As a vegan girl myself, I found some of the finer things in
life harder to give up than cheese! The biggest transition for me thus far has
been navigating the world of cosmetics. Beyond the ingredients, I wanted to be
sure to find products not tested on animals as well, and I suppose it became a
new life resolution for me of sorts.
I decided to contact one of my favorite makeup artists from
the blogosphere and get her advice. She immediately sent me over to
LimeCrimeMakeup.com, and at first I was a little taken back.
Native Foods Cafe uses this image courtesy of Lime Crime Makeup. vegan beauty
Boulder vegans are known for their down to earth granola
look, which just will never be me. So, I was thrilled to be able to find my
signature red lipstick along with no shortage of color among all the LimeCrime
products. Oh by the way, that beautiful red is vegan… just keep reading!
So what are the vegan details: The company has taken a cruelty-free
pledge and most of their products are vegan. Being the diva that I am, I sent an email requesting that
they add a Vegan category just for my convenience, but until then look for the
Vegan symbol on the product’s page --- you can’t miss it.
Native Foods Cafe uses this image courtesy of Lime Crime Makeup. vegan beauty
See that pretty little vegan sign right there? I should also
mention that this product right here is kicking butt. I can vouch for its divine
talent, but what speaks even more volumes is the fact that it is flying off the
cyber-shelves. So, you will have to wait until the first of April to get your
hands on it, but until then feel free to try out nearly all their eye shadows
and lipsticks.
Lastly, they are affordable! I’m actually saving money with
the switch, and my vegan faux leather wallet loves that. Who said that beauty
veganism has to be a sacrifice?
So
I wanted to share with you all one of my most favorite beauty products ever,
which boasts Hyaluronic acid as its key component … but as I started to write I
realized I really have no idea what Hyaluronic Acid is… so I did a bit of
research. First off, let me start
by explaining how I came across this wonderful product. A couple of years ago I decided to be
Regan (from The Exorcist) for Halloween.
I was traveling, and forgot the putty-like stuff for my face make-up, so I decided glue toilet paper to my face for texture (I did use that
special facial glue for special fx prosthetics, but it didn’t matter)…. I
highly recommend NEVER doing this.
It looked just fine, and gross, which was good for the costume... but when I went to remove it, it was practically super-glued to my face! And I am pretty sure I removed a nice thin piece of my
epidermis, leaving my face red, blotchy, irritated, and just plain uncomfortable.
So
I went to Whole Foods looking for something very hydrating and soothing to
counteract all of this mess. That
is when I found Derma E Hyaluronic Hydrating Mask…
After
the first application, my skin was remarkably better. Less blotchy, softer and more importantly felt soother and
less inflamed. After 3 nights, it
was all better. Nowadays, I use it
about once a week, twice in the winter, and I still love the way my skin feels
after using it. Derma E has a whole line of hyaluronic products... and they are vegan!
So
what is Hyaluronic acid, or HA for short? According to Livestrong:
Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in all living
organisms and is a gel-like component that exists between cells and connective
tissue. In synovial fluid, it acts as a cushion for joints and nerves to
prevent degeneration, according to the Pain Clinic website. Hyaluronic acid
hydrates skin and hair and moisturizes the eyes. With age, the body produces
less hyaluronic acid and the skin and cells lose moisture and elasticity,
causing wrinkling, dry eyes, thin hair and shrinkage of cartilage.
Native Foods Cafe vegan restaurant usus this image courtesy of Vocoterra.
Well
Connie Chung visited the village Yuzurihara, Japan, which is located about 2
hours from Tokyo and found a thriving community where 90-year-olds are
commonplace, and more of 10% of the population is 80 or older…. With virtually
no disease…. What?! It is even
nicknamed the Village of Long Life.
She interviews two men both well over the age of 80 who have been
smoking for most of their lives, and show no signs of lung damage or disease (Don’t
start smoking! This is merely an
example of the powerfulness of the local villagers’ diet… which is mostly
plant-based!). In fact, a majority
of the population lives well into their 90’s, rarely go to doctors and have
beautiful skin. So what is the
deal? Great DNA? Low stress?
Well
researchers believe that potatoes could be a huge factor in their youthfulness. In lieu of rice (which is the staple
food in most of Japan) the village of Yuzurihara took to growing potatoes
because of the hilly terrain. The
potatoes along with other starches & vegetables are the majority of their
diet, along with a small amount of meat. Dr Toyosuke Komori, the town's doctor and author of
five books on Yuzurihara, suggests the reason for the youthful healthiness is
due to a low-iron, sticky vegetable-based diet that promotes hyaluronic acid
levels in the body.
All
of us are born with a good amount of hyaluronic acid, but begin to lose it with
age. HA enables
cells to retain moisture, keeps joints lubricated and keeps our skin smooth and
elastic… Dr Toyosuke Komori has never seen skin cancer in the village. Japan’s leading pharmaceutical companies caught on started putting HA into
pills, which they then tested on 1000 people, of which approximately ½ reported
smoother skin, less fatigue and better eyesight.
HA
has long been used in eye surgery as a shock absorber to protect the retina,
proven effective in lubricating arthritic joints (usually through injections
directly to the area), and is well known for its ability to restore moisture
and elasticity to tissues.
Most
HA enthusiasts and researchers believe that it’s most dramatic discoveries are
around the corner… could it regenerate the cells inside our body?
Unfortunately,
there is a ton of hyaluronic in the combs on top of rooster’s heads, which means companies are harvesting the rooster combs, and needlessly killing roosters. But a majority of the hyaluronic acid
does come from vegetable sources (the best source of hyaluronic acid is seaweeds, in particular kelp)… which is great… can’t we just leave the roosters
out of it completely?
Native Foods Cafe vegan restaurant usus this image courtesy of Backyard Chickens.
1) Luna Bars The classic vegan food sustenance bar has created LUNAFEST, a "traveling film festival – by, for, about women – dedicated to building community, through the power of film and through the power of story." And Native Foods Cafe will be providing delicious treats tonight, Thursday, November 17th at the Chicago screening! If you have not gotten your tickets already, get them HERE!
2) Vegan Marshmallows! You can't go wrong with Sweet and Sara mallows or the Chicago Soy Dairy Dandies. So get on it and whip up some s'mores... I just pop the marshmallows on a skewer and roast them over my open gas burner!
3) Freakin' Awesome Vegan Boots that you can fold over or wear straight up by Big Buddha. Snuggly, warm and very attractive... can you ask for anything else? Order yours HERE.
4) Turkeys! Cause they rule, they're super smart, social butterflies by nature and will talk your head off. Plus, why would you ever want to eat one when you can order a Native Wellington from Native Foods Cafe? The Native Wellington is a delicious puff pastry filled with savory Native seitan and seasonal veggies. It comes with mushroom shallot gravy, serves 6-8 peeps and is ready in an hour! Get yours HERE before they sell out! And check out what the turkeys are saying about the Native Wellington:
5) Hurraw Lip Balm They're soothing, delicious and fair trade. And they come in tints... you know, if you're into that. My favorite is the Moon Balm, uber intensive night treatment, cause I forget to balm up during the day sometimes.
After learning about the cruelties of the dairy industry and factory farming, I adopted a vegan lifestyle in January 2011. Being vegan is easy, especially in Southern California.However, it takes some research to learn how to do it in a way that is healthy and sensible. That’s why I created a blog dedicated to veganism in Orange County, covering everything from veg-friendly restaurants to nutrition facts, great beauty products and more!
Native Foods Cafe uses this photo courtesy of OC Vegan Adventures
Vegan Eating
For the first few months that I was vegan, I would hardly eat out because I didn’t knowwhere to go or how to order. Luckily, that allowed me to try a lot of healthy recipes at home, including "cheesy" black bean enchiladas, veggie pesto sandwiches and roasted tomato soup. Eventually I learned that there many local places to eat out, including 100% vegan establishments like Native Foods Cafe, Freesoulcaffé and the Seabirds Food Truck. Surprisingly, there are popular chain restaurants that accommodate the vegan diet as well.
Native Foods Cafe uses this photo courtesy of OC Vegan Adventures.
Shopping
Did you know that Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, Whole Foods and Mother’s Market each carry an abundance of vegan products, including frozen chicken-free nuggets, all-natural shampoo, bee-free lip balm and more? I didn’t think that finding these kinds of items would be so easy. I also didn’t know that Target has all-natural hygiene and beauty products, or that Sephora carries Urban Decay, a popular brand of cruelty-free cosmetics. Check my blog for a list of my favorite products and where to get them.
Native Foods Cafe uses this photo courtesy of OC Vegan Adventures
About Being Vegan
Since I am not a vegan-veteran, I feel like I still have a lot to learn. I'm slowly scratchingthe surface on important subjects like taking supplemental vitamins, eating "perfect proteins", supporting local animal-oriented charities and more. I am excited to share everything I learn on my blog, as I continue to grow as a person and become increasingly familiar with the different aspects of veganism. For more information about being vegan in Orange County, including animal-oriented volunteer opportunities, local events, resources and facts, please visit my full blog at www.ocveganadventures.com. I’m working hard to update it and add new information everyday. Thanks for reading and allowing me to share my journey with you!
*Kriss was one of the winners of our "Blogging with Chef Tanya" Facebook Contest! We loved her Vegan Adventures in OC blog as it guides you through all the basics of the vegan lifestyle, in Orange County!
1. QuarryGirl!- This mystical girl that rises from the depths of the quarry into the terranean world solely to seek and find out the latest happenings in vegan cuisine and then types up the good news for us. Deal! Someone needs to write a song named “Ode to the Quarrygirl” Check out this good news www.quarrygirl.com or stake awake with her on Twitter @quarrygirl.
2. L.A. Famous Chefess Goes Vegan for a Night!-Susan Feniger of Border Grill fame is having a 7 course veggie tasting menu that can be made vegan. Oh whoopdeedoo! They say it’s for one night only so be extra alert. Though her regular menu mentions that many items are vegan or can be made vegan just for the asking…nice! Thanks Susan and thanks Quarrygirl for the info! www.eatatstreet.com
3. HSUS Brings In The Bacon! -The Humane Society of the United States just brought in over $1M at their fundraiser gala hosted by Will Estes in NYC with an entire vegan menu created by Chef Tal Ronnen! The scent of vegan food around just brings in the vegan bacon too!!
4. Vegan Cosmetics Shop-An entire whole shop opened in NYC called Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics and you can also order online www.occmakeup.com …pretty pretty!
5. CalciYum!-Easy and delicious calcium sources that naturally contain magnesium... Yummy Plants: broccoli, brussel sprouts, collard greens, kale, mustard greens and Swiss Chard to name a few. When in doubt, eat sunshine!
For some delicious vegan food loaded with calcium and magnesium, try the Sesame Kale Macro Bowl at Native Foods Cafe! Native Foods Cafe Los Angeles, Native Foods Cafe Chicago, Native Foods Cafe Portland, Native foods Cafe San Diego, Native Foods Cafe Orange County
1. Can't make it over to Native Foods Cafe to get your Watermelon Fresca fix? Keep one of these Watermelon Punches, from Epically Epic Lip Balm, handy and your lips will be eternally grateful. Fresh watermelon tastiness and super moisturizing pistachio, jojoba and almond oils keep lips moisturized and oh so kissable (if you wanna be kissed that is). And there is a nice bit of tint for your pout to boot!
2. Crystalyn Kae has been designing some amazing vegan handbags for quite some time now... but she has just unveiled a new line of awesome lil' cosmetic bags (I love little bags! My big bag is filled with little bags! It is like a whole village of little bags in there!) Get one for yourself... or they make a great gift filled with some delicious watermelon lip balm and ab fab MAC eyeliner... hint hint, wink wink.
4. Pacifica is superb. They make vegan candles, body butters, body wash.... and the scents are out of this world! And now they have just introduced the Island Glow Beautiful Body Kit... (so you know... you can have a temporary glow... just when you feel like it) containing the following:
Coconut Crushed Pearl Luminizing Body Butter
Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzing Body Butter
Kona Coffee and Sugar Detox Whole Body Scrub
Coconut Pearls Luminizing Lip Quench
Or you can buy each individually.
5. The Volcolm Line of Creedlers, which is basically their way of saying sandals I guess. Sometimes you wanna wear sandals but not flip-flops, and not platforms... know what I mean? These are stylish and very summer chic.... just make sure to read what they are made of, most are vegan-friendly, but not all! My favorite is the Piece of My Mind:
MAC Cosmetics has confirmed that another of my favorite of their eyeliners is vegan! This makes me VERY happy. We already reported that the MAC Engraved Eye Pencil is vegan as well.... So to add another to the cruelty-free list is radical! Now MAC, if you would just create a readily available list of all your animal-free products, or just eschew animal products all together.... you would seriously rule the school... as in the school of vegan make-up wearing peeps glamorizing the world over. The MAC Ebony Eye Pencil is my favorite for lining the outside of my eyes.
Dear Ms. Allen,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us and for your interest in M.A.C. Please accept our apology for the delay in responding to your email. We sincerely appreciate your patience and are pleased to address your correspondence now.
In response to your inquiry, the Eye Pencil Ebony does not contain animal derived ingredients.
We trust the above addresses your concern. We hope that we have the opportunity to serve you in the near future. Sincerely, Allison Cronk Response Representative Global Consumer Communications
1. Whole Foods Organic Cherry Sale-Friday July 8th. Cherries are vegan!
2. Lots of choices in vegan make up and beauty care products at White Rabbit Beauty. Nothing has to die for you to live beautifully.
3.Veganaise-The great vegan mayonnaise product that beats out popular brands of non-vegan mayo all the time. They can also use it to help clean oil off of sea turtles (new use!) and it is available at regular grocery stores now.
At Native Foods Cafe, we love both vegenaise and sea turtles!
The BBQ Love Burger at Native Foods Cafe ....limited time! MMMMM!
5.Vegan Drinks- Groups that meet up all over the country where vegans bring non vegan friends to learn (or not) and chat it up. Find one in your area and do the vegan boogie with some new buddies. Check out Vegan Chicago for some cool vegan meet-ups in the Windy City.
Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved (which is super black) is one of my most favoritest liners EVER. I use it on the inner-part on my eye... which some people frown upon... but hey, they are my eyes! I can do what I want with them. It is softer than the traditional pencil liners and it has a magnificent staying power... all day long baby.
I wrote lots of emails to MAC inquiring about the animal ingredients in their products. With MAC, you have to submit a separate inquiry for each product... so I submitted quite a few and have only heard back about this one... But it is vegan!!! Here is the e-mail reponse they sent:
Dear Holladay, Thank you for taking the time to contact us and for your interest in M.A.C. Please accept our apology for the delay in responding to your email. We sincerely appreciate your patience and are pleased to address your correspondence now. In response to your inquiry, the Powerpoint Eye Pencil Engraved does not contain animal derived ingredients. We trust the above addresses your concern. We hope that we have the opportunity to serve you in the near future. Sincerely, Melina McPhee Response Representative Global Consumer Communications
Eyeball!!! Soft but intense edge around the eye... Love the Engraved!
If all airports could be like Munich, no one would ever leave the airports! It's a super-modern, easy to get around airport and even boasts a prayer/meditation room… so it is actually a stress free zone! NO ONE cares if they miss a flight. It's actually a bonus to hang around here. Top food and restaurants abound as well as shopping and you can have your makeup done at the Bobbi Brown stand (which by the way Holladay is working on a compilation of which products they sell that are vegan all the way).
Fresh Veggies in the Munich Airport... Now this is the way to travel!!!
And it just gets better with the food selections. Here's a shot of a salad station, mound some of that on your plate and choose between three different kinds of infused oils and vinegars. There are also more choices of grilled vegetables, olives, nuts, dried fruits and that is just one place.
Then go get a freshly baked roll with sunflower seeds that pops fresh and light but crusty in your mouth with a little spicy mustard, or sweet mustard, or regular mustard and you've got a meal, and I haven't even mentioned the beer yet!
Native Foods Cafe The Native Foods website...yes, where you sign up for the FREE cooking demos with Chef Tanya!
PAWS The Performing Animal Welfare Society rocks and Native Foods celebrates this fabulous group the first Wednesday of each month and by donating 100% of the profits from the Native Tote Bags.
