Allergies can be a relentless foe, capable of turning the simplest pleasures into sources of discomfort and even danger. My own battle with allergies led me to a surprising and transformative journey into the culinary world, where I discovered not just the healing powers of food, but also the unique energies that each ingredient possesses.
My journey began with a seemingly endless series of allergy tests, doctor visits, and the frustration of trying to identify the culprits behind my persistent symptoms. It wasn’t long before I realized that relying on processed foods and eating out frequently was exacerbating my condition. With a newfound determination, I embarked on a quest to take control of my health by becoming an inspired cook.
The turning point in my quest was when I decided to take an allergy hair test from Allergy Link. This comprehensive test analyzed over 250 different foods, additives, and environmental factors to identify my sensitivities and intolerances.
The report, which categorized items into groups such as grains, dairy, nuts, seeds, and food additives, provided detailed insights into the various substances affecting my health. The color-coded system indicated my level of sensitivity to each item, helping me understand which foods to avoid and which ones I could enjoy without concern.
As I delved into the world of nutrition, I discovered the remarkable healing powers of different foods. Turmeric, with its anti-inflammatory properties, became a staple in my kitchen. Ginger’s ability to soothe digestive issues made it a frequent addition to my meals. Leafy greens, rich in vitamins and minerals, provided the essential nutrients my body craved. But beyond their healing powers, I learned that different foods also possess unique energies that can impact our well-being.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic practices have long recognized the concept of food energies. Foods can be categorized as warming, cooling, or neutral, each affecting the body’s balance in different ways. For instance, warming foods like garlic and cinnamon can boost circulation and invigorate the body, making them ideal for colder months. Cooling foods, such as cucumbers and melons, help to reduce heat and inflammation, providing relief during hot weather. Neutral foods, like rice and potatoes, offer a balanced energy that can be enjoyed year-round.
Understanding the energies of different foods allowed me to create meals that not only alleviated my allergy symptoms but also promoted overall harmony within my body. By carefully selecting ingredients that aligned with my body’s needs, I was able to craft dishes that nourished both my physical and emotional well-being.
As my culinary skills evolved, I began to see cooking as a form of self-expression and creativity. Each meal became an opportunity to experiment with new flavors, textures, and combinations. I found joy in the process of preparing food, knowing that I was creating something that would support my health and bring pleasure to my senses.
My quest to become an inspired cook was not just about managing my allergies; it was about embracing a holistic approach to wellness. By recognizing the healing powers and energies of different foods, and utilizing the insights from my allergy hair test, I transformed my kitchen into a sanctuary of health and creativity. This journey has taught me that food is not just fuel for the body, but a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery.
In sharing my story, I hope to inspire others to explore the world of cooking with an open heart and a curious mind. Whether you’re facing allergies or simply looking to improve your health, the kitchen offers endless possibilities for transformation and growth. Embrace the healing powers and energies of food, and embark on your own journey to becoming an inspired cook.
If you have unidentified food intolerances or allergies, these will put stress on your body when you consume them. Our body perceives these allergens as threats, triggering an immune response that can lead to inflammation, digestive issues, and other symptoms. Over time, this constant state of stress on the body can contribute to weight gain and chronic illnesses.
You might feel, as I used to feel, constant fatigue and bloating, swollen limbs, skin rashes, eczema, and headaches. These are some of the symptoms of possible allergies or food intolerances. So identifying your allergies for your particular body is one of the first steps to improving your health. By eliminating these triggers, you can reduce the stress on your body and promote overall well-being.
As I was struggling with these symptoms, I sent off a clip of my hair to test for food intolerances and allergies and was surprised when the results came back. I had intolerances to all kinds of natural foods, some being my favourites, like mushrooms, tomatoes, cheese, fish, pasta and bread. There were so many things I was allergic to! And even then, the hair test didn’t pick up all my allergies because later I discovered I had an allergy to latex.
The first time I discovered how life threatening allergies can be was after eating one of my favourite foods, prawns. Just a year before I had happily eaten lots of large juicy prawns, cooked by a friend as a treat. But this time, within a short while, I began itching in crazy places, like on my the palms of my hands, and in my vulva. My throat started swelling up and I was finding it difficult to breathe. I didn’t know it, but I was suffering an anaphylactic shock. Fortunately the paramedics came in time and injected me with adrenalin, saving my life.
It was such an overwhelming experience that I began to do my own research about why I had all of a sudden become allergic to shellfish when I had been eating them all my life until then. I learnt about how poisoned our oceans have become with pollution, and genetically modified fish. So when my hair test allergy report showed I should not eat any seafood at all, I was not surprised.
The company I used provided a very good test report, showing me in yellow, orange, or red the degree of harm each particular intolerance was causing me. The report included a detailed glossary so that I could read up about each intolerance. The report also told me I had low stomach acid and itemised a list of supplements my body needed. This meant I could ditch any unnecessary supplements from my routine. Their report helped me better understand my body’s unique needs.
After getting the results, I began to eliminate all the listed intolerances from my diet. It was a tough feat, but it meant I had to start becoming creative in the kitchen!
I was a foodie, but not interested in cooking. That changed; I’m still a foodie, but now I can cook a few delicious dishes, and I finally enjoy cooking. When you have a vision, and an aim to get healthier, younger and slimmer, it’s amazing how you get excited about developing your skills.
But food isn’t the only thing where allergies can create havoc. Cooking utensils, pans, ovens, air fresheners, fabrics, skincare and haircare products can all contain allergens. I became increasingly mindful of how the products I was using might be affecting my health.
Silicone, though not included in the allergy report, is another extremely toxic substance as I found to my horror. In researching the best water bottles, I tried out a silicone ‘food-safe’ bottle alongside BPA-free PET water bottles. I would fill the bottles with ordinary cold tap water and let them sit with a charcoal filter stick for a minimum of 8 hours before drinking. When I developed internal bleeding and my body went into a toxic shock reaction, I investigated. I found that the inside of the silicone bottle was covered in slime, while the BPA-free PET water bottles were clean. I threw away the silicone bottle and my health recovered.
My research uncovered evidence that silicone, while marketed as healthy and food-safe, was in fact leaching dangerous chemicals into my water. But official research had so far only indicated that this leaching can happen when silicone is heated. My own experience showed that chemical leaching happens in prolonged contact with liquid at room temperature with no heating involved.
Silicone is widely used in baby’s bottles, seals, cookware, as a coating on greaseproof baking paper, water bottles, in earbuds, hearing aids and in body implants. The lack of awareness of the dangers of silicone in our food, drink and body products is disturbing.
Other toxic cookware and foodware can be aluminium (which I am extremely allergic to), including tinned food, coated cookware, such as Teflon pans, rice cookers, air fryers, self-cleaning ovens, microwaves and sandwich toasters.
I now only use high quality stainless steel and glass cookware.
My first experience of skincare allergies came unexpectedly when I decided one day to treat myself to a beautiful amber-looking soap from the Body Shop, thinking their products were made of only natural ingredients. In fact, they are not; they are merely ‘naturally inspired’, which means not natural at all. After using the soap my hands became raw, painful and itchy from the chemicals in the ingredients. This experience taught me to start paying close attention to the ingredients in skincare and haircare products.
I discovered that most times, even when a product claims to be 99% natural, there is still an ingredient called ‘parfum’, used to make the product smell good, which can contain anything from around 30 or so chemicals. There’s no way of knowing what is in it, few manufacturers want to reveal their secret recipe. Given that many perfumes including air fresheners can be hormone disruptors, I now refuse to use products that have parfum in their ingredient list.
Stress and allergies have a profound impact on our health, contributing to weight gain and various illnesses. By identifying and eliminating food intolerances and allergens, we can reduce the stress on our bodies and improve our overall well-being. It’s essential to be mindful of the products we use and how they might affect our health. With a vision for a healthier, younger, and slimmer self, we can embrace a journey of self-discovery and creativity in all aspects of our lives.
By getting your own unique allergy report, you can pave the way for a healthier and happier future. Remember to listen to your body, ask your soul for answers and do your own research. Your health is worth it!
Behind the blog
Hi, I’m Juniper
Welcome to my little corner of the web, where the journey to vibrant health and soulful harmony takes centre stage. Over the years, I’ve turned my challenges into discoveries—reclaiming my health, redefining vitality, and finding joy along the way.
Now in my mid-60s and navigating life from a wheelchair due to a twisted spine and nerve disorder, I’m mostly housebound and bedridden. Yet, in the last three years, I’ve managed to shed 26kg (that’s about 4 stone or 57 pounds!) and look 20 years younger—all by embracing natural methods and crafting my own routines.
With my amazing team, I explore sustainable ways to well-being, offering honest insights into what works, what doesn’t, and identifying products or habits that could be dangerously toxic. From healing routines to product reviews, we’re on a mission to inspire, uplift, and share the path to lasting health together.
Curious to know more? Dive into my full story here and join our journey!