Visiting foreign places, experiencing new cultures and broadening my horizon – that has always been my thing. When I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis back in 2011, though, I thought that my travel-times were over. But I have always been resilient. Though others might say: stubborn. Which, in this case, was great. And so I was sure to find ways to pursue this passion nonetheless, all the while being careful to not end up in a third-world hospital with severe symptoms of a flare-up. So far, I managed to do quite well, actually. One of the factors to consider when traveling to foreign c ..read more

SPOILER ALERT: The answer to the question how to plan a day trip successfully when you have an autoimmune disease is … Plan ahead! As Autoimmune Sisters, traveling even when we’re not in a pandemic can be challenging. Restaurant limitations, medication needs, the extended disruption to our day-to-day routines … All of this can make vacations more stressful than relaxing, not to mention flare-inducing. But a day trip, which by definition is a journey away from home that lasts no more than a day, mitigates the disturbance to our body’s systems and provides the respite we’re seeking. In a manner ..read more

I love pesto! On pasta, on chicken, on pizza…you name it. When I went dairy-free and gluten-free I still wanted to have all of those yummy dishes so I had to figure out how to make vegan pesto that still tasted as good as the cheese-filled classic. Pesto is a classic Italian condiment or sauce (depending on what dish you are making) that celebrates the freshness of the main ingredients involved: basil, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and usually nuts. My recipe uses pumpkin seeds because they are typically easier to digest, better for the gut, and friendly for people with a nut allergy. This a ..read more

A recipe for a Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Protein Smoothie? I cannot say enough about this delicious treat! Smoothies leave you satiated, full of nutrients, and free from common food allergens. Plus, it tastes like a shake, without the funky, not-so-healthy, ingredients! How to Make the Perfect Recipe for a Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Protein Smoothie This recipe for a chocolate peanut butter banana protein smoothie is something I have been modifying for years until landing on this delicious, rich, winner. Dairy free, anti-inflammatory, and free of the most common food allergens, this s ..read more

photo by Nadi Whatisdelirium  You’ve spent the past several years reducing chronic stress with daily meditation, yoga, changing your career to a low stress one, possibly moving out of the bustling city to a quiet town and getting a weekly massage. You even overhauled your diet, making the move to clean it up and getting rid of inflammatory foods. So, why is your body still showing signs of chronic stress?  This is something I see in my practice and honestly, it’s something I’m still working on myself because chronic stress and its effect on you is multi-faceted and sometimes sticks t ..read more

Jump to Recipe These coconut paleo date bars are one of my favorite treats to prepare. The coconut and dates in the recipe make for a tasty combination that will leave your sweet tooth pretty satisfied. The result? A fudgy, tasty treat that’s perfect for when you are craving something sweet. All you’ll need are these 8 ingredients: Dates Raisins Raw Cacao Coconut butter Oil, Coconut Coconut shavings Almond butter Vanilla essence Are dates a healthy sweet alternative? Dates are a great ingredient to incorporate into your paleo diet, but due to their high fructose content moderation is key. T ..read more

Having been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis back in 2011, I have learned a thing or two during my food odyssey that help my body in the fight against various symptoms of this nasty autoimmune disease. One of these tricks is a mixture that is referred to as “Golden Milk” on social media – though it’s technically not a “milk” at all – and of which I’d love to share the recipe with you! Beware though, it’s very different from the curcuma lattes and the sorts that sometimes bear the same name. And it’s a lot less tasty, unfortunately. Feeling the effects of the Golden Milk I discovered this ver ..read more

Anyone who has ever dieted knows that water weight is a real thing. In fact, our bodies are 60% water. Approximately 90% of our plasma (the liquid part of blood that carries cells, nutrients, and hormones throughout the body), 83% of our lungs, 73% of our brain and heart, and 64% of our skin is made up of water. Water is essential for just about every bodily function and is therefore essential for optimal health. But how much water do you really need each day to stay healthy? THE ROLE OF WATER IN HEALTH Every cell, tissue, and organ in the human body needs water to work properly. Proper hydrat ..read more

Are autoimmune diseases hereditary? That may be a question you ask yourself. Especially if you are newly diagnosed, planning on having kids, or just straight up curious. I have questioned it. However, I have a direct line of autoimmune disease in my family which made my experience different. I am also intrigued by all the research articles and literature on the subject having a scientific background. The National Institutes of Health has estimated that approximately 24 million people in the United States have an autoimmune disease. In addition, about 8 million people have what are called auto ..read more

Summertime and sunshine go together like many of history’s greatest pairs; peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, milk and cookies. Okay, I got a little off track there. I might just be hungry. Back to my original point: warmer weather is synonymous with more time outdoors and that means fresh air, longer days, and sun. More sun means being more diligent about choosing safer sunscreen. Really, everyone should be using sunscreen daily if they are going to be outside for more that 20 minutes. That 20 minute window is important because we need some exposure to sunshine for vitamin D. Vita ..read more