I love living in Austin, I really do. It’s a funky fit town with lots of hills, lakes, trails, etc. I love that we have abundant access to that.
But if I could change one thing, just one thing, it would be the allergies. ACK! Yes, the allergies are brutal here and I am way to stubborn to stay inside. I am also way to stubborn to take medicine. Well, until I get a major sinus infection desperate relief. LOL.
For the past few days, our temperatures have been quite pleasant in the morning. We took advantage of being outdoors, and unfortunately, so did the mold.
Ya, do you see that? Unreal. And let me just tell you, the hubs and I don’t do well with mold. My glands swell up and I can’t swallow anything. James gets monstrous headaches and congestion. We’re such a pretty pair!
Well, as soon as I started feeling the fat throat, I changed up our meals for the week. As much I hate doing it, it needed to be done. Ohh woe is me, yes?
To help relieve some of our mold allergies, we cut out the following. Okay, maybe not cut out, but backed off a bit.
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meats
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dairy
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yeast
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fermented foods (less kombucha)
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wine (sad sad face here)
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starchy foods and vegetables
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peanut butter (another sad face here)
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vinegar dressing
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dried fruit
Instead we are focusing more on these foods.
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fresh fruit, especially citrus
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green smoothies with good fat added in (like avocado hemp milk with vanilla protein powder)
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sunflower seed butter
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cooking with more olive oil and lemon/lime juice- butter will be back soon though!
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coconut milk yogurt/kefir
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fish
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steamed greens
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eggs
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cocoa coconut healthy bites
Hemp meal heated with coconut milk and fresh berries, this is our MOLD RELIEF breakfast for sure! That and some vegan cocoa coconut healthy bites.
You can check out more info on airborne allergies and food avoidances here.
It looks like the allergies will be taming themselves soon, so hopefully by the weekend I can have my wine back. What’s a wino to do without wine? Boring.. jk.
Thanks Jen for allowing me talk about mucus and mold today.
Do you have any Airborne Allergy cures?
Cheers!
LC















{ 96 comments… read them below or add one }
GIRL YOU KNOW I GET IT
totally
totally
TOTALLY.
hugs.
Miz recently posted..S.L.A.P.: the power of a personal catchphrase.
a snotty but genuine hug right back.
Feel better soon! Stupid Mold! I have pretty bad allergies, but I’m not exactly sure when I’m allergic to. They seem seasonal, but I guess I’m just allergic to something every season.
I’m off to check out that Livestrong link. Sounds interesting and hopefully helpful…
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers recently posted..WIAW: Keeping the doctor away… and the dentist
it does change with the season. Mine are hayfever and mold. You should check out your seasonal forcast!
Ugh, here you on allergies. It’s that way here too. Mold seems really high right now and I’ve had the drippy nose thing happening. But my heart sank a little (lot) – wine???? peanut butter???? That’s just wrong!
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Sherpas and Running Partners
i know, so wrong. Why can’t these foods cure allergies. sigh.
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
I am too stubborn to stay inside and take medicine too! I didn’t know that changing your food/diet could help with mold! I hope it works for you!
Mattie @ comfy & confident recently posted..WIAW and the SELF Diet Club
me too!!! I stayed inside today and it’s almost killing me. okay not really but i want to be outside. argh.
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
I keep hearing more about Hemp…I think I may need to try some recipes with it.
Katie @wishandwhimsy recently posted..Everyday Eats | WIAW
oh you would love it Katie! do try!
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
Babe, I FEEL YOU! <3 Big sad face to the wine. Sending you lots of love and hugs!
Heather @ For the Love of Kale recently posted..#HLS12 Recap Part I: The Memories
drink a glass for me tonight, k? xxoo
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
My allergies are SO killing me too. I am like James, and get major headaches and like my face is going to literally explode off my face. Pretty visual, right? It is winesday tonight and I reallllllly want a glass, but now I read this and wonder if I shouldn’t. Oh woe is me, what is a girl to do
Great post though, so informative on what to stay away from when allergies flare. I never knew!
jobo recently posted..On run sherpa’ing.
Go for a white, less sulphites. And just skip the cheese and mushrooms. Heck, just drink. LOL. jk…. maybe
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
No wine on winesday?? sad face!!
Jess recently posted..On letting faith be bigger than your fears
i might cheat. Or just suffer for the love of wine. I know, bad lindsay.
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
Ugghh allergies
They’re bad here too.
Klh recently posted..Picture Drop
dang it, i was gonna come stay with you for relief.
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
Ughhh…I remember the allergies when I lived in central Texas…terrible. I hope you and the hubs feel better soon….
Michele @ NYC Running Mama recently posted..How Much Money Are You Willing To Pay For Race Entry?
i know, does NYC have this much allergies?
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
Nothing like Texas!! MOVE TO NY =) =)
Michele @ Nycrunningmama recently posted..No Checked Baggage for NYC Marathon?
I don’t have any cures….but I definitely could use some assistance with it. Lol.
Actually, since I arrived in Cali, I have zero congestion/symptoms!
Lisa recently posted..Positives to Go On…
hmmm, can i come visit?
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
Very VERY sad face about that fifth limitation there
Don’t worry, I’ll drink your glass this week
Hope the allergy count goes down soon, Lindsay!
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday–Feeling Fruity
oh good, i was worried i’d miss out on the wine. But you got it covered. wink wink.
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
I’m blessed with no seasonal allergies. I hope you feel better soon!
katie @KatieDid recently posted..New Photography Website
ughh.. allergies are SO BAD here too! Louisville is always in the top 3 for allergies. we had to put the hubby on allergy shots this year b/c it was so bad. poor guy. I never thought about changing up his diet like that! I’m going to give it a shot!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted..WIAW #13 Cincinnati Edition
oh try it. Might help him! or we can hang out together and be snotty, sniffly, etc. haha
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
thanks soooo much for sharing your diet changes to deal with allergies. I think this is probably why I don’t have many allergies anymore and Mark is just now starting to get them (haha … I keep telling him to change his diet …).
I’m crazy allergic to mold. One time I had a really really good slice of blue cheese (we’re talking $30/lb cheese) and I about had to go to the hospital because that made my throat swell up. Normally blue cheese is okay, but I’m guessing it’s because I usually eat Kraft blue cheese, and I don’t even WANT to know how they make it. :/
Calee recently posted..4 Years, 4 Days of Giveaways: Healthy Bites Giveaway
LOL, tell him it would increase his sperm count to change his diet.
haha
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
haha actually that would be a negative right now because I just quit birth control. f-ing hormones! going to do a followup post in about 2-3 months whenever my body figures out what “normal” is again.
Calee (@chimes) recently posted..4 Years, 4 Days of Giveaways: Healthy Bites Giveaway
Hope the allergy stuff goes away soon! Clearly you are very on point about what you need to do to lessen these issues, which is awesome!
Boo to no wine!! I don’t know if I could go without all those foods hah;)
Feel better!!!!
Lisa recently posted..Back To The Basics
i am hoping it’s all gone by friday! i need more wine. LOL!
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
Ha! I love mucas and mold posts. :p Sorry you guys are suffering and hope you get some relief soon. I’ll drink an extra glass of wine for you tonight. Because I’m a good friend like that.
Michelle {lively kitchen} recently posted..What I Ate on the last Tuesday of Summer (WIAW)
doesn’t SA get the same allergies? ugh, i need relief.
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
As if changing your foods helps with mold allergies! As much as I’m surprised, I’m not really. Food can just heal everything. But no wine?! I’m feeling for you!
AND– I was leaving a message for you on Monday but got distracted. I LOVE your Food Memory Monday post!!
Feel better soon friend!
Siobhan @ SiobhanMcCarthy.ca recently posted..WIAW: Summer Staples
oh i would love a food memory story from YOU! I bet it’s super special.

LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
Oh Lord this is me to a “T”! I have all the outdoor allergies you can think of. Grass, trees, perennials, dust, & it goes on & on. Mine are unfortunately so bad I have to be on allergy shots… insert sad face. Mainly b/c I get the same sinus infections you speak of & it gets so bad it closes up my vocal chords & can’t speak & barely breathe. Sometimes turns into brochitis & other ugly not fun stuff. Unfortunately I’ve got no cures but Lord knows if I did I’d use them
. I’m orginally from Oklahoma so I understand how bad they are in TX LOL!
ugh, i want a sinus transplant. Do those exist? LOL. Good luck with yours!
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
I totally feel your pain about the allergies. Here in Charleston they are always really bad this time of year (ragweed, I think?) and I too end up with sinus infections. Never thought about eliminating certain foods to help with allergy flare ups – I will try it! Hope you are back to drinking wine soon
Kelly recently posted..Wish List Wednesday
oh Charleston is bad. that humidity just keeps it all in the air, eh? Hope this helps too!
Less wine? *gasp*
I always heard that eating local honey helps with allergies. Have you ever tried that?
oh yes, i have! it does help. But not a ton with mold. Maybe local moldy mushrooms would help. LOL, jk.
Actually… I wonder if that would work…
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..PrOATein Pancake + WIAW
cutting out wine and peanut butter? tragedy!! aaah!
Alysia @ Slim Sanity recently posted..WIAW #15: new green smoothie
i know. Just means i have to make up for it later, right?
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
I don’t know about mold, but here in CA we get a lot of pollen. I’ve heard that local honey works to battle it. Would it work with mold? Worth a shot. (taste good on toast with PB)
Pavement Runner recently posted..Fun with #MadeUpRunningFacts
oh i wish i worked for mold, cause i am loaded with local honey. Need some?

LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
Awww what a bugger. I hope you feel better soon and that something wipes all the nasty mold out. Good for you being proactive and changing the diet. You are amazing my friend!
ah, no you are amazing. Can we come move in with you and escape this mold?
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
Oh my goodness, I used to live in Austin. I had a runny nose/itchy eyes/sneeze attacks/etc. pretty much everyday! It is a beautiful city and I love visiting, but geeeeezzz those allergens get me EVERY time!
no way, really? where in Austin did you live?
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
Hi Lindsay,
Those allergies can be really nasty. I used to have sinus problems but followed a homeopathic treatment and got rid of that completely. Anyways, following a fresh food diet seems like a really good cure for many ailments.
Mariella Lombardi recently posted..How Do I Tell My Teenage Daughter She Needs to Lose Weight?
oh did you use a netti pot too?
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
interesting! i definitely needed some info on some other natural allergy cures. im feeling much better the past week or so but when i first moved here it was like my body forgot what a humid climate was like. i was feeling super allergic and at a loss for what to do. finally just had to accept that my body needed time to adjust on its own time but i tried everything! or so it felt! i honestly had no idea that there were certain foods that could help or hurt!
oh i know, i bet you miss that mountain fresh air now, yes?
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
Darn allergies! I’m hurting for you having to ease up on the kombucha!
Beth @ Miles and Trials recently posted..Knowing What Your Body Can Handle
i know! although i cheated and drank one today. guilty. still feel awful.
LCCotter recently posted..A different Kind of Allergy friendly..
ugh, I don’t have bad allergies in that sense, thank goodness! There was one year it was quite bad when I had moved to a small town outside of Calgary, so bad that I had to get an inhaler I couldn’t breathe at night! I don’t miss that at all, I don’t envy you either. I hope things get balanced for you soon!
As for the hemp meal… I am in LOVE with hemp, how do you make it? Always looking to change up my breakfasts a little, I’ve been hooked on chia pudding lately and I can’t stop!
Christa @ Edible Balance recently posted..I May Not Be Fast, But I AM a Runner – Confessions of a Runner’s Wife
oh maybe i need an inhaler! ugh. Oh and the hemp meal, i use hot water, hemp meal/GF granola. Heat in microwave then add in coconut milk and little sunflower seed butter with honey. so good!
oh and sometimes i use vega mixed in.
sounds so good!
I only needed the inhaler for one summer, we moved back to the city shortly after. So weird though as I never had problems and haven’t since… hope you’re feeling better!
Christa @ Edible Balance recently posted..It’s a Special Day…
Thank you for sharing that list, because I never know what foods help my allergy flare ups!
Jan recently posted..Our Stray Cat
oh try it and lt me know if it works!
I’ve never had a severe case of allergies, but my mom has it and it’s terrible! Sorry you have to endure that, Linds! Hope the diet helps.
Sophia recently posted..What I read this summer
ugh, i’m hoping all is good by the weekend. i hate cutting out foods that i love. But it helps! how are you? I miss you! I need an update!
Allergies have been back this year! I wake up with itchy eyes, a runny nose and sneezing attacks. Aaaaaaachoo says fu.
#passthekleenex
Kierston recently posted..Staycation Update and Another Pre-Competition WIAW!
no!!! not in canada, eh? We need to escape to an island perhaps.
so sorry you and james are suffering! austin does seem like an incredible place to live. i want to come check it out so bad. i keep telling bill we need to do a half in austin and make a long weekend out of it. know any good ones? love how you instantly connected food to helping your allergies! so in touch with you wellness girl-love that. and i love that i got my healthy bites today
they look and smell incredible. wellness for us in the form of healthy snacks at work. thank you my friend and i hope the mold settles down.
kalli recently posted..Boot Camp at Home
you did? Oh yea!! let me know whatcha think. And there are tons of half marathons. January, february, march, and april!
Ah, I’m sorry for the both of you. Allergies suck :-X
Jessie recently posted..What are YOU thankful for…
i know, boo!
Shucks Linds- hope you feel better soon. Um.. can we come over for your breakfast please? My boys can make the coffee and you can put me to work making some Healthy Bites.
Hope you get to have that again soon!!!!
I frowned when I saw peanut butter on your list.
Hugs friend! And… keep those devotionals coming if it’s not too much trouble. They make my morning.
STUFT Mama recently posted..Baking in the Heat- Maple Cake and Green Muffins
yes, i want you to come over. I’ll make coffee and we can read those devotionals.
Sounds really dumb to admit but I had NO clue that if you had a mould allergy you should avoid certain foods! So interesting! My hubs has constant allergies I’d never thought to encourage a change in his diet! Getting him to listen will be a whole other thing!
Jess recently posted..How to Manage Stress
oh have him try these remedies! maybe they will help!
Your natural approach to allergies is commendable, that isn’t easy. Pill popping seems to be the go-to for many. I really hope you get to filling better! Sneezy, watery eyes, bleck – no fun!
Nichole recently posted..Label Snob
i know, i hate pills. they are my last resort.
Ooooh I am lucky yo not have any allergies so I’m not quite sure what it feels like to have them! I do hope you feel better soon though. Looks like you guys are on the right track!
Christina @ The Athletarian recently posted..THE FOOD!
oh i hope so! we need relief, and wine. hehe
Oh I so get it. I have SEVERE mold allergies. But I never really thought about my diet as a source of relief. Thanks for the inspiration! Mold makes the skin on my face itch so bad i feel like I want to rip it off=LOVELY!
Caroline recently posted..When I am 82
oh yes, the itchy throat. YUCK! I want to reach down and scratch it. Herbal tea it up!
Atlants is awful too right now! All the rain is really making the mold go crazy! I hope the air quality improves for you guys soon! Feel better!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) recently posted..Cupcakes For My Birthday Boy!
i know, that stinkin humidity. Does tony get it with his celiac? I heard mold is common for celiacs.
Michelle and I suffer from seasonal outdoor allergies, not fun.
but lately it is the bugs that are getting to me, every time I go outside I get attacked by mosquito not fun
purelylori recently posted..this or that round 2
Charlotte is bad with allergies, well thats what i heard. You’d think we’d be used to it by now though, right?
you would think, but no, still getting my body used to them, waiting for that day haha
purelylori recently posted..this or that round 2
I am so with you! I HATE allergies, too. What’s weird is the ROOF of my mouth gets itchy and I have to itch it with my tongue.. it KILLS after a while. To answer your question, I really don’t have any cures… I just deal, ha.
Happy Thursday!
Eva @ Committed2Nutrition recently posted..Thursday Things: Eggs, Zumba, & Making Things Easy
LOL, yes, i do that too! I look funny, but it works, eh?
I (KNOCK ON WOOD) don’t suffer from allergies. Keith does and I always feel so bad for him but thankfully I have been in the clear my whole life on the allergy front.
i don’t know how you escaped it all these years. Youre blessed!
i never had allergies before I lived in Austin. Mold and cedar KILL me. Oak is kind of bad for me too.
I’ve heard it’s a combo of age and location. (makes sense since San Antonio is similar in allergens and I never had them growing up)
Melissa recently posted..No good, sort of bad day
really? no wonder it’s bad out here by the lake. We need to move to a dry climate.
Amazing the difference that diet can have in our life – hope you’re feeling less allergy affected today!
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted..Make The Cut + Inspired Workout
Omg my allergies are terrible this summer! Especially at the BF’s farm where I proceed to hike and run outside in the cornfields when it’s super windy out. Seriously I can’t just stay inside forever!
The list of foods to enjoy/eat is really interesting! Thanks for sharing!
Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut recently posted..Half-Marathon Training Plan
igg food allergy test? no do tell!