It’s no secret that I’m a sugar fiend! I like sweets (a LOT), and I like ‘em 24/7/365! My all-time fave sweet treats are Go Max Go candy bars! They’re mega yumz (we’re talkin’ rice-milk based chocolate, caramel, nougat, and peanut buttery goodness), free of artificial ingredients and trans fat, and they’re cleverly-named vegan versions of all of our childhood chocolatey faves!
Jokerz – For all you Snickers fans!
Twilight -This has nothing to do with Edward and Bella—it’s a vegan Milky Way!
Buccaneer - Yum, vegan 3 Muskateers!
Mahalo* - Think Almond Joy, sans any nasty animal ingredients!
Cleo’s* - My fave! It’s a cruelty-free version of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups!
Snap!* - We’re takin’ crisptiy crunchity, vegan Nestle Crunch bar.
Thumbs Up* (new flavor!) – This is sort of like a chocolate-covered Chic O Stick aka a vegan Butterfinger. Holla!
* = gluten-free
Don’t you feel like all of your dreams have come true? I do!! Wanna try all these amazing vegan candy bars out for yourself?
To enter to win all 7 Go Max Go candy bars, simply “like” Go Max Go on Facebook, and comment below with your favorite vegan sweet treat. All entrants must be residents of the US to enter to win. Two winners will be chosen at random and notified on April 4th, 2013! Good luck! xx
Longtime vegan, hardcore compassionate beauty junkie, serious cake aficionado, and lover of all things floofy and sparkly! If there’s something in particular you’d like me to review, drop me a line at Sunny@VeganBeautyReview.com
Unless you’re planning on spending mad cheddah to get an early 3-D sono (to see a tinky-winky or lack-there-of) before your 5-month gender sono, try this super cheap and easy baking soda test! Unlike a bunch of cheesy “sex predictor” methods I’ve read about online, this one is actually somewhat science-based (I’ll explain in a bit). It also has a fairly high accuracy rate (during a recent online survey, 22 out of 31 gender predictions checked out via ultrasound!), and it totes worked for me!!
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Put a little bit of baking soda in a disposable cup.
Pee on it first thing in the morning (no need to go overboard—a little urine will do).
If it fizzes… baby’s a BOY!
If it doesn’t… baby’s a GIRL!
How it works: This test gauges your pH levels. If the baking soda fizzes, it means your urine is acidic, which is common when carrying a boy!
Have you tried the baking soda gender test? Was it accurate? Are you tempted to try it for the first time? Share your thoughts! xx
Longtime vegan, hardcore compassionate beauty junkie, serious cake aficionado, and lover of all things floofy and sparkly! If there’s something in particular you’d like me to review, drop me a line at Sunny@VeganBeautyReview.com
It’s contains moisturizing and nutrient-rich shea butter and macadamia nut, coconut, hemp seed, and marula nut oils ←the motha of all anti-aging kick-assers.
All ingredients are ethically produced.
The packaging (which is glass—not plastic) is luxuriously gorge and reusable/recyclable.
Ellovi Butter is made by hand in small batches to ensure fresh, quality-controlled goodness.
It has a light, delicate, sweet, nutty scent.
It’s made by my entrepreneurial homegirl, @kellywhatwhat. ♥
It’s also mega versatile! I’m obsessed with slathering this antioxidant-rich, skin-quenching Butter all over my body after a relaxing, hot bath; I’ve been using it for baby massages (Lil Dizzle looooves Butter); and I’ve been rockin’ it before-beddies as an under eye/anti-wrinkle cream (anything with marula oil begs to be on my face!).
My skin feels crazy-hella soft when I use this stuff, and I know that if I use this every night until forever, I’ll look 27 when I’m 142. Seriously though, if you wanna fight wrinkles, you better get your hands on some Butter STAT!
To enter to win a jar of Ellovi Butter, simply “like” Ellovi on Facebook, and comment below with your favorite anti-aging ritual. All entrants must be residents of the US to enter to win. A winner will be chosen at random and notified on March 20th, 2013! Good luck! xx
This contest has been closed, but all VBR readers can get 20% off their orders by using the coupon code “veganbeautyreview” when checking out!
Longtime vegan, hardcore compassionate beauty junkie, serious cake aficionado, and lover of all things floofy and sparkly! If there’s something in particular you’d like me to review, drop me a line at Sunny@VeganBeautyReview.com
Looking to turn back time on your skin? Most foods in the vegan diet naturally promote collagen production while protecting your current collagen levels. Since collagen is responsible for your skins elasticity, you can see just how important this is.
Many of these collagen-boosting foods also contain high levels of Vitamin C. Though citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits seem like obvious examples, chilis and potatoes are also great sources. Eating these foods raw makes them even more potent.
Staples like lentils, beans, nuts, and peas are rich in lysine—amazing collagen stimulators and serious youth-enhancing foods.
Clear Skin
People perceive tanned skin to give off a healthy glow, but you can eat your way to a healthy radiance without causing additional skin damage.
Some people forget that tanning actually causes more damage and instead focuses on the aesthetic appeal of it. However, tanning can result in sun spots, hyperpigmentation and all the while can break down your skin’s natural elasticity. Luckily for us vegans, our beta-carotene rich diet allows us to enhance our skin from the inside out.
Beta-carotene is most commonly responsible for coloring your foods yellow, orange and red. Foods like apricots, carrots, mangoes, kale, and spinach are full of beta-carotenes. Adding these foods to your diet will give your skin a naturally clear, radiant glow.
Nourished Body
Everyone knows that Omega-3 Fatty Acids are good for you. Carnivores typically get their fill from fish oils whereas vegans get it from nuts, seeds, and soybeans. By swapping out the carnivorous option we avoid ingesting potentially harmful toxins found in fish (i.e. mercury).
Vegans sprinkle their salads and casseroles with nuts, seeds, flax and walnut oils, and the essential fatty acids absorbed from these foods help us retain the moisture in our skin. Naturally locking in moisture is better for your skin than having to constantly slather it with creams and lotions.
Another perk of vegan-based Omega-3’s—they combat free-radicals which can be harmful to your skin. Can’t say the same about meat!
Don’t get caught up in the stereotypes and falsities that cloud veganism. Making the swap isn’t as hard as it sounds. Cutting out drug-injected, hormone ripe, saturated-fatty foods will give your skin the opportunity to glow in a way Mother Nature intended. Beautiful and resilient skin can be yours, just give it a shot.
Have you made the swap? How did you find the change in your skin? If you have any Vegan-friendly tips or tricks to keep others on track be sure to hit up the comment section below and share with your fellow green queens!
Vanessa is a skincare blogging babe who blogs and vlogs about all things skincare. From product reviews to handy DIY tips and tricks – such as how to tighten pores naturally - she helps her readers to look and feel their very best, naturally.
Love writing and trying out new vegan beauty products? Come write for Vegan Beauty Review! All we ask is that the products you review be vegan (i.e. no animal products). Interested? Drop me a line at sunny@veganbeautyreview.com
The other day, I found out that talc was the main ingredient in one of my [used-to-be] favorite vegan and cruelty-free (and expensive) mineral finishing powders—I damn near had a heart attack! How did I not notice this before?!
Why was/am I freaking out about this innocent-seeming ingredient that’s commonly found in things like makeup, perfumed body powders, baby powder, etc.?
Talc is closely related to asbestos… yeah, asbestos!!
Talc particles have been shown to cause tumors in the ovaries and lungs of cancer victims. For the last 30 years, scientists have closely scrutinized talc particles and found dangerous similarities to asbestos. Responding to this evidence in 1973, the FDA drafted a resolution that would limit the amount of asbestos-like fibers in cosmetic grade talc. However, no ruling has ever been made and today, cosmetic grade talc remains non-regulated by the federal government. This inaction ignores a 1993 National Toxicology Program report which found that cosmetic grade talc, without any asbestos-like fibers, caused tumors in animal subjects. Clearly with or without asbestos-like fibers, cosmetic grade talcum powder is a carcinogen.
Cancer risk aside, talc is mega-harsh on sensitive skin, makes skin appear cakey (accentuates fine lines), and it clogs pores (ZITS!)! Thank Godzilla, there are tons of talc-free, vegan, cruelty-free cosmetics (e.g.Everyday Minerals) and baby powders (e.g.Hugo Baby Powder), etc. available from companies that actually give a damn—always read labels for ingredients!
Did you already know talc was evil? Have you ditched talc for good?
Longtime vegan, hardcore compassionate beauty junkie, serious cake aficionado, and lover of all things floofy and sparkly! If there’s something in particular you’d like me to review, drop me a line at Sunny@VeganBeautyReview.com
Have y’all heard of Perfectly Posh? It’s a company that offers super fun, vegan-friendly bath and beauty products (i.e. cutely-named, colorful bath bombs, soap bars, lotions, masks etc.) and business opportunities for peeps lookin’ to make some extra cheddah (it’s basically LUSH-type products sold Arbonne-style—does that make sense?).
Perfectly Posh shop owner Melissa, hooked me up with two ultra fab vegan beauty samples, and I wanted to share them with y’all ’cause they’re pretty dope.
Gender Bender Chunk ($9): This soap contains charcoal… might sound funktastic, but the activated charcoal powder, silt, and carbon in this chunky bar of soap, absorb free radicals and gunky grime from your face. Balance that with some natural shea butter, and you’ve got one soothing, moisturizing, deep-cleansing bar of soap. The crisp, fresh scent is unisex, hence the gender bender aspect—so share this one with your fella, ladies! This soap is vegan, SLS-free, and Phthalate-free.
Vanilla Chic Fragrance Scribbler: This fun and portable solid perfume smells beyond yummy with its citrus-y grapefruit pizazz and warm, comforting vanilla undertones. To apply, you literally scribble it on your body. I like to spell out “foin betch” on my forearm… haha, not really, but that’s a genius idea! It fits perfectly in the side pocket of my diaper bag, and I have peace of mind knowing that it’s not gonna spill or splish-splash while I’m out driving and running errands.
Longtime vegan, hardcore compassionate beauty junkie, serious cake aficionado, and lover of all things floofy and sparkly! If there’s something in particular you’d like me to review, drop me a line at Sunny@VeganBeautyReview.com
I’ve been vegan for 13 years (my veganversary is this April, so hold off on buying me congratulatory Go Max Go candy bars… Actually, you can go ahead and send ‘em my way!). Every time I’ve gotten my blood work done at the dr’s office (every few years out of curiosity), I’ve had normal/awesome results (including B12, vitamin D, iron levels, etc.). I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but being vegan has made me a healthy, foin thang without even trying. I seldom take vitamins (I took prenatals while pregs, though), because I know I’m eating wholesome, nutrient-rich foods daily (everything I eat is plant-based). Ironically, many people who wonder how I can even survive on a vegan diet, are ones who frequent fast-food joints and drink soda like it’s candy.
I became a mama in July, to a healthy, beautiful, vegan (since conception) baby boy. Again, not to toot my own horn… Actually to toot is quite loudly TOOT TOOT!, I had a super chill, amazing, healthy home birth. I can’t help but attribute my wonderful birthing experience, in part, to my being a long-time vegan.
Honey BooBoo is now almost 8 months and is still exclusively breastfed, but not for long. I’ve already decided his first grub is gonna be a delicious, ripe, organic avocado (I may even use the leftovers for a face mask – we shall see).
Will I ever introduce mushy meaty baby food into my babe’s culinary repertoire? Hells to the no times infinity +4! Here’s why:
Meat = murder (I think Morrissey would agree). I wanna take my little man to Farm Sanctuary so he can actually meet cows, pigs, and chickens. I want him to connect with animals and realize they are sentient beings like us.
Meat contains cholesterol. I don’t want my munchkin man consuming bad cholesterol. Duh, right?
Meat often contains antibiotics, hormones, heavy metals, ammonia, etc. Nn nn, not feeding those to Big D!
Meat can expose children to nasty, harmful bacteria (e.g. E. coli, listeria, campylobacter, etc.).
A plant-based diet will help ward off future obesity. It’s not like there are vegan fast-food joints everywhere serving up fried nasties. Mah boy’s gonna love his greens, I know it!
Longtime vegan, hardcore compassionate beauty junkie, serious cake aficionado, and lover of all things floofy and sparkly! If there’s something in particular you’d like me to review, drop me a line at Sunny@VeganBeautyReview.com
I call this the ultimate avocado face mask because it smooths and moisturizes, fights wrinkles, combats acne, and exfoliates… Oh yeah, and it smells (and probably tastes) good, too!
Let’s get right to it!
Here’s what you’ll need:
1 ripe organic avocado (contains vitamins A, D, and E and has moisturizing and healing properties)
1 ripe organic banana (contains vitamins A, B, and E—anti-aging kick-assers)
1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil or jojoba oil (abundant in antioxidants, moisturizing goodness, and it won’t clog pores)
1 teaspoon of orange juice or lemon juice (contains lots of vitamin C and exfoliates, helps fight wrinkles, scars, and acne)
Combine all the ingredients (I like to use a food processor, but you can mash and mix everything by hand instead). Apply to clean, dry skin and leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off.
Enjoy your beautiful, soft, glowing skin, and be happy that you saved yo’self some $$ by DIYing it up! Btw, this mixture makes enough maskiness for 2 peeps (maybe even 3), so invite your homegirls over and make it a spa-sy fun evening.
Longtime vegan, hardcore compassionate beauty junkie, serious cake aficionado, and lover of all things floofy and sparkly! If there’s something in particular you’d like me to review, drop me a line at Sunny@VeganBeautyReview.com
If you’re lookin’ to add some mega umph to yo’ bland, sad, wanna-be awesome, vegan entrees, listen up, foolios! Jenkins Jellies are spicy-ass, HOT, and hella delish fruit and chili-based spreads that are gonna take your vegan nomming sitch to a whole other level! Choose your weapon: Hell Fire, Passion Fire, Fiery Figs, or Guava Brava ($12 each)—they are ALL the bomb! These hot and spicy jellies go perfectly with:
Vegan hot dogs and burgers
Vegan mac & cheese
Bagels and cream cheese
Toast and peanut butter
Cornbread
Tofu scramble…
My hunk of burning love made me vegan mac & cheese the other day with a little bit of Fiery Figs awesomeness, and I was all over Instagram with that ish—so good!
Have you tried Jenkins Jellies? Are you brave enough to wanna try? What’s your favorite vegan condiment/flavor saver?
Longtime vegan, hardcore compassionate beauty junkie, serious cake aficionado, and lover of all things floofy and sparkly! If there’s something in particular you’d like me to review, drop me a line at Sunny@VeganBeautyReview.com
Longtime vegan, hardcore compassionate beauty junkie, serious cake aficionado, and lover of all things floofy and sparkly! If there’s something in particular you’d like me to review, drop me a line at Sunny@VeganBeautyReview.com
• You'll save lives
• You'll live a lot longer
• You'll have more energy
• You'll reduce your risk of cancer
• You'll reduce your risk of heart disease
• You'll have lower blood pressure and cholesterol
• You'll get better nutrition
• You'll lower your chances of getting food poisoning
• You won't be ingesting growth hormones and antibiotics
• You'll get sick less often
• You'll fit into your old jeans
• You'll give your body a spring cleaning
• You'll have healthier skin
• You'll make a strong political statement
• You'll reduce waste and air pollution
• You'll earn good karma points
• You'll save money
• You'll help save the planet
Famous Animal Friendly Quotes
"Animals are my friends... and I don't eat my friends."
~George Bernard Shaw
"You put a baby in a crib with an apple and a rabbit. If it eats the rabbit and plays with the apple, I'll buy you a new car."
~Harvey Diamond
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals."
~Immanuel Kant
"I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being."
~Abraham Lincoln
"To become vegetarian is to step into the stream which leads to nirvana."
~Buddha
"To consider yourself an environmentalist and still eat meat is like saying you're a philanthropist who doesn't give to charity"
~Howard Lyman
Ingredients to avoid when shopping for cosmetics and skin care:
Wanna try all these amazing vegan candy bars out for yourself?
Seriously though, if you wanna fight wrinkles, you better get your hands on some Butter STAT!
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