Just say No to tattoos :(

While I am happy it's been a long time since I've posted as that means it's been a long while since we've had an issue. But today, I'm back with an odd addition.

Temporary Tattoos ... go figure!

This particular brand is "Creative Options Temporary Glitter Tattoos". They are cute and fun and they were bought specifically as a "treat" in place of preservative riddled food. Never even crossed my mind that they'd be loaded with Artificial preservatives and Artificial colors that would be absorbed through her skin. (btw: total DUH + AGH moment!)

So, my girl applies 2 of these adorable tattoos and then off we go to celebrate a birthday of a friend. Of course, we head to the party with our own little goodie bag for Jessica with Horizon Organic Milk, 100% Natural Juicy Juice, All Natural Baked Lays potato chips & some Nature's Promise Teddy Grahams. What could go wrong?!

After a short time, I start to notice the telltale sign of red-rimmed eyelids & sunken looking eyes. Then the fidgeting starts...following shortly by a sharp-tongued snap at a fellow party-goer...completely out of character for my sweet & compassionate friend. As we return home spouting the typical: "Stop fussing" ... "Sit still" ... "Leave your brother alone" ... we also start with the: "Ok...so what did she eat or drink?!"

Shortly after I walk in the door of our house, contemplating what she might have gotten her hands on, I see it: "Ingredients: Acrylates/VA Copolymer, Ethyl Acetate, May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides,  FD&CYellow #5, Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue #1, Aluminum Lake, D&C Red #7, Calcium Lake"

facepalm

ps: Googling Aluminum Lake = some scary information...here's a few:

 http://www.naturalnews.com/034813_childrens_medicines_aluminum_pills.html

"Aluminum Lake food coloring, used to heavily coat liquid medicines for children, contains dangerous amounts of aluminum and harmful synthetic petrochemicals. These "petrochemicals" are carcinogens containing petroleum, antifreeze and ammonia, which cause a long list of adverse reactions. Aluminum poisoning can lead to short and long term central nervous system (CNS) damage, such as memory impairments, autism, epilepsy, mental retardation, and dementia.:

chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/todays-chemical/2009/7/7/fdc-yellow-5-aluminum-lake.html

"FD& C Yellow Aluminum Lake is known to be a reproductive toxin and hazardous to the nervous system. Also known as tartrazine, it's a suspected cause of asthma, dermatitis, and other allergic and inflammatory responses."

Nothing to see here...for now!

It surely has been a few months since writing and posting. But that I suppose is good news, as we have had some exquisite months with no food issues. We have been able to keep Jessica's diet nice and clean, even through the "sick months". We did run into the snafu of needing her to take antibiotics...but with the Dr and the Pharmacist's help, we got her the capsules instead of the pink liquid or the super-nasty tasting chewables.
 

The capsule casings do indeed have Coloring, yellow dye to be specific...but the medicine itself did not. Using yogurt or applesauce, we just emptied the capsules in, mixed and voilà...a pleasant 10 day experience vs dealing with "the monster".

So for now...we will leave it at that. Here's to an "incident-free" Summer!! :o)