Yes, you’ve read right, after 5 years of service Viva Vegan Store will be closing its door. My heart went a little numb after reading the subject line to the e-mail that appeared on my phone; “Viva Vegan Closing Soon“! … Continue reading
@DinoTheMan’s SnackClub Top 5! Snacks, I love them! It’s not everyday I crave them but when I do, it’s pretty serious. As we all know it’s not every ones we can allow ourselves to have due to Gelatin (derived on … Continue reading
Day 1: Toronto If there’s one thing I love more than eating it’s traveling! Hence how “Traveling Pink Lips” was created! I enjoy traveling for food. Simple. While in Toronto, I visited my best friend Taryn, Blog Owner of Vegan … Continue reading
Vegan [Vee-Guhn]
A vegetarian who omits all animal products from the diet.
-n
A person who refrains from using any animal product whatever for food, clothing, or any other purpose.
“ Clothing, or any other purpose.” This is what I want to talk to you about today!
Being Vegan also means abstaining away from any types or forms of animal by products, from household items to beauty, personal care and toiletry. It’s a lifestyle, more than just a diet!
A lot of products today are still being tested on animals as I am writing this to you. I find it ludicrous. Years before my march into Veganism, animal testing was something I always raged against, even with the little of it i knew. Of course along the years, I have learned more and now making my voice heard as much as I can. I don’t want to get into the animal testing subject just yet, as I am leaving it for a future article.
In the meantime, I want to share with you some of the products that I use. Fun, no? A lot of people often ask me what type of lip balms I use since 99% of them contains Beeswax. Yes, Bees are in fact an animal. They have a nervous system which brings them to feel pain, as every other animal does. Bees are as well enslaved, i.e. The queen bee is artificially inseminated. I bet you didn’t know that, eh? I am not going to get into this subject just yet, once again I am leaving it for the future post I mentioned earlier. But do think twice before asking “Is Honey Vegan?”.
Let’s start shall we?
For starter, I am going to start with my Beauty, Hair & Skin products.
For lotion I use Jason Hydrating Hemp Pure Natural Hand and Body Lotion. I have been using Jason’s product for a little while now. I love the smell it gives, it’s not too greasy nor oily. It contains natural Hemp, Kukui Nut & Sunflower seed oils. It is free of parabens and phthalates. Jason also uses organic ingredient in it’s formula. I love it. I can only need to put it on one time and my skin stays moisturize throughout the whole day!
Jason Hydrating Hemp/ Whole Foods' s 365 Body Lotion.
While doing grocery shopping I noticed Whole Food’s own lotion brand, 365 Everyday Value and decided to give it a try. I chose the fragrance free since the one I am already using has it’s own natural fragrance to it. They did have many other options. This lotion is free of Parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Animal Ingredients or Testing.Jason Hydrating Hemp/ Whole Foods’ s 365 Body Lotion.
It always offers Vitamin E oils, Sesame seed and Jojoba seed. It is really soft and doesn’t have an oily, greasy, and heavy feel to it. I am sold! The bottle was only 3.65 if I am not mistaken. I love them both.
I want to give you a quick little info about one of the ingredients both lotions are free of; Parabens. Parabens is one of the most ingredient used in commercial shampoos, shaving gels, toothpaste and cleaning products. It is a man-made chemicals used to fight bacteria and fungus. The reason why a lot of products are now free of it is because studies have shown that the chemical gives the illusion of a hormone estrogen that is known for the development of breast cancer. So yes, it is indeed linked to cancer. So there, try avoiding any products and food items with the content of Parabens as much as possible. My number one advice I want to give you is, take the time to read your labels! Don’t just grab an item because it is maybe on sale or a popular item. A lot of products that are available to us are in fact the ones destroying us.
Speaking of shampoos, and conditioners, I as well use Whole Foods’ 365 Every Day Value brand Shampoo and Conditioner. It contains soy protein that helps strengthen the hair. I have the Herbal Mint scent, and i love it. Both once again free of Parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Animal Ingredients or Testing. They also have different fragrances.
Whole Foods' 365 Everyday Value Shampoo & Conditioner.
Next comes the shower gel! I was giving a set of Green Beaver‘s Cranberry Delight Lotion and Shower Gel for Christmas and i haven’t been able to replace it just yet. It is amazing ! My shower gel is almost to it’s end and my lotion of course is done. It is certified Organic, 100% Natural and Gluten-Free. It leaves my skin soft each and every time. Next to it is the Kiss My Face Pomegranate Grapefruit Moisture Shave Gel, very convenient to have. It works great.It contains no Parabens, Artificial colours, Preservatives, and Animal Ingredients or Testing. It has a really nice natural fragrance to it, and does really i fact keep your skin moisturized. Unfortunately I can’t seem to find any Green Beaver products here in the US. Maybe i just haven’t looked hard enough! Green Beaver is a Canadian company. Yay, Canada! Luckily for me i was able to bring back a few items before leaving. Score!
Kiss My Face & Green Beaver's Shower Gel.
For toothbrush & toothpaste i use Preserve‘s toothbrush and once again, another one of Green’s, Green Beaver’s Frosty Mint Toothpaste.
Preserve’s toothbrushes are made of recycled yogurt cups, BPA-FREE, and recyclable. They come in a paid postage envelope. When you are ready to switch, you just put it in, tape it and put it in your mailbox, Voila! Neat, isn’t it?
Last but not least of personal care goes to Crazy Rumor‘ s Lip Balm!
THEY ARE MY FAVOURITE. THAT IS ALL!
No, seriously! You will not find any better!
Amaretto, Coffee Bean, Raspberry Shorbet & Hibiskiss Lip Color .
They are your lips’s best friend! They come in different taste category! If you are a coffee lover like i am then the Perk collection is your match! From Amaretto, Coffee Bean, Mocha and French Vanilla, you are sure not to miss your choice! They are 100% Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Organic and Natural Ingredients, and free of Beeswax! Yes, None! They are a little tricky to find around town. Whole Foods did have the Lip Gloss available to me, the last time i made a visit. I practically buy them online. My mum bought me 8 of them as part of my birthday present, and she did good! I am stocked for a while! Who knows, i may do a little Giveaway and throw one or two in a package! Sharing is caring!
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS!
One brand, one name, my favourite, Seventh Generation! From their feminine products to bathroom cleaning products, they are the one brand i love to use!
Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner, Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner.
It kills 99.99% of Germs Botanically. Cleans, disinfects and deodorizes all in one. No animal ingredients or testing, plant- derived. I love the smell it leaves, no hard fumes like your commercial products but a fresh Lemongrass & Thyme scent. I’ll admit the one thing i hate doing is laundry and i’m not afraid to say it. I am the one to leave my clothes in the dryer and one by one have to deal with a wrinkled shirt. We are all humans, no? Okay, enough about my flaws, back to cleaning, hehe! I once again use another one of Seventh Generation’s product and that’s their laundry detergent. One word. Fantastic!
Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent.
All natural, free of dyes and synthetic fragrances, it does the job well.I love the natural pure and clean scent it leaves on my clothes. You can find their products pretty much everywhere now. I haven’t had any trouble finding any of theirs. Target carries most of the line, as your local whole food market and or grocery store should! Most of the time i look in the “Natural” section of the store.
Oh, and their natural hand soap may be one of my favourite! I have them all over the house!
Fresh Citrus Natural Soap Wash is by far the best! It doesn’t leave your hands dry compare to other leading brands, it’s 100% natural, no dyes or chemicals, plants derived and dermatologist tested. What more could you possibly need?
So there you have it guys, my every day essentials! Try and stay away from chemical, heavy scents, artificial dyes and fragrances. Read your labels, care about what you put in your body. If you’re ever in doubt use the internet as your tool or call the company for any concerns or questions.
It has been a pleasure writing this post for you! I hope you enjoyed it as much as i did sharing it all. I would love to know what your products of choices are!
Always look for the little bunny. She will lead you on to the right path.
I am going to leave with you a friendly link for you to look over after you’re done reading this article! See what i did there?
http://www.gocrueltyfree.org/shopper
This link has everything you need to know about the Leaping bunny program, where to find your products, who to trust and buy. From make-up, to personal care and household products, you are sure to be set!
Now, what’s in your closet?
-The Traveling Pink Lips
this is what i woke up [to/too]? this morning… yesterday we got hit with a storm. frankly i was expecting worse than that. but what i love living up north the most is the fact that we know what to expect. despise all the snow and ice and cold weather. cars not starting. and not being able to open the doors in the morning. we CANADIANS still function. i went to work yesterday with snow up to my knees. i am anot kidding. i found it so amusing and loving. i missed that feeling. snow is a beautiful thing. i wouldn’t trade it for the sun.. winter has always been my favourite season along with fall.
i am currently in bed having breakfast before i start my day! today’s breakfast choice is really weird. ah, i am having 9 grains toast with peanut butter. soup, 3 Oreo’s [that i haven't touched yet] and a glass of chocolate almond milk. weird eh?
i think the Oreo’s are going to make their way back in the box. aha Yes Oreo’s are VEGAN. isn’t that awesome ?! not that i was ever hooked on them. but they were on sale this week and i thought i would treat myself a fattening treat. although i thought about making a Tofu Scramble this morning. i ended up using the last block of Tofu for last night’s dinner. Womp!
well. i don’t know what else to say expect that it’s -21 outside and that sucks.see the thing is.. when it’s sunny it’s cold. but when it snows it’s cool. isn’t that sweet?
oh, i am working at 1pm today. and i don’t really feel like it. even though it’s until 5pm .. just not feeling it today. can i just stay home and be lazy? a lot has been going on this week. STRESS level is to the MAXIMUM.but that’s totally okay, because in less than 3 weeks i am going home to Atlanta <3 so happy !!! nice little vacation, well freaking needed. can’t believe it’s already been 5 months since i have been here in Montreal. feels like it’s yesterday i booked my one way ticket!
Cwazyyy. well i am ending this post. with ” She & Him Don’t Look Back”
love the lyrics. the chick, the dude, the melody, the tune, the band..you get the point <3
Enjoy and Good Day <3
-TheTravelingPinkLips
this weekend I’ve had the chance to hit up the city and done a little shopping and living life !
so much fun, i think i fall in love with Canada more and darn more. i mean how can you not?
everyone knows the best place to be is on top ; ) and as far as I AM concerned, Canada is on TOP of America.
of course, there is nothing better than a drizzling snowy day [St-Catherine St].
” Seize every day as an adventure and your spirit will soar when you discover the wonderful surprises life has to offer.”
With Montreal being only 20 minutes from me, i decided to make it a habit to go every weekends. every day i learn about new places, routes and interesting shops. and i take it upon myself to grab my magic bus pass and and go on to treasure island!
Truthfully, one of the many things i love about Quebec is the transportation, here in Canada having a car is more of a luxury, i kid you not. everyone is either, walking. on the bus & subway and/or on a bike. even during the winter ! it’s pretty inspiring to me. i can’t wait until Spring comes around, so i can go and get on my bicycle again, i sold my Bianchi before i left the states..don’t ask me why.. for i have no idea. sighs…
Anyways, back on the initiated topic, PIZZA ! we all love it, from carnivores to vegans, a pizza knows how to always hit the spot. it’s like it has a mind of it’s own !!! anyways this past weekend i went to Les 3 Brasseurs and i ordered the Vegetarian Pizza, that i VEGANize right away. the contents of this beauty consisted of Eggplant, Portobella mushrooms, Tomatoes, Green & Black Olives, Zucchinis, Asparagus [that i did not touch, i fear them] Roasted Peppers with a drizzle of Spicy Olive Oil. the dough is actually homemade and very thin. no dairy-eggs. sugar were used i asked ! it is cooked in a brick oven until golden to perfection. it was very good ! a little dry i would like to say but overall i enjoyed it.
And of course tonight i decided to make my own damn pizza, and i hate to say but i think i nutted my mouth 2 or 3x while in the process GASP
I used a Wheat-Thin Crust from my favourite organic market TAU, and smothered Mushroom & Garlic tomato sauce instead of the typical “Pasta Sauce” then i put my first layer of veggiessss!
i started with Zucchinis, then the Baby White Shrooms, Tomatoes, and my Oh-So-Famous Crack Black Olives. i sprinkled some magic dust [ vegetable seasoning, and crushed herbs ] baked it for 30 mins and VOILA . it was good, of course it would have been way better with some Daiya Cheese on it, but i didn’t have any. [insert sad face].
anyways, i’m going to get some soon and have a take 2 and show the worlddddddddddd. i watched Superman while grubbing, almost fell asleep..as a fellow #nerd it was a little disappointing but hey! i couldn’t have done a better job aha.. only if stick figures were involved.
well, dear person who is reading this post. this is nearly the end of it. i am listening to The Black Keys as i am writing this post, and i’d like to say it is my cue… this is where my #nightytime begins hehe.
more to come, until then <3
-TheTravelingPinkLips
Yay, it’s snowing outside, which isn’t anything special for us canucks’.
i find it relaxing, my window shades are up, and I’m here blogging you while watching it fall. quite soothing i must say, local natives is playing on the background, my favourite clown is relaxing in his little corner as i am typing this. he’s so spoiled. gotta love BOZO i know i do !! 
so anyways while i’m not doing anything special and i can’t sleep i thought i’d start doing daily posting of the things i eat throughout the day.. for my personal comfort, not yours. if you like the idea, YAY you, if not..well why are you still here? i just looked out of my window, and the wind is so strong. all you see is snow, and a handful of white powder flying. so cool, nature is magical to me. it plays with my mood, and i adore it. you’d think people would be doing that, not at all aha. it’s 10:18pm let’s see how late I’ll be up tonight. hopefully by the end of this post I’ll be on the edge of crashing mode, and just do the deed. sleeping is so good, i can’t get enough. i used to not like it, now it’s all i want to do. especially when you’re sharing your bed with some #rawrsome.
well this morning i started off pretty consistent. i had 2 Van’s Blueberry Flavoured- Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free Vegan waffles. 3 slices of Tofurky ” Tempeh” Maple Flavoured selection, and a bowl of homemade squash soup my grand-mother and i made. so rich and full of flavours, carrots, celery, cabbage, potatoes and many more hearty veggies for the soul, and as for sweets, i made a head start in my new novel, sissy got me for xmas <3
Sugar & Spice, by Lauren Conrad. her 3rd installment in the series she’s written. yes i own them all and read them all #guiltypleasure
they are actually very enjoyable.
few hours passed and i started having a little ” need for fill” so i grabbed myself some Roasted Eggplant Hummus by Fontaine Sante with whole grain crackers. 
i love. love. hummus. i actually want to start making my very own. i was told how to do it, now all i need is the time to do it and not fail it. hehe Wooty! alkaline trio just came on. fun night. fun night. sooooo after the snack and some reading done, i layed back in bed for a little and did nothing but complained of how lazy today has been. I’m surprised i didn’t take a nap while nagging. freaking humans, never satisfied with anything.
well after that, 5′oclock came to play and i decided it was time to make dinner ! my favourite part of the day, [well sometimes].
for dinner, i went with Gardein Seven Grain Crispy Tenders. THE BEST, [cannot get enough, I'm addicted and it's the only kind i use].. side of Veggies sauteed over Becel Vegan Margarine. the black olives doesn’t really look like it fits the decor, but i was having a weird craving for them today. aha and a few baked crinkled french fries. was it good you ask? fantastic, fast and flavourful enough for my “lazy-not-up-to-cooking” kind of day. and a glass of water !! I’ve set myself a goal this year, to drink 8 glass of water a day.. 64oz to be exact ! How is that going? Meh, i have a glass sitting on my nightstand and i have no desire to touch it right now lol
To end this ubber long post, i had a little spot left for a late night snack,and i thought it was only appropriate with the weather. warm bed, snow storm and a snack in bed, come on’ can’t beat that. 
A glass of Almond Breeze- Chocolate Almond Milk, 14 grains Wheat bread smothered in Peanut Butter and a Rice Cake <3 Cute no?
I think so! it summed up my craving and it was delish.
Well i hope you’ve enjoyed this post. many more to come <3
-TheTravelingPinkLips
