Apr 8, 2009

Devastation

I'm devastated - and that is no exaggeration.

Ask Allene who watched Costco-sized crates disappear...
Ask my mother-in-law who kindly stocks up when I come to town...
Ask my coworkers at mcgarrybowen, who were shocked by my snacks...
Ask Hilda who shared her resources so willingly...
Ask Marisa at FE who witnessed the mango meltdown...

I can say with absolute confidence:

There is not a single person on this planet,
who enjoys fruits and vegetables more than
I do.

For this week alone, I just purchased:
4 crates of blackberries
13 lbs of oranges
5 red peppers
3 cucumbers
6 heads of lettuce
5 lbs of spinach ...
Green beans, Pears, Tomatoes, Plums & Apples

I knock my 5-A-DAY out of the park.
But my love affair with nature's candy has been adulterated.

MANGO MELTDOWN.
Just last week after enjoying perhaps the most delicious mango that ever grew on the face of the earth, my mouth began to itch - followed by 4 days of swollen lips and hives. This uncomfortable phenomenon has occurred many a time in the preceding 6 months- but what could be causing it?

In reading my daily news, I stumbled across this article:

And regretfully learned that...
the uncomfortable puffing of the lips to Angelina proportions,
the itching throat and subsequent hives ...
This painful experience precipitates from my favorite culinary pleasure...
Fruits & Vegetables
I have Oral Allergy Syndrome.

Gone are the days of eating red peppers like apples and oranges by the dozen.

Needless to say, I'm devastated.
Life can be cruel.

11 comments:

Jordan and Candice said...

Noelle this is terrible! I'll admit though, I was somewhat relieved you didn't say Costco was going out of business. Selfish I know.

Sara Jane said...

I just shed a tear for you! I know how much you love your produce! Can you take medicine? I just developed an allergy to Talapia and I am devastated too! Hang in there! XOXO

J & J said...

what a horrible thing! noelle, i am so sorry! maybe it's just a phase. yes, i'm pretty sure that's just it. it's a phase. you'll snap out of it real soon. i'll cross my fingers. love you anyway.

Stephanie said...

Did the allergies start in New York? Maybe you're just allergic to New York. Maybe you just need to move to D.C. Do it for your health.

Shea McGee said...

this is horrible... some of my fondest green house memories are of you biting directly into peppers.

Bridget "Fun" Lynott said...

My nurse friend says to try taking a benadryl or zyrtec before eating them... you might be allergic to just certain fruits and veggies... try that!

noelle regina said...

bridget- tell your nurse friend that if she has salvaged fruits and veggies for me, i'll be forever grateful.

i'll let you know how it goes.

valerie said...

what the?
i wonder though if this really stop you from eating your favorite veggies and fruits. there has to be a medicinal solution...

Rachel Ricchio said...

i feel your pain, not that i can't eat veggies or fruits, but i am now allergic to anything involving milk. it blows. now more gelato, cream sauce, etc. so sorry.

Laura said...

Noelle, if just the Zyrtec isn't enough, try a cocktail of Zyrtec and Zantac (yes, it is an ulcer med, but believe me, it works). Both over-the-counter meds. The Zantac boosts the strength of the Zyrtec. I know this because I get chronic hives and this wondrous cocktail was the only thing that controlled those hives! Good luck!

Jody said...

I had a similar reaction in the peak of mango season two years ago, I have heard that allergies of this sort often are forgotten by the body after 2 years, so I am trying mangos again in two months. I can't wait to taste them again!