In my Christmas stocking this year I received two Organique products from my parents, toothpaste and face wash. I had never seen the brand before but my mom picked it up at the Mustard Seed near to our home in Cleveland. The website is working on it's Store Locator right now which should be up soon. It has received the Whole Foods Market Premium Body Care seal of approval so I'm sure I'll be able to find it at both of our Austin-area locations.
Since being diagnosed I've been a fan of the pink Tom's of Maine toothpaste but was more than willing to try something new...and I love it! It tastes almost like regular toothpaste (more so than others that have a chalky taste) and the face wash is very refreshing and clean feeling. So far, I've been converted.
Other products include:
- Amla & Holy Basil Conditioner
- Volumizing Shampoo
- Hydrating Shampoo
- Rejuvenating Shampoo
- Exfoliating Walnut & Wood Apple
- Nourishing Night Cream
- Nourishing Face Moisturizing Lotion
- Neem & Turmeric Face Wash
- Invigorating Face Wash
- Hydrating Face Wash
- Soothing Lotus Flower LipCare
- Revitalizing Hand & Body Lotion
- Rejuvenating Body & Massage Oil
- Stress Free Body & Massage Oil
- Purifying Neem & Turmeric Handcrafted Cleansing Bar
- Refreshing Lavender & Rosemary Handcrafted Cleansing Bar
- i.e. balm (inhale ~ exhale)
- U-Knead-It Balm
- Toothpaste
- Intensive Moisturizing FootCare Cream
In addition to having an extensive collection of personal care products, all of their products are gluten-free and they boast that all of the products are free from over 200 synthetic ingredients. I suggest you give it a try!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
G-Free Success: Cruisin' with Royal Caribbean!
As most of you know, traveling instills fear in those of us with special diets. The unknown of each day's schedule, the reliance on a staff of international waiters and the general complications involved with finding food in a foreign country can all cause anxiety on what should be a relaxing escape from real life.
Prior to agreeing to a week-long Caribbean cruise I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't be stressed out and struggling the entire time. I read blogs, researched the cruise line and reached out to customer service multiple times in order to ensure that my digestive system would be safe in their hands. I felt convinced that they knew what it was and would make my meals a priority so I agreed to a fun-filled vacay with classmates on Royal Caribbean to Cozumel, Belize and Costa Maya.
First off, I must say it was the BEST decision I've made. I didn't get sick AT ALL! The first day was a little challenging because I hadn't met with the waitstaff yet so that dinner was a little tough but from that point on I felt like I had my own staff of personal assistants to make sure that every meal pleased me.
There were two main dining areas on the ship that we stuck to. This was the dining room that was open for breakfast and dinner (and a couple days lunch) and the Windjammer Cafe which was a buffet open for all meals. The first thing we did after boarding was walk down to the dining room where I was able to find a waiter and get the names of some individuals who would help me. I would definitely suggest asking for a Head Waiter or a Floor Manager on the first day, because once I found Tolga my life became so much easier. He made sure to show me the menus for the next days meals every night at dinner, as well as came to check on me when I arrived for that meal the next day. They made me gluten-free chocolate chip pancakes and omelets special for breakfast, gluten-free fries for snacks and a wide variety of meals tailored from the dinner menu to be gluten-free each night. Dinners included steak, chicken and rice, gluten-free spaghetti, chicken marsala, turkey...you name it...they even baked me gluten-free bread to have every night while the others enjoyed the massive tray of breads that they walked around with. In addition, once they found a dessert I could have they surprised me with it multiple times.
Please note: I did bring my own salad dressing and I would definitely recommend that because just being able to carry it around opens up your options at all of the food stations.
As far as the buffet (Windjammer Cafe) that was much easier than I thought as well. The Head Waiters are easy to pick out with their official outfits so I would simply walk up to them, they would call a chef down, and the chef would walk me around the entire buffet pointing out everything that was and was not safe for me. They were more than willing to bring me gluten-free fries special as well. Most days I stuck with salad, ribs, rice...but they also had quite a few vegetable options as well as chicken and pork dishes that I could have. I couldn't believe how quick and attentive they were as soon as I asked for help, wow.
The one challenge that I did run into was the port days where there were all day excursions that extended through lunch. On top of not trusting food in a jungle cafe to begin with, I didn't want to chance getting sick in the middle of cave tubing or zip lining so I avoided these meals and snacks. Luckily, I did bring snacks with me onto the ship and was able to sneak them onto land with me (they say you can't take food off the boat, oops!). My go-to snacks were Think Thin bars and almonds which got me through (in addition to Cashew Wine and tequila) so it wasn't the end of the world. Luckily, my big breakfasts lasted most of the day.
I definitely give the cruise line an A+ for their efforts and am happy to report that my cruising days are not over! I can't believe how much fun I've had and want to thank my traveling companions as well for being so patient and helpful at meals as well. I would recommend cruising with Royal Caribbean to anyone with a gluten-free lifestyle :)
Prior to agreeing to a week-long Caribbean cruise I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't be stressed out and struggling the entire time. I read blogs, researched the cruise line and reached out to customer service multiple times in order to ensure that my digestive system would be safe in their hands. I felt convinced that they knew what it was and would make my meals a priority so I agreed to a fun-filled vacay with classmates on Royal Caribbean to Cozumel, Belize and Costa Maya.
First off, I must say it was the BEST decision I've made. I didn't get sick AT ALL! The first day was a little challenging because I hadn't met with the waitstaff yet so that dinner was a little tough but from that point on I felt like I had my own staff of personal assistants to make sure that every meal pleased me.
There were two main dining areas on the ship that we stuck to. This was the dining room that was open for breakfast and dinner (and a couple days lunch) and the Windjammer Cafe which was a buffet open for all meals. The first thing we did after boarding was walk down to the dining room where I was able to find a waiter and get the names of some individuals who would help me. I would definitely suggest asking for a Head Waiter or a Floor Manager on the first day, because once I found Tolga my life became so much easier. He made sure to show me the menus for the next days meals every night at dinner, as well as came to check on me when I arrived for that meal the next day. They made me gluten-free chocolate chip pancakes and omelets special for breakfast, gluten-free fries for snacks and a wide variety of meals tailored from the dinner menu to be gluten-free each night. Dinners included steak, chicken and rice, gluten-free spaghetti, chicken marsala, turkey...you name it...they even baked me gluten-free bread to have every night while the others enjoyed the massive tray of breads that they walked around with. In addition, once they found a dessert I could have they surprised me with it multiple times.
Please note: I did bring my own salad dressing and I would definitely recommend that because just being able to carry it around opens up your options at all of the food stations.
As far as the buffet (Windjammer Cafe) that was much easier than I thought as well. The Head Waiters are easy to pick out with their official outfits so I would simply walk up to them, they would call a chef down, and the chef would walk me around the entire buffet pointing out everything that was and was not safe for me. They were more than willing to bring me gluten-free fries special as well. Most days I stuck with salad, ribs, rice...but they also had quite a few vegetable options as well as chicken and pork dishes that I could have. I couldn't believe how quick and attentive they were as soon as I asked for help, wow.
The one challenge that I did run into was the port days where there were all day excursions that extended through lunch. On top of not trusting food in a jungle cafe to begin with, I didn't want to chance getting sick in the middle of cave tubing or zip lining so I avoided these meals and snacks. Luckily, I did bring snacks with me onto the ship and was able to sneak them onto land with me (they say you can't take food off the boat, oops!). My go-to snacks were Think Thin bars and almonds which got me through (in addition to Cashew Wine and tequila) so it wasn't the end of the world. Luckily, my big breakfasts lasted most of the day.
I definitely give the cruise line an A+ for their efforts and am happy to report that my cruising days are not over! I can't believe how much fun I've had and want to thank my traveling companions as well for being so patient and helpful at meals as well. I would recommend cruising with Royal Caribbean to anyone with a gluten-free lifestyle :)
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Best year yet for gluten-free...and for the g-free me
With each new year we sit down and reflect, while also thinking about what we hope to accomplish in the year to come. In 2011 I was able to grow my blog and Twitter followers, start writing a book about my experiences coping with Celiac and begin the process of creating the company G-Free in the City. With all of these things underway I have a lot to finish up and move forward with in 2012.
Although it is a lofty goal, I do hope to finish up my e-book and self-publish by the end of the year. If you are thinking...how is Jaime going to write a book...I'm asking myself the same question! I'll figure it out though with some help from friends and support from my own gluten-free community.
On top of that I really hope to get an internship in the industry so I can learn from others who have worked with food and nutrition in the "real world". That process has already begun and let's just cross our fingers that I get a great position with inspiring individuals.
As far as my gluten-free challenges and troubles, my goal this year is to continue to share my stories and share with others to learn how they get through each day. I've learned so much from those I follow on Twitter and through the websites and blogs that I read, and I'm so thankful for how tight-knit the Celiac community really is.
Finally, I will try to cook more. If you know me this is probably the hardest of all to accomplish!
Not only am I setting goals for this year, but so are Celiac patients nationwide. We are all pushing for the FDA to finally pass some gluten-free labeling regulations (hopefully in Q3) and for even more manufacturers to realize that this market is not only here to stay but growing every year. The steps the medical community has taken this year are making it easier to diagnose and pinpoint gluten sensitivities and for that I want to support them in anyway possible. All that is related to gluten sensitivities is growing at a pace unseen since the beginning of the vegetarian craze, so jump on board!
Happy New Year!!
Although it is a lofty goal, I do hope to finish up my e-book and self-publish by the end of the year. If you are thinking...how is Jaime going to write a book...I'm asking myself the same question! I'll figure it out though with some help from friends and support from my own gluten-free community.
On top of that I really hope to get an internship in the industry so I can learn from others who have worked with food and nutrition in the "real world". That process has already begun and let's just cross our fingers that I get a great position with inspiring individuals.
As far as my gluten-free challenges and troubles, my goal this year is to continue to share my stories and share with others to learn how they get through each day. I've learned so much from those I follow on Twitter and through the websites and blogs that I read, and I'm so thankful for how tight-knit the Celiac community really is.
Finally, I will try to cook more. If you know me this is probably the hardest of all to accomplish!
Not only am I setting goals for this year, but so are Celiac patients nationwide. We are all pushing for the FDA to finally pass some gluten-free labeling regulations (hopefully in Q3) and for even more manufacturers to realize that this market is not only here to stay but growing every year. The steps the medical community has taken this year are making it easier to diagnose and pinpoint gluten sensitivities and for that I want to support them in anyway possible. All that is related to gluten sensitivities is growing at a pace unseen since the beginning of the vegetarian craze, so jump on board!
Happy New Year!!
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