07.22.2010
Tips For Vegan Beauty While Traveling
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Summer is the most common time for traveling, but don’t let that vacation cause you to neglect your vegan skincare and beauty routines. While it completely impossible to bring your entire routine of products with you on the airplane, it is possible to replace a few products with smaller sized versions and learn to adjust to the temporary changes. Before you start packing for your journey, check out this pre-travel vegan beauty list for tips and products you can use!
Stock Up On Travel Essentials: What are your favorite vegan skincare products? Can you find travel-sized versions? If not, then buy a few travel sized containers and fill them up with your favorite products.
Don’t Pack A Lot: A vacation is a vacation, and you don’t need to stuff your luggage with a bunch of bottles are just going to spill out and get all over your clothes and other personal belongings. Pack the minimal and keep it light.
Keep A Separate Bag of Cosmetics: Keep the same minimalist approach when selecting items for your cosmetics case. Bring the basics(mineral foundation, lip balm, moisturizer with SPF, natural vegan soap) and add some extras(lip gloss, mascara).
Prepare For Climate and Environmental Changes: This is crucial especially if you’re traveling far away from home. Check the weather at least a few days in advance so you can prepare accordingly. Traveling to an exotic island? Bring a natural sun-block product and hat!
Drink Plenty of Water: And no, cocktails don’t count! Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day just like you do at home.
Maintain A Health Diet: If you want to come home feeling happy and healthy, then please don’t neglect your healthy food habits during the vacation.
Relax and Enjoy Yourself: This is the whole purpose of the vacation.
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07.19.2010
Step by Step Guide to Natural Foot Care
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Foot problems are relatively common as most people depend on their feet, continuously. All that standing, walking, and running on a daily basis can really wear down your feet. That is why it is so important to spend an hour every week to massage, exfoliate and pamper your feet.  The best way and most vegan friendly way  is to begin by cleaning your feet well. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to effectively soak, scrub, and pamper your feet.
1- Soak Your Feet
Buy a small plastic tub that is large enough to soak your feet in. Fill it up with luke warm water and soak your feet in the tub for 10 to 15 minutes.
2- Exfoliate With The Pumice Stone
After you have soaked your feet in the tub for 15 minutes, take your feet out of the tub and start exfoliating. Using gentle force, exfoliate in downward motions while keeping your feet near the tub so the dead skin cells fall into the tub(which you will wash out later).
3- Smooth Down Calluses and Corns
Once you’re done removing the dead skin, wash your pumice stone with soap and water, then pat it dry in a clean towel. Next up, use the pumice stone to soften up the rough spots on your feet.
4- Rinse Your Feet
Step into the big tub and rinse off your feet with lukewarm water. Keep the water warm but not hot because that tends to dry out your skin. Step out of the tub and dry your feet with the towel.
5- Give yourself a quick round of reflexology
Even if you don’t know the precise acupressure points, you can still benefit by applying pressure to the bottom of your feet, from one spot to the next until you have covered the entire surface of both feet.  Don’t be shy, you can do it.
6- Moisturize and Pamper Your Feet
After reflexology, now you can use a vegan body lotion to moisturize your feet or something like foreue lavender butter cream that has lots of shea butter, etc. to hydrate and soften. If its before bedtime, throw on a pair of soaks over your freshly moisturized feet to keep the moisture locked in for 6 to 8 hours. When you wake up in the morning you can take off the socks and enjoy your super soft feet!
Natural foot care in your own home spa is worth all the time and effort.  Your feet will look good and feel even better!
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07.16.2010
Vegan Skin Care: Shea Butter vs Olive Oil
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Two of the most commonly known natural moisturizers are shea butter and olive oil. Both shea butter and olive oil have been around for centuries, they are both safe to use and vegan friendly. You can use either product in pure form, in soaps, or other skin care products.  But with all the similarities, one is left to wonder what are the differences between shea butter and olive oil.
Shea butter is a natural fat that is used to moisturize skin, fade unsightly scars and stretch marks, diminish wrinkles, and more.  You can even eat shea butter as sometimes its used in chocolate based products. What is more amazing is that this multi-purpose beauty and health remedy is actually derived from the seeds of the African shea tree.  To produce the butter, The flesh of the karite nut is removed and the seed or nut is dried, roasted, pounded into a paste, mixed with water and then customarily kneaded by hand. The thick mass is boiled to separate the natural oils that later yield beige or yellow shea butter in various qualities.  Note: Unrefined shea has the real natural healing and moisturizing properties. Refined shea is bleached (white) , deordorized and heated to over 400 degrees.
Olive oil is derived from the olive plant.  Making this is a rather complex process as the oil is extracted after the olives are milled  until a paste is formed . Then it goes into a press that separates the liquid from the paste.   Like shea butter, olive oil has many useful purposes in beauty, skin care, and food preparation. There are many different types and grades of olive oil.   Extra virgin olive oil has the highest quality, therefore in food consumption, of course it is  best to choose extra virgin olive oil and organic when you can. For beauty needs also use the best quality olive oil that you can find when formulating your own skincare recipes. Olive oil can be use as a moisturizer, bath oil, lip balm, or for treatment of  minor skin wounds.
In the end it is important to know that both shea butter and olive oil based products have a place in your vegan skin care routine. Both are natural based moisturizing remedies that have worked for ages, so you know that they work. There are even a few vegan beauty products on the market that contain both ingredients, so if you decide to give them a try in your own formula try them together  to get the benefits of both all natural carrier oils.
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06.29.2010
Natural Skin Care Toners
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Astringents or toners, also know as facial mists, floral waters, etc are an important part of the face cleaning process.  These natural beauty products are used for removing make up and any excess oils on the skin, or soap residue.

I always look for astringents that have flower and herbal essences that can deposit active ingredients to the skin while soothing, nourishing and cleaning and even lightly moisturizing the face.  Such natural skin care products should contain little to NO alcohol, dyes, synthetics, or fragrances (use essential oils instead).

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06.25.2010
Healthy Vegan Fitness
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For much of my childhood, I was an active dancer and I loved to ride a bicycle and roller skate.  But unfortunately, my eating habits weren’t healthy and my strength level went up and down.  My unhealthy eating habits interfered with my activities and I sometimes found myself lacking interest in any kind of dance movement or outdoor activity.  The day I discovered healthy organic vegan nutrition changed my life dramatically and I became a different person.

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06.24.2010
Replenish Moisturizing Serum Review
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I believed in the myth that oil was bad for our faces, especially in areas that were already oily (e.g. the T-Zone of forehead, nose and chin). I’m happy to report that I have been proven wrong by Replenish Moisturizing Serum.

Through Replenish, I have become a convert in the use of oil on my face. My previous images of oily skin being doused with more oil until the point it can’t breathe haunted me. That old belief had to go!

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06.22.2010
Living The Vegan Life
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Living the vegan life is much more than just lifestyle choices. Its also a personal decision that can really hit home. Eating the right foods and consuming the right products are only part of the story. Living a healthy and active life ia also just another part. But the most rewarding thing a vegan can do is to create an active awareness of the causes that matter most to their heart.
Whether its writing and publishing a blog post a few days a week, teaching others how to make good tasting veggie recipes, even volunteering for a non-profit organization to further the understanding of compassionate living or how to be healthy, it’s important to know the difference you can make. Here are a few ways to get inspired today!
1- Start Locally and Give Your TIme
The saying charity starts at home definitely has some truth to it. Find out what cause you’re most passionate about and let that be a guide. For instance, if you love dogs and cats, volunteer at a local animal shelter. If you care about the environment, join a group that focuses on teaching the community about environmental or vegan issues. And you don’t have to volunteer every week, you could also donate your time at least once or twice a month.
2- Go Online and Network
Reach a wider group of people and let your voice be heard! Start a blog or website that focuses on one or more of these topics. Once you get your blog out there, join web communities or social networks to spread the word and meet like-minded people.
3-Let Your Voice Be Heard
As a consumer you have the right to be vocal. Ttry to reach the CEO or a company representativeand and send them your opinion. Let them know what you think and feel about their products/services in a heartfelt but tactful letter. While you may not get a response or even positive reaction, you will communicate your ideas, which is the whole point anyway. This also works for government agencies, both local and state.
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06.16.2010
Global awareness of natural products
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In my recent trip abroad to Malaysia and Thailand, I was on the look out for things natural and hand made. Very quickly, I found out just how big of a market share our pharmaceutical and beauty subsidiaries have made overseas. Perhaps I am more of an idealist than most, but I was expecting homegrown, local products to be more available than they were. Or simply, I just wasn’t in the right places.

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06.10.2010
Vegan Friendly Beauty Inside and Out
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Beauty is what you make of it. You already know that its really what is on the inside that counts, and that philosophy holds true with most everyone.  What you choose to eat and how you live your life impacts your image in a great way. Unhealthy habits like smoking, tanning, and eating tons of junk food will age you fast and damage your body.
And all the vegan skin care products in the world won’t erase the damage caused by these habits, that is why its wise to stop the any bad eating  habits. Taking care of yourself is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Read below for the top tips on caring for yourself both inside and out.
1- Pamper Yourself
Its important to always make time for yourself. Utilize that free time to indulge in a little aroma therapy or soak in some relaxing sea salts. If you have to, schedule some relaxation hours (preferably twice a week) on your calendar or day planner.
2-Defend Your Skin
Over exposure to the sun will only wreck havoc on your skin, so take the time to use a natural sunblock on your body and face before going anywhere. Better yet, use a vegan skin care lotion on a daily basis to protect and moisturize your skin.
3- Eat Smart
The saying “You are what you eat” holds much truth to it. Eating healthier and drinking plenty of water benefits you both inside and out.
4- Accept Your Hair
There are certain things in life you’ll have to accept, your hair is one of them. Leave the hair dryer, hair dyes, and styling appliances alone. Instead, get back to the basics with vegan shampoos and conditioners.
5- Smile More
A genuine smile will not only make you look better, but feel better too! Take good care of your teeth with vegan based toothpastes and mouthwashes.
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06.09.2010
Helpful Suggestions For How To Stay Healthy and Well
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Here are some helpful suggestions for how to stay healthy and well even when life seems to be extra stressful and challenging.  Every choice we make in life affects our health.  The foods we eat, the beverages we drink, and the smells we inhale, all directly affect our health.  The best way to be well and healthy and keep stress levels at their minimum is to keep life simple.

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06.08.2010
4 Key Natural Handmade Soap Ingredients
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Handmade soapmaking is really a craft to be learned. There are so many ways to go about making soap- particularly when it comes to selecting soap ingredients. That is the major difference between handmade soaps and commercial soaps, as the former tends to be made with more natural ingredients. It is important to learn which soap ingredients to use depending on the type of soap you want to make. For instance, coconut milk soap tends to be very moisturizing, as are soaps with lots of olive oil or shea butter. Lets take a closer look at natural soap ingredients.

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06.07.2010
Vegan Skin Care For Baby
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The biggest concern every parent have for their children is their health and well-being. That is why its so important to use vegan skin care products specifically designed for babies and small children. Use products that are all natural and safe.
All babies have delicate and sometimes sensitive skin, so what is good for you won’t always be a smart choice for your child. It’s good to know that there are a lot of great vegan skin care brands and products that are safe for baby.  To get you started, read below for a small list of vegan skin care products that are good for you baby.
California Baby Calming Massage Oil Aromatherapy : Calm your baby down with this relaxing blend of aromatherapy herbs including French Lavender and Clary Sage. It is important to note that this product does not have nuts, oil, gluten, soy , or dairy. Use this moisturizing oil to soothe and calm your baby before bedtime. You can purchase this at Amazon.com
Little Twig Tangerine Baby Bath: Free from parabens and phthalates , this citrus-rosemary scented bubble bath contains the essential Vitamin E, Shea Butter, and Aloe Vera to moisturize and soothe. This bubble bath is dermatologist tested and pH balanced. You can purchase this at A Much Better Store.com
Cradle Clear Lotion for Dry Scalp: Sensitive babies sometimes suffer from dry scalp and cradle’s cap. Alleviate this problem with CradleClear Lotion. This product was made with pure ingredients that soothe, condition,  and nourish dry skin. You can also purchase this at A Much Better Store.com.
Angel Baby Lotion: This hypoallergenic lotion is organically preserved and free from toxins. Its also clinically tested so you know that it’s safe enough to use on your baby’s delicate skin. Enhanced with organic rooibos to alleviate diaper rash, eczema, and other skin conditions. You can purchase this lotion at EarthMamaangelbaby.com
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