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