You think watching food labels is hard?
If you ever want to know how good you have it, go spend time with someone with extreme food allergies. Not just “I think I’ll buy gluten-free bread this month” but an all-out, label-watching, restaurant-avoiding, “what’s the source of Vitamin E in that skin care product?” type of lifestyle. Every day.
A customer posed that question a couple weeks ago since the soap we sell contains Vitamin E (she had a valid concern… most Vitamin E is made from wheat germ.)
Thankfully, a quick answer from my soap maker took care of that: “the Vitamin E we use is from naturally grown sunflower seeds and is non-gmo and gluten free.” Whew!
But I feel this woman’s pain.
If wheat and gluten based ingredients trigger your inflammatory skin conditions (dermatitis), you may need to watch for certain words on your cosmetic and skin care product labels. Avoid ingredients like
- Wheat germ
- Hydrolyzed wheat protein
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- Avena sativa (oats found commonly in lotions)
- Triticum aestivum (another name for wheat)
- Click here for much more information
Thankfully, we keep our ingredient list on almost all of our products short… as in, fewer than 5 ingredients type of short. And, because our products are not water based, they don’t require preservatives, we keep out the cheap ingredient fillers, and we don’t think you should walk around smelling like something called Midnight Passion, it makes our job a whole lot easier. Which is great if you have allergies.
Note: if you fall into the category of strict ingredient-watching, I can confidently recommend most all of our products. However, I haven’t researched the possible wheat association with a few of our lip balms that contain fragrance oils. They are safe and free of phthalates, but if you prefer scent, stick with the essential oil based lip balms, or better yet, just go with the natural.
This brings me to this week’s giveaway:
Last month, I attended a book signing and talk by Danielle Walker of Against All Grain, and Melissa Hartwig of Whole30. Although they have strikingly different backgrounds, both are choosing a grain-free lifestyle. In Danielle’s case, she was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, an autoimmune disease, when she was 22 years old. For those if you who struggle with a skin condition that’s triggered by an allergy or autoimmune disease, go follow Danielle. Her recipes are delicious, do-able, and completely grain-free. Join her weekly Facebook Live shows on Tuesdays. Her book is one of the prizes in this week’s giveaway.
FEBRUARY 8-14 FREEBIES!
This week: grab a FREE Against All Grain-inspired Mint Chip Lip Balm on any order. Add one to your cart and use code “mintchip” at check out. This recipe was inspired by Danielle’s Mint Chip Ice Cream recipe on page 282 of her first cookbook, Against All Grain. The lip balm ingredients are: cocoa butter, beeswax, coconut oil, avocado oil, peppermint essential oil and menthol.
Any MadeOn order placed between now and February 15th that exceeds $50 receives a free copy of Baker’s Dozen Chocolate Treats: Coconut Flour Baked Goods (retail $7.99) No need for a code. You’ll automatically receive the download link after placing your order.
Giveaway #2: Against All Grain Cookbook+ $50
Delectable Paleo Recipes to Eat Well & Feel Great
It’s February! We’re launching a Love Your Skin month of cookbook and gift certificate giveaways. Each week we’ll feature a different prize.
Week 2: Feb 8-14
Why cookbooks?
Because healthy skin starts from the inside out. And because cookbooks like Danielle’s of Against All Grain will get you on the right track to clean your diet and help your skin.
This week’s Prize: Against All Grain cookbook {+$50 MadeOn cash}
Danielle’s game changer moment: “After a few years of suffering, multiple hospitalizations, and doctors telling me that what I ate wasn’t a factor in my disease, I decided to take matters into my own hands and drastically change my diet. After 5 years of eating this way and experiencing triumphs and setbacks with my health, a lot of research, and simply listening to my own body, I have concluded that every one is different and our bodies all react differently to various foods. If there is one thing I can recommend, it is to watch your symptoms closely and do what is right for you.” (Danielle’s words)
What does this cookbook include?
Mouthwatering photos for most of the recipes
A page of paleo and SCD guidelines (Specific Carbohydrate Diet)
Most of the recipes are at least one of the following: egg-free, nut-free, SCD, or vegan
A page showing images of 4 different animals, outlining which cut of meat each section is called, along with a $$ to show how expensive or cheap that particular cut of meat is.
How does following these recipes help the skin?
I realize that there isn’t a one size fits all remedy for skin issues. But I can’t help going back to giving food a shot, because it’s usually an improvement in one’s diet to cut out certain potential triggers. In addition to pursuing reliable resources online, much can be gained by studying the anecdotal evidence from those who have tried it. Scrolling through the comments on this page, so many moms came to tell Danielle how this cookbook helped their child (usually a son) overcome his mood, behavior and health. Eczema and other skin conditions were mentioned again and again.
Enter the Giveaway Here before February 14th