In July 2023, we completely changed how we ate. Every meal was cooked at home — breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The foods I had eaten for most of my life were replaced with whole foods: legumes, brown rice, steel cut oats, grains, vegetables, nuts, and fruits. At the time, I thought the goal was simple — improve my cholesterol, lower my blood sugar, and get my health markers back under control. I didn’t realize this change would also help me discover the missing piece I had been searching for...

For years, I tried to manage my eczema the only way I knew how - from the outside. The herbal tea I received in Chinatown did provide a reprieve, but it didn’t last. Before long, I was back on the same cycle: some good weeks, some bad weeks, and no clear understanding of why. Doctors gave me topical creams. I tried different oils and moisturizers. I switched to fragrance-free detergents; I experimented with cold showers and even sun exposure. At times, these approaches helped manage the...

For more than twenty years I struggled with eczema. The flare-ups started in my late teens and followed me well into adulthood. Doctors told me this was simply something I would have to live with. They prescribed topical creams to help manage the flare-ups, but the underlying issue never seemed to improve. Some of my symptoms included red rashes around my eyes and neck, scaly skin, dark patches on my back and legs, and intense itching that often affected my sleep. So, what exactly is eczema?...