About Us

I was diagnosed with BOP allergy in May of 2022, along with a myriad of other allergies like: Fragrance Mix 1 (10 inclusions), Fragrance Mix 2 (31 inclusions) Linalool, Limonene, Nickel (8 variants), Carvone and its 12 variants, Ethyl Acrylate (8 inclusions), Methyl Methacrylate (13 inclusions), 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate (12 inclusions), 2-n-Octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (19 inclusions), Benzophenone-3 (29 inclusions), Octyl Gallate (6 inclusions), Propyl Gallate (24 inclusions), and Dodecyl Gallate (7 inclusions).  All in all, 181 new allergies as my skin burst into flames on January 19, 2022. It took 8 doctors, 27 different types of medications, 3 pantry reductions, and ultimately a full pantry switch out as well as switching out all household chemicals, body products, and some of my medicines, and 8.5 months before I began to find some relief. Yes, to answer the question in your mind, and the one that may have left your mouth, Yes, holy *&^%$#@! that was a lot to go through and I definitely had moments of WTAW (What the Actual What)  in my daily thoughts and vocal exclamations. For decades I used to say that I was allergic to Christmas and I had moments where this allergy erupted in small randomly placed batches for about 15 years before, but the doctors dismissed it as 'mystery rash; sometimes the body does this for no clear reason.' Add to that, I'm also a HSP (highly sensitive person) so in my journal I wrote, "If my skin had a voice, it would render an unceasing, guttural, blood-curdling scream that could wake the dead." This is the sentence that finally got the doctor's attention. My immune system was essentially a dumpster fire on two legs, but through working with a naturopath, it's improving and I've even been able to add blueberries and a small piece of chocolate as an occasional treat.  I've been on the avoidance diet since being diagnosed. Like my counterpart on the other side of this screen, the BOP allergy is tough as a foodie, but I'm a great cook so it's been an adventure. My health has reversed, I've found peace in. the healing process (emotionally and physically) and am writing a cookbook and a recipes app for this beast of an allergy to help us all. It's part journal, part recipe book. I'm loving the format and hope you will too. 

I was diagnosed with a “mild” BoP allergy in May 2023 along with “mild” allergies to potassium dichromate (chromium), carba mix (rubber accelerators), methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), methylisothiazolinone (MI), & chlorhexidine digluconate. I was very upset when I realized how many things I would no longer be able to use/do/eat. But after several months of strict avoidance of allergens, I felt better than I had in 15 years. The ailments that my doctors and I had attributed to autoimmune disease, arthritis, or plain old age faded away. So this journey has been worth the sacrifice. Since my allergies are mild, I occasionally give in and eat a slice of pizza (cheese only with light sauce) or a small amount of chocolate with only minor consequences. The holiday season is the hardest because “pumpkin spice” is everywhere, and I can’t indulge in many of the holiday foods that my family does. This BoP allergy has taken a lot from me, especially as a foodie. It took a while to grieve that loss. I have come to realize that rather than losing the lifestyle I had, I have traded it for a new lifestyle. I still have other sources of pleasure, joy, and fulfillment–as well new ones. I am currently in college, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I enjoy binge watching movies and TV shows, playing video games–particularly the Sims 3, home design, photography, research, and writing. I have also recently started dabbling in AI-generated art. My allergies will not stop me from living my life to the fullest.