The Elimination Diet Results: The List 2010

I'm not so sure if this is the best post, post Thanksgiving. I honestly apologize for using digestive upset words today, but this is the end of my epic journey I began in September, so I'm sharing.

Certified organic, non GMO corn, is safe. I repeat. Corn is safe. Can't believe it, but it is true. Gluten free oats, are NOT safe for me. Grass fed and finished beef, is safe. Yesterday I was planing on dairy in the form of whole milk organic plain yogurt. I was still processing the half of an English walnut pie I ate Thursday night, so I didn't think it was the best idea and put it off for tonight. This morning, I blindly poured cow milk into my coffee. It was a really, really bad mistake. Not just the lactose intolerance symptoms of gas, abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea, but vomiting. Milk, does NOT do this body good. It clearly makes me sick, so I'm not even testing it. This diet...is DONE.

The idea that the well informed natural foods cook, has been walking around so sick for so long and having no idea why, makes my head hurt and did make me cry a few times. I've been a buyer for natural food stores, cooked for numerous restaurants, for unique clients from all over the world, on a movie set, music festivals all over the country, metaphysical and nutritional retreats of all kinds, for huge busy families w/ mixed allergies and 3 main dish requests a night...and I had no idea I was partially so sick because of food. D'OH!

BAKER'S YEAST: severe abdominal bloating, pain, and general intestinal explosion
WINE YEAST: see above
WINE VINEGAR:see above
BREWER'S YEAST: see above
EGG WHITES: itchy mouth and face, chronic rash trigger
TOMATOES: major inflammation and migraine trigger, acne like rash on face, fatigue
SOME POTATOES: headaches, fatigue
PEACHES: itchy mouth and face, some burning where juice dripped on wrists
STRAWBERRIES: itchy, swollen lips and mouth
MANGO: raw cut feeling on roof of mouth, digestive discomfort
BANANA: see above, less acute if cooked.
PECANS: raw cut feeling on roof of mouth, digestive discomfort
MACADAMIA NUTS: see above
GF OATS: digestive discomfort, eliminations issues... just like gluten was in me
DAIRY: severe abdominal bloating, pain, vomiting, gas, and diarrhea

So many basic foods that I have to rewrite more than 2/3rd's of my cookbook, though I am leaving my now forbidden recipes here on my blog, for people who may not have as many restrictions and are just looking for plain old good gluten free food.

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin....All my relations. I honor you in this circle of life with me today. I am grateful for this opportunity to acknowledge you in this prayer....

To the Creator, for the ultimate gift of life, I thank you.

To the mineral nation that has built and maintained my bones and all foundations of life experience, I thank you.

To the plant nation that sustains my organs and body and gives me healing herbs for sickness, I thank you.

To the animal nation that feeds me from your own flesh and offers your loyal companionship in this walk of life, I thank you.

To the human nation that shares my path as a soul upon the sacred wheel of Earthly life, I thank you.

To the Spirit nation that guides me invisibly through the ups and downs of life and for carrying the torch of light through the Ages, I thank you.

To the Four Winds of Change and Growth, I thank you.

You are all my relations, my relatives, without whom I would not live. We are in the circle of life together, co-existing, co-dependent, co-creating our destiny. One, not more important than the other. One nation evolving from the other and yet each dependent upon the one above and the one below. All of us a part of the Great Mystery.

Thank you for this Life.

Something besides Calgon, take me away!

I am a water sign, living in the desert, deprived of ocean, lakes, streams, and ponds...not to mention, puddles for most of the year. My refuge if the bathtub. I can't live without one...oh wait, I am! As luck would have it, I have access to a deep claw foot tub 1-2 times a week. I do make use out of it.


It's Autumn going into Winter, we'll start with these seasonal bath delights!


Cinnamon Apple or Pumpkin Body and Hair Mask
2 pounds of cut and cored apples 
3/4 cup of water
or 1, 16 ounce can of pumpkin
1/4 cup of water
1-2 cinnamon sticks, broken
1/2 cup of coconut oil, apricot oil, or untoasted sesame oil
1 lemon, juiced and zested



Place apples or the pumpkin, cinnamon sticks, lemon juice, and water in a large pot. Cook until you can mash the apples or the pumpkin is bubbly. Strain through a mesh colander to remove the liquids (You can drink the liquid!) Place the strained mix back into the pan, add the oil and lemon zest. Use while still warm: sit in the empty tub, wet your body, slather your whole body (keep away from eyes) and your hair in the mix. Fill the tub just a bit and lie back and relax for 10 minutes. Place a face cloth over the drain to catch pulp, then turn the shower on and rinse well. Rinse your hair, but shampoo the next day. Let the oil work some magic overnight. Your skin will love the fruit acids, you and your hair be thoroughly moisturized by the oil, and you will feel renewed by the essential oils in the lemon zest.


Chai Body Tea
2-3 cinnamon sticks, broken
1 tablespoon of whole cloves
1 tablespoon cardamom pods
1 teaspoon of whole black peppercorns
2 inch piece of smashed ginger, or 1/4 cup sliced dry ginger
green tea bags or loose green tea
1/4 cup of baking soda
If you are not sensitive to dairy, 1/2 cup of dried milk powder.


Place all ingredients, except baking soda and milk powder, in a tea sack, or clean, thin, cotton sock. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the sack or sock, turn the heat low, and let simmer covered for 15-20 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the baking soda and stir to dissolve. Bring the pan into the bathroom. Start your hot tub and the contents of the pan: both the sack/sock and the liquid, and the milk powder if using. Immerse yourself into a hot cup of tea! Keep away from eyes and give yourself a quick rinse after you have turned into a prune. Not only does this smell amazing, your skin loves the antioxidant green tea, the energizing spices, the moisturizing milk powder, and the PH balancing baking soda. Why not make a huge batch using the dry ginger? Buy some tea sacks online, and a make the most unique holiday gift anyone has ever heard of! Packing it in a recycled jar or tin will please the most au natural friend you have.



 Spice Bazaar Bath and Body Oil
1/2 cup of untoasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons of sandalwood chips or 6 drops of sandalwood oil
1 tablespoon dried patchouli leaves or 3 drops of patchouli oil
3 cinnamon sticks, broken
1 tablespoon whole cloves
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

Place all ingredients into a glass jar. Let seep for 1-2 weeks, shaking the jar 2x daily. Strain through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth, and store in the 'fridge.
To use in bath, add to hot running water, and rinse well after using, or use after your bath for a long lasting scented body moisturizer or massage oil. Keep away from eyes, and avoid direct contact with 'tender skin below the waist' if using as a body or massage oil. Sesame oil absorbs UV rays, soothes wind and sunburned skin, and is a wonderful moisturizer. This sensual, earthy spiced oil is pleasing to men and women. Another unique gift idea!

TLB 2010

Homemade All Natural Garden Pest Repellant (Tam's Aphid Be Gone)

So it is Mid Term Election day here in the USA. Perfect day to talk about pest control, I think. I know it's Fall and chilly in most of the Northern hemisphere, but it's not here. I am writing this, sitting outside in 80 degree shade. (Global what??) Anyway. My garden is growing at a Spring like rate since it's so warm. I am on my FOURTH planting of greens. Normally, my Fall-Winter gardens are free of most pests and I worry more about cold than hot. I have a bumper crop of collards, lettuce, bok choy, and cabbage right now... and it's warm. One word. APHIDS. Again. This time without their farmer ants. Aphids are feasting on my cole crops. Not happening. We have the garden factored into our food budget and our holiday menus. We need this garden to eat well through the Winter. This is not a hobby garden...it's about actual nutritional health and survival for us.

Since greens don't require pollinators, I went out and washed the aphids off in soapy water. They came back. I soaped again. There they were again. My inner herbalist/ mad scientist thought long and hard and I came up with what has proven to be the only non-toxic, organic thing I have yet to find that makes them really go away. I remembered my Gram's neighbor spraying her cole garden in garlic and cayenne tea to repel pests, and then the memory of dipping aphid infested leaves in peppermint tea came back to me. Ah- ha!

1 cup of dried mint or lots of mint tea bags
1 head of garlic, peeled and pureed
1/4 cup of hot sauce
3 tablespoons of veg oil
1/2 gallon of water


Heat the water to boil. Add the herb or tea bags, turn the pot off and cover. Let seep for 1/2 an hour. Add the pureed garlic and mix well to combine. Pour through a mesh strainer, then add the  veg oil and hot sauce, and pour into a spray bottle. Shake well before using.


Spray the heck out of your cole crops, being sure to coat the under side of leaves and any tender young bunching leaves in the center of the plant. Remove any living aphids or eggs with your fingernail or a Q-Tip for the bug phobic. Spray daily until all signs of aphids are gone, then spray once a week. If the spray wilts your leaves, wash well with water. They'll pop right back up. 


This will burn the heck out of your eyes and sensitive skin...use caution and keep away from kiddos and pets! The dog won't go near the garden now, which is nice. He's been eating all sorts of sprouts and baby peas. Always wash your hands well after handling aphids or the spray. Aphids do like houseplants, so you can use this inside, too.
I sprinkled dried mint between the plants and planted garlic chives between rows, in hope of stopping future infestations. The aphids... are gone and our food garden is safe for now. 


I am buying ladybugs from a local company this Spring, and I have planted several pererinals that attract butterflies. Adding these benifical aphid eaters to my yard and garden makes me feel better than scraping bugs off and killing them. The ladbugs and butterflies will take care of the aphids and other pests as part of their survival and life cycle.

Homemade Automatic Dishwasher and Kitchen Scouring Powder

I am grateful simply for having hot water that now comes out of my tap to wash dishes in. We had to boil water for dishes, for months, until we figured out how to repair the hot water heater without money. A dishwasher seems like a far away dream and not really a necessity for a family of two w/ occasional guests. The Kid, has one in her apartment and uses it as a time saver. She's always in need of dish powder and her college kid budget is tight. I now make it for her at 1/2 the price or less, and she reports adding plain white vinegar to the rinsing agent dispenser clears any white spots that may occur.

She was out of cleaning supplies, so I suggested using some of the dish powder to clean a stained counter top and found it makes a great cleaning powder, though not on easily scratched surfaces. Her sink, toilet, tub, formica counters and the backsplash tiles, sure like it though. Crafty, huh?

MAKES JUST OVER ONE QUART

2 cups of borax powder
2 cups of baking soda
1/2 cup of salt. I bought cheap store brand salt.
Citric acid
I can buy citric acid in bulk locally.  I've also seen it in hardware stores near the caning equipment. It's Vitamin C, so if you can't find it in bulk or package, we have used the powder from 2 Vit. C capsules or 2 EmergenC Lemon-Lime packets. The Kid likes the scent of the EmergenC.


Whisk ingredients together. Store in a glass jar, plastic bag, or plastic container of choice. Use just like store bought, and don't forget to add the plain, white distilled vinegar to the rinse to help disolve spots. Use the powder like store- bought scouring powder and rinse well.


I found this recipe online last year but I can't find it again to credit it. Please, if this is yours, thanks!

Homemade Arnica Salve (Herbal Muscle Rub)

Arnica salve

Arnica (arnica montana) is possibly one of my best friends. We've been hanging out for years. I have arnica homeopathic remedies, bath teas, oils, and this wonderful salve. It's one of those things you can leave in your gym bag, on the bedside table, and in your medicine chest. People with neurological issues have reported a feeling of intense burning when we use menthol or cayenne based drug store store muscle balm. I agree. The only product (that I don't make) that I can use safely, and only on some parts of my body, is Tiger Balm. I keep that around for really bad arthritis/joint pain and use my own arnica salve for massage, muscle spasms, tightness, injury without broken skin, or bruising*. I'm sure to reach for this salve and use it liberally since it only contains 4 ingredients, all of which I can spell, pronounce, and identify.

Reminder to read this through before you start, especially the let herb sit in oil for 4 weeks part. If you miss that one...it's kind of all over. I'm making a very large batch, but I have come up with a 1/4 batch recipe that would suit a beginner. You can use the same method for many blossomy, herbaceous, verdant dry or fresh herbs such as St. John's Wort and it's blossoms, borage flowers, lemon balm, calendula or rose. Most drier woody things like to get ground and slowly heated in oil, or the volatile compounds need to be extracted with alcohol. I make creosote salve using that method.

WHAT
2 ounces of dried arnica flowers (you can use 1 ounce. I like a good arnica punch)
1 quart of cold pressed olive oil
bees wax, pellets, powder, or grated (less than an 1/4 ounce per batch, so I store my pound in the 'fridge)
1 Vitamin E 400 IU oil capsule or 2 drops of grapefruit seed extract (GSE)
1 quart size mason jar with lid
long handle metal spoon
1 craft use silicone spatula
tins, jars, or what have you for salve containers.

FIRST STEP/Seep the herb in oil
To a sterilized quart mason jar, add 2 ounces of dried arnica flowers. Add olive oil and fill jar half way. Use a sterilized long handled spoon to mush the flowers down and carefully top off with oil till just under the glass rings on the jar. Cover tightly and let seep for 4 weeks. A month longer is fine as long as the the oil is clean and cool. I like to let it sit in a window that gets some morning sun. Shake the jar gently once a day. The oil will turn colors, the flowers will do funky things...it's really quite beautiful.

SECOND STEP/Process into herbal oil
Using an fine mesh colander, drain the mason jar into a large 4 cup measuring cup. Let drain for 10 minutes, then transfer the oily herb sludge to an herb bag, old nut milk bag, pillow case, clean non-fuzzy kitchen towel, or double thick cheese cloth. Squeeze the herb until all of the oil has drained into the measuring cup. Compost the spent herb, and you now have a lovely arnica oil. Bottle and use as is for massage and compresses. Herb oils can also be used as a base for lip balms, lotions, creams, and other potions. It's a great skill to learn. (no photo. dark icky oily herb)

THIRD STEP/To make salve
Pour the arnica oil into a small sauce pan over low heat. Heat until hot, but not french fry hot, smoldering, or burning. Some people use a microwave for this step, but I don't. Turn the stove off, and start stirring in bee's wax a 1/4 teaspoon or a few pellets at a time. Stir until wax dissolves, adding more as needed until salve starts to thicken. As soon as it is starting to thicken up and feel like softening hardened coconut oil, pierce the Vitamin E capsule (or GSE) and squeeze the oil in. Stir well to combine, then pour salve into waiting containers of choice. The salve will thicken upon standing as it cools. Keep in a cool dry place and it will last for years. Arnica has been used for centuries for muscle strain, pain, tenderness, cramping, and bruising.

Simple. And now you have enough arnica oil or salve to last for 2 years, probably way more... but less if you're a Fibro-ite or an athlete. If you bought a quart of arnica oil from the health food store at would cost over $100.00...um, wait, you can't. You'd have to special order, pay for shipping, etc. Don't you feel crafty now? ;)



*Pregnant women:  Unless your midwife/ healthcare provider tells you to, ARNICA IS NOT CONSIDERED SAFE FOR USE DURING PREGNANCY.]


* Do not use if you are allergic to it; or to plants in the Asteraceae/daisy family such as, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies.

I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV. I am an herbal enthusiast sharing common herbal knowledge.

Adieu, Solanum Lycopersicum

My beloved,
It is with a heavy heart and tears falling like jewels, that I bid you adieu. For over 35 years, I have loved you. You were my first thought each Spring and my most tender Summer love. My passion was to preserve your sunlight each Fall, and in return, you bestowed upon me the gift of memories of our love throughout the Winter. You had few demands of me while I had many of you, yet our love endured. Until last year, when you began to make me sicker than hell.

Well, you say tomatoes, I say, headaches. You say marinara, and say I acne. You say, pizza, and I say, pesto. Let's call the whole thing off! Tomato, cooked and raw: REACTION.  I consumed tomatoes 4 times in 2 days and I feel it. Within hours I develop a headache, 1 day later an acne like rash around my mouth and an increase in general body inflammation. Granted they don't burn my mouth or cause major digestive upset immediately like wheat does, but this is a reaction. While they were on my limit due to inflammation risk list, I thought I might be able to 'get away with' eating them now and then. I don't think that's the best idea. To be clear, I tested with the highest quality tomatoes available; local, organic heirloom and cherry tomatoes, organic Muir Glen Fire Roasted made into marinara, and biodynamic organic Bionature, Diced, which I blended into juice to with mixed fresh juiced veggies. Everything was of the quality expected, tasted lovely, and went through my body without any perceived issues except the first headache. I was hopeful it was due to dehydration or weather, or just me stuff. When I had tomato again, same pattern.

Tomatoes are members of the nightshade family. Species in this family (Solanaceae) include some of my favorite foods; tomatoes, tomatillos, eggplant, potatoes, and, this is hard to say, peppers. Previous attempts at eliminations diets never included all of the nightshades separately. I'm already aware I can't eat bell peppers, but I'm really hoping to not have a similar reaction to chilies (or potato or tomatillo). I think green chilies, serranos, Thai birds, and habeneros make me feel good, but I also thought I'd been growing and eating tomatoes, making my marinara, salsas, pizza sauce, BBQ sauce, and ketchup for the rest of my life. This is a good thing, right? To know your enemy? YES! Yes, it is. Now I know.

And a note. I just got a comment from a reader asking if I ate a whole 28 ounce can or a whole peck of tomatoes to bring on this reaction. Yuck, no. I had 1 heirloom tomato slice, 3 TBS of fire roasted organic marinara, 4 cherry tomatoes from my neighbor's garden, and 1/2 cup homemade tomato-veggies blend... over the course of two days. In retrospect, the juice was unnecessary but I had carrot-beet juice that needed to be used, and I was hoping the headaches were from something else.