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An IgE-mediated allergic reaction means that these IgE antibodies cause an immediate inflammatory response to what the body has identified as an allergen. A cell-mediated allergic reaction (or non IgE-mediated reaction), is an immune response that involves T-cells (yet another immune cell – our bodies are complex and amazing! ) and is characterized by a delayed response. Here’s where the important difference lies: while IgE antibodies cause an immune-mediated immediate inflammatory response (A. K.A.anallergic reaction), IgG antibodies have been shown to be a marker of food exposure and tolerance. While the creation of IgG antibodies are still indicative of an immune response, it is a normalresponse associated with exposure to foods, and often repeated exposure to foods.

Today, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Victor and the team behind meatme.ca, a company whose mission is to transform the meat industry, connecting you to your food and your farmers (or in this case…ranchers). Joyce at Empire Valley Ranch doesn’t use mechanized vehicles around her cattle and Brian makes sure his heritage pigs have constant access to a LOT of messy, muddy soil, because that’s what keeps them happy. We like to eat seasonally, so I think during the cold months we would have a beautiful kale salad served with local honey and roasted hazelnuts, topped with a little bit of bacon from Brian’s gorgeous Berkshire hogs. Check out the delicious beef stew I made using stew cubes from Empire Valley Range (one of MeatMe’s partners! ).

There’s no better time to commit to a new, healthier routine than a new school year {or a new season if you’re not in school! }. This challenge will bring awareness to the amount of added sugars I’m eating – and note that there are some differences between added sugars and naturally occurring sugars {like those found in fruit – read more on that HERE}. In the days leading up to the challenge kick-off, I’ve been paying more attention to labels and reading ingredient lists and you wouldn’t believe where sneaky added sugars can be hiding! I hope to walk away with a better understanding of the foods that I’m choosing, and maybe come up with some new creative recipes for baked goodies that don’t contain added sugars! 2)

I went down to the rodeo on Sunday and got my share of barrel racing, bull riding, midway foodie treats, and of course, country music all while soaking up the sun. So of course the July edition of my summer playlist was inspired by The Calgary Stampede {my favourite Calgary event! }. Summer is the best time to blast my favourite genre of music – country sounds better when the sun is shining and there’s something cold in your hand, don’t you agree? And if you aren’t in Calgary for the Stampede, get a taste of the greatest outdoor show on earth by turning on this playlist and whipping up a pancake breakfast {you can even wear your cowboy boots! }.