Ever had an unexpected allergic reaction that gave you eczema all over your face and hands?

I am recovering from this, and wow. It's humbling. Almost as humbling as when I had chickenpox when I was 23.

I guess you have ascertained that I'm a bit vain. It's true although there is no real cause. Okay, maybe insecurity, but isn't that a lifetime affliction. ;-)  Still, I've never had this happen before and it makes me all kinds of stressed out and nervous, and just plain uncomfortable with myself and who I see in the mirror.

My skin flakes. I flare up with red patches. I can't wax my eyebrows which would be okay except that they are really itchy and need some serious grooming. Basically, my hands look like I stuck them in a vat of acid and now they are growing some skin in, in patches, but ooooh, watch out for that dry bit. 

Yikes all around.

My husband and I decided to go on an elimination diet in the middle of Lent, to figure out this and other potential food allergies. No wheat, sugar, soy, shellfish, nightshades, citrus, red meat, caffeine, or alcohol for about 12 weeks. Seriously. And, at the end of week one, the only thing that I crave constantly is avocado.

Odd. It's really strange because I can eat avocado.

At the same time, I gave up Facebook for Lent. I find that I am spending less time on the Internet (unless I am bored), and more time reading, knitting, and reflecting on good stuff. 

Food and Facebook. I wonder how giving it all up will affect me down the line.