The Relentless Winter and What to Do

It is the end of March and it snowed overnight last week.  I have given in to television and devices for most of this winter.  After all, I was in my own mourning of the glimmering California sunshine and hot temperatures they have experienced this winter.  I knew, though, that we had to find other inside activities to do to as this relentless winter doesn't seem to end.

As I was checking out Pinterest as I regularly do, I found a tie dye activity I thought my daughter would get excited about. I was excited too, because there would be less mess to clean up than the usual way of tie dying (it's fun too).   

By the way, did I mention I love Pinterest.  There are so many exciting delectable food temptations, fashion and craft ideas to explore. There are things I would not have discovered if it wasn't for this avenue of the Internet.  Here's my Pinterest page, come check it out.  

For this tie dye project, all you need is a t-shirt, Sharpies (permanent-not fabric Sharpies), rubber bands, rubbing alcohol and a couple of cups.  for this Fire Works shirt.  She tied the shirt around rubber bands on to a plastic water bottle (we cut in half).  In this way she was able to contain her design to the diameter of the cup.  Here's a Sharpie Tie-dye link on Pinterest. 

I love that my daughter is very creative.  I think she did a great job!

This project may not fall under the category of scent free because of the rubbing alcohol and if you have a sensitive sniffer like mine you will probably smell the odor of the Sharpies.  So it will be best to work in an area that is well ventilated or open windows if you are not still in temperatures under 40 degrees like we are. Have fun and do your best to be savvy and scent free. 

Gluten and Allergen Free Expo in Schaumburg, Il April 12-13, 2014

Do you have food allergies and intolerances or suspect that you have food allergies? I recently saw an advertisement in the Ultra Foods sales flyer for the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo in Schaumburg, Illinois April 12-13, 2014.  Schaumburg is just outside of Chicago, Illinois.

It can be upsetting to stand inside the grocery store deciding what you can or cannot eat, reading and dissecting food labels. After all, eating is not just a occasional past time.  Food is basic to our human survival.  However, when we feel that the food we eat is fighting against us and we play this continuous food game of Russian roulette, eating becomes a chore not a pleasure.

Last year in March 2013, I had the opportunity to attend the Natural Products Expo in Los Angeles as a media blogger.  It was fun, very insightful and informative.  I was able to move forward in my quest for soy free, dairy free and gluten free eating with many ideas spinning in my head. (See photo below of my haul of some soy free bars.)

So when I saw the  advertisement yesterday, I jumped at the opportunity to apply and attend as a blogger.  This event is open to the public.  If you are struggling to make the adjustment to gluten free or allergen free eating, this event may be your answer.  Usually at events like these you can sample and taste products you have been reluctant to purchase.

Check out http://gfafexpo.com for tickets and attend the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo in Schaumburg, Il April 12-13, 2014.

Cleaning Scent-Free Savvy Style

Thick smoke filled the air.  I was making syrup for my daughter's french toast.  As usual, I started cooking and walked away from the stove.  I got distracted, smelled smoke and ran downstairs.  There it was, I burned another cooking skillet.  I mean I really burned the skillet with hot cane sugar, butter and jam. The syrup harden to a thick black substance. Oh no! I also now have to admit to my husband I burned another pan.  This was not the first time this scene played out in our household.  Usually I can save the pan, but this time even I was doubtful.  I posted the pan on Instagram and Facebook. I received many suggestions.  I has already put baking soda and white distilled vinegar on it.  These are my main go-to cleaning ingredients.

One person told me to use Bar Keeper's Friend.  I love Bar Keeper's Friend.  I use it to clean our white porcelain sink, tub and stainless steel pans and surfaces, however, I thought this was beyond its ability to clean this mess.  Another friend told me to warm the pan in the oven, spray oven cleaner on it and place it back in the warm oven for the designated time to heat the oven cleaner.   It sounded like a good idea only I knew I would not be able to tolerate the intense odor of the oven cleaner.   I decided to heat the pan with the baking soda, vinegar and lemon solution.  I then placed the pan on the stove and heated it.  To my surprise, it lifted most of the thick black burnt substance  (see second photo), I scraped the black pieces of burnt syrup with a spoon/butter knife.  I topped off my cleaning with Bar Keeper's Friend and juice from a lemon.  Yeah! I saved my Rachel Ray's skillet.  See the results below.

Join the Scent and Fragrance Allergy Board

I created a fragrance allergy board on Facebook.  This group was created out of the support and assistance I have received from the Facebook Soy Allergy Group. I found that many that with soy allergies are also allergic or intolerant to fragrance. So as not to interfere or go off topic of the soy allergy, I saw the need for a group to do same as that group has done for me that is to assist others cope with this challenge. This new group is the "Scent and Fragrance Allergy Board".  
 
This group is to encourage others confronted with this fragrance allergies or sensitivities. Whether you suffer with fragrance allergies or are a supporter of a friend, family member or colleague with this challenge please openly vent your frustrations, share your joys, tips, successes and fragrance free products with others of like challenges. 

If you would like to be added go to "Scent and Fragrance Allergy Board" and ask to be added.