Irritated Eye Care Winter 2015

The last few winters my eyelids and inside edges of my eyebrows have gotten irritated and itchy, then develop cuts and soreness from rubbing. For the last three days I've been treating my red rashy dry eyes morning and night with:

(1) pre-boiled water on a steaming hot washcloth on my face, especially on eyes and sinuses, for about five minutes, continually re-heating the cloth.

(2) I then massage my eyelids with the tip of the washcloth.

(3) Then apply a baking soda solution of 1/4 teaspoon to 1/2 cup boiled water, cooled and stored in the fridge. I use a Q-tip to rub this over my eyelids and eyebrows where I get that redness.

(4) I put preservative-free eye drops in after that and then

(5) Refresh p.m. ointment just below my eyes (like applying eye cream) and on my eyebrows. I've been using olive oil on my face.

So far the itchy symptoms have been clearing up. I read about this treatment here: http://www.eyesite.org/cornea-and-eye-surface/blepharitis/  Using the Refresh ointment and olive oil was my idea.  I am very sensitive to skin creams, makeup, etc. and often get this condition when I apply the wrong thing around my eye area. 

UPDATE 2/25: Additional strategies are: not using commercial shampoos and cleansers near my face, increase my intake of Omega 3 (fish oil, fatty fish).

If you have a question or comment please insert it below AND if you find it impossible to do so please email comments to wholesomehodgepodge1@gmail.com. Thanks!

8:49 AM Map

RECIPE: Gluten Free Pancakes with Fruit Sauce

It's Sunday morning and I haven't had any bread, pancakes, muffins, etc. in quite awhile.  My tummy has been healing nicely so I thought I would make some simple pancakes.  Friends have been asking me to post recipes and examples of what I eat so, here goes!  

This recipe is for one so increase as needed.  Very easy!

Gluten & dairy free pancakes

★★★★★
Prep Time: 0 hr 0 min | Cook Time: 0 hr 0 min | Servings: 1 serving (2 pancakes in 8" pan | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

2 eggs (preferably local pasture raised)
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 - 1/2 cup non-dairy milk or water
Splash of vanilla, if desired
Pinch of sea salt, if desired
8" skillet

Add some oil or melted butter if trying to cook on panini or waffle grill

Directions:

heat pan on 4. Add butter when pan is hot.

Whisk eggs in small bowl. Add 1/4 cup  liquid. Add flour.

Consistency should be slightly pourable. Add more liquid as desired.

Pour in pan & spread if necessary.

Cook until edges look cooked then turn

I suggest serving it with fruit sauce, real Maple syrup (grade B) or honey (local raw, but not for infants)

Notes: This will not be a typical light, fluffy pancake. It may seem a little grainy  It is tasty & filling.

Apple, Pear, Blueberry sauce

★★★★★
Prep Time: 0 hr 0 min | Cook Time: 15 mins | Servings: 1 serving | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

1 apple
1 pear
1/2 cup blueberries
Cinnamon
Cardamom

You can also make this with the individual fruits - as many as you like

Directions:

Peel and cut up apple & pear into small, bite size pieces.

Place in saucepan.

Add water to cover the bottom of the pan.

Cover & steam about 15 min or until fruit is soft & mashable.

Add some cinnamon & cardamom to taste.

Notes: This is good served on pancakes, etc. or as a side dish

Sorry about the white background on the recipes.  I obviously have to learn more about this blog format! Big problem is, people can't seem to send comments!  Please try and email me at: wholesomehodgepodge1@gmail.com if you can't and I'll try to figure out what the problem is.  Maybe I just can't use blogger.com.

Gluten Free Project Report

Okay, so!  With all my reading and research about food as medicine the last few years, I have made a few attempts at going gluten free.  The attempt was always broken by some cheat, either at gatherings, or because I was famished and didn't plan ahead for having quickie food available.  I have gotten a bit better at it and have now been gluten free for nearly two months!  Will be officially two months June 21, 2014.

People! I have seen results!  I keep doubting and wondering if I'm making it up but it's hard to deny!

• Arthritis: Pain is receding! I get it in my neck, hands and knees primarily.  I was taking a muscle relaxant and NSAID just about every other day.  For the last two weeks I have only had to take them once a week, when the pain got so bad that I couldn't do my job effectively!  This is huge for me!
• Sciatica: Pain also lessening. 
• Stiffness in lower back and sides of back has also greatly lessened!

Granted, this does take planning and is difficult socially.  I'm trying to get over my dismay at having to always fuss about what's available on menus, and should I bring emergency rations.  Travel is another challenge and I'm getting better at figuring out what to bring or purchase when I'm away from my bubble.  Sure is great to see all these efforts may be paying off!

I may post some of my meal plans at a later date if anyone is interested.  If you send an email to Wholesomehodgepodge1@gmail.com I can send you a sample of what I have eaten.

I also want to mention that I have been consuming grass fed and pasture raised meat from local farmers almost exclusively for the last year.

Office Lunch Heated sans Microwaving

Leftover roasted carrots & garlic
with Greek lamb burger

Do you worry about the effects of heating your lunch in the microwave oven?  Is the texture of your food less than desirable after it is heated in the microwave oven?  Is your lunch cool by the time you get back to your desk/table to eat?  Are you tired of looking for something other than plastic to cover your food with when you re-heat it in the microwave oven?  Do you want the convenience of heating your lunch at your location without the cost and bulk of a microwave oven?   If you answered yes to any of these questions, I've got the fix for you!  A mini slow-cooker.
     I received one with a slow-cooker I purchased a few years ago and can't believe it took me this long to think of using it to heat my leftovers for lunch.  I purchased another one at a thrift store for around three dollars because I wanted one at each of the two locations I work at. What a bargain!
     Sure, you have to plan ahead a bit, but most meals take no more than an hour to heat up.  If you eat your lunch in the manner I frequently do – take a few bites, do something, take a few bites, do something – you will appreciate the cooker's ability to keep your food warm.

My Favorite New Utensil

My son gave me this hand-held mandoline fruit and vegetable slicer for Christmas and I love the simplicity of it.
~ It can be adjusted for three different slice thicknesses.
~ I can slice directly on a board or plate or hook the non-slip foot over a bowl to ensure the slices drop directly into the bowl.
~ The food holder pokes just enough into the food to secure it firmly and is molded to fit so that it slides easily along the sides of the slicer.
~ Stainless steel blade.

~ It's easy to use and doesn't take up much space.  I keep it stored in it's original wrapping with a rubber band around it so no one slices their hand while rummaging around in the utensil drawer.

I have a much more sophisticated mandoline slicer with many more options.  Unfortunately, I rarely us it because it's sort of an ordeal to set up and clean up.  The tines (is that what they're called?) of the food holder are too long for most foods, although it is supposed to be adjustable, it seems too technically difficult for me.  I don't have enough space to store it in my kitchen so it lives in it's box in the basement.  That being said, this smaller slicer is perfect for most of my needs.

Hazelnut Coffee Creamer - Dairy Free

Over the Holiday Season I purchased some hazelnuts at Costco, intending to use them for making various things.  I never did make all those things.  So, I soaked (for easy digestion) and toasted a bunch of them.  I snack on them while eating 70% - 90% dark chocolate for dessert (think: antioxidants).  Today I had an AH HA moment and created this coffee creamer.  This is every bit as good as that commercial crap that contains PHVO and so much better for us!

Please click the link to view the Snap Guide how to make this.
Link to Hazelnut Coffee Creamer Snap Guide

I tried to embed the guide on this page but haven't been successful yet.

Those were the days...

Does anyone remember this book?  I still have it! Well used, the cover is torn off.  My younger friends call it my "hippie book" and laugh raucously as they peruse it.  I was in my twenties when I referred to this book for many things, my cousin and I claim we made almost everything in this book (exaggeration)!  I mention it because the focus of this blog is much like the focus of that book (not quite to that extreme).  I am teaching myself to get back to preparing whole foods, from scratch, preparing my own body care products and using less harsh chemicals in the household.

I feel very nervous about this blog because I am no writer.  I would, however, like to share some of my experiences and recipes with others who are experiencing auto-immune disease and/or are interested in lessening their exposure to harsh chemicals.  Or are just interested.

If you get a chance, take a look at a couple of SnapGuides I created:

http://snapguide.com/guides/make-spf30-sunscreen/

http://snapguide.com/guides/cook-gelatinous-chicken-stock/

photo credit