allergy

17 January 2019

Living with Methylisothiazolinone Allergy The Complete Guide by Alex Gazzola
In 2015 after a series of patch testing at hospital, I received the diagnosis that I had a sensitivity to Methylisothiazolinone (MI - a preservative) and Linalool (an allergen naturally occurring in essential oils). 

My skincare routine with natural and organic beauty was well established at this point. Due to the beliefs behind green beauty its not often you'll find Methylisothiazolinone in natural products but I often encounter this ingredient outside of the home. MI was Named ‘Allergen of the Year’ in 2013 and has caused an epidemic of allergic disease worldwide. In February 2017, MI was banned (in the EU) in leave on products and wet wipes but it is still permitted in rinse-off products at 0.01% concentration. As some who has spent their lifetime prone to eczema, I find it interesting that MI is a powerful sensitizer to which up to 10% of people with eczema and 1.5% of the population may react.

2 January 2015

Dermatologist Patch Testing for Skin Allergies
Disclaimer - The information provided is for guidance and is not a substitute for medical advice. My sources 
www.bad.org.uk & www.eczema.org

December was a busy month for Hospital appointments. The Allergy Consultant I saw in August had referred me to a Dietitian and Dermatologist. I don’t have much to say about my dietitian appointment. I was assured that I have been managing my free from diet well and I clearly know my way around the Free From aisle. The only advice was to up my calcium intake and challenge my OAS. (click here to read about my Oral Allergy Syndrome diagnosis)

As I have never seen a Dermatologist for my eczema the consultant thought it was worth a referral for further skin tests. Dermatologists are able to test substances like metals, perfumes, plants and household chemicals. Testing involves three appointments in the same week as reactions can take a longer time to develop. As the photograph shows during my first appointment, substances were applied to my back in special small containers held within a tape. On the second visit the patches were removed, the tests were marked out and any reactions noted. On the third visit, the Dermatologist takes a final reading and discusses any results.

The outcome of my patch testing was a mild reaction to Hydroperoxides of Linalool and MIT (Methylisothiazolinone), however, I was warned about false positive due to my eczema. MIT is a preservative I have always avoided but perhaps my love of lavender will have to end given the linalool result. For as long as I can remember my eczema has always been referred to as Atopic. The dermatologist confirmed this but also believes I have Seborrhoeic Dermatitis and Urticaria. 

Seborrhoeic (pronounced seb-or-A-ik) simply means a rash appears in areas of the skin with large numbers of grease (sebaceous) glands, such as the scalp, face and centre of chest. According to the literature provided to me, Seborrhoeic is not fully understood, but yeast called Malassezia that lives on skin plays a part in causing it (FYI this is not the same yeast present in foods or that causes thrush). 

Urticaria is also known as hives or nettle rash. It is caused by the release of histamines from cells in the skin called mast cells and can be triggered in many ways. From my research, it looks like this may explain my reactions to penicillin, some foods and grass.

Where do I go from here? It certainly has been an interesting set of appointments. I have confirmed in my own mind that I was not wrong about my extremely sensitive skin and my decision to avoid certain ingredients is worth continuing. I have been informed taking anti-histamines on a regular basis (normally I only take during hayfever season) may help with the Urticaria. The Seborrhoeic dermatitis is the tough one as it appears treatments manage the condition but do not cure it. At this stage I have declined prescription creams and steroids. Antifungal treatments are the recommendation but I will be seeking a natural alternative. Some people may think I am bonkers to turn down treatment but I quit prescription eczema medications 16 years ago after noticing damage to my skin so I am extremely reluctant to use them again. I return to my Allergy Consultant in February and I will be blogging my progress following the Dermatologist's diagnosis. I am now googling like mad and if any readers have experience of these conditions and can offer advice then please do leave a comment below.

Sarah x

4 May 2014

may contain dairy and vegan food labels
Followers of my blog will know I write about Vegan food because a) I have not eaten meat for 18 years b) I am unable to eat milk and eggs. I personally get a little tired of the argument that a Vegetarian/Vegan lifestyle is a choice and when you have allergies it's a lifestyle forced upon us. I can not argue with the fact, it is true but as someone who sits on both sides of the fence, I am saddened that my Vegetarian lifestyle should be regarded as less important than any other diet on the planet. If someone attacks my right to not eat meat, I take it personally, it’s insulting. For the record, I don’t give a c**p if you eat meat just don’t shove it in my face and we will get along just fine. I live with a meat eater and I do not expect them to stop eating burgers because of my personal beliefs. In the same way, I do not ban them from eating dairy products, you will find Ben & Jerry's in my freezer. If my allergies disappeared tomorrow, I would still follow a Vegetarian diet. I would not go back to dairy or eggs as I think farming practices are cruel. 

I want to address something which often becomes a hot topic within the Allergy/Intolerant community on Twitter. On the whole, a product carrying the Vegan Society logo will be suitable for my needs but I would not recommend for those who experience life threatening allergies. That would be foolish on my part. I've got plenty of years experience under my belt to understand we can't cater to everybody. The problem is Vegan food manufacturers can often face the same issues as those making dedicated Free From Food. Products can be made in factories which handle food allergens. You will often see Vegan food labelled "may contain dairy" or similar warnings. Some will argue how can a product be certified Vegan if it contains trace of milk but I will also point out the same occurs with Free From products. I have eaten products labelled dairy free but they may contain milk. You could argue this one until the cows come home but in the case of Vegan products, it is a question I have asked The Vegan Society but to date I have not had a reply. I believe decisions should be made on individual ethics. I guess some Vegans will be strict, others may allow for possible traces and of course these products will still appeal to Vegetarians. I think people forget it's not all about what we are avoiding to eat, the heart of any Vegetarian or Vegan argument centres on animal cruelty. 

I believe that Vegan and Free From Food can co-exist, as in my own diet, but I would not automatically assume a Vegan product to be safe for my allergies/intolerances. No one should ever assume something is safe for them; you should double, hell no, triple check the labels.

Sarah x

27 February 2014

The Mighty Bee - Venom, Propolis, Honey, Royal Jelly, Beeswax

I am noticing a new trend in natural skincare for all things Bee related but I want to raise awareness that some bee by-products are potential allergens. You will be aware from my reviews, at this moment in time I do not avoid beeswax or honey. I am also going to touch on the issue of cruelty but I understand this is a sensitive topic. Let me talk you through the ingredients used in skincare that Bees produce.

Bee Venom - I am sure most of you understand that venom is the poison which makes a sting painful, but are you aware of how the venom is collected? Bees are given a tiny electric shock as they enter the hive, not enough to kill them (debatable as I'm sure some would die) but just enough to put them in a bad mood so they will release venom. Believe it or not this method is regarded as cruelty free because the alternative would involve killing the bees by removing the stinger and venom sacks. People with an allergy to bee stings need to avoid this ingredient in skincare.

Royal Jelly – secreted from the glands of the bee and used to feed the larvae. Royal Jelly is used in skincare because it is rich in amino acid, vitamins and minerals. To harvest this ingredient a bee hive needs to be encouraged to produce more queen bees. The hive does not survive without a queen bee so she is removed and larvae introduced, this then encourages worker bees to feed the larvae to produce a new queen. I have read that anyone with asthma or allergies may wish to avoid Royal Jelly. Reactions can range from mild skin irritation to anaphylaxis shock.

Propolis – a resinous mixture which is used to seal open spaces in the hive and is collected by Bees from tree buds and sap. Propolis is used in skincare because it seems to have anti inflammatory and skin healing effects. Claims have been made that it can be used to treat allergies but it can cause severe reactions especially if you are sensitive to bees. Some experts believe it can make asthma worse and anyone allergic to conifers, poplars, Peru balsam and salicylates are advised to avoid propolis.

Honey – if you follow natural bloggers, you may have seen the growing popularity in using honey as a cleanser because of the antiseptic, anti inflammatory, healing and moisturing properties. Honey is made when bees transform nectar by a process of regurgitation and evaporation. That does kind of gross me out a little. If you wanted to substitute honey in skincare, then opt for products containing manuka essential oil which is extracted from the species of New Zealand tree called Leptospermum Scoparium. It offers the same benefits as manuka honey but is obtained from the leaves, flowers and wood. If you would like to substitute honey in cooking, Vegan alternatives are Agave Nectar, Maple Syrup, Coconut Nectar and Dates (there are probably more but these are the ones I am familiar with).

Beeswax – worker bees secrete wax from their glands and use it to build the honeycomb cells in the hive. It is used in skincare as a surfactant as it forms a protective barrier on the skin but unlike mineral oil, as with all Bee by-products, it does offer antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits. Harvesting the beeswax and honey involves taking it from the hive which they reside in. This is the part of the Vegan argument that likens it to factory farming, forcing the bees to construct the hives for humans to steal from.

The thought process for writing this post was sparked following a Twitter conversation where someone told me propolis would ‘cure’ my eczema. I personally believe that when you have eczema linked to allergies you need to be very wary of this type of advice. From my viewpoint, bee venom and royal jelly are the ingredients that upset me the most due to the method of extraction. I can appreciate the Vegan argument that bee keeping is exploitative and cruel. Writing this blog post has certainly got me thinking in a different way. Eliminating beeswax from my skincare at this time seems a little daunting as several creams I rely on to help manage my eczema contain this ingredient. I'm not against the idea and I will be researching into the alternatives. The decision to avoid ingredients from bees is entirely your own but I hope by sharing my thoughts you can understand why it matters to me and welcome opinions.

Sarah x
image courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/FromNikkiCharms

9 January 2014

Eating Out with Allergies and Intolerances
You all know that I follow the Free From Food and Free From Skincare Awards. I am certainly very interested in the recent addition of The FreeFrom Eating Out Awards. Back in September I wrote about changes being made to how food allergens are labelled on products. The new requirements come into force this year, in December. Along with how packets are labelled it also effects the information given to us when dining out. The new regulations allow allergen information to be provided orally by wait staff. This concerns me a great deal.
I enjoy eating out but it can be a little daunting when you have allergies/intolerances. There are many restaurants who do a good job at providing information and others that fall short. I stick to the same restaurants where I have gained knowledge of the food on offer or they provide separate detailed allergy menus. For me, Wagamamas is a shining example of how it should be done. Yes, they are not 100% perfect and I've encountered some hiccups but wait staff always seem attentive and assist with difficulties or mistakes. However, I have come to noticed that it does depend on what allergy/intolerances you have or maybe the branch you visit. I remember my Twitter timeline singing the praises of Nandos, Zizzi and Pizza Express but they were Coeliacs. I've had terrible experiences in all of these restaurants and will not go back. I know Italian food traditionally contains egg and dairy but I manage to not starve when I visited Rome. I ate my own body weight in dairy free gelato and no one questioned me when I ordered cheese free pizza. I can order from Papa Johns without a fuss but how come when I'm in Zizzi and Pizza Express wait staff look at me like I just asked them to poop in my shoes.

A recent email grabbed my attention and I wanted to share the findings of a survey conducted by the Freefrom Eating Out Awards team at the Allergy and Free From show in Liverpool in October. According to the survey, only 17% felt that asking their wait-person or the front of house staff about allergens would be a safe and reliable way to go. 54% thought that talking to the chef was the safest option although many of those (45%) also wanted to see a written list of ingredients for each dish, or to be provided with an ‘allergen-free’ menu. I have to agree. Whilst I don't feel the need to speak to a Chef, I do want to see an allergen menu as I would like to take responsibility for ordering and not be reliant on second hand information. Also, if you are in a noisy and busy restaurant, it allows me time to select my meal without a fuss, especially if a number of items on the menu take my fancy.

Other findings from the survey were -

Asked how often they ate out:
19% ate out twice a week and 18% only ate out once a week
25% ate out twice a month and 19% only ate out once a month
(A Survey of eating habits in London conducted for the Zagat Restaurant Guides in September 2013 showed that, in the London area at least, people now eat out, on average, four times a week)

Asked why don’t they eat out more?
67% said there was not enough choice to make it worth their while eating out.
53% said that they did not trust most restaurants to understand their allergies or special dietary needs
44% said it ‘was too much hassle’
16% said that they did not like ‘to feel different’

Asked which were the best and the worst places to eat if you have an allergy or coeliac disease: 
Best were fine dining restaurants and family run restaurants, scoring 3-5/5
Worst were sandwich bars and Indonesian and Indian restaurants, scoring 1-2/5.

Asked what precautions they took to ensure that they get safe food:
53% phoned in advance to discuss their needs
50% asked to speak to the chef on arrival
(32% both phoned in advance and asked to speak to the chef when they arrived.). However, the largest number, 75%, whether or not they had phoned in advance and/or spoken to the chef, just chose to stick to simplest menus anyhow.

Of those who filled in the survey: 46% had coeliac disease, 20% suffered from wheat allergy/intolerance, 14% suffered from dairy/cow's milk allergy/intolerance, 20% suffered from a range of other allergies/intolerances

I would be very interested to hear if you agree or disagree with the findings of this survey. What would your answers have been to the questions? Do you have good or bad experiences when dining out with your allergies/ intolerances? Do you have a favourite restaurant/cafe that caters to your needs?

Sarah x

14 November 2013

shea butter body butters


I am always promoting my love of shea butter products but I haven't explained in any detail about this ingredient. Shea butter is derived from the fruit of the African karite tree. The shea nut is crushed and boiled to extract the oil that is the shea butter. 

The reason why I like Shea butter is for the benefits it can offer the skin (and hair). It is rich in vitamins which promote cell repair making it great for dry, sensitive and cracked skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties so one of the reasons I think it works well on my eczema. As soon as the weather turns cold and the heating goes on, my skin becomes flaky, I cannot get through the winter without shea butter creams. It is also very economical because you only need the smallest amount compared to a lotion. In its raw state it kind of looks like white chocolate, well that's what I think of (food on the brain!). Depending on the quality and other ingredients in a product I have found the consistency varies between brands. Some shea butters are whipped which makes them airy and light, some are a creamy consistency and others are solid which requires you to scoop from the jar and melt in the warmth of your hands. I recommend buying shea butter skincare from a natural company that source quality ingredients. Shea butter which has been refined will lose its natural colour, scent, and effectiveness. I buy products where shea butter is top of the ingredient list. You can of course buy in its raw state from a supplier.

It is my understanding that if you have a nut or latex allergy you should avoid shea butter. When looking at product ingredients the INCI reference is Butryospermum parkii.

Do you love shea butter as much as I do? 

Sarah x

Disclaimer - *PR Samples 

13 November 2013

At the weekend, I came across Pastinos snacks in a variety of flavours. I admit I quickly glanced at the Allergen Advice saw it did not contain milk and threw them in my basket. When I opened these up and tasted, something did not sit well with me in terms of taste and then I spotted CHEESE POWDER. Alarm bells went off and I thought "do these contain MILK?"I am hugely concerned about the label on this packet. I wrote to the Company for clarification about the presence of milk and here is the response.

"Thanks for pointing this out and you are quite correct. We hope this has not inconvenienced people. Our Tomato & Sweet Basil product does contain milk, as an element of the cheese powder ingredient. Non of the other four varieties contain milk and the only allergen advice refers to Wheat. We will change the ingredients list in the next print run and, in line with latest BRC advice, move to emboldening all Allergen references in the ingredients list. This will embolden “wheat” in all the products and well as inserting an emboldened “ (Milk) “ after “Cheese Powder” in the Tomato & Sweet Basil variety"

I am not an expert when it comes to labels and have no idea whether they have done anything wrong in terms of breaking labelling laws. I wanted to put this out there because I fell into that trap of being in a hurry and taking what I see for granted. I've started to put my trust in the Allergen Advice which is wrong of me.  Please don't make the same mistake as I did, read those labels a million times, something which I need to get back into the habit of doing.  I have written about the new allergen labellingMaybe the new labels will be a good thing after all?

Sarah x

19 August 2013

skin problems and living with eczema
I have to confess that I am struggling for product reviews at the moment. I’m suffering from random rashes and eczema breakouts and it is making testing products a struggle because I have to be so careful. This is the reality of my life. Just when I am lulled into a false sense of security and preaching to the internet, then this happens.

It is always frustrating trying to pin point what triggered the latest eczema breakout. My skin is not my friend at the moment and it is driving me around the bend. Random rashes are make me feel less confident in my skin and do not make me feel sexy. People often compliment my skin but this is what is lurking under my clothes. Luckily this time my eczema is not causing me too much trouble in terms of pain or irritation.

I'm often asking myself why does my body hate me so much? why can’t I just be normal? I am not going to lie, at this moment in time I absolutely hate my eczema and allergies. How do I deal with it? I have a moan about it and then take positive steps to manage it.

Anyone else struggling with their sensitive skin and eczema? Lets all have a cry about it together and I'm sending out virtual hugs to you.

Sarah x

Update: this flare up on my shoulder pictured above was later diagnosed as Urticaria

31 July 2013


I have been on the hunt for a dairy and egg free "cake in a mug" recipe for ages and I finally found one on Pinterest. I like the idea of a single portion of cake. As much as I love baking it takes time and patience and sometimes you just want cake pronto so that's where a microwave comes in handy. Pictured above was my first attempt at the recipe, made on my birthday hence the candle. I also indulged in Alpro Caramel dessert on the side.

The recipe comes from The Blooming Platter's Vegan Single-Serving Microwave “Brownikins” (My Take on a Microwaved Brownie-in-a-Mug). I do recommend adding an accompaniment as it can be a little dry. I have a 700W (D) microwave and cook it for 1 minute, sometimes it needs a few more seconds. You may need to experiment a little to get the perfect timings. Let me know if you make this.


Sarah x

26 July 2013

Allergy UK
The Latest News from Allergy UK is a new campaign - Allergy – Together We Can Crack It. Allergy UK have joined forces and want allergies to be moved up the priority list and have them taken seriously in parliament. They are asking allergy sufferers throughout the country to send a postcard to their local MP. The more postcards sent, the more chance of some real changes for allergy sufferers. Download a postcard or request one by calling the helpline on 01322 619898.

In other news, I thought I'd remind you about Allergy Translation Cards as many of you (including me) are jetting off abroad so a translation card may prove handy in restaurants. Allergy UK have a promotion running at the moment. A set of 3 cards (in one language) would usually cost £15, however, throughout July and August, they are offering the 3 cards at a discounted price of £10. The translation cards are available in 30 languages. For more information head to the website or call the helpline (number above) who will be happy to process orders.

Sarah x

4 June 2013




The Twitter grapevine was chirping and thanks to @RazzleDazzleIce I ended up being sent a Living Naturally Soapnut sample pack. I have read about soapnuts but I had not tried them before now. Only the other week I was talking about "Going Green" and swapping your laundry detergent for environmentally friendly alternatives. I think using soapnuts will definitely make you an Eco Warrior. 



Soapnuts are dried fruit shells from the soapberry tree and they contain saponin which produces a soaping effect. They are 100% natural so great for the environment and ideal for anyone who suffers from allergies to laundry detergent. I have to say they are probably one of the most unusual things I have come across but as intriguing as the Konjac sponge. The soapnuts came in a small muslin bag which you place into the washing machine with your laundry. Softener is not required but if you want fragrance you can add drops of essential oil to the bag. 

I put these to the test on a load with towels and bed linen at a 60 degree wash. I need to stock up on essential oils but I had some clove oil (I use it to clean mould) so I decided to scent the bag with it. I have to say my laundry came out looking normal and smelling fresh. I put the towels through the tumble dryer and I admit I was not expecting them to come out soft but I was pleasantly surprised. The towels were not as soft as when I use fabric conditioner but they were pretty good, not scratchy or stiff. 

The soapnuts can be used 3-4 times and then you can dispose/compost them. If you would prefer an alternative to the "nuts" then Living Naturally do offer Soapnut Liquid Laundry Detergent or tabs. The product range also includes soap, shampoo bars and herbal hair rinse so it’s worth having a browse of the website www.soapnuts.co.uk. Plus Soapnut sample bags are available to buy for £3.49. 

Do any of you already use soapnuts? For those that do not, what do you think of the idea?

Sarah x

Disclaimer - sample pack sent free of charge, 100% own opinions, I was not asked to feature on my blog, links are not affiliated

22 April 2013

It's Allergy Awareness Week and Allergy UK contacted me to ask if I would help promote their new campaign. 




Allergy UK Nurses Appeal - "Allergy UK have today launched a nationwide fundraising appeal to raise £1 million to provide specialist allergy nurses within communities across the UK. Our recent research showed that an allergy epidemic made worse by poor resources within the NHS, has left sufferers feeling terrified and abandoned."

Dare I say it was 20+ years ago since my allergies were diagnosed, time flies, but it also got me thinking. I thank my lucky stars that the GP I saw as a child was on the ball and got me allergy tested. However, since that initial diagnosis I have never had back up support from the NHS. Just recently I have heard varies stories of people struggling to get allergy tested. I can see how the campaign for Nurses has arisen, it is a much needed service. 

Hop across to the Allergy UK website to read more about the allergy epidemic Britain is facing. If you wish to tweet about the appeal use the hashtag #LetsFightAllergy


Fundraising - "We are always on the lookout for fundraisers to get involved with exciting challenges or to organise events to help us reach our final target. We are asking for a small donation of £1 for our new appeal wristbands. We can also supply these for fundraising activities. We've got lots of fundraising activities planned already, including 11 year old Izzy who will be jumping on a rowing machine to row the distance of the channel! Check the website for more fundraising info."

Let me know if you plan on supporting the campaign. I'm happy to RT any blog posts or fundraising events on Twitter. 

20 April 2013

I haven't written a Free From Food post in a little while so I thought I would share new discoveries with you today. The Allergy Free Cookbook was a gift for my Sister's birthday. I found it in Marks & Spencer. It looked very good as each recipe gave you options for adapting to different allergies. I thought I would give this Zest Vegan Basil Pesto a try. I've never eaten pesto because it is not usually dairy free.  Pictured below are a few other treats I picked up a my local health food store - tofu, Vegusto slices, raw chocolate mousse, nakd bar, vegan coconut bar, vegan cocktail sausages. My Tesco is now selling Trek flapjacks, the coconut one is delicious.

My friend recently visited the USA and bought me some Oreo cookies. A while back I wrote a blog post about the US ones being milk free. In the picture I was experimenting adding them to a milk shake along with my Mum's homemade dairy free coconut ice cream. I found McVities Mini Gingerbread Men via a mention on Twitter. These are vegetarian, contain gluten but may contain nuts, milk & soya. Beyond Dark chocolate is dairy free. I have previously tried the plain version but these have a hint of raspberry.

Sarah x

26 March 2013

Mimi's Miracle Natural Skincare
I went to the Vitality Show on Saturday. I'm not going to talk much about it because it tends to be a popular blogging topic. I think this was the fourth year I have visited but I did feel it was not as good as previous years.

You all know I like Niki's Organic Balms. She was at the show so I popped by for a chat. Niki pointed me in the direction of Mimi's Miracle and I decided I'd like to share this discovery with you. As you know I love to support small natural brands and Mimi's ticks all the boxes for me. The story behind the products is a familiar one. Mimi and her family suffer from eczema, allergies and psoriasis. After a recommended brand product flared up Mimi's skin her mother created the products as she saw a need for natural ointments for her family. Products are 100% natural and free from SLS, SLES, alcohol, parabens, lanolin, perfume and petrochemicals. They also do not contain nut derived ingredients as the family have first hand experience of this allergy. 

The range includes body butters, scrubs for face, body and feet, soaps and facial oils. Prices are fantastic value for money everything is under £8. I ended up buying the foot balm and I can not wait to start pampering my feet as the cold weather has left them in a terrible condition. Most of the creams are shea butter based and you all know I love my shea butter!

If you would like to learn more about Mimi's Miracle or buy products, please visit Mimi's website and Facebook page.

Sarah x

12 March 2013

pictured sourced from Google images

I will warn you this blog post may not make much sense but I feel like having a moan. As you know I have been living with diagnosed allergies for a long time which means I have seen the growth of the free from section in supermarkets. Just recently I have been feeling a little left out. From my viewpoint the tables have turned and attention has focused onto Gluten Free (GF) products. Big brands like Warburton and Heinz are joining the market with GF breads and pasta. Of course, I don't begrudge those on a GF diet, my sister is Coeliac so I know first hand the struggles that are experienced.

Last year at the Allergy Show, I walked passed a brand of biscuits and dismissed them as unsuitable. I did that because the front of packaging listed they were free from gluten, wheat and dairy. There is no mention of being egg free until closer inspection on the back of the box. I wonder how many other brands I have ignored. I always thought egg allergy was very common so I'm confused when it gets over looked in this way. I feel it should be prominently displayed.

A while back a GF company, selling bread and cakes, asked me to review products. When I said it was not of interest they queried me because I had blogged about the Allergy Show. I must admit I was a little peeved by that. I explained that gluten is not one of my allergens and I can not recommend foods I would not purchase. Their response was the entire range was dairy free but a couple of items were not egg free. I'm nit picking but that's a selling point as far as I can see so why not promote it in their email to me? 

Last week I stood looking at the free from section in the supermarket and stomped my feet like a petulant three year old. There are a handful of dairy and egg free products compared to the expanding range of GF foods. Is it just me being silly but have you noticed the new wave of GF foods are simply GF and do not cater for other allergies? The latest buzz on Twitter surrounds Heinz introducing GF products but can anyone tell me if they are free from other allergens? Unless I'm mistaken this information in not glaringly obvious on the press releases. You also don't hear high street restaurant chains promoting their egg and dairy free meals, they just market the GF ones. 

Perhaps I am being over sensitive. I am just rambling observations off the top of my head but I am curious, is anyone else feeling a little left out?

Sarah x

7 February 2013

Eco Egg Stain Remover
I completely forgot I had this product until the other day. I missed my mouth and ended up with curry sauce down my top. Panic ensued as trying to remove with warm soapy water did not do the trick. A quick rummage in the cupboard under the sink and hey presto I found Eco Egg stain remover. I completely forgot I had this product, I won it on Twitter last year.

It is very easy to use. You simply apply the paste to the stain, rub it in, leave for 10 minutes and wash the garment as normal. So did it work? Yes, to my surprise no more Tikka Masala sauce on my top. I did treat the stain immediately which may have helped. This stain remover is not tested on animals and formulated with non toxic, gentle, bio degradable ingredients. The company also works closely with Allergy UK and National Eczema Society.

I've been browsing the website looking at their other products. If you have allergies to washing detergents or want a more eco friendly way to do your laundry, take a look at the laundry egg. The egg goes into the washing machine and contains hypo-allergenic pellets. According to the website this lasts 720 washes and that works out to be 3p per wash. Check out the website if you want to learn more and I'm going to gloss over the fact that products are endorsed by Kim Woodburn :-)

Sarah x

13 January 2013

Meridian Free From Cooking Sauces
Disclaimer - PR samples, 100% my own opinions, links are not affiliate

You may remember before Christmas I wrote a review about Meridian Nut Butters. In that post I mentioned they had also sent a selection of Free From cooking sauces which included Free From Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Cooking Sauce; Free From Creamy Tomato and Herb Cooking Sauce; Free From Green Thai Cooking Sauce; Free From Korma Cooking Sauce; Free From Tikka Masala Cooking Sauce.

All of the Meridian sauces are vegan and free from gluten, wheat and milk (dairy). As you can see from my meals above we keep things simple by adding vegetables, tofu or meat substitutes to the sauces. I can honestly say we have enjoyed Meridian cooking sauces. I think it says a lot about the taste when my partner has happily enjoyed the meals with me as he does not have dietary restrictions. Each sauce is delicious and mild in spices, something I like as I have a delicate palate and can't take the heat. I would definitely re-purchase the Korma, Tikka Masala and Green Curry as these are sauces which are often not suitable for my allergies. It is lovely to be able to replicate takeaways at home because often I'm unable to eat out at Indian restaurants. 

If you would like to give Meridian cooking sauces and any of their other products look out for them in local stores or visit their website Meridian Foods.

Sarah x

4 December 2012

Applewood vegan cheese
Updated 2020

Vegan and dairy free 'cheese' has come a long way in recent years. It used to only be available in speciality health stores but now it's readily available in the supermarkets. There have been many new launches and I thought I share my personal favourites. Of course everyone's taste buds are different so I recommend shopping around and taste testing as many as you can.

Applewood Vegan - if you miss smoked cheese then this is the one for you, available in block or slices, it also melts like a dream, perfect for toasties 

Bute Island Sheese - available in block and spreadable, this is a brand that has stood the test of time, they now make own brand products for the supermarkets, my personal favourite is Creamy Sheese Garlic and Herb
Nush dairy free almond milk cheese
Nush Foods - Natural Almond Cheese Spread which is thick and creamy, perfect for crackers and bagels, plain (natural) is my favourite but also available in sweet chilli and chive flavours.

Violife - available in block, slices and grated forms, it's the Epic Mature which I enjoy the most for it's punchy flavour. I'll also eat the Original and Creamy versions.

Sarah x

29 November 2012

Food Allergens in Skin Care
As you know my blog centres around my eczema and allergies. I am lucky to have opportunities to test products but sometimes I have to turn them down because beauty products can contain my food allergens. For the first time ever I was questioned by a Company offering me a product containing one of my allergens. It may seem odd to refuse to test a hair styling product. However, I have to consider the percentage of product that I can absorb via my skin and if it could come in contact with my mouth (transference from hands if not washed immediately after use).

Pai Body Cream and Dr Organic Coconut range are off limits for me because they contain orange. If I consume oranges (or their relations like tangerine or mandarin) I get a rash and asthma. Let me tell you that for many years I suffered an itchy scalp even after switching to SLS free shampoo. When I was at my wits end I read the ingredients over and over again and the common factor between brands I had tried was orange. Once I switch to brands free from orange my scalp has rarely itched. It could be pure coincidence but it may not.

Most recently I have started to break out with eczema across my shoulders. For many years I have washed my hair over the bath as this limits the contact with eczema on my body. Out of laziness (and a sore back) I went back to washing it in the shower. I have been using Unique Nature Green Moisture Shampoo since September. When I blogged about it Dairy Free Baby & Me pointed out it contains Whey. Could the sudden outbreak of eczema be a reaction to this ingredient? Is it a coincidence?  Could I build up a reaction over time? It’s certainly food for thought (pun intended!).

When I had my skin prick test at 10 years old I have no idea whether any one said to my Parents I was to avoid my allergens in skin care. My Mum will tell you how sore my skin was when it came in contact with certain skin care but she wouldn't have checked ingredients. It's certainly something I have taken upon myself to do in recent years. It is just as important to me as avoiding as many synthetic ingredients as possible. Of course I am basing this on personal experience. I find it interesting that some natural brands promote being allergen free (Sophyto is Gluten free & Premae is free from 8 common allergens). 

If you are suffering from sensitivities and have food allergies it may be worth thinking outside the box and looking at the food ingredients you are putting onto your skin.  I would love to hear from others in the same position as me. I am fortunate to not have anaphylaxis as I imagine if you are then avoiding food allergens in your beauty routine is necessary. But for everyone else with milder reactions or intolerance, are you avoiding food allergens in skincare? Have you noticed reactions via your skin? Do you worry about products coming in contact with your mouth? (e.g. lip balms or face creams).

Sarah x

11 September 2012

I am heading to Rome in October and have been looking at Allergy Translation Cards. I am fairly well travelled and majority of the time I manage when it comes to the local cuisine. I have visited Italy (Milan) a few years ago and remember there was a big language barrier. For the life of me I cannot remember what I ate when I was there.  Italian food is delicious but not great when pizzas are loaded with cheese and pasta contains egg. It cross my mind that I want to be better prepared for this trip.

Allergy Translation Cards vary in price and there are some freebie options online.  You could use translate.google.com or bing.com/translator to create your own cards.  If you are not confident to do this, then check out my list of links below to websites offering this service. Allergy Translation Cards do vary in price so shop around.
  • www.dairyfree.me (free but only cater for dairy allergy and limited languages)
  • www.celiactravel.com (for Coeliacs these are free but the site asks you to consider a donation for the service)
  • www.allerglobal.com (you can create your own card free of charge)
  • www.allergyuk.org
  • www.dietarycard.com
  • www.yellowcross.co.uk
  • http://allergyaction.org
I hope this is handy for some of you. If you know of other sites or have a tip for travelling with allergies, please leave a comment below.  One thing I will be do is take with me allergy free snacks.

Sarah x


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