Allergies!

I am allergic to grass. I just happen to live in the "grass seed capital of the world". Grass is pollinating right now. I am miserable!



I know, I know...I say no excuses when it comes to weight management. Let's just say, I have done the best I could for the past three weeks.



I am not sleeping but three or four hours, then have to get up because I am so stopped up I can't breathe.



It has been hard to go to the gym - one reason, no sleep = no energy, but the other reason is I can't breathe there either. I have gone on the days I could...only twice this past week. Better than no times...given the circumstances.



I HAVE had control of my eating and have continued to eat clean, healthy, organic food. I have been mindful of my dairy allergies and know that if I have any dairy during this time, my allergy symptoms will only be worse. So...not even a morsel of cheese for me during the past three weeks.



What I have been doing for the allergies:



1. Eating a teaspoon of local honey every day. Supposedly, local honey has the local pollens in it (makes sense when you think about it) and a small dose every day helps your immune system to adjust to those pollens. I don't like anything sweet and boy, it that honey sweet! So, I mix it with the juice of 1/2 a lemon. I remember my mom giving me that as a child for coughs.



2. Extra Vitamin C. I drink a cup of hot water with the juice of 1/2 a lemon squeezed in it every morning. In addition to that, I am using the juice of another 1/2 lemon with the honey (see #1). I am also eating lots of delicious local strawberries right now, which have lots of Vitamin C.



3. Stinging Nettle. I found from several sources researched that Stinging Nettle taken in capsule form twice a day will help alleviate allergy symptoms. It helps if you start taking it before the allergens hit you. I already have a note on my calendar to start taking it during the middle of May next year!



Whether it is in my head (no pun intended) or all the home remedies are actually helping, I don't know, but I do feel a tad better. I am ready to be back to "normal", sleep a good night's sleep every night and do my regular workouts.

If you have some other natural remedies for allergies/hay fever that works for you, please let me know. Thanks!