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Allergies in Pets

"Allergies in Pets" Disclaimer: None of the information provided in these posts should be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before trying recommendations or if you have concern Some posts may contain affiliate or third-party links. About 15-20 years ago, my sister had two dogs, Akila and Sasha. Sasha, a malamute, was older than Aki, a shiba inu/American eskimo mix, and was therefore the instigator in most of their shenanigans, especially around food. One day, Sasha helped Aki get a hold of a couple of pieces of ham (or pork chop, my memory is fuzzy on this), and they each proceeded to chow down. Then Aki’s came right back up. And that was the day we discovered that dogs (and other animals) can be allergic and intolerant of certain foods. Did you know your pets can have food allergies and sensitivities? Yeah, it was a surprise to us, too. Let’s dive into today’s topic: Pets and their allergies. 10% OFF at RawPawsPetFood.com! use code: RawTake10

What’s the difference between an allergy and a sensitivity?

Time is the difference. Intolerances and sensitivities take longer to present themselves, while allergies usually show up within a few hours to a couple of days. Also, sensitivities aren’t connected to the immune system, while allergies are.

Common allergic reactions

When dogs or cats have food allergies, their immune system is reacting like human’s do (I went into that in detail in an earlier post). The immune system thinks certain foods are an invading disease (even though they aren’t) and attacks them, causing a histamine response. And, while pets can have anaphylaxis as a response, here are more common reactions.

Allergic dermatitis

That’s a fancy term (and by “fancy” I really mean “medical”) for itchy skin. It can happen everywhere on the body. For cats, it’s more common to see it on the head or neck. On dogs, however, allergic dermatitis appears more often on the ears, paws, hind quarters, or stomach.

Hives

You remember those nasty bumps we talked about a few posts back? Yup! Dogs and cats can have them, too. They show up easier on dogs, especially the short-haired variety and can show up within 6-24 hours after eating the allergen. Cats, on the other hand, can take longer to develop hives, and they can be harder to see. If you see your pets scratching the same spot repeatedly, get them checked out. All that scratching can lead to hair loss and potential infection if they break the skin.

Digestive issues

Just like us humans, dogs and cats can experience digestion issue because of an allergy. Symptoms can include gas, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Swollen face

Swelling skin is uncomfortable. If your pet experiences this reaction, you’ll see it most on the lips, eyelids, or ears/ear flaps. Take them to the vet to see what treatment they recommend.

Chronic ear or paw infections

The title pretty much describes itself here. An important note, though, is this: if your pet is experiencing this symptom repeatedly, definitely check to determine whether the issue is a food allergy or a sensitivity.

Common allergens in cats and dogs

Since this is a food allergy post, those allergens are the ones we’re going to cover here. Other factors like fleas and bees can cause some of the above reactions, but we’re not going there today.

Common allergens

- Chicken - Beef - Eggs - Fish (this if more common for cats) - Dairy products (yes, even for cats…especially for cats)

Less common allergens

- Corn - Wheat - Rice - Barley - Oats FREE Meal Plan for Your Budget - $59 Value at RawPawsPetFood.com

What do I do if I suspect an allergy?

Contact your vet and schedule an appointment. If the pet is in distress (vomiting, severe diarrhea, or difficulty breathing), go to an emergency vet and follow up with your regular vet. Your pet’s doctor will probably have you do an elimination diet (there isn’t a scratch test for pets) and try to narrow down the potential culprits. Once they discover the issue, they can set up a treatment plan that may include a diet change and perhaps some medication to ease symptoms. However, keep the emergency vets number in case an emergency occurs. That’s all for today. Have you had a pet with a food allergy or sensitivity? I would love to hear your story. Next time, we’re going to talk about food allergy tips for Independence Day (in the US). Be safe. Eat safe. And savor life! Want to receive posts in your email? Subscribe below. Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: An unwise moving decision

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is another one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

“You know what’s going to happen if you let him move in with you, right?”

Writing prompt exercise

It’s the question every person’s best friend asks the friend who is stuck in a toxic relationship. They want to be helpful. Really, they do. But that “helpful” friend can do more harm than good. Especially if the other person is stubborn. Which my friend was. “Well, technically, I’m moving in with him,” she said as she packed books into a small box. “That doesn’t make this better,” I say, looking around the apartment. Boxes sat in corners, waiting patiently for the contents they would transport to their new destination. Piles of books and games were strewn around as she practiced her best bin packing skills to maximize box space without adding too much weight. “I know you don’t like him, and I don’t understand why,” she said, holding the box closed with her body as she wrestled with the packing tape. “I don’t know,” I said, sarcasm dripping from every word. “Could be his tendency to go hot and cold on you. Or the fact that he dumped you once and only came back around sniffing for more when his regular side-piece stopped talking to him.” “He said he stopped seeing her because she lied to him.” “He knew she was polyamorous from day one,” I said, throwing my hands into the air. “She and I talked.” Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going. Patreon That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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Brie's updates: Poetry & podcasting

"Brie's updates: poetry & podcasting" contains third party links Hi, everyone! I haven't dropped more posts than the writing prompt exercises, so I think it's time! May was a busy month as I set up the Patreon and Ko-fi sites (I finally figured out how to spell the short term for buymeacoffee.com). I've also been watching my finances dwindle away slowly. Want to help me with that? Visit my Patreon or Ko-fi sites and join up. Patreon

Poetry

I'm really struggling with putting up the first Weekly Poetry Update on those sites. I have written a lot of poetry over the years, so choosing that first one to post is hard, y'all! I did choose some, and the posts are different on my crowdfunding sites, so consider joining them. You can access the weekly poems for as little as $5/month on each platform.

Writing prompt exercises

It has been a few days since I posted some writing prompt exercises, and I want to thank you for being patient with me. I'm going to get more of them up this week. I would love to hear your feedback on them. Several are definitely story starts, but I'm not going to say which ones.

Podcasts

Spill the Tea: Just hear us out's first episode is out, y'all! Lara and I released it last week, and we're excited to share our research and thoughts with you. It's available on these streaming platforms:

- Apple Podcast - Spotify - Amazon Music - Pocket Casts - Pandora - Deezer - Podchaser - Goodpods - Castbox - Podcast Addict Joan and I are working on another collaboration: No Holds Bard: A Podcast about the Art of Telling Stories. We're in planning and early recording stage, so stay tuned.

That's all for now. I'll post another update in a few days and let you know what else I have in the hopper. Stay fabulous, y'all. And, if you're dealing with this massive heatwave sweeping the US right now, stay cool. Read the full article

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Current Projects: What am I up to now?

Welcome to my Current Projects page! I'll share with you the general synopsis of my projects. I'm always coming up with new ideas, so check back regularly to see what I'm up to now. Guardians' Call Ball State University in the early 1990s is a place of learning, of activism, and…of magic. And Phoebe Gardener is a typical college student: attending classes, making friends, and exploring her spirituality. Then Phoebe has an amazing experience in an unusual place, and a new world opens up before her. It’s a world within a world, with demons, dark magic practitioners, and ritual magic. Under the watchful eye of her mentor, Alexander Schaefer, Phoebe becomes a a Veil Guardian trainee, protecting the Veil separating this world from other realms. Together, they discover a nefarious plot being hatched in their small Indiana city. Along with her snarky friend, Kat, and her questioning but eager friend, Tricia, Phoebe and Alexander must race against the clock to stop the plot and maintain balance on this side of the Veil.

Weekly Poems on Patreon and Ko-fi

Every week, I post different poems on Patreon and Ko-fi. They cover a variety of topics and styles and are the basis for future poetry chapbooks. Go check them out! They are only available for paid members, and they are worth it! Supporting me on either platform starting at the $5 level will also earn you a spot in the Order of the Roses, my special page honoring my patrons.https://buymeacoffee.com/brigittashannonrose  Patreon

Podcasts

I'm currently working with Lara Moebs on the Spill the Tea Podcast, where we ask you to "just hear us out. We share what researched information we find on topics in mythology, history, religion, culture, politics, and life, the universe, and everything. Check us out on major streaming platforms today.

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Swapping Foods: Wheat Part 2

"Swapping Foods: Wheat Part 2" Disclaimer: None of the information provided in these posts should be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before trying recommendations or if you have concern Some posts may contain affiliate or third-party links. Welcome back! As I mentioned part 1 of Swapping Foods: Wheat, I’m going to share some brands I like for gluten free flours, pastas, and baked goods. There are also a couple of flour blend recipes. Let’s dig in.

Flour

There are a variety of gluten-free flours on the market today. The one I use most often is King Arthur™ Gluten-free Measure for Measure flour. It has the xanthum gum in it, and it works for everything from cakes to cookies to biscuits. I would argue it’s better than wheat flour for making a roux. I haven’t tried their Bread Flour, because it has pea protein, so I would love it if someone would try it out and let us know how it worked out for them. Shop King Arthur Baking

If you want to make your own blend (or you need a rice-free blend), here is a recipe for the blend I created 15 years ago (and this went through a lot of trial and error). Gluten-free All-purpose Flour Blend Makes 8 cups (approximately 2 pounds) - 1 cup each of:- Amaranth flour - Sorghum flour - Millet flour - Bean or Almond flour - Tapioca starch/flour (same thing) - Arrowroot or Corn starch - 2 cup potato starch - 4 teaspoons xantham gum Blend together either by hand or with a stand mixer (my Kitchen-Aid® stand mixer makes this so much easier and quicker than by hand). Store in a container in the fridge for up to 90 days (can store for up to 6 months in the freezer. There are other gluten-free flours available to add to mixes. Teff and buckwheat will add more fiber to a blend. Corn flour (not cornmeal; they are two different things) can also add a different texture and flavor to a flour blend, though I would stick to using it when making tortillas (corn flour) or cornbread (cornmeal). Here is the higher fiber blend recipe. Gluten-free Higher Fiber Flour Blend Makes 8 cups (approximately 2 pounds) - 1 cup each of:- Amaranth flour - Sorghum flour - Tapioca starch/flour (same thing) - Arrowroot or Corn starch - ½ cup each of:- Millet flour - Bean or Almond flour - Teff flour - Buckwheat flour - 2 cup potato starch - 4 teaspoons xantham gum Blend together either by hand or with a stand mixer. Store in a container in the fridge for up to 90 days (can store for up to 6 months in the freezer.

Pasta

There are a lot of gluten-free pasta options on the market now (significantly more than back in 2009). Some have bean flours in them, while others have corn or quinoa. Some are strictly rice-based. All of them have different cooking times, though, so read the package instructions. And follow them! Gluten-free pasta has a very short window between al dente and mush, and that window changes depending on the brand. Different brands that I have used include (but are not limited to): - Barilla (watch the time on these) - Trader Joe’s (don’t cook this too long, or it gets sticky) - Simple Truth (Kroger) - Tinkyada (their lasagna noodles are perfect!) - Jovial (I discovered thanks to my family giving me 7 boxes of different pastas for Christmas a couple of years ago)

Baked goods

There are many more gluten-free breads out on the market now. I’m a personal fan of Canyon Bakehouse products, because their breads don’t dry out as much in the refrigerator as other brands. Their English muffins are fabulous! Other brands that are available include (but not limited to): - Udi’s - Trader Joes (excellent muffins, especially the coffee cake ones) - Aldi - Simple Truth (Kroger) - Schär - Bfree - Against the Grain - Katz (their donuts are yummy, and they have toaster pastries!)

About Roux

A brief word on this style of sauce: gluten free flour (in my opinion) makes a better roux than wheat flour. It thickens better (probably because of the starches in the blends) and has a nice mouth-feel. Krusteez and King Arthur™ seem to work best in roux. Make sure to cook the flour before adding liquid, just like you would with wheat flour. That’s all for today. Let me know if you use any of these products and what you think of them. Next week, we’re going to talk about food allergy tips for Independence Day (in the US). Be safe. Eat safe. And savor life! Want to receive posts in your email? Subscribe below. Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: Hey, look! A talking cat!

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is another one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

Walking down the street, you find a stray cat that starts talking to you, but only you can understand it

Writing prompt exercise

Spring is in the air, and the smell of someone’s lilac bush reaches my nose as I round the corner on my neighborhood street. The cool breeze caresses my face, making me feel refreshed and ready to start my work day once my morning walk is complete. “Hey, lady,” the bush says to me, and I stop. Bushes don’t talk. “What was that?” I ask the bush. Weird shit happens to me all the time, so I’m used to it. When you work with the fae as much as I do, you get used to the weird. “Down here,” the voice says, coming from the ground beneath to bush. I kneel down and peer through the branches. A pair of glowing eyes peer back at me. “Hello?” I ask, a little confused. What is this creature. The figure moves closer, and I see a beautiful white cat emerge from the shadows. Oh boy,” I breathe, “a faery cat. What brings you here?” “Ah, so you know what I am,” the feline says, inching closer. I not. “I’m here because I need protection.” As the furry body moved further into the light, I could guess why. This cat is pregnant. Very pregnant. “I’m guessing you need a safe place to give birth,” I say more than ask, and the cat nods at me. “My home is open to you, and you are welcome to do your whelping there.” “Thank you, Guardian,” the pure-white feline says before jumping into my arms. Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going.

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: A teenage watery surprise

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is the another one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

A girl on the swim team transforms into a part-time mermaid

Writing prompt exercise

“Allright, everyone, take your places,” the swim coach said, lifting the whistle to her mouth. Five of us stepped up to the pool’s edge, each in our own lane. “On your mark,” she said, whistle in hand, “get set.” We crouched down, ready to dive at the shrill signal. She placed the whistle and blew, signaling us to go. I dove into the water, ready to swim the butterfly style I was known for. I have been swimming as long as I can remember. My moms told me they had me in the pool as young as a year old. But only one of them helped me learn how to swim. The other just sat poolside at watched, her eyes full of longing. My thirteenth birthday had just passed, and good ole Mother Nature decided to give me my “monthly tidings” on my birthday. Yay, me. That was last week, and this was the first day in the pool since my period had stopped. Now I know why Mama Lisa had kept me from the water since them. She hadn’t even considered swim practice. I felt my legs tingle as they joined together, forming into a solid piece. My feet morphed into fins. Fins? Oh, shit, what just happened? I stopped swimming as the coach blew her whistle, the small metal piece falling from her open mouth. I looked down at my body to see a greenish-blue tail where my legs and feet should have been. Well, this explains why I’m so good at the butterfly stroke. Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going.

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: A visit from a dark, creepy figure

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is the first one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

You wake up in the middle of the night to see a dark figure crawling across the floor

Writing prompt exercise

A strange noise roused me from my sleep. My eyes opened, and I froze, trying to listen with more than my ears. Being nighttime, I couldn’t quite see despite good night vision. I didn’t smell anything. Weird. The sound reached my ears again, a low moan that settled into my spine, setting every nerve on fire. I quietly half-sat up, leaning over the edge of the bed. A dark figure crouched on the floor, crawling slowly towards my bed. It looked like a small dark throw pillow, though it was more rectangular than square. Closing my eyes to try and get some of the light-blindness to go away – wait! Light-blindness? I have blackout curtains on my bedroom window, because light makes it very hard for me to sleep. I turned my head to glance over my shoulder at the window. The curtains were parted about a foot-and-a-half apart, and the moonbeam glowed softly into my room. It was broken only by the shadow of the person standing on the outside peering in at me. The moan caught my attention, and I looked back at the rectangular figure crawling across the floor. It now had a tail at one end. Tail? “Sabrina,” I whispered, “what are you doing?” Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going.

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: Honeymoon kidnapping with a twist

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is the first one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

You and your partner are kidnapped on your honeymoon

Writing prompt exercise

We walked into the conference room, surprised at the number of people there. Nearly all of the chairs were full. The grey walls looked slightly stained, and some of the chairs were chipped. “I’m glad we didn’t book at this hotel,” Rhianna said, looking around as I searched for two chairs next to each other. “Yeah, this place is a dump,” I commented as my eyes landed on two seats near the front. “Oh, there are some chairs over there. Let’s go.” I headed toward the front of the room, Rhianna following me. We settled in just as the presenter came into the room. He walked to the podium and tapped the microphone. Everyone stopped talking and looked towards the man. He smiled when the room quieted. “Welcome, everyone, to today’s presentation. We have some exciting information to share with you. Then we’re all going to go on a little field trip.” “What is this, school?” Rhianna whispered in my ear. I stifled a snicker. We settled in to watch the presentation. On a time share. Fuck. My wife and I locked eyes; I rolled mine as she closed hers. This was not in the honeymoon plans. This is what we get for a “free cruise.” Trust me, they’re never free. I struggled to pay attention as the presenter droned on. Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going.

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: Unexpected haunting at sea

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is the first one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

The cruise ship is haunted

Writing prompt exercise

The hall was deserted, which wasn’t surprising. We were docked at out next destination, but I wasn’t interested in visiting this particular port of call. I’ve been to Cozumel before; it’s pretty much a tourist trap. And, sure, I would love to go check out the city, but I’m not sure it’s safe for a single woman to go wandering around a foreign city alone. I stopped thinking about that last through. Why couldn’t I walk around by myself? I had taken the Bronx subway train down to the East Village in Manhattan at 3 a.m. multiple times in my early 20s. Why should I be afraid now? Straightening my shoulders, I turned and headed back to my room. I would grab some money and my straw hat (don’t care if it’s fashionable; it keeps the sun off my face, so it gets the job done), and head out to see what downtown Cozumel looked like. Rounding the corner, I saw a man standing down the hall in front of a cabin. He kept grasping at the handle but couldn’t seem to turn it. Even in profile, I could see the frustration on his face. “Hello?” I said. “Can I help you?” He turned wide eyes at me. Eyes that – weren’t there. “Oh, shit, you can see me!” he yelped before promptly disappearing. “Great,” I mumbled, heading to my room. “This damned place is haunted. So much for a relaxing vacation.” Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going.

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: A luxurious beach-side hotel

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is the first one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

You are asked to review a luxury hotel on the beach

Writing prompt exercise

The lobby opens up in beautiful marble floors and clean, taupe tile on the walls. Dark mahogony desks line one side of the lobby, where attendants wait to check you in for a fabulous stay. Once checked in, enter the clear-glass elevator to reach your floor. Cream walls and thick, navy blue carpet adorn each hallway. Rooms have cherry wood with gold-lettered numbers for each room. And the rooms! Each one comes with a small kitchenette and eating space as well as a small living space for relaxing after a long, luxurious day at the beach. One or two bedrooms come with each suite, where complimentary robes and turndown service allow you to relax and enjoy. Hotel amenities include both an indoor and outdoor pool, jacuzzis, a full gym, playroom for the kids, and a full spa. Oh, the spa! All services are available, from facials, manicures, and pedicures to full-body massages. The full bar is open 24 hours, and the restaurant has extended dining hours, so you’ll never miss a meal. Step onto the balcony of each room to enjoy a beach or forest view. Staff is available 24/7 to serve you. Delivery services are complimentary, as are laundry services. Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. I like coffee; it keeps me going.

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose

Photo by Brigitta Shannon Rose That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

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Swapping Foods: Wheat Part 1

"Swapping Foods: Wheat Part 1" Disclaimer: None of the information provided in these posts should be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before trying recommendations or if you have concern Some posts may contain affiliate or third-party links. This is part one of a two-parter (because I really don’t want to post 1,000+ word articles). What are the worst words a carb lover could possibly hear? “You’re allergic to wheat.” Or are they? I have to admit, my wheat allergy was a frustrating surprise…at first. Once I accepted the fact that some of my favorite foods (cakes, breads, cookies, brownies…want to guess which types of sweets I prefer?) were "off limits," I went in search of information on what I could eat instead. Thus began my journey down the rabbit hole of gluten-free eating. I covered how gluten affects the body for people with wheat allergies, celiac disease, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity in my last post. Today, I want to share with you some of what I learned and discovered as I navigated this new way of eating.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a naturally occurring protein in wheat and some other grains, such as rye and barley (my personal nemesis). It helps bind ingredients together in baked goods and sauces. It also reacts to baking powders and baking sodas, creating air bubbles that make breads, cakes, and biscuits fluffy. Manufacturers can also extract and concentrate gluten, adding protein, texture, and flavor to processed foods. As I have mentioned in previous posts, most food allergies react to the protein in food. People with a milk allergy, for example, are most likely allergic to one of the two proteins, casein or whey. For people with a wheat allergy, the usual reactions are to gluten.

Different types of wheat

There are several types of wheat, as well as different ways they appear in foods. And while rye and barley affect people with celiac or gluten sensitivity (or me, the person whose weird body doesn’t like to follow rules), let’s stick to wheat for now…mostly. These are: - Wheat - Wheatberries - Durum - Emmer - Semolina - Spelt - Bulgur - Farina - Graham - KAMUT® Khorasan wheat - Einkorn There are a variety of foods you can find wheat in besides breads, baked goods, and pasta. Many breakfast cereals contain wheat, as do many sauces, particularly sauces made from a roux (combination of flour and fat cooked before adding liquid). Salad dressings can also contain wheat. I have noticed that most marinara and pasta sauces tend to be gluten-free. Definitely check the label ingredients before purchasing, consuming, or feeding someone with a wheat allergy.

So what “grains” are safe?

There are a surprising number of gluten-free “grains” (some of them are seeds) available to eat. These include: - Quinoa is a “complete protein” food and is a great replacement for orzo pasta or bulgur wheat in salads. - Rice is versatile and works well as a cooked grain and as a flour. - Sorghum is a go-to for me in flour blends. - Amaranth is excellent as both a flour and a cooked grain. - Millet is a tiny grain that easily replaces potatoes as a healthy starch. - Corn is safer for gluten-free people if it is a non-GMO version. - Buckwheat, which is not a wheat despite the name, has more protein than other gluten-free grains and works as a cooked breakfast cereal or in a grain salad. - Oats are a familiar food for many, but make sure they are labeled “gluten-free” to avoid the cross-contamination that can happen when oat and wheat fields are near each other. - Teff is a tiny ancient grain that works well in stews as well as flour blends. I'm not a big fan of salads, but I love tabbouleh, a Lebanese grain salad, which, unfortunately, usually includes bulgur wheat. Today I’m going to offer you a gluten free alternative recipe. Here you go.

Gluten-free Tabbouleh

Photo by Esmihel Muhammad, courtesy of pexels.com Makes 4 servings - 1 cup quinoa - 1 minced small garlic clove (or teaspoon of minced from a jar) - ½ cup lemon juice - 3 cups chopped flat-leaf parsley - ¼ cup chopped fresh mint - ½ pound finely chopped tomatoes (or a 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes, drained) - 1 cup finely chopped green onions - ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil - ½ teaspoon salt Cook the quinoa according to package instructions and cool completely. Add the other ingredients and chill for 1 hour. Can sit safely at room temperature.

How do I avoid wheat in its various forms?

Read labels All of them. Products labeled “gluten-free” are safe for most people with a wheat allergy (Mx “Ridiculous amount of food allergies” here still has to check gluten-free labels thanks to the legume and milk allergies). Check ingredients Keep an eye out especially for malt. It’s usually made with barley, but it can sometimes cause reactions for people with a wheat allergy. It will add time to your grocery shopping, and it is worth it to avoid getting sick (or making someone else sick). And, as I have said before, if you have any questions about what is safe to feed someone allergic to wheat, ask. Please, just ask us. It lets us know that you care about us enough to keep us safe and healthy. Real talk time: When someone has food allergies, it can make them feel left out, especially if it’s an allergy like wheat. Think about how many birthday parties or weddings you’ve gone to in your life. Imagine not being able to eat the one food that is the highlight of the party. Now imagine having to do that as a child. It hurts, and it makes one feel “othered” really quick. By asking us questions, you remove some of that “being othered” feeling. That’s all for this week. Next week I’ll talk about different gluten-free products that work well (based on my experience) and offer a couple of recipes on flour blends (as well as a surprise recipe). And let me know what you think of the tabbouleh recipe. I would love to know how it turned out for you. Be safe. Eat safe. And savor life! Want to receive posts in your email? Subscribe below. Read the full article

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Writing Prompt Exercise: Author struggles to "make it big"

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is the first one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

Describe the life of a struggling author attempting to “make it big”

Writing prompt exercise

Oh, boy, this is scary. Okay, make a plan. Oh, boy, too many ideas. Start a spreadsheet? How will I pay rent? Time to send out a blast for my Patreon and Kofi sites. Honestly, this is the freeest – and possibly most terrified – I have felt my entire working life. Everything is uncertain and exciting at the same time. There is so much opportunity to explore and discover. Just got to get the bills paid. So writing becomes work – a means to an income. But now I can write what pleases me and share it with the world. It’s a freedom I’ve never had in any other job. And it is, without a doubt, work. Outlines help with development for stories, and conversations with characters helps bring them to life. Spreadsheets help keep track of projects, and the task managing program helps me remember what needs to be done to lead me towards success. Got to remember to post on social media. Honestly, I wish this concept had been more prolific the first time I tried to do this. I feel so much more certain that success can happen this time. Will I become a “world-wide famous writer?” Maybe. Or, perhaps, I will bring enough joy to enough people that I’ll make enough to meet my expenses and, perhaps, save up for the time when my words fail me, and I write for the last time. Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. This writing prompt exercise is different Most of my prompts are meant to help me build story or poem ideas. Sometimes my poetry starts as prose before I meld the words into rhyme, foot, and meter (or free verse rhythm). This prompt, however, took on a "journaling" vibe, and I wanted to share it with you. Because, while I'm excited by my work, and I want you to be, too, I'm scared, because these attempts have been unsuccessful in the past, and, this time, I really want to succeed. So, here I am, exposing my hopes and fears to you. Thank you for reading, and I hope what I do brings you joy. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

[brigittas-writing-nook]

Writing Prompt Exercise: Questioning an unwelcome gift

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is the first one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

“Why would you ever do this?” “Why? Why not?”

Writing prompt exercise

“Because dropping a bomb like this on someone will ruin their worldview.” “Well,” the man said, grinning, “it’s not like it’s an actual bomb.” He calmly picked up the package and headed towards the door. I ran past him, blocking the door with my body, my expression pleading with him to see reason. “You can’t hand someone a package from the person who threw them out on the street for being who they say they are.” “Why not?” Max asked me, tucking the quilt wrapped in ribbon under his arms. “It will remind Xander of the pain their mother cause when she said they were inhuman.” “They are inhuman,” Max’s brow furrowed. “Their an changeling.” “Doesn’t matter,” I said, then paused. I frowned, then felt my face heat up as the anger rose within. “Hey, I resent that!” Max cocked his head, confusion clear on his face. “I’m a changeling!” I shouted. “And I’m half-human!” He paused, taking a step back. The quilt dropped to the floor beside him. “I – I didn’t know that,” he said slowly. “Yeah,” I replied, shifting my feet. “We’re not exactly open about it, especially because Xander’s grandmother’s reaction is pretty common, when full humans find out about us.” Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

[brigittas-writing-nook]

Writing Prompt Exercise: A Ghost's New (Afterlife) Purpose

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is the first one! Enjoy.

Writing Prompt

Write about a ghost finding a new purpose in the afterlife.

Writing Prompt Exercise

I always thought I would want vengence or revenge if I were murdered (hey, got chick in life; what can I say?). Vengeance sounded like a beautiful idea, a way to find peace and a path to the afterlife. Boy, was I Wrong I don’t remember dying. I mean, I remember what it felt like while being strangled and stabbed. But I don’t remember the actual moment of dying. I guess that makes sense? And the need for vengence sent me to you. Someone who was still living. Someone who could use the research and investigative skills your job needs to help me find my murderer. And we did it! We found him. And we actually got him locked up for the crime. Well, crimes, I suppose, since I wasn’t his only victim. Yeah, sorry he attacked you and tried to kill you too. Thankfully he didn’t succeed. Funny thing is, though, that, now that vengeance and justice has been achieved, I don’t feel satisfied or peaceful. I don’t see that bright light I’m supposed to step into. I feel empty still. Like my purpose hasn’t actually been fulfilled. So I’m here to tell you two thinks. Thank you for finding my killer and bringing him to justice. And…mind if I stick around and help you out? How? I’m not sure. Maybe we can help others right wrongs in their lives. Maybe it could be a new purpose for us both?

Purpose of this Prompt

I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article

[brigittas-writing-nook]

Wheat allergy, Celiac, and NCGS: Wait! They're not the same?

"What to expect from Wheat allergy, Celiac, and NCGS: Wait! They're not the same?" Disclaimer: None of the information provided in these posts should be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before trying recommendations or if you have concern Some posts may contain affiliate or third-party links. Okay, I said last week that I was going to cover the elimination diet this week, but I’m still researching it. Which means I’m going to cover about a topic I don’t really have to research (much) to talk about.

Meet my nemesis, Gluten

As I have mentioned before, I have several food allergies, and one of them is wheat. It happens to be one of the top nine food allergies listed in the US, but it is similar to a couple of other gluten-based issues. So this week, I’m going to talk about the differences between a wheat allergy and both celiac disease (CD) and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS or GS). Because there is a lot of confusion surrounding these gluten-based irritants, let’s take a closer look at these conditions.

Wheat allergy

A wheat allergy, like all other allergies, is an immune response. The body creates immunoglobulin (IgE) antibodies to protect the body from the usually-innocuous protein in a food. In the case of a wheat allergy, that protein is gluten, which I’ll go into more detail on in a future post. People can react differently to a wheat allergy. Some people only experience symptoms when they consume something that contains wheat. Others can react to simply breathing in wheat particles, even without eating them. Common wheat allergy symptoms include: - Anaphylaxis - Headache - Hives or skin rash - Nausea and vomiting - Runny nose, congestion or sneezing - Wheezing or asthma attack Testing for a wheat allergy follows the usual allergy testing procedures, and doctors can choose from any of the common tests to help them make a diagnosis. Our next condition, however, requires a different approach.

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is an intolerance to the wheat protein gluten as well as gluten found in barley and rye. With celiac, the body develops an auto-immune response that attacks the small intestine and damages the villi, leading to a difficulty in absorbing nutrients. It is a genetic condition often triggered by stress, trauma, and other environmental factors. Testing for CD usually involves several types of blood tests and possibly a biopsy of the small intestine. Your doctor can discuss with you what your best testing options are. Common CD symptoms include: - Bloating, gas, and constipation - Brain fog, fatigue, and headaches - Depression - Diarrhea and nausea - Joint pain - Rash (dermatitis herpetiformis) Ironically, some of these symptoms are similar to our last gluten condition, non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity

Symptoms in NCGS are usually more focused on digestion issue, such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. This sensitivity is a little harder to define, largely because scientists haven’t quite figured out how it works. It isn’t an immune response (like the wheat allergy), but it also isn’t an auto-immune response (like celiac). Some scientists think it could not be related to gluten at all. One study proposes that NCGS might be a sensitivity to another protein, amylase/trypsin-inhibitors (ATIs), found in wheat, barley, and rye. Testing for it is challenging, because doctors must first rule out both a wheat allergy and celiac. If the patient tests negative for these two conditions but still reacts to gluten, the conclusion is NCGS.

Are you sure what you have isn’t celiac disease?

Short answer: maybe? The first test I had was a blood test, which isn’t as reliable as the scratch test I had two years later. The blood test checked for IgE antibodies and tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies (tTG-IgA). All of these tests came to the same conclusion, though: I am definitely allergic to wheat. I first found out about this allergy in 2008, right before I lost a contract job and was “unemployed” and freelancing for almost two years. Talk about a bad time to have to adjust to an expensive diet. And, trust me, eating gluten free isn’t cheap, though prices are getting a little better.

Life is never simple (for me, at least)

Thankfully, my symptoms don’t include anaphylaxis, but they do include inflammation, rashes (probably from the eczema), joint pain, and digestive upset, and some of these symptoms also occur in celiac disease. Also, I react negatively digestion-wise to barley, though I can’t say for sure with rye, because all of the rye products I’ve been exposed to also include wheat (which pretty much defeats the purpose of trying to determine a potential intolerance). Since there is an allergy present, I don’t qualify for NCGS. And, though my tests don’t show it as a genetic marker, I still show some of the same symptoms as celiac. Bodies are weird, as a friend of mine says. And none seem to be more so than mine. Ah, well. That’s life. That’s all for this week. Next week I’m going to talk about what foods you can use to replace the wheat in your diet. Want to share a story about these conditions? Leave a comment below. Be safe. Eat safe. And savor life! Want to receive posts in your email? Subscribe below. Read the full article

[brigittas-writing-nook]

Writing Prompt Exercise: Caves are Weird and Varied

I wrote about my "writing prompt exercise" in my welcome post, and here is the first one! Enjoy.

Writing prompt

Caves are weirder and more varied than you think

Writing prompt exercise

Darkness. Cold. Damp. The smell of wet permeates my nose as I regain consciousness. How did I get here? My mind wonders as I open my eyes, and the magnificence takes away my breath. Surrounding me was a cave, silvery in the light of glowing lichen. The walls were smooth and seemed to have the flow you see in liquid mercury. Water pooled in small crevices on the floow, which was darker than the walls, more the color of graphite than mercurial silver. Stalagmites and stalagtites glowed softly with a crystalline structure. I could never remember which was which. I remember visiting Squire Boon Caverns as a child. The pinks of quartz had glimmered in the walls, and the quartz-clear geodes lay around the cavern. I didn’t see that quartz here, which made me wonder: where was I? This cave was stranger than many pictures I had seen, more varied despite the familiar chilly damp. Was I in a cave in the world where I lived? Or was I in a foreign realm? Would I find others like me if I ventured outside? Or was I in for some horrible surprises? I could breathe the air in this cave, but would the same be true above-ground? Was I even below ground? I wish I knew. Purpose of this prompt I wrote about why I'm doing this exercise in a separate post. But what purpose does this writing prompt exercise serve? Well, it serves three purposes by: - Keeping me in the practice of writing. - Helping generate story ideas. - Offering you sneak peeks into what I might be working on next. This piece is raw and unedited. I have made no changes from the words I wrote long-hand in my notebook. Why would I do that? Because I want to show y'all that what you write doesn't have to be perfect the first time. Don't let perfect get in the way of getting things done. Got any ideas for writing prompts you would like to see me use in a writing prompt exercise? Drop them in the comments. I can always use new ideas. Also, if you want to support me, visit my Patreon or Buy me a Coffee. That's all for now. Stay fabulous, y'all! Read the full article