My skin is not a happy camper lately.
I don’t know what’s up, but I know it’s ticked off. Angry. Inflamed. What’s the problem? That, my friends, is anyone’s guess. When a girl has puffy, itchy eyes and rashes on her face, it’s time to slow down and pay attention. If you’ve ever been the detective for your own strange skin reactions, you know just how daunting this process can be. Everything is questioned.
Not surprisingly, my family doctor suggested an allergy elimination diet and to examine my environment for possible culprits. I’ve switched our detergents, soaps, shampoos, and I’ve retired make-up for the time being. That was the easy part. The elimination diet and food journaling, on the other hand, are proving to be rather difficult as a recipe developer. It’s my worst nightmare actually.
Of course, skin flare ups could be from a billion things, including stress. I’m a big fan of stress-relieving practices, but I’m not so good at carrying them out in my own life. When life gets crazy and deadlines are looming, I often left my own health slide in the process. I know I’ve said it a million and one times, but I need to work on this.
As I’m leaving my doctor’s office she says, “Above all, DO NOT stress about the rashes. Stress is the absolute worst thing for your skin.”
[Is it just me or do you get more stressed out when someone tells you not to stress? ahh]
She’s so right though. I need to take a chill pill.
Of course, breakfast is a natural way to start the day on the right foot. I’m a big fan of breakfasts that can be made in advance, such as Green Monsters (just give them a good stir in the morning), raw buckwheat porridge, vegan overnight oats, and this chia pudding. Even though they take just a few minutes to throw together before bed, I’d fallen out of the habit of prepping them. But man oh man, it makes such a difference to wake up to a nutritious breakfast ready to be enjoyed!
The recipe below makes 2 servings so you can share it with a loved one or wrap up the leftovers for your next craving, which if you are like me won’t be far off.
Chia Seed Breakfast Bowl
Yield
Serves 2
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
I like mashed banana in this because it thickens the mixture while adding a lot of volume. If you aren’t a banana fan, you can omit it, but you might need to reduce the milk and I also suggest adding in your own sweetener or other fruit in its place. This porridge is especially creamy when made with Homemade Almond Milk. The thickness of the chia pudding will vary based on the kind of almond milk you use, so you can add more if necessary. If your pudding is too thin for you liking you can add more chia seeds and let it sit for 10 more minutes. Finally, if you aren’t a fan of the tapioca-like texture of chia seed pudding, try blending it until smooth.
Ingredients
Chia mixture
- 4 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 – 1.25 cups almond milk (it’s great made with Homemade Almond Milk)
- 2 small bananas, chopped small
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- two pinches of cinnamon
Toppings
- 2 tbsp raw buckwheat groats, soaked
- 2 tbsp raisins, soaked
- 2 tbsp whole raw almonds, chopped and soaked
- couples pinches of cinnamon
- 2 tbsp hemp seed
Directions
- Mash bananas in a medium-sized bowl. Stir in chia seeds. Whisk in the almond milk, vanilla, and cinnamon until combined. Place in fridge overnight to thicken. You can add more almond milk if you want to thin it out in the morning. Or, if it’s too thin, add more chia seeds to thicken it up.
- Add buckwheat groats, raisins, and chopped almonds into another bowl. Cover in water and soak overnight in the fridge or on the counter.
- In the morning, place your desired amount of chia pudding into a bowl. (Note: at this point, you can blend your chia pudding if a smooth texture is desired, but I don’t bother). Drain and rinse the buckwheat/almond/raisin mixture. Sprinkle on top of chia mixture along with a pinch of cinnamon and a tablespoon of hemp seeds. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup, if desired. Store leftovers in the fridge for 1-2 days.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Have you ever dealt with a strange skin reaction or allergy? What did you do?
I think I am having an allergic reaction to citrus fruit those darn grapefruit.. I have patches every where I try to drink lots of water to clear it up.. I hope you find the culprit soon.. I love the chia bowl such a easy breakfast especially if your in a hurry…
I’ve had eczema since I was 12 and it started when I had to wear uniforms for Junior High. We thought it was a reaction to the material of my uniform skirt since I had it only on my legs but it got to the point that by college, even the wind blowing against my legs would make me itch. When I moved to Hawaii, it was like my skin was in Heaven because I didn’t have one flare up the whole 5 years we lived there. Come to find out (since no one else would give me answers) that by putting all the clues together, I’ve realized that my skin can’t handle cold, dry weather and all that comes with it! Plus, Ive realized I itch less when I cut back on the starches in my diet.
I hope you find some answers! I know what it’s like to be stressed out not knowing what’s wrong (imagine being 13 and having to explain your monster looking legs to your friends =( )
Hey Katie,
It could be something called cold urticaria. My sister has this, she has red itchy bumps all over her body all winter or when she stays in cold water for too long in summertime. Unfortunately Germany isn’t exactly Hawaii, so she needs to take anti histaminica basically every single day. Maybe you should read a little about cold urticaria because if you’re not careful it can get a bit dangerous too – for example when you’re eating vegan ice cream too fast (because its so yummy!) your throat might react allergically and you might not be able to breathe…
Katie–
Are you gluten free? I had a horrible rash on my thighs for about 8 years until I went gluten free, and then it disappeared. Apparently it is supposed to only happen to middle aged men with celiac disease, but it happened to me at 12 with celiac disease. Could be something worth looking into. Since I’ve been gluten free I haven’t seen that rash EVER again! Good luck!
Hi,Yes I have had skin rash/excema issues my whole life. A really big culprit are peanut products.Of course growing up I had peanut butter sandwiches every day so it was so great to find out that eliminating the peanuts was such a great improvement. I think most people associate nut allergies with breathing and anaphylaxis ,but they can also affect the skin and not bother the breathing.
The skin on my hands reacts pretty violently to dust and molds so for example working in dirt without gloves tears my skin apart literally. So for example working in a dusty attic or crawlspace makes my skin go bonkers.
Re reactions to laundry products,my father could never tolerate any laundry products with enzymes and even “”free and clear” products caused him to react. He finally found that he could use the Sun and Earth brand after trying multiple ,multiple products.Believe me my parents are not drama people ,so it was very real reactions he was getting and my point being that “regular” and “natural” products could be a problem and it required a lot of trial to find a product that didn’t make his skin go crazy.Since it is your face ,laundry products or what is in your pillow could def. be a factor.
I also react violently to lanolin(which is in a lot of “natural” products)and needless to say wool and I don’t get along. That may not be an issue for you since you are vegan but it tears my skin a part. I also can’t wear wool. i wear a wool dress coat ,but have to have a scarf at the neck so the wool never really touches.
Hope you can figure it out.Believe me I have total empathy because it can be so frustrating and for me also very painful because my skin would tear and crack and swell up and it takes a lot of work to sort it out.Good luck!
Angela,
I’ve noticed that my eczema has been having a flare up (probably due to my fist winter so far north in years!). So glad you shared this recipe: I’ve made a variation on lots before but somehow it fell out of my breakfast rotation. I’m hoping that bringing it back may help my skin through the NY winter until it can get some sun! In the past I’ve added a little raw cacao to the mix so it feels a little sinful without being bad for me at all. Another suggestion is to perhaps add a little raw maca in to help keep you balanced through the stress.
Be well,
Laura xx
Oh and I wanted to say, beautiful pictures as always :)
Ugh, I’m with you on the skin stress thing. I’ve dealt with breakouts of various magnitude my whole adult life so far, and it becomes a vicious circle: breakout, stress about skin, stress causes more breakouts, stress about those. I can tell when I’ve had a breakout just by looking through my search history: corn and acne, gluten and acne, sugar and acne…obsessing over it really!
I hope you get your rash resolved soon, and in the meantime, go out for a walk and think about how gorgeous it is outside today, and not about what foods could be causing your allergies. :) Unless it’s the cold weather that’s making your skin act up… haha
Well I love that idea. I’ll have to put on a scarf!
Thanks Angela, that looks super yummy.
My DD never knows what to eat for breakfast lately. Fed up with toasts and “normal” porridge… not many cereals she can have… so that might do the trick.
Isa
Mmm mmm, this is looking perfect for our impending snowstorm! I have had my fair share of skin flare ups, best of luck, hope everything gets better!
Oh I hear you here! I used to have horrible acne and I get very awful dryness around the corners of my eyes, the corners of my mouth, and my hands crack and bleed. Some of this was due to not knowing I was Celiac and some was due to an almond allergy but it was a long road. My eyes are sore and puffy all the time and I am experiencing all the dryness noted above and extreme exhaustion again and I haven’t changed makeup, soaps, food, etc. so I’m not sure what’s going on. Time for me to work a little harder to see if I can get it to clear up. :(
Great recipe! I’m experiencing some very similar skin issues. I’ve also tried to do an elimination diet and I’m trying to consume fruit, veggies, nuts, and seeds for now. If you are looking for a breakfast/lunch I recommend this sweet potato recipe. It’s stuffed with chard and topped with avocado.
http://www.wholeliving.com/216877/2013-action-plan-week-2/@center/216880/2013-whole-living-action-plan
I’m sure you could make some wonderful modifications. Good luck problem solving!
HI Angela,
absolutely love your blog! Making a slow switch to a vegan diet and your recipies are really
inspiring!
In regards to the skin issues, dry flaky skin can be also a result of a in-house winter heating. Other than that,one thing I can really recommend for any skin issues is Bulgarian rose water ( chemical free). It s naturally antiseptic, cleansing and healing. I dont use any other face cleansing product and I dont overindulge in make up or cosmetics. Also amazing for dry skin is Moroccan argan oil ( get a good organic 100 % one). It s great for wrinkles, dry skin and also hair. It s a little miracle.
Oh Angela, I’m sending you healing vibes!
I’ve had problems with my skin that I eventually figured out were connected to my digestion. I did use an elimination diet and discovered several things that send me right over the edge–the nightshades, which others have mentioned. Also, oatmeal and lavendar–of all things. I retest myself every couple of years. Some items go off the list and others come on.
As to stress mgmt, I use epsom salt baths (without essential oil in case of allergy), meditation, and quick daily breaks with closed eyes, deep breaths, and thoughts of a favorite relaxing memory (memories of being half-asleep on a hammock at the end of a hot day while visiting my adored grandmother is my fave.)
As for doing an elimination diet, why don’t you take us along on your journey through your blog?
Wishing you every good thing!
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate reading about your experiences!
Love this recipe idea, so simple!
And as far as the skin problem.. I actually had a similar problem just three weeks ago. My face broke out in a strange rash – it was swollen and had tiny red bumps all over it. I went to my doctor, took medication, switched to very mild face cleansers and moisturizers and also eliminated makeup. It cleared up a few days after that! We will never really know what caused it though :/ Now I am back to wearing makeup but still using very mild cleansers and moisturizers. Good luck, hope your skins feels better soon!
Firstly, that first photo deserves to be on the cover of a magazine!! Secondly, I totally hear ya on these skin issues Ange. I’ve broken out like crazy lately and although it’s not a rash that I’m dealing with, it’s equally as frustrating and I believe that stress is a HUGE culprit. I also went to my doctor who suggested a course of peels and I’m still weighing the pros and cons and doing my research. I don’t think this all-over-the-place weather we’ve been having is helping us either. Skincare in the spring and summer seems so effortless to me when compared to the cold months. I hope your elimination diet helps you nail down what’s been aggravating your skin (and ps. long overdue email coming your way today!)
I used to have a pretty bad rash on my face- i got it while visiting India and carried it back with me to the States (grr). It was really uncomfortable and frustrating since I normally don’t have skin problems. But with some changes it went away. I do have to say that I kick started it with a steroid cream (can’t remember the name), and it really worked with no side effects! If you don’t feel comfortable with that ( I didn’t ,but I was so stinkin’ desperate), this is my usual skin care regimen. Ever since doing this for over two years I haven’t had one skin problem.
Morning:
Facial Cleanser: Dr. Bronner’s Shea Castile Soap
Moisturizer: Nubian Heritage Shea, Frankincense, and Myrrh Lotion
Exfoliator: (2 or 3x a week) Burt’s Bees Citrus Scrub
Weekends: Living Clay 100% Bentonite Clay Facial (just mix equal pts. clay to ACV)
Everyday: Drink half your bodyweight in water (oz.). Add some lemon juice, which will help cleanse your skin. Have you tried putting green tea bags on your skin? It helps me a lot! Just use the bag after you’ve brewed your tea.
That’s it! I just use a night cream in the evenings. Hope this helps girlfriend :)
p.s.- I also try to have a 75% raw lifestyle, which definitely helps. But I wasn’t raw when my rash went away, but it has helped keep my skin clear.
Hi Angela!
I’m so sorry to hear you’re having some skin reactions! I’ve dealt with eczema my whole life, and in the past 3 years it’s been increasingly worse on my hands and face, leaving me to grasp for any number of reasons in my search to deal with the reactions holistically and without prescription creams and ointments. Like you said, it’s nearly impossible to pin down. I too have switched out every topical-related item and was on an elimination diet including about 15 foods for several months. Not to mention the cleanses I’ve done (which made my rashes worse), the sugars I’ve cut out, the acupuncture and homeopathy. I’m sad to say none of it worked for me, and I’m still dealing with the strange skin reactions today. Stress is also a huge factor for me. Even when I don’t realize it, I think I’m dealing with major anxiety, and I too need to follow through on my stress-relief techniques that I love but often don’t make the time for. I did learn in the process of my search through a GI test that I had parasites from abroad from several years ago that I was able to get rid of and that were a big contributor to some of my reactions.
Aside from that, though, what I learned is that even though I couldn’t pinpoint my exact allergies, I did find a few foods that seemed to make my situation worse like soy and nightshades, and I try to avoid them as often as I can (although my favorite foods of course involve nightshades to some extent). I learned that by trying to figure out what was going on in my body made my life much more stressful and made me a more neurotic person in the end, exacerbating my allergies. Today I try to do everything in moderation and use a lot of coconut oil on my face and body (including doing the coconut oil face wash technique I found on Pinterest). It all helps, but I often just have to remember to be patient for it to pass and use my prescriptions on my eczema to keep it in check.
I really hope you’re able to determine the culprit as I know how awful and embarrassing it feels to get the rashes on your face! My best advice is to not get too carried away about trying to figure out the food trigger (eliminating too many foods at one time and then relapsing with major cravings) because it may make the rashes worse. I’m still dealing with neuroses I picked up from doing an elimination diet a year and a half ago. Try to take the elimination in stride. From following your blog from several years, I know you’ll be able to stay creative enough with the elimination diet. I hope some day I can find the same kind of discipline to re-try the elimination and get some real answers! I would love to follow our elimination journey as Terry, above, suggested. It would be such an inspiration even just to learn down the line if you found your trigger foods and how you went about staying sane during an elimination diet.
I wish you so much patience and courage during your elimination! I really hope you’re able to pinpoint your issues and resolve your skin reactions!
All the best,
Bethany
Hi Angela!
Your blog is amazing! I absolutely love the foods and photos you post. I don’t normally respond to blog posts, but I thought I might be able to point you in the right direction. It sounds like you are ‘glowing’ a little too much! :)
I’m not sure if you have heard of Ayurveda or not, but you may find your answer in that. Check with an Ayurvedic practitioner, or take a look at the resources we have posted on our blog, AyurvedaNextDoor.com. Good luck!
Jennifer
I had a irritating rash + dry skin develop on my eyelids a few weeks after I moved to Dublin, I couldn’t work out whether it was food related, an allergy, exercise related or something else. I suffered with it for a few weeks but it hasn’t come back since, I think stress may have been the cause. I would totally recommend coconut oil.
I’ve dealt with really sensitive skin for the last few years. I have had to be so diligent about my diet and higene since I stared getting flare ups. One thing that bothers my skin is temperature and moisture changes in the air. Another is letting sweat sit on my skin for too long after I exercise – that always leads to rashes! After I workout, I have to rush home, shower, and apply coconut oil or eczema-strength moisturizer ASAP. If I don’t, I get dry, irritated patches that allow bacteria to seep in. Never good!
Also, I am sensitive to artificial sweeteners, dairy, alcohol, and caffeine. All of those can trigger reactions for me!
Have you read the blog skinspot? She is an awesome resource and I’ve picked up great tips from her posts.
Good luck! I know skin issues are no fun!
This looks great!!!! I’ve been looking for new breakfasts that are portable for work!