My Hair Fiasco
I only found out that I had a gluten sensitivity a year ago when my rheumatologist suggested I go sans gluten to help with my fibromyalgia and my constant vomiting/lack of appetite. I was doing great off gluten and the second I accidentally ate it again I had a pretty terrible allergic reaction with face swelling, severe itching, digestive issues, joint pain, the whole nine yards. This made it pretty clear that my body was not fond of it. I have been doing pretty well since changing my diet but still had mild symptoms of being 'glutened.' I was itchy all over to the point I scratched until I bled and I had pretty bad dandruff. My hair was thin, brittle and falling out. Along with all of that my skin was breaking out into rashes and we could not figure out why until I received gluten free/sulfate free/paraben free shampoo to try, in exchange for an honest review, from Influenster. (a website where you can test products completely free of charge in exchange for honest reviews! Join today its free and its worth it!) I started using the shampoo and my hair started growing back and the itching stopped! If anyone tells you that gluten cannot hurt you from skin contact they are wrong and I am living proof. Now let's move on to the products I've tested so far.
Soapbox Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner: $5.99 each
This shampoo is gluten free, sulfate free, paraben free and color safe along with everything listed above. They list all of the ingredients they use with descriptions on the F.A.Q. page on their website so you know EXACTLY what you are getting. The company also partners with SPLASH to provide one month's clean water to a needy country when you enter your hope code on your shampoo or conditioner bottle. So not only are you getting a great product you are helping the world.
As far as how I feel about the shampoo? I LOVE IT. Since using the shampoo my hair has started to grow back and is much healthier. No more brittle hair or breakage, just shiny healthy hair and scalp. No more itchiness and no more redness, I can't thank Influenster and soapbox for allowing me to test their shampoo. Its truly changed my life. My confidence level is so much higher now that I've got a lovely head of hair at 24 years old instead of a thinning brittle mess that shed constantly. Did I mention that it smells like drinking from a coconut on a tropical island? Buy now from their website or from your local Target.
I recently reviewed an eye gel from New York Biology that I absolutely loved, so when they contacted me to review the new formula I had to say yes! The ingredients on both are exactly the same, what is different is the formula and how it applies. Below I have photos of both formulas and I will go over the differences. I prefer the newer formula, I believe NYB did an amazing job at listening to their customers. They are a wonderful company and every product I've received has been top notch. The shipping is always fast, prime eligible and they are easy to contact. At this point in time, this eye gel is selling for $18.95. It is originally $36.95 so get it now if you plan to pick this one up!
The Verdict
The Old Formula as shown to the left has a more matte look to it. The consistency is thicker and more gel-like. It reminds me of the consistency of aloe vera, which makes sense as there is some in this product. When you apply this formula to your face it feels heavy until it sinks in and dries down. It feels soft and smooth to the touch when completely dried down. Almost velvety like a primer. The issue I had with the old formula was that the skin seemed to have a harder time soaking it in. It also seemed to make my under eyes feel much heavier.
The new formula, shown on the right, seemed to fix this issue and it does not feel like I have product under my eyes. The consistency is thiner, easier to work with and not as matte as the original. It felt much more like a clear cream than a true gel. When you put the product on it immediately sinks into the skin leaving a smooth finish. When it is dried down it feels light and the tiniest bit tacky. Which I like because I feel like it helps my other products stick to the skin under my eyes better. As far as getting rid of dark circles they both do a great job however, the newer formula is a bit better.
Final Thoughts
Overall NYB did an amazing overhaul of their very popular eye gel. I gave it 5 stars last time and it still deserves those 5 stars. If you are looking for a natural, anti-aging, eye gel you should really try this one out. I have their retinol cream I will be reviewing as well, so stay tuned for that. If you own any of this companies products please feel free to leave a comment and let me know how you felt about them. I hope you all have a wonderful fall weekend coming up!
These recipes are designed to be used during workouts only where you plan on sweating and losing electrolytes due to the high sodium/potassium content or if you have dysautonomia and want a healthier alternative to Gatorade. If you have POTS you can adjust the number of thermotabs in each recipe depending on your specific needs.
Mio Sports Drink
This sports drink is the most simple and can be made in one minute and just about anywhere. Depending on the flavoring you choose it can be all natural, organic, sugar-free, and zero calories.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 Thermotabs Salt Tablets
- Mio of your choice
- 32oz empty gatorade bottle
DIRECTIONS
Fill your container with water, break one thermotab into pieces over top of your bottle as it will crumble and throw it in. The add your mio flavoring and shake until well mixed. You will notice white flakes floating around and that's what you want, it's just the thermotabs. If any settles just shake before drinking.
Gym Ready Sports Drink
I call this the gym ready sports drink because of the many benefits it brings. You might notice it resembles the famous master cleanse drink. The thermotabs replenish your electrolytes lost while sweating. The cayenne pepper has joint pain relief properties as well as aids digestion, is detoxing and supports weight loss. The cinnamon also supports weight loss by boosting metabolism, is loaded with antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Lemon Juice flushes out toxins, helps replenish salts and helps reducing pain and inflammation in joints and knees as it dissolves uric acid. Honey is a great source of carbohydrates to keep your energy up during your workout as well as help muscle recovery afterward.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 Thermotabs Salt Tablets
- 4 Tbsp organic Lemon Juice
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 4 tbsp raw honey
- 30oz of water
- 32oz empty gatorade bottle
DIRECTIONS
Fill your container with water, break one thermotab into pieces over top of your bottle as it will crumble and throw it in. The add your lemon juice, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, honey and shake until well mixed. You will notice white flakes floating around and that's what you want, it's just the thermotabs. If any settles just shake again before drinking.
GLUTEN FREE- ALL NATURAL
ALLERGY WARNING: DAIRY
Helados Mexico is an all natural ice cream bar or Paleta company from California. They are gluten free, all natural, low calorie and I found these at Big Lots for only $3. They taste exactly like strawberry milk. Very creamy, very smooth but then there are slices of real strawberries mixed in that are very flavorful which I think goes really well. The ice cream just melts right in your mouth and by the end of it I wanted to eat the rest of the ones left in the box. It reminds me of being a kid and summertime rolled into a healthy ice cream bar. I really like that there are not artificial colors or flavors and that I can can understand the ingredients. The things I didn't like about it was that I wish there were more strawberries as well as a bit stronger of a strawberry flavor. Also I'd prefer real sugar to corn syrup personally so if you're not a fan of corn syrup these might not be your cup of tea.
