In this episode, I talk about how I've developed a strong sense of self-compassion and acceptance towards my body and the challenges it has faced.

See if you can find the spot where I mix up Michael Jordan and Michael Jackson... Embarrassing...

In this episode, I talk about the sense of power and confidence that I’ve recently begun to feel after facing certain challenges.

In this episode, I talk about whether I am allergic to alcohol, what happens when I drink it, and some allergy friendly drink options.

In this episode, I explain why it’s taken me forever to upload a new podcast, share some of my recent health updates, and talk about my plans for starting grad school.

Check out APFED’s website for resources, research, support groups and more for patients of eosinophilic disease and caregivers. Maybe I’ll see you at a future conference!

https://apfed.org/

Stick through this longer episode to hear me chat with two friends, Jordana and Zacky, about their take on the abundance mindset and how it helps them manage their chronic illnesses and other life stressors.

If you’re interested in Jordana’s nonprofit work she briefly mentioned, check out the Restored website. Restored offers resources and support for individuals struggling as a result of broken families and/or divorced parents. You can check out their blog or podcast and take advantage of online courses and coaching to help heal from current or past hurt in your family life.

https://restoredministry.com/

You can also support Jordana financially, if this is a movement close to your heart, by visiting the link below.

https://restoredministry.com/jordana

In this episode, I share some recent challenges and what has helped me when I find myself feeling hopeless and worn out.

In this episode, I introduce my husband, Patrick, and we talk about how our life as a couple has been affected by EoE and what Patrick’s perspective is like as my support, advocate, and companion through the struggles of chronic disease.

In this episode, I talk about gut-directed hypnotherapy, how I came across it, and the benefits I experienced.

The first gut-directed hypnotherapy video I tried: Gut-directed hypnotherapy for IBS

A channel I often use: Jayne Corner - The Calm and Happy Gut

A few articles to start your research:

1. Hee Lee, H., Young Choi, Y., & Choi, M.G. (2014). The efficacy of hypnotherapy in the treatment of Irritable Bowl Syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 20(2):152-62. https://doi.org/10.5056/jnm.2014.20.2.152

2. Moser, G., Tragner, S., Gajowniczek, E. E., Mikulits, A., Michalski, M., Kazemi-Shirazi, L., Kulnigg-Dabsch, S., Fuhrer, M., Ponocny-Seliger, E., Dejaco, C., & Miehsler, W. (2013). Long-term success of gut-directed group hypnosis for patients with refractory Irritable Bowel Syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 108(4):602-9. DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2013.19

3. Peter, J., Fournier, C, Keip, B., Ritterhause, N., Stephanou-Rieser, N., Durdevic, M., Dejaco, C., Michalski, M., & Moser, G. (2018). Intestinal microbiome in Irritable Bowel Syndrome before and after gut-directed hypnotherapy. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(11):3619. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19113619

4. Peters, S. L., Muir, J. G., & Gibson, P. R. (2015). Review article: gut-directed hypnotherapy in the management of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 41(11):1104-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13202

(DISCLAIMER: Please use the information in this podcast and in these articles as inspiration for further research, not fact. What I share is based simply on my experience and preliminary Google searching. This is NOT a good basis to form a well-educated opinion, if that is your aim. Please note also that while I looked over the articles I have listed and found them worthwhile, they are out of date and there may be more recent and relevant research on this topic.)

In this episode I share how I manage to make delicious tasty snacks that are gluten, dairy, nut, soy, and (mostly) corn free.

Here are a few recipes I’ve found and tested many a time using some of the tips that I share in this episode.

Sugar Cookies: https://perchancetocook.com/wprm_print/soft-olive-oil-sugar-cookies-dairy-free

Brownie Cookies (press each ball of dough into crushed candy canes before baking to create chocolate candy cane cookies): https://sugaredandstirred.com/wp-json/mv-create/v1/creations/59/print

Banana Bread (I omit the raisins and walnuts and swap them for chocolate chips): https://natashaskitchen.com/wprm_print/moist-banana-bread-recipe

Summary of my tips:

- Use a good gluten free flour mix. I love the King Arthur 1:1 Gluten Free Flour.

- Swap an allergy friendly oil out for butter for most things. I use olive oil.

- Swap water or an allergy friendly milk for dairy milk for most things.

- For cookies find a recipe that specifically uses oil rather than butter.

- For cinnamon rolls and other bready-type products, find a gluten-free specific recipe.

- If your baking powder has corn starch in it, you can swap 1/4 tsp of baking soda and 1/2 tsp of vinegar for every tsp of baking powder. Mix vinegar with wet ingredients and baking soda with dry.

- Find allergy friendly chocolate chips. Enjoy Life and Nestle are two brands that have chips I can eat.

In this episode I give more details on what a typical day is like living with EoE including medication routine, meals, and everyday symptoms. I then share what many of my meals look like.