Mashed Potato Warning!

Thank you for the tip, S. Stonebridge.
Some Idahoan mashed potatoes contain coconut oil.  Make sure to read all ingredients on all packaged food!
For example, the "buttery golden selects" seem to be sharing secrets on making buttery flavor from our old nemesis, movie theater popcorn!

Ingredients

Idaho® potatoes (russet and gold varieties), partially hydrogenated oil (contains one or more of the following: soybean, cottonseed, sunflower), corn syrup solids, salt, maltodextrin, coconut oil, sugar, nonfat dry milk, whey powder, sodium caseinate, butter powder [butter (sweet cream, salt, annatto color), nonfat milk solids, sodium caseinate and disodium phosphate], mono and diglycerides, calcium stearoyl lactylate, natural and artificial flavor, spice, sodium acid pyrophosphate (preserve freshness), sodium bisulfite (preserve freshness), dipotassium phosphate, soy lecithin, artificial color, citric acid, mixed tocopherols (preserve freshness) and less than 2.0% silicon dioxide added as an anti-caking agent.

Morrocco Method Shampoo and Conditioner

Our friends at Morrocco Method sent me a sample of their Chi Essence Shampoo and Pearl Essence Creme Rinse to try out and review honestly.  In the end, I liked them both in some ways. . . but they are not mainstream and definitely not what I am used to.  But, some are COCONUT FREE.

The Shampoo looks kind of like a mud masque, and the cream rinse like lotion.

The Morrocco Method website has special instructions about shampooing and de-toxing your hair, which I skimmed over before using the products.  I used them together, and separately, and tried them a few times.

First, the SHAMPOO!  It is a little bit gritty, and it doesn't lather.  You have to use your fingers like a superstar salon shampooer to work it around your scalp.  Then rinse, and do it again.  Once the water gets in there with the shampoo, it works pretty well.  It smells mildly eucalyptus-like, but it doesn't have any smell at all after it rinses out. Once my hair dried the first time I used it, it seemed matted down.  It was greasy, matted, and static-y all at the same time.  It was yucky- like my hair had just soaked it all up and wasn't letting any of it go. But, my scalp was ironically totally clean. My scalp was feeling better than ever.  It didn't have that gross scalp build up that all the other shampoos leave behind. It was my actual hair that was nasty.   THEN, the second time I used it, it was much better.  By the FOURTH time I used it about 10 days later,  my hair was amazing.  A MAZ ING.  I never thought I would have a trial of faith by shampoo, but in the end, this one came through.  In theory, what happened was my hair going through detoxification. After my hair reached some sort of equilibrium, it was super happy, swingy, and healthy without being the least bit weighed down or greasy.  It also seems thicker, not all stripped out anymore.

This is about 10 hours after washing (without the conditioner), no styling products, no blow dry.

Second, the CREAM RINSE.  I used about a nickel-sized amount because I have long, fine hair and usually need quite a bit of conditioning.  It did add a healthy amount of weight to my hair and made it take a little longer to dry, but it looked like sparkly mermaid hair.  Mermaid hair was actually my exact thought.  Then, I noticed that there is actually a mermaid on the bottle. Duh.  When you squirt the conditioner out of the bottle and initially smell it, it has the distinct scent of shea butter - which I would describe as a sunscreen-type smell.  However, the craziest thing happens when you rub it in your hair.  It turns into a strong, overpowering sandalwood incense smell (I think it's probably actually cedarwood since that is what is listed in the ingredients).  Definitely NOT my favorite smell.  It was like I had a cone of burning incense instead of a head.  I am not going to scientifically blame it for giving me a headache every time I used it, but it probably did.  My husband started actually teasing me about how strong it smelled even two days after using it.  But, if you like the smell, it is a very luscious conditioner.

They have sample sizes if you want to try them out for a week or two before making a plunge on a whole bottle.  I think I'll write to Santa to see if he'll leave some more of the shampoo in my stocking!

A Coconut-free Thanksgiving

Ahhh, Thanksgiving!

I am sooo domestic.

The time when those of us with food allergies are forced to have those special conversations with our relatives about what they put in their mysterious whippy looking desserts.

I find that it works best when we say, "Oh, that looks yummy!  What did you put in it?"
Then, if there is coconut in it, just don't eat it.  Don't make loved ones feel bad about their recipes or make them feel like they were inconsiderate for not thinking about your "special needs."  I'm sure there will be plenty of other stuff to eat.

Family is more important than food.

Honestly. . .  no one really notices who eats what at Thanksgiving.  Or, how much they eat.  Truly.  Most of us are too busy chasing the toddlers around and around and making sure the gravy doesn't run out.

But, I thought I'd just give a friendly reminder that Cool Whip is off limits on that gorgeous piece of pie.  They also make a non-dairy squirt whipped cream, too, so keep your eye on the ingredients of all whippy stuff.

If anyone has dairy allergies among family and friends, be very aware that the non-dairy milk of choice lately seems to be coconut milk.  My brother's family puts it in everything-- so pay attention to who made the mashed potatoes- my lactose intolerant brother is usually the master of mashed potatoes. . . made with coconut milk!  However, with punch in the arm and a little reminder, he will forgo the coconut milk as I diligently separate out cheese-free portions of everything I make for him.  For my sister, I leave out the eggs she is allergic to; my mom can't have shellfish; and no onions for my father in-law.  Food is love, but food can kill.  So, does that mean love can kill?  Hopefully not this year.

All About Rashes

Our skin can be such a mysterious thing and sometimes it acts as a flag to warn us about what is going on inside.  Not all rashes are from allergies. 
Click here to read an article about 10 Causes of Rashes from GoNannies.com.

Greener Clean Sponges are safe!

I was kind of hesitant to use the new Scotchbrite sponges for fear that they were made with coconut fibers, but no worries, they don't have any coconut in them. Phew!
Here is the note I got when I wrote to them:

Thank you for your inquiry on the Scotch-Brite(TM) Greener Clean Scrub Sponges.

The Natural Fiber non-Scratch Scrub Sponge scouring side is made of 50% agave plant and 50% polyester.  The sponge is made of 23% recycled office paper and 77% cellulose from wood pulp.  The product does not contain any coconut fibers or pulp from any coconut trees.

Thanks,

Shawn O.
3M Home Care Division

All kinds of things made from coconut! AAGH!

Karen at "Avoiding Allergens" sent me links to a list of a bunch of non-food items made from coconut on her Chemurgy and Allergen Blog posts.

 Non Food Items that Contain Coconuts
http://www.avoidingmilkprotein.com/coconut.htm
 
Cleaning Products Made From Coconuts
http://chemurgy.blogspot.ca/2012/08/cleaning-products-made-from-coconuts.html
 
 Insect Repelants Containing Coconuts
http://chemurgy.blogspot.ca/2012/07/insect-repellants-containing-coconuts.html

Laundry Detergent Made From Coconuts
http://chemurgy.blogspot.ca/2012/07/laundry-detergent-made-from-coconut-oil.html

Air Filters Made From Coconuts
http://chemurgy.blogspot.ca/2012/07/air-filers-made-from-coconuts-and.html


Instruments That Have Coconuts in Them
http://chemurgy.blogspot.ca/2012/10/instruments-that-have-coconuts-in-them.html

Candles made From Coconuts
http://chemurgy.blogspot.ca/2012/10/candles-made-from-coconuts.html

Soap Dishes Made From Coconuts
http://chemurgy.blogspot.ca/2012/09/soap-dishes-made-from-coconut.html

Furniture Made From Coconuts
http://chemurgy.blogspot.ca/2012/08/furniture-made-from-coconuts.html

How To Eat at Baskin Robbins and live

I thought I'd give you my dialogue for surviving going to ice cream with the kids and actually eating something.  I have done this about four times at three different scoop shops and it works GREAT and I've never had a problem at all.  You can read the allergens right on the counter, or go online and read all ingredients before you go in.  My husband sometimes calls them to make sure they have my favorite flavors that I can eat before we go in (we can always go to a self serve yogurt place instead).

B&R EMPLOYEE:  What can I get for you?

ME:  I'll have chocolate fudge in a cup.  But, I'm allergic to lots of stuff besides chocolate fudge.  So, it would be really awesome if you could help me out so I don't have an allergic reaction.  It's really easy, don't worry.  If you could first wash off the scoop for me using the sink instead of the bucket.  Then scoop a scoop in an area that has never been scooped and put that in a cup for my son.  Then, scoop a second scoop from the exact same spot and put it in a cup for me.  That would be so perfect. I would love that.

B&R EMPLOYEE: Sure, no problem. 

------2 minutes later------------- (I watch him/ her rinse the scoop under the faucet and do 2 scoops in a row)

B&R EMPLOYEE: Okay, this scoop is for your son, this one is for you!  ( big smile)

ME: You are the best ever.  (leaving tip in tip jar)

YUM.

If you don't have a kid, you can ask them to scoop a scoop and set it aside to get down to the virgin ice cream level.