I was emailed a link with a story from MSNBC about labels for those with food allergies or those with Celiac disease (not an allergy but close enough). I wanted to share the link with you. Let me know what you think.

Link: Click here

Popularity: 13% [?]

Hi! It’s been awhile since I’ve had a chance to get online & write.

Our youngest son, Milo has been having some digestive issues. We’re still trying to figure it all out but so far we know he has acid reflux disease & a possible dairy allergy. He’s still undergoing some testing, so we’re not positive yet on all that’s going on. He’s incredibly healthy, growing, thriving but just very fussy most of the day, isn’t sleeping well w/ icky poos & burps. He’s a nursling, so I’m diary free at the moment, too! I did start him on some solid food at 7 months (a few weeks ago)- some avocado & pear but he got extremely fussy again, so I backed off & he’s only nursing, no solids. He goes back to Children’s Hospital on Sept. 15th, we’re hoping to get more answers then.

Aiden is also undergoing some more testing. He’s having some genetic testing done & also some testing for IBD- the Dr’s do think he has Crohn’s disease. Obviously, pretty upset about that. We should also know more about that on the 15th with him, as well.

We finally got both boys into the system at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles (associated with USCs Keck School of Medicine- GO TROJANS!!!). We LOVE their new doctors. He’s on a great team of Drs & I feel so relieved to finally have them there. We’re been there about twice a month for the past few months, trying to deal with have two boys there. Luckily from now on both of their appointments are on the same day/time. Yay!

I’ve been in the kitchen TONS lately. Pureeing veggies & fruits to sneak into Aiden’s meals because he’s so finicky. We’ve gotten so good at it- he’ll eat so much more lately. My greatest accomplishment is getting the flax seed meal into his yogurt! Woo Hoo!!!

That’s about it for now, or at least all that I have time for since Milo is waking up & fussing. Hope all is well with all of you.

In peace,

Lisa

Popularity: 31% [?]

We got our shipment of Afterglow cosmetics & I’m in love! Their eye liner is amazing. It comes in a powder form. I dab a little water onto my contoured brush, dab a little of the eye powder & blend until it’s a creamy paste. I then apply. The colors are beautiful.

Amazing quality. I love that the ingredients are organic & completely gluten-free. I can’t explain how nice it to be able to wear lipstick without worrying about my guys! I’m really happy with the quality & the colors & the choices!

Popularity: 63% [?]

While I am not thrilled that Clorox bought Burt’s Bees, they still do have a pretty extensive gluten-free list of products. I thought I would list them all here for your convenience. I use their shampoos & conditioners with good success!

Appropriate List For Gluten Restricted Patients
Products NOT containing wheat, Oat, Rye & Barley derived ingredients
Updated: Jan 8, 2008

BABY BEE
BABY BEE DUSTING POWDER
BABY BEE CRÈME
BABY BEE LOTION – DAIRY
BABY BEE BUTTERMILK BATH – DAIRY
BABY BEE DIAPER OINTMENT – NUT
BABY BEE SHAMPOO & BODY WASH
BABY BEE BUBBLE BATH

HAND & FACE & BODY
GARDEN TOMATO TONER
WILD LETTUCE TONER
TOMATO COLOGNE
CARROT NUTRITIVE BODY LOTION
MILK & HONEY LOTION– DAIRY
CUCUMBER/CHAM COMPLEXION MIST
LAVENDER COMPLEXION MIST
GRAPEFRUIT COMPLEXION MIST
CARROT SEED COMPLEXION MIST
LEMON POPPY SEED
BEESWAX MOIST DAY CREME
BEESWAX MOIST NIGHT CRÈME – NUT
GINGER CITRUS BODY WASH
ALMOND MILK HAND CRÈME – NUT
BANANA HAND CRÈME – NUT
LEMON BUTTER CUTICLE CRÈME -NUT
HAND SALVE – NUT
DEEP CLEAN CLEANSER
DEEP PORE SCRUB
SOOTHINGLY SENSITIVE LOTION - MILK
THOROUGHLY THERAPEUTIC LOTION – MILK
THOROUGHLY THERAPEUTIC BODY BUTTER
HEALING BODY BUTTER
RADIANCE DAY CREAM
RADIANCE EYE CREAM
SPF-15 SUNSCREEN
SPF-30 SUNSCREEN
AFTER SUN SOOTHER
RADIANCE BODY LOTION
THOROUGHLY THERAPEUTIC HAND CREAM
THOROUGHLY THERAPEUTIC FOOT CREAM
HAND SANITIZER
NATURALLY AGELESS DAY CREAM
NATURALLY AGELESS NIGHT CREAM
NATURALLY AGELESS EYE CREAM
NATURALLY NOURISHING BODY WASH - MILK
NATURALLY NOURISHING HAND WASH - MILK
RADIANCE BODY WASH

ORAL CARE
LAVENDER TOOTHPASTE
CINNAMINT TOOTHPASTE
CHILDREN’S TOOTHPASTE
PEPPERMINT BREATH FRESHENER

SOAPS
PEPPERMINT SHOWER SOAP – NUT
LAVENDER SOAP
TOMATO SOAP
CARROT SOAP
CITRUS SPICE SOAP
WILD LETTUCE COMPLEXION SOAP
ALL IN ONE WASH
CITRUS & GINGER HAND SOAP
GREEN TEA & LEMONGRASS HAND SOAP
NATURALLY NOURISHING BAR SOAP – MILK
RADIANCE BAR SOAP
CITRUS & GINGER BAR SOAP

LIP & COSMETIC
LIP BALM TIN – NUT
LIP BALM TUBE
HONEY LIP BALM – NUT
LIPSHIMMER – ALL SHADES
LIPSTICKS – ALL SHADES
LIFEGUARDS CHOICE LIP BALM
LIP GLOSS – ALL SHADES
EYESHADOW- ALL SHADES
TINTED MOISTURIZER – ALL SHADES
BLUSHING CRÈME – ALL SHADES
CONCEALING CRÈME – ALL SHADES
POWDERED FACIAL TISSUES
EYE & BROW LINERS
VANISHING POWDER
POMEGRANATE LIP BALM
MEDICATED LIP BALM
SUPER SHINY LIP GLOSS – ALL SHADES - NUT

HEALTHY TREATMENT
HT EVENING PRIMROSE CRÈME – NUT
HT MARSHMALLOW CRÈME
HT PORE REFINING MASK
HT TONER
HT SHEA BUTTER HAND REPAIR – NUT
HT ROYAL JELLY EYE CRÈME
HT PARSLEY BLEMISH STICK

HAIR CARE
HERBAL TREATMENT SHAMPOO
SUPER SHINY GRAPEFRUIT SHAMPOO
SUPER SHINY GRAPEFRUIT CONDITIONER
COLOR KEEPER CONDITIONER
COLOR KEEPER SHAMPOO
VOLUMIZING SHAMPOO
VOLUMIZING CONDITIONER
DEEP REPAIR CONDITIONER

MISC
HERBAL BLEMISH STICK
HERBAL DEODORANT
INSECT REPELLENT
THEARPEUTIC BATH CRYSTALS
HERBAL DEFENSE OINTMENT – NUT
HERBAL MILK BATH – NUT, DAIRY
BUG BITE RELIEF
MUSCLE RUB

MEN’S
NATURAL AFTERSHAVE
NATURAL BAR SOAP
NATURAL BODY WASH
NATURAL COLOGNE
NATURAL SHAVE CREAM

Popularity: 77% [?]

Since my oldest son is four & has been diagnosed with Celiac disease & colitis, (& possible Crohn’s) I’ve struggled with what to do when it comes to sending Aiden to kindergarden. I had definitely came to the conclusion that I wouldn’t send him to preschool. I don’t really believe in most of the aspects of preschool anyhow, so the decision wasn’t too hard. So, it brings us to kindergarden & what to do. With him being five as he enters a new environment on his own with 99% of the classroom children having no issues with gluten, that had me really nervous. How do I entrust in HIM to take care of himself? How do I entrust in HIM to make sure he doesn’t get playdough in his mouth, or to make sure he washes his hands after playing with stickers or paint or glue? How do I deal with snack time & kids & crumbs? The answer became really simple as time went on… we can’t. He’s too young to care for himself in that way. He’s too immature to remember the little things he has to avoid & do in the middle of his excitement while playing in the school yard or learning a new word or meeting a new friend. I can’t expect one teacher of 20 students to make sure that MY son’s health is her main priority. While I’m sure all his/her students are a priority, HE is not her MAIN priority. He is MY priority. So, Ryan & I have come to the conclusion that Aiden is going to be homeschooled. I’m starting to see the trend in homeschooling for kids who have food allergies or Celiac disease. I don’t have plans to homeschool him past Elementary school & I have so much faith that he will be great & ready to care for himself by the time he reaches junior high. He is already so aware of “gluten” and asks me at least a few times a day if the food items he sees on TV are gluten free or not. He’ll even go so far as asking Ryan or myself to “google” it on the computer. He’s so techy.

So, we feel so great about our decision. I’ve looked into homeschooling groups & am in the process of gathering as much information as I can right now. I’m so fortunate to be able to stay home & provide this service to Aiden. It just makes me feel so much better knowing his health & life will be in my hands for the new few years to come.

Popularity: 94% [?]

Last week while I was standing in the check out aisle at Whole Foods, I noticed a magazine that I hadn’t seen there before. Maybe it’s been there for awhile now but for some reason, I had never seen it. It’s called “Living Without” and it’s a magazine dedicated to people with food allergies or for someone with Celiac disease or even for someone who parents a child with autism who chooses the casein & gluten free lifestyle. I, of course had to purchase it since I didn’t have enough time to look through it in it’s entirety in line. It actually was a really cool little mag. It had a lot of gluten free recipes, a great article with a GI Dr. who specializes in Celiac & other articles in relation to food allergies. I was happy to have found it & look forward to buying a subscription to it in the future.

Popularity: 91% [?]

I came across a website www.deliciousandhealthy.com that focuses on a gluten-free & dairy-free lifestyle. The website was created by Dr. Meg Haworth. Dr. Haworth has been living gluten-free for 13 years. She offers a bi-weekly newsletter with great cooking tips & advice, great recommendations, featured recipes & a note from her. It’s just another great resource loaded with gluten-free & dairy-free knowledge. I feel like the more I have in my back pocket, the easier & better our lives become. This is also a great resource to share with friends & family. The more that your loved ones know, the easier it is for you! Check it out, sign up & enjoy the benefits of information being delivered to your inbox!

Popularity: 90% [?]

Anyone with Celiac disease or food sensitivities/allergies understands the frustrations of traveling. It’s so frustrating to plan a venture out for an afternoon or evening… how about an entire week?! Well, I came across a new website that makes traveling easier. The Gluten Free Travel Site is a great space for finding hotels, restaurants, resorts & grocery stores that accommodate those with food allergies or intolerances. There are reviews, suggestions & a search engine. We can’t always eat at home (although it’s easier) and this is a great resource to keep handy, especially for a quick, unexpected trip. www.glutenfreetravelsite.com

Popularity: 100% [?]

www.greendimes.com stops unwanted junk mail. You can eliminate up to 90% of junk mail. What does this have to do with Celiac or gluten-free living? Nothing… it’s just my “green” side coming out, again! My youngest brother calls me a “hippie” & I’m just trying to live up to the name!

Popularity: 90% [?]

The new Desert Essence Organics line is 100% Vegan & Wheat & Gluten-free! I’ve actually been using their body products from this line for the last year and have been pretty happy! It’s one thing I was happy that I didn’t need to change in our gluten-free quest! They offer body washes (their red grape smells good enough to eat!), body lotions & hands & feet (their foot lotion is great!), shampoos & skin care. They don’t have a huge selection of skin care products but this line is pretty new & I’m guessing that as more time goes by, they’ll have more products to offer. Happy Shopping!

Popularity: 87% [?]