June 2017 – Look at how beautiful Hannah’s skin looks!
I would like to share with you all a new series I will be doing on this website. It’s going to be featuring testimonials of eczema warriors who have battled through the healing process and are doing so great with their skin and overall health! This series is a celebration of their hard work and dedication to their healing journey. Each testimonial will share photos, their detailed healing experience, info about their vegan journey and encouragement for those out there still suffering. With each journey, I want to empasize how important nutrition is in this process. If you aren’t a stranger to my blog, you will know that it is something I’m super passionate about stressing as a huge component to healing. I hope you guys enjoy all of the testimonials to come! Starting off the series is a friend that I met through the facebook topical steroid withdrawal support group. Her name is Hannah, and she is an amazing, kind soul. I was so inspired by her story of strength and faith in God to get her through this process, I just had to ask her to share her story on my site! I hope you all can find encouragement through her struggle and be inspired by the way that she has taken control of her health!
I’d love to share with you all that I’ll be collaborating with Abby Tai of Prime Physique Nutrition in a 8 week coaching support group for her Conqueror Eczema Academy starting September 12th!
This coaching program will last for 8-weeks where we will have live videos answering your questions and offering support, guidance and encouragement so that you don’t feel like you have to battle this all alone. I’m a 5 year veteran of Topical Steroid Withdrawal (with 26 years of TS use), and a cancer conqueror and I know first hand how you can feel discouraged, frustrated, isolated and even suicidal in this healing journey. The emotional and physical turmoil can be overwhelming and it’s great to have a support system to get you through.
It’s been amazing to connect with you all from all over the world through this website that I’ve created and I’m so looking forward to getting the chance to connect and help coach the participants in the Conqueror Eczema Academy! When you sign up you will not only get to participate in the coaching sessions, but you’ll also have access to 50+ video teachings by a naturopath, skin experts, nutritionists, and a personal trainer, plus meal & exercise plans. Your body WILL heal, you don’t have to go through this alone, just believe in the amazing self-healing power that it has to restore! ❤
Pineapples are great for skin health because they are the richest source in the world of the proteolytic enzyme, bromelain which is great for the digestion. Bromelain helps to break down proteins into peptides and amino acids. It can ease the whole digestive process and aids in the symptoms of acid reflux. We need our digestive tracts to be working efficiently for good gut health. The bromelain also acts as an anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling agent. Bromelain has been found to speed healing, and the anti-inflammatory benefits in it are similar to OTC meds like aspirin and ibuprofen.
More about the processes of digestive enzymes and also in supplement form HERE!
Additionally when applied topically, the benefits of pineapple include its ability to help in healing cuts, burns, insect bites and to help dissipate bruising and other skin problems.
Another cool fact is that It can also help soothe and relax tense, inflamed muscles and connective tissue; this is why it is commonly used as a meat tenderizer.
Pineapples are super rich in Vitamin C (just 1 cup gives you 131% of your daily value!), Vitamin B1, potassium, manganese, fiber and antioxidants. The abundance of Vitamin C in pineapples can help reduce theitch in eczemaas it is an anti histamine rich food. One of the main causes of increased histamine levels in the body is a vitamin C deficiency.
Vitamin C has an effect on histamine in your system, and your body’s vitamin C levels also regulate your level of histamine release. Adequate vitamin C consumption maintains relatively low levels of histamine in your system, while a vitamin C deficiency can raise your body’s levels of histamine, according to a study published in the “Journal of the American College of Nutrition” in 1996. The abnormal histamine levels as a result of vitamin C deficiency can have an effect on your overall health. SOURCESOURCE
Make sure to allow your pineapple to ripen fully, when it smells fragrant, is becoming a nice golden colour overall and the leaves are becoming dry…to where they are coming off without having to pull them out too hard they are ready to eat!
Today, August 27th 2017 is my 32nd birthday! I seriously can’t believe sometimes that I’m in my 3os AHHHHHH! Although getting older can be daunting at times, I’m so very thankful for reaching another year, stronger, healthier and wiser than the last. I’m always in awe of all that I’ve been through with my health and how I’m still here…even after many times of, well honestly wanting to not be here. It’s sad to talk about but at my lowest of lowest moments I had a lot of mental & emotional turmoil within, where I didn’t want to live to only see the next day struggling in my body again. I give thanks to God that He gave me the strength to keep pushing, to KNOW that things won’t always be this way, that in time it will get better, and my body WILL heal.
“This too shall pass.”
Psalm 30:5 “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
At this moment as I type this I’m not in an agonizing pain with an intense itch. I only have some irritation around my mouth (little cuts that are oh so stubborn to heal up already) that can be painful at times and tight to where it’s hard to open my mouth. I’m not complaining though because it was only two years ago on my birthday I remember being stuck in the house with oozy achy feet. My bestie who lived with me at the time was so sweet and brought home vegan cupcakes and balloons for me, and another bestie of mine came to visit with gifts as well! I do wish I was back in New York with my friends, partying it up this past weekend, maybe going to a concert and out to dinner…but I’m thankful that I’m here, alive, breathing, in good health that will only continue to get better and better!
I give thanks that I have the strength to take care of my mom who had 3 spinal surgeries last year and is recovering with the use of a walker and a wheelchair. It can be hard to see her struggle with numb & weak legs and feet, but her positive attitude and resilience shows me that no matter how hard it gets never give up, and continue to have faith and hope! Through my struggles and experience I can assure her that healing does indeed take time, and that the patience that I had to learn through my healing process is the same virtue that she must adopt (she can be like me at times and want it to hurry up and end already lol). I give thanks that the mother who gave birth to me 32 years ago and who has been there with me through it all can now lean on me as I help to take care of her. I know that my future birthdays will be bright with even better health, great experiences and adventures!
As I reflect on this past year, my heart is full of gratitude for the ups and even the downs as it strengthened me, for those who helped in anyway possible as it showed me that there are kind people out there willing to lend a hand and to not always feel like I have it under control, that I can be vulnerable and ask for help. I have gratitude for my environment, for the healing sun rays that I’ve definitely taken advantage of this year and the healing plant based foods that I’ve been able to get living here in Florida. I have gratitude for my body, for healing so nicely and never letting me down…even in the days when I would look down at my skin and scream at it, wondering why it’s flaring again…why is this my body…then of course I’d lovingly take back those words and speak life into myself, close my eyes and pray over my body and envision only clear healthy skin. I give thanks for my family, friends and all of those whom I’ve met through this website, instagram and facebook support groups, always giving me encouraging words and giving me blessings and thanks for the work that I do just helping them out on their healing journey. I’m so thankful for another birthday, and I look forward to all of the amazing things that are ahead of me! ❤
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.
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)
Random Question… Who else hasn’t shaved their legs in forever because of healing eczema?? 😂😂😂 It’s literally been YEARS for me! At one point my legs stopped growing hair all together because of terrible flares, as it’s healed the hair has grown in more and more. I found no reason to bother shaving because A. I didn’t want to irritate the skin more even if it was healing nicely & B. I wasn’t showing off my legs like that anyways, just too self conscious at times. I was noticing just yesterday how smooth my legs are becoming, barely any flaking, even the thickened “elephant skin” is smoothing out…and I said to myself, “wow I might actually be able to shave soon!” 😂 Gotta love the little victories in this healing process! I think I’ll actually be looking forward to shaving once I’m comfortable enough. I pray you all are well today, staying strong and keeping the faith in your body’s natural ability to heal 🙏 I know how aggravating and lengthy this process is (I’m 5 years TS free! So BELIEVE me I know!) but hang in there…each day is a step closer to healing and a day more that you’re free from the bondage of topical steroids! Celebrate the mini victories and give gratitude for each day, good or bad. Trust in your body, it is your temple, it knows exactly what it’s doing! My sayings are “this time set for healing is truly only a fraction of your life”and “it didn’t take overnight for the toxicity to accumulate, so it won’t take overnight to heal…but it WILL heal!”Keep those things in mind and always have patience.
I just wanted to share with you all this interview that I did for http://www.preventabledoc.com . Briana Banos is a fellow TSW warrior and the creator of this website which promotes a documentary that she is working on that is meant to bring awareness to topical steroids, topical steroid addiction and withdrawal and how we need reform with these meds. Make sure to check out the other Red Skin Renegades that she has interviewed to understand their journey through this process. She needs all of the support that she can get to fund this documentary, please take a look at that ways that you can help, every dollar counts and is a step closer to her goal! 🙂
Write to Ellen and get Briana on her show! Just send her the YouTube link below, some info about yourself and how you’ve been effected by topical steroids. Click HERE to write to Ellen.
Don’t be so Hard on Yourself -PREVENTABLE Music Video!
Hydrating after a workout with a bowl of sweet, crisp, electrolyte packed watermelon! 🍉🍉🍉
It’s SOOOOOO important to get your body moving to heal from eczema. I know it can be hard and uncomfortable when we sweat, it can bring on some itchiness but that’s a good thing! The sweat is the toxins releasing! Today I did some yoga with some sun salutations then some abdominal work with a kettle bell (which is very important to strengthen the gut muscles for internal and external toning and better digestion), some squats and lunges with a kettle bell and then around 13 min of rebounding just until I worked up a good sweat! 💪
So what’s rebounding??? Just jumping up and down on a mini trampoline! Sounds fun right?! Here’s just some of the awesome health benefits: 🔹Boost lymphatic drainage and immune function 🔹Helps improve digestion 🔹Helps circulate oxygen throughout the body to increase energy🔹Improves muscle tone throughout the body🔹Annnnd some sources claim that the unique motion of rebounding can also help support the thyroid and adrenals! So get your bounce on and help cleanse your body of eczema! Remember to move every single day, your lymph system will thank you 🙏
*this pic was from a post on my Instagram: eczema.holistic.healing #eczemaholistichealing *feel free to subscribe!
If you’re a frequent visitor to my blog, you’ll know that I’m pretty much against all medications these days and that I take the natural route as much as possible. I’ve had my fair share of medical drugs in my system (from chemotherapy, topical steroids, to countless rounds of antibiotics), and as I’ve begun this healing process I’ve learned more and more that the body is self healing and that there are always alternatives that have little to no side effects on the body. What we consume literally becomes us, and it either helps our bodies or hinders it.
I’ve been hearing about immunosuppressants and how eczema sufferers and people going through TSW are using them to cope with the horrendous symptoms of the healing process. I’m always weary of the side effects of drugs, and just the fact that this drug suppresses your immune system, which is supposed to be functioning optimally kinda freaks me out. I have a friend who has actually taken these drugs in attempt to make her TSW more tolerable, and this post is about her experience on them. This post isn’t meant to bash anyone in their decision on taking immunos in their process, this is just meant to share one TSW sufferers experience on them and shed some light to the side effects they can have on the body. I want to give a thank you to the woman who agreed to do this interview for my site… you are a rockstar and I wish you well on the rest of your eczema healing journey! ❤ I think the more we share our experiences, the more knowledge we can have to make an informed decision on what we put in our bodies.
Eczema Holistic Healing 