Life, Gluten Free

Artificial Fragrances Trigger Allergy and Asthma

What's that smell? If you use products with fragrances, more than likely you are so used to them that you don't even notice. But for those who use unscented products like we do, whether for other health reasons or because you are allergic to scented products, you probably notice when someone is using a scented body care or laundry care product.

Here are the facts:

- More than 2 million Americans have a fragrance allergy or sensitivity.

- 1 out of every 3 American children has allergies, asthma, ADHD or autism.

- Asthma and Allergies affect 1 out of 5 Americans.

Just a few months ago in August, our daughter, Sophie, was treated in the ER. She experienced these symptoms: sneezing, runny nose, coughing and then difficulty breathing with wheezing.

The culprit: artificial fragrances.

Does this sound familiar to you? Chances are, you or someone you know are bothered by scented products.

Fragrace allergies are on the rise and there are different types of allergic responses. Some people experience a skin allergy to artificial fragrances, where they develop an itchy rash. A respiratory reaction involves symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, wheezing, difficulty breathing or worsening of asthma symptoms for those who are diagnosed with asthma. Some people may also develop a headache and even brain fog when exposed to artificial fragrances.

"Experts theorize that one reason fragrance allergies appear to be increasing is that fragrances themselves have become such a prominent part of our world. According to the AAD, some 5,000 different fragrances -- and countless other fragrance combinations -- are used in products today. And they can be a powerful, toxic brew."

Source: Fragrance Allergies: A sensory assault from WebMD.

What kind of products contain artificial fragrances? 

- Deodorant

- Perfume and cologne

- Body lotion and other body care products

- Hair products (shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, hairgel)

- Household cleaners and air freshners

- Laundry detergents and fabric softeners

- Soap

- Candles

Exposure to fragrances can happen by simply standing in the line at a store next to someone who has applied a strong perfume or washes their clothes in scented laundry detergent.

"Being forced to breathe in others' fragrance choices is a lot like being forced to breathe in secondhand smoke," Dalton tells WebMD. "It's a loss of control over your personal environment, and for some it can have serious personal health consequences."

Source: Fragrance Allergies: A sensory assault from WebMD.

What are these scents, anyways? Should anyone use them?

We weren't using them even before Sophie was born because we learned long ago how unhealthy they can be. But when friends/family/etc wore them, and it began to bother Sophie, we had to explain to them that they couldn't wear anything with fragrance around us. And then it begged the question, what are these chemicals and why are they so bad?

Most fragrances are synthesized, primarily from petroleum products. About 3,000 chemicals are used in the fragrance industry. Allergic reactions to fragrances are on the rise, increasing from 9 percent to about 12 to 13 percent of dermatitis patients over the last decade, according to Dr. Donald Belsito, a dermatologist at the University of Kansas Medical Center (as quoted in a February 2002 MSNBC article "Scents and Sensitivities").

Source: Fragrances: What Your Nose Needs to Know from Healthy Child, Healthy World.

Ongoing research and studies are being conducted and the recent findings are startling.

Findings, published online in the journal Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health, show that air vented from machines using the top-selling scented liquid laundry detergent and scented dryer sheet contains hazardous chemicals, including two that are classified as carcinogens.

Analysis of the captured gases found more than 25 volatile organic compounds, including seven hazardous air pollutants, coming out of the vents. Of those, two chemicals -- acetaldehyde and benzene -- are classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogens, for which the agency has established no safe exposure level.

Source: Scented Laundry Products Emit Hazardous Chemicals Through Your Dryer Vents by Scientific Daily.

Not only do artificial fragrances cause reactions in those with allergies, asthma or chemical sensitivities, but they are also very toxic for the entire world.

And are fragrances everywhere? Yes, it seems so.

In fact, when Sophie had to be in the hospital recently for a respiratory virus, I immediately noticed that the antibacterial handwash provided for patients/doctors/nurses was heavily scented.

Let's think about this for one second.

My daughter is in the hospital because she is sick, and artificial fragrances actually can trigger her to have an allergic reaction, which could make her worse.

I spoke up and told them in no uncertain terms that she cannot be around that.

This is enoucragement to speak up and make your voice heard, because that is what brings change.

The nurse was very accomdating. She brought in unscented soap and passed it on to the respiratory specialist and the next nurse on shift. I even had the respiratory specialist inform me that she uses her own unscented hand wash because the scented bothers her too. She encouraged me to file a comment card with the hospital, which I am currently working on now.

I have learned that change does not happen unless you speak up and take time to make your voice and your opinions heard. You do matter and your child matters.

This can be a controversial topic because people often are offended when you bring up that the products they use are unsafe. Regardless, more awareness must be spread because awareness is what makes the world safer for all of us to live in.

So what if someone around me uses it and it bothers me?

Tell them. Believe me, we've been around the block with this one. We've had to have family change their products to unscented so that they can visit with us. Some of them were offended. But if the alternative is that your or your child experiences breathing difficulties or other symptoms?  There is no other way. So just speak up, tell them why it bothers you and help them understand. Help them not take it personally. It's not about them. It's because it makes someone else sick, really sick. And once they understand that, then it will make sense to them and they should be glad to comply.

Our 2011 Christmas Advent Calendar (Plus Activity Ideas!)

December 1st is almost here and I don't know where November went!

There are so many lovely homemade DIY advent calendars on pinterest that it makes me feel kinda lame for using our store bought wooden one. But, it's quite cute and we like it. We purchased it last year on sale, I've had to reglue some of the knobs that haphazardly fell off for no apparent reason. It makes me glad I didn't purchase it for the full price, which was a whopping $60 bucks, we paid $20.

One of my favorite DIY advent calendar ideas is this one, where you wrap 25 christmas-themed books and then unwrap one each day and read it. I counted how many christmas books we have, and we don't have near that many yet! We will have to work on collecting some and maybe we can do that next year.

Do you need ideas for what to put in your christmas countdown calendar this year? This is what we came up with.

Using some top notes from Paper Dozen, I decorated one side using christmas stickers and stencils. On the other side, I wrote down one activity per card.

Next, Sophie helped place one in each drawer. After she was done, I folded up some hidden picture pages from a highlights book and stuck them in a few of the drawers for an extra surprise.

Here are the activities we used (in no particular order):

1. Go ice skating

2. Color a christmas picture

3. Read a christmas storybook

4. Wrap a present

5. Make a christmas card for a friend

6. Do a christmas tree math activity

7. Have a christmas tea party

8. Take a drive to see christmas lights

9. Make a handmade gift

10. Draw and Decorate your own Snowman

11. Make a christmas craft

12. Make gift tags

13. Count Share savings and pick a charity (Sophie has a money bank with three sections: Spend, Save & Share)

14. Make a snow dome

15. Listen to christmas music & dance!

16. Make a snowflake craft

17. Make beeswax dipped glitter pinecones

18. Play a game

19. Watch a christmas movie

20. Make a christmas reindeer craft

21. Have a puppet show

22. Make snowball coconut cookies

23. Make warm honey coconut "cocoa"

24. Christmas savenger hunt

And on a few of them, I wrote little "clues" that we can read to Sophie to see if she can guess the activity.

Do you do an advent calendar? If so, what are you doing this year?

Gluten-free Pumpkin Pie

What is Thanksgiving without a good Gluten-free Pumpkin Pie recipe, right?

I had a pie pumpkin from our CSA just waiting to be used for something, so when I got a request for a gluten-free pumpkin pie.. well, I quickly got to work and by noon we had pie!

I have to say, this pie is amazing - with just the right amount of everything. Sophie declared "you should enter this in a contest!"

Our desserts have to be nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, soy-free, grain-free and taste awesome. Those are the requirements and sometimes it's a hefty challenge.

But then sometimes when I am creating a recipe, it's almost like the inspiration comes from.... heaven?? This pie is like heaven, folks. Go make some. It's quick, easy and it will taste amazing. Promise.

 Gluten-free Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients & Directions (for pie crust):

1 cup raisins, soaked in hot water for about 5 minutes

2 tablespoons coconut oil (not melted, but softened like room temp)

1 cup coconut flour

7 tablespoons water

After the raisins soak, drain and discard the water.

Add raisins, coconut oil and coconut flour to your food processor. Begin blending and add the tablespoons of water (a few at a time, blending each time).

After the last tablespoon is added and you blend it well, the crust should be visibly "thick" and you can pinch some between your fingers.

Add to a pie dish, using your fingers to pat it down.

Save some aside for topping (optional, but a good idea!!)

Ingredients & Directions (for pie filling):

1 cup of pumpkin (I used a small pie pumpkin, baked and then remove the seeds/skin)

1/2 cup jewel yam, (bake a yam and then measure out 1/2 cup)

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon coconut oil

2 tablespoon thai kitchen organic coconut milk (full fat)

Using your food processor again, add in all the ingredients listed above.

Blend well and taste test!

Add filling to your pie crust and garnish with extra pie crust crumbs and drizzled maple syrup.

After it sets for about 15 minutes, the pie is ready to eat or store on your countertop (with a cover) until you are ready to serve it.

You can also store it in the refrigerator if you want a chilled pie.

(I also heated a slice in the oven lightly, which turned out lovely too).

 

 

 

This pie is SO good, I hope you try it. It took me a very short time to make it, too. It could definitely be made on short notice.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Our Thanksgiving Holiday Menu, 2011

I cannot believe Thanksgiving is this coming week.

Where has November gone?

It doesn't help be to sick for several weeks, I guess, because then it seems like the month has really escaped us.

But we are back on our feet and we've planned our menu and our activities, and I thought I would share them all with of you.

To make things as easy as possible, I am making what I can ahead of time. My homemade spaghetti sauce, for instance, is something that can easily be made a day or two beforehand.

Gluten-free & Grain-free Holiday Menu Plan:

Breakfast:

Homemade cinnamon & apple chicken sausage (my husband's recipe)

gluten-free/grain-free pancakes (my mom's recipe)

fried potatoes in coconut oil (this may or may not be my favorite food. don't judge.)

Thanksgiving feast:

Homemade spaghetti sauce on zucchini noodles

Orange maple glazed baked chicken

Raisin banana bake

Activities:

Ice skating

Painting ornaments (at home, from a kit)

We've found that ice skating on Thanksgiving has become our tradition, and it is nice because guess what?? Not many people are at the rink. So after breakfast, we will head over and strap on some ice skates.

Our thanksgiving feast will be around our normal lunch time and we will paint ornaments later in the day.

Every year on Thanksgiving, we bring out our thankful book and write down all that we are thankful for.

One thing that I am really thankful for this year, is looking back on the past four years and seeing how we've formed traditions for our daughter. I belive that traditions are very important because children look forward to them every year.

My husband and I want our daughter to look back on her childhood someday and remember all those fun times and how her parents made time for her. Because that is one of the most important things, making time for your kids and those you care about. When you look back on all your favorite memories, it's of time spent with those you love - isn't it? To us, that's what life is all about.

And unfortunately, we have many family members and friends that we don't get to spend much time with because they don't live near us. But they are always in our hearts - and I tell you another thing that will be on my thankful list this year - Skype.

Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you all have a safe and happy day!

Potato Leek Soup

 

I made a small batch of this soup earlier this week but it was so good, that I had to make another batch. This time I made a bigger batch. After Sophie had a bowl for lunch and my four bowls, I put the remainder away, three 32-oz jars.

I am already looking forward to another bowl later! 

Potato Leek Soup

Ingredients:

9 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

4 carrots, peeled and cubed

1 small leek, sliced into half rounds

1 large yellow onion, diced

16 cups of water

dash of sea salt

Directions:

Add all the vegetables to a large soup pot

Pour in water and turn stove on high

Bring to a boil, then turn down to medium heat 

You want the soup to be on a nice low boil, but not a high boil or the bottom will burn

Cook, lid off, stirring occassionally

Continue to cook until well done, about 1 hour 30 minutes

Remove from heat

Using a potato masher, mash some of the potatoes and then stir the soup well

If you don't have a potato masher, you can pour some of the soup into a food processor or blender

Blend well and then add back to the soup pot

**this makes the soup creamy

Serve with sea salt to taste!

Makes about 3, 32 ounce jars :) 

No Frills Banana Coconut Milkshake

Sophie liked this milkshake so much that she started drinking it before I had a chance to snap a photo. We love bananas around here, and we especially like that if you blend frozen bananas (in the vitamix or food processor) it comes out just like soft serve ice cream. But this time, I added coconut milk to make a milkshake because sometimes you just need to drink out of a straw. Am I right? 

No Frills Banana Coconut Milkshake

NO: dairy, gluten, soy, processed sugar 

Ingredients:

3 frozen bananas

1/2 cup organic thai kitchen coconut milk (full fat)

dash of cinnamon

1 tablespoon raw honey 

a cool straw

Directions:

Blend in vitamix or similar high-powered blender

Pour into a cup and serve with a straw! Good for one person or two to share.

DIY Give Thanks Holiday Banner

 

For me, Thanksgiving is about taking time to count my blessings and spend even more quality time with the ones I love.

I bought a pack of acorn jingle bells at Joanns for 75% off and I knew that I would make something fun with them.

To get into the thanksgiving mood, I had an inspiration to make a "be thankful" banner and here is what I came up with:

Using round pre-strung gift tags from Paper Dozen, I wrote some of the things we are thankful for (love, hugs, family, friends, laughter, joy, play, etc).

I used jute string and I tied the tags to it, in between the acorn jingle bells.

For a bit more color, I used a piece of red and green washi tape on two of the tags at tied one at each end of the banner.

And then I had my husband hang it with two nails :)

I also used some paper leaves we had in our craft stash to make a banner that says "Give Thanks."

I wrote on it with a black paint-pen and taped teach leaf to the wall.

Super easy and fun banner! Looking at it makes me smile.

And it reminds me how very much we have to be thankful for.

Each other especially!

With Thanksgiving drawing closer, I recently told my husband that Thanksgiving was never my favorite holiday. He said "let's re-invent it." In other words, let's celebrate it the way it feels best to us.

We have been doing that in the past few years (one year we took Sophie ice skating on Thanksgiving. This was a great idea, and there was hardly anyone else on the rink!).

As we talked about it, I realized the reason why I never loved Thanksgiving is that..... IT'S ALL ABOUT FOOD.

Let me tell you a little about how we spend our time from day-to-day:

1. Cooking

2. Eating

3. Washing Dishes

4. Repeat Step 1-3.

We don't eat out.

We make all of our meals from scratch.

Remind me again what Thanksgiving is all about? Oh yeah, everything we do already everyday!!

So, we want to make Thanksgiving more about taking a break and less about making more food.

For us that really means, making simple meals for Thanksgiving and cooking ahead.

That way, we can eat a healthy meal and have pleanty of time to go ice skating, or whatever activity we have planned for this year (no plans yet, but ice skating again sounds promising!)

How do you spend Thanksgiving? What about Thanksgiving makes you feel good?

(Sophie's depiction of a turkey. I love it!)

Holiday Ideas from Pinterest

We've been sick.

It has not been fun.

Our daughter was sick first and she had to be hospitalized for two nights/days and on oxygen. She had some type of respiratory virus, coupled with reactive airway. After she was home and getting better, my husband and I got sick (sore throats, etc).

Today is Friday.. it's actually been about 10 days since Sophie's symptoms first started but we're all finally getting better. Thank goodness. 

We did start on a few crafts but our attention span was limited due to feeling overall not good.

Sophie started on some holiday wrapping paper designs (paint, glitter glue + freezer paper = one of a kind wrapping paper). We worked on a few holiday ornaments, too.

Those I can show you when I feel like getting the camera, taking a picture and downloading it onto my computer is actually a feasible challenge to take on. Right now I feel like it would be equal to lifting 50 pounds of potatoes.

For now, I hope you ejoy these few ideas that I've found on Pinterest. (If you aren't familiar with Pinterest, simply click on my links below and then click on the images to go to the original blog post for the tutorial on each project).

DIY Turkey Countdown to Thanksgiving 

Thanksgiving Postcards 

Coffee Filter and Glue Line Leaves

DIY Paper Snowflakes

Reindeer Fingerprints

Fall Button Tree

Do you go on Pinterest? It's a fun way to get inspired to make homemade gifts, home decor, etc!