin, I have explored the anti-inflamatory uses of things such as olive oil, mint, and juniper berry.  Because of allergies to numerous antibiotics, I needed to learn about the antibacterial and antiviral properties of various berries and fruits.  

If you have one allergy, it can be an inconvenience.  If you have one allergy to a pervasively used thing such as wheat, soy, milk, or corn, it can be an always present consideration in daily living choices.  For those of us with multiple allergies life is a constant challenge.

A Rose by any other name, can still make you sneeze!

The importance of accurate labeling sounds boring doesn't it?  But, if you have a severe food allergy like I do, then accurate labeling means the difference between a lovely dinner and a trip to the ER.  It is great that more companies are labeling their products with even the inert ingredients. 

True it does make me sad to see some very delicious looking gluten free cupcakes only to read that they 'may' contain xanthum gum or carob or some other thing.  But its better to skip the possibility of a nasty migraine from carob, than to have a few minutes of sweet tastiness.

Since I have gone strictly allergen free, I have had no migraines for several years now.  I have gotten creative about substituting ingredients and I have been consistent at reading labels even on products I have successfully used in the past. 

So, it is worth it!