Allergic Living’s 2010 Gift Guide

Gifts for Adults – Page 3 of 4

Tested and True

Give him the gift of smooth skin with Pre and Post Shaving Cream from Proraso. Formulated by and for Italian barbers, natural ingredients like green tea and aloe help prevent irritation. $10 at Shoppers Drug Mart. www.proraso.com

Pamper Him

Got a guy with dry and sensitive skin? Help to him reach the awkward spots with the Bamboo Bristle Bath Brush from EcoTools, created from sustainable wood and cruelty-free nylon bristles. $8.98 at Wal-Mart. Just add some manly, unscented moisturizer.

Pamper Her

Finer than cashmere, Qiviut, from the muskox, is the rarest and softest wool on Earth. Women from the Oomigmak Women’s Co-op in Alaska gather sheddings, which are spun into lanoline-free yarn, and then knit into non-irritating, luxurious scarves, hats and sweaters. $245+ US at www.qiviut.com and www.qiviuk.com

Page Turner

Our approach to allergies, asthma and celiac disease is always a positive one: learn how to live with it, not suffer from it. That’s why we don’t mind suggesting a subscription to Allergic Living as a great gift for you, a friend, family member or a teacher at your child’s school. As low as $18 for one year, with best prices on two-year subscriptions. www.allergicliving.com

Safe Sandwiches

We know giving an appliance for a gift can land you in the dog house.
But with the Professional Food Slicer from Cuisinart you’re genuinely trying to make her (or his) life easier. Makes school lunches a breeze: can slice bread, deli meats and more. $129.99 at The Bay, Home Outfitters, Canadian Tire, Sears, and London Drugs. www.cuisinart.ca

Pack Smart

Who won’t love the Eco Friendly Insulated Cooler Tote Bag? Ideal for packing safe food over the holidays or for all-year round activities like picnics, school activities, sports and more. Keeps food hot or cold. PVC free. Base opens flat when packed. $23.25 US from www.keepyourcooler.com.

Travel Companion

For trips that take you farther away from home, we love the Carry-All Kitchen. This package comes in a zippered tote bag and has 85 pieces that make cooking while out of town easy. Yes, it even has a kitchen sink! Don’t believe us? Go to www.nutritionforyourcondition.com $149.99

Peace of Mind

For the business man or woman on the go, how about the Portable Cutlery Set from www.thetickletrunk.com. Comes with a spoon, fork and set of chopsticks (which come in two pieces each) in a stylish container he or she can throw in a purse or briefcase. Clean cutlery, all the time. $6, makes a great stocking stuffer.

Delicate Scents

If perfume usually has her seeing stars, we suggest Rocky Mountain Soap’s Natural Perfume. 100 per cent natural and free of sulphates, synthetic parabens, phthalates and petrochemicals. As with any new perfume, test on small area first to make sure it doesn’t irritate your skin. Available in three scents. $28.99 for 10 mL bottle at www.rockymountainsoap.com

Dairy-Free Cookbook

Author Alisa Marie Fleming, well-known for her website Godairyfree.org, brings us Go Dairy-Free: The Guide and Cookbook and what particularly impresses is the depth of the former. This is no quick gloss-over: it’s a comprehensive, must-have resource for those avoiding dairy. $19.95 from Amazon.com. Also available as an e-book on www.chapters.indigo.ca

Dine in Style

If you have to bring your own lunch, you might as well carry it in style. A great gift for allergic people on-the-go, Bento Box Sets from Laptop Lunches come with five inner containers, all-stainless utensils and The Laptop Lunch User’s Guide. BPA-, lead- and phthalate-free. Containers are dishwasher safe. $26 at www.laptoplunches.com. Also check their retailer locator for a store near you.

Ultra-Chic

Eco-friendly goes stylish. Recycled Magazine Handbags are made from European and Asian fashion magazines. Covered in salvaged plastic, they’re waterproof. Shown: “Porsha” for $79 at www.urthbags.com.

Safe and Stylish

Just the ticket for allergies or celiac: Joseph Joseph’s set of four colour-coded cutting boards and matching knives. Sleek-looking and chops down that risk of cross-contamination. $84 at www.amazon.ca or .com

Next Page: Gifts for the Host/Hostess