Something so small can make a huge difference

To the life and welfare of the creatures around us that we take no notice of. Random acts of kindness.

There's something that really irks me about being vegan.The price tag. It seems that these days clothing designers are really adding a sky high price tag for quality items that are Eco friendly and cruelty free. I think this could be a huge deterrent for someone who simply doesn't have that extra cash flow to spend on such items. I recently saw a really cool veggie leather coat that was $570. Now that is more then what I pay for my part of rent! So having said that there are so many small designers that are up and coming who are promoting a cruelty free lifestyle are affordable and they also donate part of the proceeds to charity! One such designer is on Etsy: Love Peace Vegan clothing. Every item you purchase goes to help support such charities as farm sanctuary and the price range is from $3.99-39.99.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lamotif01?ref=seller_info
   

Live Clean

I am always on the scout for new products that promote a conscious attitude towards sustainability, cruelty free practices, plant based ingredients and are affordable to boot.

While wandering through Pharmasave yesterday looking for a quick fix for my overly staticy hair ( gotta love winter for this), I found the company Live Clean.

They are Canadian and promote all of the above mentioned must haves. I purchased a shine and smoothing cream with agran oil ( the nut Moroccan Oil is made from because it is only found in Morocco hence the name) that can be used as both a fixative on wet hair and a finisher on dry hair. And it was only $6.99

I popped over to their company web site because I like to know what decisions and companies I am supporting every time I fork over my hard earned money and found they have loads of information on earth news and how the world is growing more eco-friendly. They also have lots of coupons you can sign up for and a way to search your area for local green events that you can get involved in.

Here is their mission statement:

mission
Our mission is to provide a line of products that contribute to a greener planet and perform at the highest level. Live Clean is a unique eco-friendly beauty care line that delivers exceptional results using natural, plant based ingredients. Live Clean formulations are made with a minimum of 96% replenishable, renewable and sustainable plant ingredients...as good for the earth as they are for your body. Go Green without compromising performance.

live simple. live beautiful. live clean.

Shout out.

It is a mild balmy day in the Albertan foothills county - warm wind blows off the mountains and while I sit here sipping good strong coffee this feeling of gratitude washes over me. Gratitude to all of those out there who have been a source of inspiration to me; both artful and spiritual. Those who have made me want to be a better aspect of myself and have listened and in turn seen me as a source of inspiration. I need art and creativity like I need air, so thank you for the long talks on cooking, spirituality's, books, letters from Sweden, postcards from around the world and shared and exchanged artwork. I am blessed by your offerings and truly flattered that you in turn find me to be a source of inspiration as well as someone you can confide in.

~NAMASTE~ 

Happy Holidays!

I took a walk into the woods yesterday with my doggies and came across this little piece of holiday magic. Hope everyone has a safe and festive holiday!

Wanderlust

Today I stare out my window at the snow covered rooftops around me, the white snow glistening off the trees and covering the lawns and I am struck with a severe case of wanderlust. I don't want to be here right now. I want to be out there in the great wide yonder, wherever that happens to be. My bones are antsy for some movement yet there is nowhere to go. Except to work. On such a day as this- the thought of that is incredibly depressing. I want to be visiting an outdoor market in Prague, or learning to snowboard or hiking a snowy pathway.

Maybe I have watched Eat Pray Love one too many times, but like the antagonist I too have a box full of places I have been and places I wish/ long to see. I have no children, no mortgage nothing heavy to keep me rooted here, unless you count two dogs and a cat which I suppose being a responsible pet owner who actually makes a commitment to caring for these companions counts as something rooting me in one spot. But aside from that I wonder why am I still here? I guess money would be the initial answer to that one. Unlike Elizabeth Gilbert, I am not a writer so therefore will not get a large infusion of cash to fund a year abroad. God life sucks the second you start paying your own way.

I feel as though I need something to shake me awake. A real dose of culture shock. When I was younger I took an international TESOL course, but at the time the idea of going to Asia seemed overly culture shocking to me. I didn't think I could handle the humidity, the constant traffic of people, the poverty. Yet now that I am older I relish the idea of being submerged into something of that nature.

Instead I wait out the hours until I have to go to work.

Just Thought I would Share.

I admit it; I love winter! I find the snow so pristine and cozy looking. I also like that the winter cold drives people to stay inside so the best parks and trails are often empty ( especially at night), making it perfect for me and my dogs to go let loose and play. On my days off I often end up on this trail amongst the trees under the cover of moonlight and the company of two large dogs- frolicking in the snow.

Earthlings

Has anyone out there watched the documentary Earthlings? I'm sure many vegans out there have. I couldn't make it through the entire thing, it was so heart breaking. I hope everyone watches it- perhaps it'll make us as a society think about our actions.
They just came out with these and I want one. http://www.earthlings.com/0/earthlings-store/test-product.php

Green Beaver

I love this all Canadian and affordable beauty company. All the products are hand made by a husband and wife team and so pure you can eat them! They began their company when they saw that their newborn son would swallow his bath bubbles. Yuck. Not only are they vegan but they also use as many local organic ingredients as possible, and are free of harmful chemicals such as: dyes, preservatives, petro-chemicals, mineral oil, stabilizers and sulfates. It doesn't get much cleaner then this.

Each bottle ranges around $11 for a full size lotion or body wash, right now they have a combo of cranberry wash and lotion for $12. They make body wash, scrubs, lotions, an entire winter and gardening  line and even toothpaste and lip balms. Check em' out they can be found at any health food store that carries beauty products ( at least in Ontario).

Right now I am loving their winter skin face cream. It comes in a glass jar and is so nice and thick and creamy. It took me a little bit to get used to the blend of essential oils such as cinnamon and fennel, but now I love the earthiness of it. I am also using their organic locally farmed cranberry lotion and body wash ( which are sold as a duo combo for the price of $12 for 250 ml I might add).
http://www.greenbeaver.com/

Buyer beware

I just read about this on a web site. L'oreal just bought up Pureology. L'oreal is known for testing on animals so there is no guarantee that this line will remain vegan and cruelty free. I just emailed them to ask them about the animal testing, we shall see if they reply. But again Pureology is known for being a high end line with a hefty price tag. Here it retails for about $30/bottle and with so many other guaranteed vegan lines that are just as good- ex..ABBA ( also a salon vegan line that is half the price), why take the risk.

http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/05/16/another-one-bites-the-dust-loreal-buys-pureology/