Sunscreen, Revisited

Summertime is almost upon us! Hot temperatures and fun in the sun! That also means more sunscreen, and for a person allergic to Balsam of Peru, that can also sometimes mean a choice between protecting your skin against the sun using products that contain Balsam of Peru or frying. Not good choices!

I talked about sunscreen, last year, and I've come across some products along the way. So, let's revisit the issue of sunscreen. Everybody needs it, every day and especially in the summertime sun.

Here are some sunscreen products that I've found to be BOP-free:

http://www.vmvhypoallergenics.com/creammmy-rich-intensive-moisture-milk-15-for-dry-skin-sample-1.html

http://www.vmvhypoallergenics.com/armada-post-procedure-barrier-cream-51.html

http://www.imageskincare.com/collections/prevention

Now, let me state, the above three products are PRICEY! I have not used the first two, personally, but their ingredient lists do seem to be okay to use with a BOP allergy. However, I do want to note that I've used Image Skincare Daily Defense Matte Moisturizer SPF30 personally, with great success and no flare-ups. My only complaint with the Image Skincare Daily Defense Matte Moisturizer SPF30 is that you need to really rub it in and let it soak into the skin before going into the water. Otherwise, it'll come right off as soon as you get into the water.

Quite by accident, I came across Banana Boat Natural Reflect Sunscreen Lotion Kids SPF 50+. Guess what? It's doesn't contain BOP AND it's economical at $11/4 oz.! I happened to buy some of this on sale, for my daughter to use. While slathering it onto her skin, I looked at the ingredients and was pleasantly surprised to find that it didn't seem to contain BOP/benzoates/fragrance. YAYAY! I also like that it's naturally-derived and sourced. My only complaint about Banana Boat Natural Reflect Sunscreen Lotion Kids SPF 50+ is that it can appear chalky on darker skins. Otherwise, Banana Boat Natural Reflect Sunscreen Lotion Kids SPF 50+ is a win for those suffering from an allergy to Balsam of Peru and/or benzoates!

Toothpaste- Reader Suggestion

Reader Kate wrote to me recently regarding BOP-free toothpaste. She, herself is allergic to Balsam of Peru and she pointed me in the direction of VMV Hypoallergenics ESSENCE SKIN-SAVING TOOTHPASTE. While I haven't personally tested it out, the list of ingredients do seem to be BOP-free. YAY! The same company also seems to have lots of other BOP-free friendly toiletries and make-up.

Have you tried the VMV Hypoallergenics? If so, what do you think? I'd love to know!

Moist Meatloaf

I love meatloaf. However, it's time consuming and heats up your kitchen with it's hour-long baking time. It's calorie-laden. Often, when you order it at a restaurant, it's smothered in ketchup (yuck!) or tomato sauce (BOP no-no!). And, for our family, it usually has eggs in it and our little one can't eat eggs. So, because of all of those reasons (and then some!), it's been a really, really, really long time since I've had meatloaf.

Today was a new day! Today, I made meatloaf (sans eggs!) and it was delicious! It was moist! We all had seconds! Never mind that the kitchen thermometer read 80 degrees while it was cooking (and the AC was cranking)! I'm definitely making this one again!

Ingredients:
1 onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
Olive Oil to coat the bottom of the pan
1lb. ground turkey
2 Tbl. ground flax seed soaked in 6 Tbl. water for 5 minutes
4 oz. dried bread crumbs (I used Progresso Italian Style Panko- BOP friendly!)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Saute olive oil, onions and peppers until clear and tender. Add to ground turkey, flax seed mixture and bread crumbs. Be sure to use a big mixing bowl and don't be afraid to get in there with your hands. Shape into a loaf and cook for 45 mins. to 1 hour at 350 degrees F. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes and some veggies for a truly comforting meal!

Sunscreen

Summer temperatures are upon us and with an upcoming vacation to the Carribbean, my thoughts have been focused on packing, the beach and sun protection. Specifically, sunscreen. Besides fragrance being a big no-no to those of us with sensitive skin (and almost every single one smells fruity, coconut-y, tropical, etc., etc.), sunscreen without the use of BOP and/or benzoates is near-impossible to find!


Did you know Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, SPF 70 contains 6% Oxybenzone? Did you know that Vanicream Sunscreen contains Alkyl Benzoate? Beware of the term "AVO" in the indredient list- it translates to avobenzone, another type of benzoate.


After doing a little research on the internet, I did come up with the following information:


-Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide are natural sunblocks. Not only would this be worth looking into if you are allergic to BOP/benzoates, but it might be a good alternative if you are afraid of those scary reports floating around about mass-produced, chemically-charged sunscreen products mimicking estrogen in young girls and causing cancer in others. Just saying...


-While I have not personally tried these products, I did find that Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Sensitive, SPF 30 and Fallene Face Cotz Water-Resistant Sun Protection claim to be free of fragrance, hypo-allergenic and appear to be free of benzoates.


Other than that, may I suggest, a wide-brimmed hat, shade, sunglasses and limited sun exposure for your next outdoor adventure, this summer....?!

"Paraben-Free"

Being allergic to Balsam of Peru and Benzoates means that makeup can be an issue. As a women, it's a hard pill to swallow (and a bit of vanity) to realize that looking your best (and best for your skin!) actually means not wearing any makeup at all!

I recently read in July 2012 issue of Women's Day that "Parabens- methylparaben or BENZylparaben- are artificial preservatives added to products to keep bacteria in check and increase shelf life."  That means, that using a beauty product with the ingredient "PARABEN" could actually contain benzoates...! Ladies, beware!

After a quick internet search, I found that Almay Pure Blends claims to be paraben-free. On the higher end of the spectrum, Sephora has paraben-free products. I found The Paraben Free Beauty Expert with a long list of beauty items that are paraben-free.

So, in conclusion, I would recommend  research what goes into not only your food, by your beauty products, as well!! Stay away from fragrances, dyes and parabens- your skin will thank you!

Swanson's Beef Broth

The weather in the Carolinas is cool and fallish. For me, that means it's perfect weather for a warm, comforting bowl of soup. French onion soup is one of my favorites, so my hubby and I set out to make it for dinner, tonight. While he was watching the little one, I went to the store for onions and beef broth. Guess what I found out? Swanson's Beef Broth (both regular and low sodium) contains tomato paste!! However, the store brand did not contain any tomatoes, benzoates or vinegar, so I bought that one (Food Lion My Essentials Brand). Goes to show- you never know where BOP will be lurking. READ. THOSE. LABELS!

Colgate Cavity Protection- Regular Flavor

Every since my first attempt at making homemade toothpaste, I've been on the search for regularly manufactured, better tasting toothpaste. Baking soda and coconut oil just weren't cutting it for me. While my teeth felt clean, it was horrible tasting and made me dread brushing my teeth. As far as I know, Colgate Cavity Protection, regular flavor, does not contain sodium benzoates. It is not minty in flavor and it has fluoride and tastes MUCH better than the homemade stuff.

Vanicream Cleansing Bar

I've been a little absent from this blog, as of late, but we were on vacation, then getting back from vacation and well, you know how it goes...

Anyway, typically, whenever I go away for any extended amount of time, my skin starts to act up because I'm away from my fragrance free, hypoallergenic, BOP environment. You can't always dictate exactly what you are eating or bring your own bar of soap into public restrooms.

This time, however, my skin did pretty well, all things considered. We joined my sister's family and my parents at the beach for a week in the sun, sand and surf. We took turns cooking, went out to eat occasionally and had fun relaxing. I made sure to bring things along that we could eat (oatmeal, veggie sticks, homemade bread, etc.) but was pretty lax about my eating habit in general during the week- hey, it's vacation, after all!

I brought along my own shampoo and soap. Which brings me to the main topic of this blog post; I brought along one bar of Vanicream cleansing bar for two weeks of vacation (after the beach, I went home with my parents for another week of vacation at home). If you haven't tried the Vanicream cleansing bar, you really must. It's soapy and lathery and I really felt like it cleaned well. The ingredients are all safe to use for those avoiding BOP (or any sensitive skin types, in general). I actually liked the bar better than the liquid cleanser by the same company. My only complaint would be that the bar does diminish quickly (hence the rich lather, I suppose). However, thanks to this bar of soap, my skin felt pretty good during and after vacation.

Food Should Taste Good- Sweet Potato Chips

http://www.foodshouldtastegood.com/#/sweet_potato/

Have you tried these chips from Food Should Taste Good? These sweet potato chips are DELICIOUS and quite addictive. The ingredient list is simple (Corn, Sunflower oil, Sweet Potato, Corn Bran, Cane Juice and Sea Salt) and best of all, BOP free! So, next time you are invited to a cook-out or BBQ, be sure to bring some of these tasty chips along!

Pancake Breakfast

Saturday mornings are made for pancakes around our household. Specifically, pancakes made by my hubby and animal-shaped pancake connoisseur. When our daughter was recently diagnosed with a soy, egg and nut allergy, all thoughts of Saturday morning pancakes went out the window. Between the fact that most commercially made breakfast syrups (Aunt Jemima, Mrs. Butterworth, Log Cabin) contain sodium benzoate (personal no-no) as a preservative and pancake mixes typically need eggs and/or contain soy, pancakes are just not feasible anymore.

That is, until I found Pioneer Brand no-fat pancake mix! I found it right by the other pancake mixes and it requires no eggs, has no eggs in it and no sodium benzoate! So, top with fresh fruit (non-citrus, of course!) and pancake breakfasts are back in business!

Planter's Nut-rition Heart Healthy Bars

Have you tried the new Planters' Nut-trition heart healthy cranberry almond bars? 160 calories and 3 grams of fiber, this bar is BOP-free! Woo hoo!

Kashi Blueberry Waffles

Have you tried the new Kashi frozen Blueberry waffles, yet? They contain 23 grams of whole grains AND the don't contain any BOP ingredients! Two waffles are 150 calories. They are hearty, healthy, contain real blueberries that I can see (and don't need a microscope to find) and delicious! Due to the fact that many syrups contain BOP ingredients, I topped mine with more frozen blueberries. Yum!