The EXMA app

Recently a young man reached out to me with a blog post idea to share a venture he’s been working on to help eczema sufferers. His name is Kerrison, and he’s created an app called “Exma” to help those with eczema to identify their food triggers. I think this is a great idea as our daily meals play a huge role in the heath of our bodies and skin, and finding out which foods can be most aggravating can help lessen flares and even heal the skin. I have a page dedicated to “Food and Allergy Triggers” HERE for more information. Below, Kerrison gives more info about himself and about his app! Make sure to check it out and download it with the link below. If you do give it a go, make sure to leave a comment below on how it worked out for you, and also let Kerrison know @ exmamobileapp@gmail.com

Q & A

1.) Tell me a little bit about your history with eczema; how old are you, where do you live, how long have you had eczema and do you have a history with topical steroids?

  • I am 23 years old, I live in Melbourne, Australia, I have had eczema since I was a child, and I have used topical steroids on and off since I was a child as well.

2.) What are you currently doing to treat your eczema?

  • Currently to maintain my eczema I’m using Elidel twice a week to try and maintain it, but I know this is not a long term solution. Moisturize daily. Vacuum the bedroom weekly, and use dust-mite proof bedding. I’m also ensuring my diet is healthy and I exercise 2-3 times per week.

3.) Tell me about this app and why you created it.

  • The app helps people with severe eczema identify their triggers. I created the app because I couldn’t figure out what was making my eczema worse, and using a pen and paper to track these variables is too difficult. The app currently requires manual input but we are rolling out new features to automate these inputs.

4.) What would you like the users of this app to get out of it?

  • My main goal is to help people suffering from eczema identify their triggers so that it’s no longer affecting their life.

5.) What words of encouragement do you have for those suffering with eczema?

  • For words of encouragement, I would say to keep trying to figure out what works for you. All these drugs only focus on the symptom and not the problem. They have their place but keep searching for what works for you. And always seek for help because there are a lot of people wanting to help you just like yourself, Jennifer. Understand your triggers and take control of your eczema.

Check out Kerrison’s app, “Exma” HERE

Brazil Nuts!


Get some Brazil nuts into your diet! ​These nuts are the highest source of the mineral selenium (542 mcg, 774% daily recommended value in just one ounce!!). Selenium in Brazil nuts speeds the cell turnover process, providing a natural glow to the skin​ & helps with inflammation​.​ Selenium is also a great mood lifter which will help battle depression allowing it to boost the levels of serotonin metabolites. The high levels of antioxidants in Brazil nuts stimulate the production of glutathione, which combats free radicals that damage the skin collagen​ ​and ​helps to prevent skin cancer. The Vitamin E in Brazil nuts also maintains the integrity of the cells of the mucus membranes and the skin​​.

Brazil nuts also contain copper, a mineral that aids in the production of melanin​ ​(a color pigment that protects the body from the harmful ultraviolet rays).​​ ​​I like to consume about 2 raw Brazil nuts everyday along with other nuts and seeds like walnuts, sunflower, chia, pumpkin & flax! Brazil nuts have a propensity to spoil quickly so buy them in reasonable amounts. Look for Brazil nuts that are stored in airtight containers, whole and brown and heavy in the hand. Don’t pick any that are shriveled or in pieces, as they could be already spoiled or contaminated with mold. It’s best to store Brazil nuts airtight in a cool, dark, dry place without exposure to humidity or sunlight.​ ​You can also store whole Brazil nuts in an airtight bag in the refrigerator, where they can last for a few months.

 A one-ounce (six kernels) serving of dried, unblanched Brazil nuts contains about:

  • 185 calories
  • 3.5 grams carbohydrates
  • 4 grams protein
  • 18.8 grams fat
  • 2.1 grams fiber
  • 542 micrograms selenium (774% DV)
  • 106 milligrams magnesium (27% DV)
  • 0.5 milligram copper (25 percent DV)
  • 205 milligrams phosphorous (20% DV)
  • 0.3 milligram manganese (17% DV)
  • 0.2 milligram thiamine (12% DV)
  • 1.6 milligrams vitamin E (8% DV)
  • 1.1 milligrams zinc (8% DV)
  • 45.2 milligrams calcium (5% DV)
  • 186 milligrams potassium (5% DV)
  • 0.7 milligram iron (4% DV)

Check out more info on Brazil Nuts HERE & HERE (Brazil nuts effect on cholesterol)

And the WINNER is…

 
Thanks for everyone’s entries for this raffle! You can still make donations to support the Preventable Documentary, just subscribe to @preventable_doc on Instagram for more info & check out the website http://www.preventabledoc.com . You can also subscribe to my Instagram account @eczemaholistichealing for updates. If you’re interested in purchasing these products, just let me know by leaving a comment below or emailing me at eczema.holistic.healing@gmail.com ☺️

Watermelon!!!

 
WHY DO I LIKE TO START MY DAY WITH WATERMELONS??? 🍉🍉🍉

Well because it’s not only super sweet, refreshing and delish, but super hydrating as it’s about 92% water! It is also soaked with nutrients! Did you know that each juicy bite has significant levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, lots of lycopene, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties and amino acids?? There’s even a modest amount of potassium! You can even eat the rind as it has health-promoting and blood-building chlorophyll, but the rind actually contains more of the amino acid citrulline than the pink flesh. Black watermelon seeds are edible and actually quite healthy as well because they contain iron, zinc, protein, and fiber. (In case you were wondering, seedless watermelons aren’t genetically modified, as they’re the result of hybridization.) I have watermelon for breakfast after I’ve had some water first thing upon waking and my warm turmeric tea. Watermelon is the easiest food to digest, and we need to ease the body into digestion upon waking because it has been fasting for 8 hours. This hydrating fruit is like bathing our organs first thing and giving it great fiber as well to get things moving along. It’s packed with electrolytes too, so perfect to enjoy after a workout! I like to also blend it with a nice 2″x 2″ square of fresh aloe gel and a squeeze of half a lime for a refreshing juice! Get some watermelons in your life!!! Your skin will feel more hydrated, your digestion will work better and you’ll be supplying your body with awesome nutrients! 🍉🍉🍉

Check out my Instagram account: eczema.holistic.healing

Recipe! – Very Berry Smoothie Bowl

4 frozen bananas, 1.5 cup of frozen raspberries, strawberries & blackberries blended with 1/2 water 1/2 almond milk & a spoon of each hemp, flax, chia & 1/4tsp turmeric paste. Topped with blueberries. Packed with antioxidants for healthy glowing skin!

Method:

I like to add the hemp, flax, chia and turmeric paste into the blender first, then the berries and bananas then the liquids and blend! I found that putting the seeds first helps to get them really blended up, and not all over the top and sides of the blender. I use a Vitamix blender so it’s high powered and really blends the seeds into oblivion!

  • Hemp, chia and flax (I use grounded flax seeds) are packed with healthy whole food fats like omegas! Here’s some more info comparing the 3.
  • Raspberries – Potent in Vit C, potassium, calcium, lutein and zeaxanthin. They contain antioxidant carotinoids, ellagic acid and quercetin (quercetin is a natural antihistamine). Researchers believe that anthocyanins — the water-soluble plant pigments that give the berry its vivid color — are responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Strawberries – In addition to antioxidants, they are potent in folate, potassium, manganese,dietary fiber, and magnesium. It is also extremely high in vitamin C!
  • Blackberries – Loaded with vitamin C & A, soluble and insoluble fiber and low in sodium. They also offer the highest levels of some antioxidants – higher than blueberries and strawberries too. The very dark color of the fruit is proof of its high antioxidant level.
  • Bananas – High in potassium, full of iron and bananas act as a prebiotic (stimulates the growth of gut friendly bacteria), produces digestive enzymes to help absorb nutrients easier and gently chelates toxins and heavy metals from the body, due to its high pectin content. They also contain tryptophan (an amino acid), which is converted into serotonin… the happy-mood brain neurotransmitter which can aid in overcoming depression. No wonder why I’m always so happy when I have my daily morning smoothie! 🙂
Why are antioxidants so important?
Well, your skin is your largest organ, so it is important to take care of it with antioxidant rich foods. Antioxidants protect the skin by limiting the production of free radicals, which can damage skin cells.
The human body naturally produces free radicals and the antioxidants to counteract their damaging effects. However, in most cases, free radicals far outnumber the naturally occurring antioxidants. In order to maintain the balance, a continual supply of external sources of antioxidants is necessary in order to obtain the maximum benefits of antioxidants. Antioxidants benefit the body by neutralizing and removing the free radicals from the bloodstream.

External Factors of Oxidative Stress

Free radicals occur naturally within the body, and for the most part, the body’s natural antioxidants can manage their detoxification. But, there are certain external factors that can trigger the production of these damaging free radicals. These factors include:

• Excessive exposure to UV rays
• Pollution
• Smoking
• Eating an unhealthy diet
• Excessive exercise
• Certain medications and/or treatments

Here’s a helpful list of top antioxidant rich foods. Make sure that you incorporate these into your diet in abundance!

Did you know that Blueberries are little anti inflammatory powerhouses? Quercetin is a flavonoid that fights inflammation and even cancer and it’s found in blueberries along with many other phytonutrients. In just one cup of blueberries you will have the DV (daily values) of 36% Vitamin K, 25% Manganese, 25% Vitamin C, 14% Fiber, and 9% Copper.

They are also phytonutrient superstars because they contain significant amounts of anthocyanadins, antioxidant compounds that give blue, purple and red colors to fruits and vegetables.

 

 

 

It’s 2017 y’all!!!

Fireworks of various colors bursting against a black background

So we’re a little over a week now into the new year! How has it been treating you all?! I for one (probably like most people) was happy to see 2016 go. It’s been a rough year for sure, but I’ve learned a lot and was pushed out of my comfort zone many times, forcing me to grow.

Continue reading “It’s 2017 y’all!!!”

Seeking Eczema & Psoriasis Patients for Paid Research Program 

Hey guys, 

I received an email to be apart of an online panel on OTC treatments as well as topical steroids for eczema and psoriasis patients. They contacted me from seeing this blog. I think this is a great opportunity for us to get out the word of our personal experience with these medications, and let our voice hopefully have an impact on how they prescribe meds. If selected for this panel you can earn $200, just for your input! Check out this link HERE for more information. Be quick! They need the applications in before June 20th!

Take care,

-Jen