SNOW DAZE!

Here we go again...another snow day! As creativity begins to wane after surviving several of these cozy cooped-up days, don't forget about that old reliable - playdough. While it may not have been an option in the past due to the wheat content in the Crayola version, behold Colorations Wheat and Gluten-Free Dough! Sold exclusively on-line at www.discountschoolsupply.com, this British import comes in 8 vibrant colors. As listed on their site, this product does not contain Dairy, Casein, Egg, Gluten, Latex, Peanut or Tree Nuts. Keep a few tubs on hand and bring on the snow!
***Other Coloration dough products sold on the site as well so make sure to stick with the Gluten-Free version. Contact company directly for allergen information.

SHAKE IT, SHAKE IT BABY!

With the sight of snow falling for several days now, this seems an apropos post! It's a simple "secret", yet yields an abundance of satisfaction. Stock up on some confectioners sugar and fill up a shaker. Shake atop a warm plate of allergy friendly waffles, brownies, apple cinnamon cake...the list goes on (especially in Sophie Safe Cooking). With just a few shakes, take the ordinary to the sublime - and look like a pro!

SHARK ATTACK!

One of the greatest joys in life is reconnecting with dear friends, which I was lucky enough to do last week. And a very unexpected and added perk to my visit was learning about the Shark Steam Mop! I have been on a one-woman mission these past few weeks to become as knowledgeable as I can about the underlying causes of my son's allergies, eczema and asthma. While I am so grateful to "manage" his care, my goal now is to try to eliminate them at their root. Lofty a goal as it is, it feels good to be proactive. And one step I have taken joyfully is to bring the Shark Steam Mop into our home. Just plug it in, fill up the steamer with tap water, wait 3o seconds for the Shark to heat up, and clean away any sealed hard floor surfaces - the Shark "tackles tough grime, stubborn dirt, scuff marks, sticky messes and muddy footprints and features s a 10 1/2-inch cleaning path and leaves floors virtually dry." Just wash the pads after use in the washing machine in their own load and the Shark is ready again. Best part of all, "there's no refills or toxic, messy chemicals required making it environmentally friendly". Additional pads are sold separately and come with colored tabs to dedicate to specific rooms (bathroom, kitchen, etc.). Removing toxic chemicals from the home may not be the cure, but it's a step in the right direction!