The "List"

After a few bouts of stomach pains within the last week- which I know are directly associated with an allergen exposure- without the exact known "poison" that had caused my mini-reactions, I decided to take a look at my skin test list.  Much to my surprise, I discovered that 10 years ago when this test was done, I had failed to take into account the smaller reactions to foods to which I am slightly allergic.  Now knowing that these items could possibly cause me gastrointestinal discomfort, asthma, and eczema, I have taken upon myself the challenge to avoid these foods as often as possible.  This is proving to be far more difficult than I could have imagined. Yet, I have hopes that I will be able to avoid any further discomforts and mild reactions that I have so often experienced.  


My List (as noted from the 90 foods tested):
*lobster
*shrimp 
*trout
*tuna 
*salmon
rye 
rice 
corn 
sunflower seed 
*parsley 
soy bean
almond 
strawberry
*cashew
*pistachio 
filbert/hazelnut 


* indicates the severe reactions 


I was surprised by a few items not coming up as positive allergens,  i.e. walnuts, brazil nuts, avocado (to which I have often found myself with an itchy throat), and mostly oyster, clam and scallops (to which I was certain I was allergic). 


I am hoping that through the wonderful student health services offered at NYU, I will be able to have another skin test done to see if any changes have occurred.  
As for now, I will continue on my mission to make my life as allergy free as possible.  But parsley, really?? Who would have thought.... 

health nut

Just the other day I was at a friend's house for a "financially responsible" lunch-- BLT's instead of eating at the Indian restaurant we had been eyeballing earlier.  She popped the bread in the oven to toast while we sliced the tomatoes and cooked the bacon.  I went to put the bread back in the refrigerator, when I noticed the bread was conveniently called "Health Nut".  This was causation enough to make me look at the ingredient list, which is second nature to me anyhow, so I don't know why I didn't check in the first place.  And sure enough, walnuts, hazelnuts and "other tree nuts" were in the list.  She unnecessarily felt bad for almost poising me-- obviously it was completely accidental and no harm was done.  Moreover, I'm well acquainted to situations like these occurring practically everyday. So I simply opted for a BLT wrap... thankful she had tortillas on hand.  And it was financially and tastefully satisfying.