For those of you who have eaten in a restaurant with me, or–heaven help you–tried to make me dinner, you know that I have a long list of allergies. Surprise! This is no longer a problem. I went to a Chinese touchy-feely doctor who cured me. I am now “block free”.

It’s a miracle.

Debra Gibson is a Chinese medicine doctor, but she also does Korean hand massage, acupuncture, and a whole list of things I don’t fully understand. I had four sessions where I basically rested on her table while she got me to hold different glass vials. Every once in a while she’d move my arm and I’d have to resist against her. The first session I got a head massage.

I really can’t explain any of the medicine behind what’s happened to me, it’s all auto-magical as far as I’m concerned.

Here’s are the major food I can now experience:

– vinegar (used to be a tough one, no salad dressings, most sauces, pickles, olives … there’s vinegar in many, many things)
– fish (shellfish, salt water, fresh water, all of it.)
– beans, lentils, mushrooms

No more incredible stomach pain, vomiting, feeling like death is knocking on the door, hives, and other unpleasantries. I’m block free. NOTHING HAPPENS!

I started my little experiment of re-introducing foods 12 weeks ago. In the first 6 weeks, I ate all different kinds of mushrooms. I like cremini the best so far but I haven’t eaten all types of mushrooms so I still have lots to discover. I ate chilli with beans. I don’t quite like kidney beans. Sandwiches with mayonnaise. I definitely do not like mayo, although I did have chipotle mayo with some yam fries that were sprinkled with balsamic vinegar. Delicious. By week 7 I had vinegar–so far only balsamic, no white vinegar except in other sauces. I also ate a quarter of a scallop. Nice, firm, ok taste. No throat swelling so I thought that was great. Needless to say, the scallop was the scariest item to try. With fish I have an instant reaction, and not a good one.

Today was the big test. James, Scott and I went to Go Fish. A seafood shack at Fisherman’s Wharf near Granville Island. I had a one piece halibut fish and chips. I think James was more concerned than I was with the first bite. My anxiety has been lowered substantially by my other successful experiments. I also have been able to walk by the fish stands in Granville Island Market without any reaction.

The halibut was great. I tried the tartar sauce with dill. That was good. I tried the malt vinegar. That was ok. Everything now is just a matter of taste. Eating is an overwhelming experience. There are so many new flavours. It’s an explosion in my mouth. Sometimes I’m not sure if I like something or not. I have to try it a couple of times. It’s like being a child again.

2007 is the year of adventure.