Snow Mold and Stoplights

With a few more inches of new snow throughout this week - even my snow-loving family is very ready for it to warm up and let these allium get back to growing!

More than two weeks ago they were already sprouting nicely.

But there is one reason we still dread each thaw. They expose the snow-mold that just loves to spew its spores far and wide each spring.

Did you know that allergy symptoms can go far beyond itching and sneezing? For those of us with chronic illness (including Mast Cell Activation Syndrome = MCAS) they include increased whole-body pain, stiff and swollen joints, oozing ears, bloating & other digestive issues... and a worsening of all existing allergies and sensitivities.

Our allergy doctor uses the illustration of a stop light.

When seasonal/environmental allergies are higher, all other allergies get worse. So if a food is normally fine for you (green light), it may be forced into the "use-with-caution" zone (yellow light). And foods that are normally yellow-light may temporarily become red-light to "carefully avoid."

Just thought I'd share in case this tip can lighten anyone's symptoms at a rougher time of year.

Stoplight photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash