Having big boobs isn't all roses...

Not that I would know, but that's what my grandma always told me. She would say that they made her back hurt.

I've shared with many of you about my "food allergy" struggles. I had it narrowed down to yeast at one point. To make a very long story short, I found an allergist who immediately did skin prick testing and found that I had very severe environmental allergies--some of the most severe she's ever seen is what I was told. And the reason I was having such strong reactions to certain foods is because of this thing called Oral Allergy Syndrome. Apparently, if you're severely allergic to pollen, eating things like apples, cherries and almonds can make your lips swell and itch. If you're allergic to grass (which, of course, I am), tomatoes and oranges can do the same.

Because I hadn't zeroed in on exactly what was happening, I kept trying elimination diets. I went on a paleo diet, basically eating vegetables, fruit, nuts and grilled meats. I cut out all salad dressings and would eat plain olive oil on lettuce and/or spinach. It was pretty intense.

I am sharing this in case anyone else out there is struggling with anything like this. I am taking a morning and evening allergy pill along with taking allergy shots twice weekle. It is absolutely no exaggeration to say that my life is mine again. I don't have to call my friends constantly and ask them to pick up the kids from school because I am too groggy from Benadryl. I am able to make plans for the next day and know that I will feel well enough to keep them. I don't have to cake on makeup even though it is incredibly painful to hide the burn-like marks on my face and neck (severe swelling and hives).

I weighed 148 pounds just before I gave birth to my nine pound, four ounce bouncing baby boy. Three short months later, I dropped down to 103 pounds. And this is where my reference to my wise grandmother comes in. People would comment on how I had lost all of that baby weight so quickly and how lucky I was. And all I was thinking is how much I wanted to down a container of Ben and Jerry's! Being skinny isn't always a picnic either!

Now that my God-sent allergist has me on the road to recovery, I am having a love affair with food. I am eating everything and anything I want and have gained eight pounds. I may eventually have to reign myself in, but right now I'm enjoying myself! And for the record, I have always found people with a little more cushion quite snuggly.
If you are in the area and need an allergist, I highly recommend Dr. Annie Arrey-Mensah. You can find more out about her here. Check this out as well if you are an allergy-sufferer.