Eczema Archives - Healthy Happy Life Secrets

Simple Pitta Season Reminders

Pitta season is usually when heat starts up in the summer, but sometimes that can be sooner. We’re reminded of our planet. And we can celebrate with cooling foods like pineapple, cumin, and yogurts. A Hawaiian pizza with pineapple below.

Celebrating a brownie with pineapple, cherry, and Greek yogurt funfetti never gets old! 🎉

Heat, heat, heat. And more heat. That’s what Pitta season is about. Along with the bloom and celebration comes heat that is deceivingly dangerous. The solution: cool moisture. And I have some reminder hydrating tips below.

You may not be a Pitta, but Pitta season is a scorcher. Jumping in a cooling pool will give you a few minutes of relief but won’t help you from leathering up or collecting sun-kissed freckles… that I probably don’t need to remind you, catch up with you in sunspots and wrinkles when you get to the mirror.

So in that vain, prevention is always the best and easiest method.

Especially when you’re on vacation, you may forget how much moisturizing love the skin really needs. Your best bet is to moisturize throughout the day when you get a break. And if you get heat rashes or inflammation.

And if you’re like me and tend to forget the SPF before heading out, do it first thing and bring it with you. We can’t get away with SPF 0 or 2 like we once did, especially if you want to look good at mid-life. Try 50 (or 52 😉).

And when you’re back home, revive your skin by washing off the layer of SPF skin protection not needed indoors. Steam is going to restore you and your skin back. And your critical-minutes after shower routine minutes will set the tone.

The right moisturizing lotion after showering helps to embalm the moisture. There’s no one-size fits all for products (and that’s probably one of the reasons why there are so many options available). And once you find your formula or brand that works for you, stick with that.

And, use a spritzing facial spray. I like rosewater (good for Pitta moods). If you don’t like the scent, you can choose a mint cooling spray. That sets you on your merry way to start the second half of your day.

Mint btw, is also good for keeping away some flying insects that can really kick up the Pitta annoyed emotions.

Also, Witch Hazel has become a favorite oldie but goodie astringent that draws oil out that irritates (Pitta) heated and dry skin.

And if you like floral scents like jasmine, lavender, or rose, go with that which also helps the body cool or calm from a mind-body perspective. It’s also a good reminder to: stop and smell the flowers.

Or magnolias in my case (known for symbolizing joy, love, and purity):

Look at this moisture-rich magnolia flower 💮

When you’re out, you also want to use an SPF lip balm. The higher SPF, the better.

At home, I use Burt’s Bees brand when no SPF is needed. And a lip scrub, and then dab a little honey on the lips that moisturizes and keeps lips supple… trust me I’m all about the lip management with full lips. 🫦 I learned early on that lips don’t tan. 😅

And honey also has been used for centuries for skin inflammation as well as dehydration.

As you age, you notice the drier spots. The good news is your moisture-love efforts, accumulate.

Same with drinking water. If you use an aluminum bottle over glass, that can be super cooling. And keep plenty of juicy fruits around as sweet snacks, such as healthy tropical fruits: pineapple, kiwi, and peeled-off skin grapes.

All these keep you from Pitta season dehydrating or getting easy-fix thirsty headaches… we don’t need to complicate the simple. 💧

Hawaiian Pizza

When I worked in a pizza shop as a teenager, I loved how the sweet pineapple and ham paired.

Course dinner, lunch

Cuisine American, hawaiian

Ingredients

Pineapple chunks
Flat ham slices
tomato or barbecue (optional)
cheese

Instructions

Bake your pizza crust for about 20 minutes at 350°F.
Add cheese and sauce.
Add ham and pineapple toppings.

Dyshidrotic Eczema + Thanksgiving Gratitude

In the summer of 2021, I ended up in the hospital emergency room for dyshidrotic eczema. I had a heat blister that turned into a foot infection a week later.

During my visit, the doctor confirmed my dyshidrotic eczema symptoms… and what I already knew and had researched on my own in 2020 when I first experienced the condition.

With sensitive and thirsty summer skin that many of us have felt, the fiery summer effects of global warming are intensifying.

Today in fall, it’s cooler and gratefully we did see an in-between this year with some colorful fiery leaves 🍁.

Dyshidrotic Eczema

But, anything at any time like air could make the dyshidrotic eczema situation worse. And being smart, not eating too much sugar and eating some organic foods, help offset some causes and effects.

In my world, I’m known to consistently eat diverse from the rainbow 🌈, so I ruled out any one food or even diet as a likely cause. In case you didn’t already know, I have an Ayurvedic balanced food approach coupled with sustainable anti-inflammatory, gluten, and non-gluten foods. Whole wheat is good in my book.

But I’m also sensitive to other people’s food allergies having worked closely in catering foods and party planning management for a decade or so.

It’s individual. And in my case, if it were a gut issue, it wouldn’t be just hot weather and summers. But for some people, it is about the gut.

And like those sensitivities, I’m also careful not to tip the scales and exacerbate inflammation with foods high in refined sugar or overdo on excessive gluten flour.

Funny that I love baking, right? 👩‍🍳

I like to also fold in gluten-free flours like oat or millet flours (it’s not just to feed birds) as it makes me feel better.

…plus, s spice is everything nice and honey is the best jam. That would make good song lyrics 🎶

Those types of foods restore the balance of my Pitta (and please my Vata).

It’s good to check in to your imbalances once in a while and see what they are as the body gives so many outward hints and signs. You can also take the Body Balance Quiz to learn more and gain insight.

And when you operate in balance year-round, then you really notice when something is “off,” even if it’s just ever-so-slightly.

You can tell when your spice or candle preferences change. It’s actually not that odd, and those are a couple of fun Ayurvedic ways we can all test our bodies with.

We need more fun these days as our bodies can be tested in not-so-fun ways. And, to help offset this, leaning more into a whole, plant-based diet that’s Ayurvedic and anti-inflammatory gives us all an edge, as we do good for our body AND for the planet.

Our bodies rely on this livable earth where 10 degrees hotter is still doable compared to the 800-degree temps on Mercury. 🌎

And besides heat, dyshidrotic eczema flareups (like I had seen) have been linked to hypersensitivity to cobalt and nickel that are found all over the earth and in some of the healthiest plant-based foods such as cocoa, nuts, and even leafy greens.

Hmmm, what’s up with the healthy causing flare-ups?

Especially when some are your food faves like they are mine (..and actually, most foods are as I’m a foodie!)… but giving up those would be a challenge… for me anyway, and not a good idea for anyone in general…

They contain other anti-inflammatory pro-health benefits that offset their cons. Those foods are good sources of essential vitamins and minerals our bodies can use and need.

So, one adaptation would be to potentially reduce and eliminate consuming those foods as spot-on skin treatments when needed. And then leaning on the other great foods. And that’s why a diverse diet is sustainable. And Mother Earth is the Queen behind it all. 👑

I take health seriously (and you probably do too!). So I breathe the mantra that if you don’t have your health, then nothing else really matters.

So something as annoying but not life-threatening serious, like irritated dry skin, shouldn’t be brushed aside. Dyshidrotic eczema that I’ve learned to partner with is still a sign of inflammation. And while acute, it’s not that cute ☺️.

But it can’t always be rainbows and sunshine. And that helps us appreciate what we do have. And so we adapt.

Then you know better, and you do better. Thank you, Maya Angelou, for those encouraging word reminders.

And as part of doing better…

Coming up with a year-round prevention plan is a good idea if you or others you know are affected by outdoor allergens and changing nature patterns.

And especially during these climate-changing times when we need to evolve as a planet, so we have a better balanced, livable earth that you and I grew up in and want to keep thriving in.

(And these are some ways to better adapt with natural allergy solutions in case you have hypersensitivity to allergens.)

It’s also good to stay thankful for our bodies, and this week especially as we embrace Thanksgiving in America. We can think of all the things we DO have working for us that we can easily take for granted.

Our modern brain machinery like to focus on what we don’t have. But we can outsmart ourselves and be grateful we have a mind of our own 😉

And so we can stay in alignment with the person we want to be, that’s a better version than last year. Amen. That’s something else to be thankful for.

So I’ll leave you on that note. And, Happy Thanksgiving if you’re celebrating… and keep on keepin’ on! 🎉

10 Moisturize Tips + Moist, Chocolate-Banana Cake Bread Recipe

Moisturize if your skin is dry may be what’s needed for you in these climate change times. And if you’re experiencing eczema and other dry signs.

And you’ve come to the right place for moisturize tips plus a moist healthy chocolate banana bread recipe you’ll love below!

With global warming on the rise, the outdoor dry air is becoming drier, and this plays extra havoc on our bodies. In awareness, you can proactively moisturize (more), make healthy changes (10 tips below to check off), and not be blind-sided by your body needs to naturally adjust.

…if you feel like you’re drinking water like a camel and keep moisturizing like it’s already winter (and you’re still dry), then you’re headed on the right path.

I also have a healthier coconut oil and low-sugar chocolate cocoa-banana bread recipe below inspired by a story from my childhood sweet (as in baked-goods) memories…

One day, my mom gave me a banana bread loaf to take to my first grade class. I can’t remember what the occasion was…

I remember food sensitivities didn’t exist much back then, and a classmate once brought in baklava with nuts, and we all tried it, even though that’s an adult dessert (not so popular with first graders).

My other classmates also sometimes brought in more popular cake-type bakes and I think that’s where the recent past cupcake craze resurfaced again (as that was a thing back then for good ‘ol fashioned memories).

The banana bread I took to school was a one-time occurrence and definitely more in the adult taste category. But my teacher loved it (or maybe she just loved me 😊) …Or both as she asked me for the recipe.

So…that same day, I asked my mom to write down the recipe. English is not her first language and I’ve never seen a single written recipe she wrote (or even a cookbook she used), despite a different home cooked dinner she prepared almost every night.

Well… the next day, apparently my schoolteacher had tried baking the bread from the recipe I handed her because I recall she mentioned she thought there must be a missing ingredient, as hers didn’t turn out the way my mom’s had.

I never asked my mom to write another recipe as the opportunity never came up again. But I think that memory from my formative years developed my skill and gradual interest in drumming up new recipes with old inspirations and deleting/replacing ingredients with healthier ones we have available now. Thank you, mom! And for passing on the passionate cooking genes. In her golden years, she still loves cooking (bless her heart).

And for your life, if you still think you can’t cook or bake, you never know what a decade can bring in your favor as your tastes change.

My easy (no-mixer needed) chocolate banana bread recipe below is with you in mind (at whatever baking level you’re currently at). Easy never goes out of style!

And, here are a few sweet bread-cake notes to get you excited (before I jump into the head-to-toe moisturize topic that this article is mostly about).

…The recipe is inspired by layering onto the classic banana bread recipes (that my mom went off of but didn’t have some of these better and healthier ingredients).

…The bread has a darker brown color (less banana bread beige blah!) that makes you want to dig in or give as a gift, and I think that’s why fruit cakes have candied fruits in them because they give a pop of color that walnut and other beige nut colors don’t.

…It’s also filled with less sugar and more healthy fat oil that helps us moisturize in fall/autumn.

On that note, I want to give you a running head-start to transition into self-care in the cooler seasons before you even change your home thermostats from cool to heat.

One of the first places to transition is testing the shower water temperatures you’re using based on outdoor temperatures and your body (balanced or imbalanced). This will feel different despite our universal 98°F/36°C human bodies.

You can start on cool and end on warm or start on warm and end on warm. That’s how knowing what your body imbalances are helps for you to restore them with the help of the shower.

So, one takeaway (or reminder) is don’t stick with the same shower temperature year-round.

Self-care and prioritizing our prized bodies above our stuff keeps us running optimally through the seasons. And just like you change out your clothes from summer to autumn and winter, you want to change your routines and habits for your changing body.

Our skin as our largest organ, acts as a barrier to our internal body organs we can’t see. We often take for granted when all is running smooth. Your skin is constantly changing and renewing and a great place to start.

With small changes, you might find that you want to change your previous habits.

10 Moisturize Self-Care Tips:

For Skin and SPECIFIC Body Parts

At the bare minimum you want to take care of the entry points on your body.

1) Eyes: Your eyes aren’t just the window to your soul, they are the gateway to how you see the world. And if you have dry eyes, that’s one fuzzy world!

(More tips and my irresistible Chocolate Banana Bread recipe below) ⬇️

Continue reading “10 Moisturize Tips + Moist, Chocolate-Banana Cake Bread Recipe”

Food Allergies, Eczema, and Chronic Inflammations

Food allergies is something I became deeply aware of first when I worked with groups planning parties that had gluten sensitivities. When I started in catering, there were only vegetarians.

And then over the years that grew to nut, dairy, and other food category allergies. And finally, my journey of discovering eczema that is reduced with low refined sugar and processed flour (that was at first hard to swallow as a baker hobbyist). 🧑🏻‍🍳

And as we evolve, moving toward lower gluten isn’t a bad idea in general with all the environment factors and chemicals we have no control over in the current state of food manufacturing processes.

And even well-intended “healthy” baking pasta with plain flour is great for occasions, but finding gluten-free alternatives can be better if you are sensitive. And there are so many more nutrient-dense, plant-forward alternatives that’s a win for our bodies and our earth. See spaghetti squash recipe below. 🍴🍝

food allergies

Your lifestyle and food choices impact your healthy and daily running Body. You can experience Body inflammations that become chronic, and where seasonal and food allergies play a role. In awareness, you can optimize your your healthiest body for the set of conditions you’re given.

Keeping anti-inflammatory foods (and including Mediterranean Diet foods) in your meals can help. It won’t hurt to eliminate as much processed, sugary foods, and alcohol as you can, that are part of the modern culture way, far from paleo-lithic consumption.

Reducing junk foods and excess from your diet can help reduce and potentially eliminate inflammations like I had in a recent experience…

I had purchased a bag of lollipops on a whim last summer when our “new normal” society life began, that I later regretted.

You see, the small seemingly harmless Tootsie Pop purchase mistake caused a hand rash to develop, and I didn’t know the cause initially.

One theory I had was that I related the hand rash to a heat rash I also had from laying out in the sun.

Then, in researching the two body inflammation areas for about a month, I got an a-ha… the rash was exacerbated from excess sugar (and not Vit-D rich sun rays).

Here I had been researching everything from poison ivy plants to dry, heated skin, applying cortisone lotions and aloe, preparing a daily snack Ziplock size ice bag, and trying to figure out why I had an itchy backhand that started up sporadically every day that summer.

In my trying out recording different changes I made and checking for any positive effects, I tested out moving away from too much daily sugar, listening to that inner wisdom voice sending whispering suggestions, “hmmm…could sugar be the cause?”

So I switched from emptier calorie and excessively sweet snacks (most foods have sugar), to healthier almonds and eating more filling lean proteins to curb snacking in between meals.

I went back to foods like chickpeas with rice, hummus dip, and lean proteins, and then gradually going back to not skipping breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Then one day, the itchy hand saga disappeared just as easily as it had appeared. I continued reducing my daily sugar intake. While I don’t think I have a sugar-allergy, getting back to my healthiest eating habits helped.

I noticed my original inflammation-free life was suddenly back and my health was gratefully uneventful again.

How interesting and easily we can forget the inconvenient dealings we had the previous day unless they cause more issues. Such as with any and all allergies that can develop at any time.

This is a good mind-body lesson for better eating habits for prevention. And in hindsight, this was actually reinforced in a book I had been referencing for years.

The Inflammation Free Diet for Food Allergies

The book I had been using as a guidebook for preparing meals, The Inflammation-Free Diet, re-entered my memory after my inflammation episode and in my mindfulness. I realized that there was a connection bridged between spiking sugar inflammation and foods.

And that there are very few perfect foods, and even my beloved bananas have a high glycemic index that can add to inflammation.

In making healthy food choices, moderation and choosing to balance good back-to-earth foods seems to be the better ageless answer to healthily feed our bodies.

Just like your body keeps score, your mind can keep a rough tally of what you consume over a week or month, that has a healthy, tasty, and enjoyable balance, so you don’t have to always jot down every food eaten.

This natural way of preferring healthier variety and mixing up foods is one perk of being a Vata and someone who loves food. ♥

But if you do want to add new foods and be mindfully healthier, keeping a daily food diary or list is a good way to see and evaluate what you want to add or subtract out.

If you have episodes like acid reflux, heartburn, or a sensitive stomach, by writing down your meals you can discover what food allergies, patterns, and combinations don’t sit well together in your stomach. This is how I figured that pizza tomato sauce and yogurt are not good to have back to back.

(And one theory as to why Italians never have milk drinks or cappuccinos after 11:30 am where they could start their tomato-based lunch siesta.)

Or that garlic or coffee can be difficult for heartburn.

You could discover you need more astringent or bitter foods when you note what’s missing from your diet.

Every healthy food ingesting micro action you take eventually adds up, and can help towards your physical health as you also evolve and change habits.

You may find certain food allergies or excess can affect your moods and mental health and can change over time and quantity.

In moderation, all can be good, but you don’t know the exact limit your body has before a warning is issued through inflammation and flair ups.

Parts of your mind influenced by your senses are telling you to consume, when it’s better if you just stop, knowing there’s a lag time in mind-body communication. Just like there can be lag audio time over conference calls.

That’s why it’s better to pause eating before you’re full so your body can catch up and notify your mind, “whoaaa… no more please!”

A yummy piece of cake to the body is neutral until it starts breaking down and processing the ingredients. The pleasure is up in the mind.

So referring to my above story about my summer inflammation… the incident was comparatively minor compared to what could’ve happened.

And yes, it could have been worse and I could’ve added to that if I didn’t become aware and take healthier action.

If you have similarly unknown flair ups you’re still wondering about, they could be from similar specific ingredients, sugar, gluten, or other food allergy intolerances that you have always had or developed as you’re aging. Continue reading “Food Allergies, Eczema, and Chronic Inflammations”