Spring Cleaning for Less Sneezing

Hi Wellness Warriors! Spring is the perfect time to do a little cleaning, especially if you’re suseptible to spring allergies.

When I say “spring cleaning” I’m not talking about your closets or home, although cleaning, letting go and getting rid of “stuff” is super uplifting and I try to do it seasonally myself…

But this post is about cleaning up our diet and getting back on track after a long COVID winter! If you need some guidance and support, join the 21 Day Anti-Inflammatory Plan (Just $21 – Starts on May 5th).

What does diet have to do with allergies?

Quite a lot, actually. I would have never believed that what I ate effected my seasonal allergies… until I experienced it. The best time to think about allergies is BEFORE they hit (and really all year long).

And remember, that often “weight loss is a side effect” when you add yoga, superfoods and self-care to your life. Meaning, weight loss isn’t necessarily the focus, it just HAPPENS naturally when you focus on your energy on positive change instead of restriction and deprivation.

The same “positive side effects” often happen to reduce allergy symptoms…

For years, the cycle would always repeat for me… Every spring my eyes would get puffy and itchy and I’d sneeze my brains out. Then, I’d go to the doctor and he’d give me a prescription for allergy medication.

This went on for years, to the point that I almost dreaded spring, which used to be my favorite time of year! I love the symbolism of spring and new beginnings, so why I wondered why my body allergic to spring? It made no sense to me and I’d take the victim approach and feel sorry for myself.

Then I started to clean up my diet to help with my autoimmune illness and in hopes of improving my energy, digestive issues, acne, hormonal issue, migraines and other chronic muscular pain flare-ups leftover after having Lyme and Hashimotos Thyroiditis.

I had exhausted every other way I knew to solve these problems, had seen dozens of doctors, tried different meds and had tried every kind of alternative therapy I could think of including acupunture and chiropractic (both of which I love, but only got me so far).

The one thing I hadn’t yet tried was cleaning up my diet…

I was in denial in thinking the coffee, sugar and packaged foods I lived on to give me “more energy” could actually be making all my health problems worse. Nor did I want to give up my precious coffee, wine and chocolate…

But, as I started to make healthier choices and little adjustments to my self-care routine and diet, little by little my migraines, chronic headaches and muscle pain lessened, my energy increased, my skin got brighter with less breakouts and my digestive and hormonal issues improved greatly… 

And when spring rolled around, the dreaded allergy symptoms lessened! Honestly, the symptoms didn’t entirely disappear, but they got SO MUCH better, to the point I have never taken an allergy medication since! And I as able to completely stop taking my daily dose of Exedrin Migraine (yikes). Yes, I literally would start each day with 2 – 3 cups of coffee to wash down my Exedrin (complete with sugary fake coffee creamer) .

Turns out, the anti-inflammatory, superfood diet that had helped lessen my migraines and muscle pain also…

• Boosted my immunity through the change of seasons (when I normally got a flu or cold)
• Helped clean out my liver (which filters allergens as well as toxins)
• Reduced overall inflammation (which reduced the symptoms associated with seasonal allergies)

Needless to say, reducing aches, pains and seasonal allergy symptoms are one of the MANY reasons I LOVE the combo of YOGA, SUPERFOODS & SELF CARE. 

Spring is a great time to reset your intentions from the new year and begin again. Try this energizing and uplifting 30 minute Spring Sun & Moon Salutations…

And, to help calm your seasonal allergies, try adding in some healing anti-inflammatory foods…

My Top Anti-inflammatory (Anti-Allergy) Superfoods:

• Pineapple: high in bromelain, which naturally reduces inflammation
• Ginger: natural anti-inflammatory and anti-histimine
• Leafy Greens: collard greens, kale and spinach are loaded with vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals to boost immunity
• Flax seed: high in omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammatory response in the body
• Sweet Potatoes: lots of vitamins + minerals to boost immunity /reduce inflammation
• Lemons: Vitamin C and anti-oxidants to boost immunity and cleanse the liver
• Green Tea: high in antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory + anti-histimine properties
• Apples: high in quercetin, a natural anti-histimine
• Garlic: a natural anti-inflammatory, antibiotic with immune-boosting properties
• Probiotics: help to repair digestive health and boost immune system
• Coconut or Almond Milk: replace cow’s milk with nut milks to reduce mucas
• Coconut or Almond flour: a gluten-free diet can reduce allergy symptoms for some people
• Raw Local Honey: can help your body build a tolerance to local pollen
• Turmeric: contains curcumin, a power anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory (see previous Turmeric for Warriors blog post here + Turmeric Spice Superfood Bite recipe below :))

Turmeric Spice Superfood Bites

• 1 cup oat flour (make flour with gluten free oats in high speed blender)
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 5 dates
• 1 T turmeric
• 1 t cinnamon or all spice
• 1 t ginger powder (or 3 – 4 drops Essential Oil)
• 1-2 drops cardamom essential oil (optional but awesome)
• pinch fresh ground pepper
• pinch Himalayan salt
• 1 T raw honey
• 1/4 cup almond butter, softened
• 1 T coconut oil, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

To prep: Blend oats on high speed until flour-like texture. Add in walnuts and dates and blend again until fine. Add in spices (turmeric, cinnamon, all spice, ginger, cardamom, salt and pepper). In separate bowl mix together almond butter, coconut oil and vanilla. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Roll into bite-sized balls and refrigerate. Enjoy!

Other natural allergy-reducing tips:

1. take a shower before bed to rinse off the pollen from the day
2. use a neti pot to rinse pollen from nasal passages (I use my neti pot with essential oils like eucalyptus, frankinsence or Breathe blend)
3. tri a daily ginger shot (juice an apple, ginger, lemon and pineapple 🙂

I’ve also recently discovered the amazing healing benefits of using essential oils. I use essential oils topically on my skin, in a diffuser for aromatherapy  and even taking essential oils in supplement form. Essential oils along with an anti-inflammatory superfood-based diet, self-care and yoga is a very powerful combo!

Essential oils I use for Allergies:

1. Breathe Respiratory Blend (in my diffuser or topicaly on my skin)
2. Tri-Ease Seasonal Blend softgel supplement (lemon, lavendar, peppermint)
3. Ginger or Peppermint in my green tea, smoothies and matcha lattes 🙂
4. Eucalyptus (in my neti pot)
5. Frankinsence and Lavender (topcially)

For more information or to order essential oils, CLICK HERE.

Change isn’t easy. It took me years to change my diet and self-care routine to allow my body to heal from autoimmune disease and Lyme. If you’re ready for real change but want some support, accountability and a cheerleader, CLICK HERE to book a 15 minute consult. 

One of the most powerful things I did for my health was to switch to an anti-inflammatory diet. CLICK HERE to sign up for the 21 Day Anti-iflammatory Plan (Just $21 and starts on May 5th)

XO & Namaste,

Karen Dubs

www.flexiblewarrior.com