Books I Read This Month: January 2017

Another month, another handful of books that I can check off my "to read" list- and believe me, it's long. This month my husband and I discovered a bookstore that was not only huge, but had awesome prices. If you live in the Salem, OR area, I'd highly recommend Escape Fiction. We spent a good three hours in the bookstore and emerged with bags full of books. So I'm set for the next few months. Isn't that an awesome feeling?!

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
I saw this movie years ago and kept thinking to myself that I really needed to read the book. And I'm happy that I finally got around to it. The story is told from the perspective of death who tells us the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl in Nazi Germany who has a habit of stealing books. Liesel's mother can no longer care for her children and Liesel goes to live with her new mama and papa- Hans and Rosa Hubermann. During her time in her new town, she meets Max Vandenburg who is Jewish and seeking a hiding place. They quickly form a friendship and Max teaches her and her papa how to read. I don't want to give too much away, but would definitely recommend this book.

2. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
3. Flawless by Sara Shepard
I know, I'm way late to this ball game. I've been watching the series since it first aired and with the last season premiering this year, I thought it was time to finally read the series. I've read the first two installments in what is actually a really long series (it has 16 books!). I've been told that the books are very different and they weren't kidding! There are even characters in it (like Emily's sister) that aren't in the TV series. Even though the show is not following the books, I'm still enjoying reading the series and will continue with the third installment in February.

4. Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth
5. Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth
6. Farewell to East End by Jennifer Worth
Again, another program that I enjoy. I just finished season five on Netflix recently and wanted to read the series that inspired the show. The books are a memoir of the life of Jenny- a midwife in the 1950's/60's in London. The series addresses many social issues (including miscarriages/stillbirths, racism, disability, alcoholism, prostitution, and many more). I'm not in the medical field, but still found her memoir interesting in learning about midwifery in the 1950's/60's. How times have changed!

7. Sisi: Empress on Her Own by Allison Pataki
This book is written by one of my favorite authors who has written other historical fictions. I absolutely love her writing style and you can tell how much research she conducted while writing the book. This is a continuation of her last novel, The Accidental Empress, and follows the story of Empress Elisabeth (SiSi) of Austria and Hungary. I had never heard of her before and I love history so I enjoyed learning about her. Pataki offers a unique perspective into SiSi's life that almost makes it feel like SiSi wrote it herself. Pataki's new book, Where the Light Falls: A Novel of the French Revolution, is releasing in July of this year and I can't wait to read it!

8. The Town Behind the Wall by Elie Wiesel
In December, I read one of Wiesel's other books and wanted to look into his other works. This story focuses on Michael, a Jewish man who has survived the Holocaust and searches for the meaning in everything for the rest of his life. My grandfather was a Holocaust survivor and a lot of this book reminded me of the things he'd say to me. This book was more poetic than Night and I would definitely recommend this one as well!





If you'd like to read my "Books I Read This Month" from December, please click here.

50 Book Challenge Tally: 8

Etsy Highlighers and Eye Shadows!

Like many other people, I LOVE Etsy. Not only is Etsy good for arts and crafts, but cosmetics as well! Many of the products on their website are cruelty-free and vegan- score! I find that the quality of the products on Etsy are top-notch, but affordable. Today I'll be showing you some of my favorite products from different shops on Etsy.

PrettiesforYourFace

Left to right: Purple Rain, Jack's Lament, and Aphrodite

Top to bottom: Purple Rain, Jack's Lament, and Aphrodite

Top to bottom: Purple Rain, Jack's Lament, and Aphrodite

Jack's Lament Highlighter is inspired by Nightmare Before Christmas and limited edition. This one only comes in one size. You can swirl the colors to get different shades with this highlighter. Its so beautiful and pigmented- it only took one swipe to get the swatch!

Purple Rain Highlighter is a metallic lavender. Ashlye Kyle has said that this is a dupe for Jeffree Star's lavender snow. I don't own the Jeffree Star one, but I love this highlighter!

Aphrodite Highlighter is white with a hint of gold shimmer. This looks so pretty on my skin and isn't chunky at all.

VanessasVanity

Top to bottom: White Gold, Rose Gold, and Toasted Honey

Everything in this shop is cruelty-free and vegan. I bought the medallion collection to test out if I liked their products or not. I was definitely not disappointed! The swatches that I did look exactly like the ones on their website. They also offer a variety of sizes:

*26mm small magnetic pan only - eyeshadow size ($15.50)
*36mm magnetic pan only - blush size ($26.00)
*37mm pan IN a compact (black or silver compact depending on our stock) ($35.00)
*59mm EXTRA LARGE pan in a sleek black compact ($46.00)

ChameleonEyeCosmetic

Top to bottom: Sorting Hat, My Precious,
Cinderella, Fly You Fools, Khaleesi, and
Ravenclaw

Top to bottom: Sorting Hat, My Precious, Cinderella,
Fly You Fools, Khaleesi, and Ravenclaw

Not everything in their shop is vegan, but they do label what is vegan. I was originally drawn to this shop because of the names of everything. There's entire collections dedicated to Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Game of Thrones- just to name a few. They are mineral eyeshadows, but I found them really easy to work with and they are just so pigmented. They also offer sample sizes if you're unsure of a color or just want to try it out. I received the following shades: Sorting Hat, My Precious, Cinderella, Fly You Fools, Khaleesi, and Ravenclaw.

        BitterLaceBeauty     

I only have one thing from this shop that I got as part of their Halloween collection. This store released the original rainbow highlighter that everyone went crazy for. This highlighter is called "slay" and is made to look like a blood splatter. The cool thing about this highlighter is that you can swirl it to ger different colors. This is more on the glittery side, but it still really pretty on the cheeks. Their website also states if the item is vegan or not in the item description.

FeatherRiverBody            

I first heard of this store through GraveYardGirl when she mentioned the pumpkin pie highlighter (which is what I have). I emailed the owner of the store about which products were vegan and this is the response I received:         

"Most of them are vegan but we do use carmine in some of our shadows, none of our highlighters but some of our pressed pigment shadows have it in it.

Here is a list of the shadows that included it in their ingredient deck.

Apricot
Baby Cheeks
Bitterseet Coral
Coral Rose
Fire Catcher
Gem
Get Bronzed
Golden Valentine
Maddie's Violet
Magenta Dreams
Midnight Amethyst
Mulberry
Paris
Posy
Purple Quartz
Rose Bud
Rover"

I will definitely be checking out more of their products because I love this highlighter. It is easily one of my favorites. It's not that blinding highlighter- it's definitely more of a natural glow. I love pairing this with a more orange toned blush.

That's all I have for now! What are some of ya'lls favorite Etsy stores?



Petit Vour January 2017 Unboxing

 Petit Vour is a subscription service that gives you 3-5 beauty related products every month for $15 a month in the United States ($23/month in Canada and $25/month for worldwide). The products are all cruelty-free and vegan. The sizes of the products are usually deluxe or full size. Which is great if you're tired of getting little samples all the time.






In this month's box we received:

EVOLVh UltraShine Moisture Shampoo and EVOLVh UltraShine Moisture Conditioner, Retails at $8.00- 69.00, depending on the size.

This shampoo is advertised as being for all hair types, but is specifically for curly, dry hair. It is also safe for hair that has been chemically treated. For reference, my hair is curly, thick, and oily. Anything that says it'll add moisture to hair is usually not my friend- because the last thing my hair needs is more moisture. It didn't help with the oiliness of my hair, but I will say that it helped with frizz and my curls looked nice after using this product. However, I didn't think it was really for my hair type unfortunately.

Blissoma Tonique, Full Size is $32.00.
This is a toner that you spray on your face instead of wiping it on. It smells really good and was hydrating for my skin. This can be used after your cleanser and throughout the day if you need a boost for your skin. I haven't heard of this company before, but will be checking out more of their products.

Lauren B. Beauty Nail Couture, Retails for $18.00.

I haven't tried this yet, but have read from the reviews that this last a long time, is very pigmented, and dries quickly. I was kind of disappointed in the color I received because it is a little bright for me. It's a bright pink and I tend to not like pink or bright colors. I'll most likely try some other colors because they do have some beautiful colors on their website.


If you're interested in Petit Vour, you can click here.



Can Vegans be Athletic?

The short answer to this question is yes. But if you're like most people, you probably want to know why and how. This statement seems to go against everything you've been taught. You need animal protein to exercise, right? It may surprise you, but you don't. In fact many people feel better when they exercise on a vegan diet. Take Christine Frietchen for example. She reports having more energy, losing weight, and being able to run faster after switching her diet. Of course there are many factors that contribute to someone's energy levels, weight, and athletic endurance, but diet does play a role.


Can you get the protein you need? Absolutely. Nuts, soy products, beans, and grains are among those on the list. The only nutrient you miss on a plant-based diet is vitamin B12, but you can easily take a supplement. A vegan diet also supplies you with enough calories for exercise as well. Most vegans also eat smaller meals throughout the day to get the calories they need. This is also better for your metabolism as well- which could help with weight loss.


Of course switching to a vegan diet doesn't automatically mean you're healthier or will lose weight if you're not eating a mostly plant-based diet. On average, vegans and vegetarians weigh less than their meat-eating counterparts, but you can be unhealthy and vegan. Oreos are vegan and are certainly not healthy. Like any other diet, you can choose to be an unhealthy or healthy vegan. It is important to mostly consume vegetables, fruits, nuts, and beans if you're wanting to be healthier. If you're eating Oreos all day, you can't expect to be healthier and lose weight (if that's your goal). I can't imagine that that would give you much energy for exercise either.


Many people such as Scott Jurek advocate for a vegan diet for athletes. Jurek also wrote a book on his journey of becoming a long distance runner fueled on a vegan diet. Even if you're not wanting to become super athletic, but more fit, you can benefit from a vegan diet. Some would say to go completely vegan overnight, while others would advocate for slowly cutting out animal products. Personally, I believe everyone should do what they feel comfortable when switching your diet. But it's worth a shot, right?


Some good resources:
Vegkitchen.com
Protein Intake
Advice for new vegans
Scott Jurek

Vegan Friendly Update

Recently I emailed a few companies to ask if they were cruelty-free and vegan since I couldn't find anything on their websites. The companies that I have received responses from are Belfiore Cosmetics, Ittse, Lorac, and Coastal Scents. I am also currently waiting on responses from IBY, Essence, Makeup Revolution, and Physicians Formula. I am also working with L.A. Girl to create a list of vegan products.

Belfiore Cosmetics

I first heard of this company due to their eye shadow collections. I will say that their customer service was really quick in responding and got back to me the next day. This is their response:


"Thank you so much for reaching out to us!  Our products are cruelty-free but they are not vegan.  We are currently working on providing cruelty-free and vegan products with any future cosmetic product releases.  For updates, please be sure to sign up to our email newsletter.  Thanks again and have a great week!"


So while it's good to see that they're cruelty-free, their products are currently not vegan friendly. I will update this if/when vegan products become available.

Ittse

This company also got back to me the next day, which I really appreciate. Below is their reply to me.

"Thanks you for contacting the ittsē team!

Most of our products are vegan, with a few exceptions where carmine (crushed beetles) are used as a colorant.  Here is a list of items that do contain carmine, listed by category:

Crème Lip Color

Florabunda Low Impact Finish

Florabunda High Impact Finish

Brow – Carmine FREE

Bronzer – Carmine FREE

Illuminator – Carmine FREE

Flawless – Carmine FREE

Cheek Color

Paris Pink

Effervescent

Key Largo

Dreamhouse

Eye Color

Discoteque

The Artist

Sure Shot

Les Macarons

Rose

Matte Shadow

Downtown

Velveteen

Cabin in the Woods

Changing to Flats

Victorian

Demure

Sweater Weather  

Please don’t’ hesitate to reach out should you need more information."


This is great that they provided a list and that most of their products are in fact vegan. I'll have to try out their products.

Lorac

Lorac unfortunately didn't have the greatest response:

"Thank you for contacting LORAC Cosmetics. Unfortunately LORAC does not have a vegan product list to provide to you. Animal products and byproducts are not generally used as main ingredients for LORAC products. However, some animal products, and/or byproducts may be used by suppliers of raw ingredients used in the manufacture of LORAC products. Also, all the ingredients for every product are listed on the LORAC website."

I guess you could go through each product to determine if it's vegan, but this is a problem when there are ingredients like glycerin that can be animal or plant derived. I will be following up with them and try to create a vegan friendly list.

Coastal Scents

I originally messaged them on January 8th and they messaged me back the next day stating that they were cruelty-free, but did not respond to whether or not their products were vegan. I messaged them again and received another response within an hour stating:

"Thank you for your reply. Our products are not certified vegan and we cannot confirm some of the ingredients are derived from animals."


This was discouraging that they are not willing to confirm what ingredients are derived from animals. So I guess I will not be purchasing anything from them. Oh well, plenty more to choose from.


I also have a new YouTube channel! If you'd like to check it out, please click here.

I also have a running cruelty free list going- click here.

Kat Von D Pastel Goth Eyeshadow Palette Review

It's here!!!!!

I'm sorry, too excited.

Kat Von D launched her palette early on her website on January 6th. She's known for having surprise launches and when I saw the email, I was sooooo excited. Yea, I'm not anticipating that I'll calm down. The reason I was so excited for this palette is because most (if not all) of her palette's in the past have not been vegan and this one is! Kat Von D herself is vegan and has stated that she is moving towards an all vegan line and it's good to see her moving in that direction. I've been playing with this palette for a few days so I could give a full review.

OK, onto the swatches.

From bottom to top: Skull, Dagger, Gloom, Doom, Dope, Meow, Clementine, and Star

I thought these colors would be super bright, but they're really soft. This is actually a good thing for me since I don't normally like brighter colors. They feel super creamy and are pigmented when applied to the eyelid and blend really well. When I swatched it on my arm, it didn't look as pigmented (as you can kind of see) and I was a little disappointed. But on the eyelids, it's completely different. I don't know how or why, but I was pleasantly surprised. It really is the most creamy eyeshadow I've tried and I kind of wish all eyeshadows felt this way. It's like butter... but vegan.

At first glance, this palette looks intimidating due to the colors. For me, I think it's very versatile and can be used everyday. I personally really love the orange shade (Clementine) and like to put it all over my lid. All these shades are build-able as well. So you can go real light or go ham (can vegans go ham? Serious question). Primer also makes the eyeshadows stand out more. In my swatches above, I am not using an eyeshadow primer. They did have some fallout, but lasted all day. It's a trade off, I guess.

The packaging is beautiful, as always with Kat Von D and feels really light. I also like how the colors on the packaging go in the same order as the eyeshadows. Did anyone else notice that? Or is that just my weird butt? I can't explain it, but it just feels nice while you're holding it. It also somehow feels sturdy at the same time. What is this sorcery? 

Now, do I think this is a must have? To be honest, no. It's nice to have and I do like it, but I don't think you NEEED it. If you're looking for shades that are outside your comfort zone, this would be a good option because it's not so out there. But if you can't see yourself not using these colors, I don't think your collection will suffer. I tried to make that sound as nice as possible, did I succeed?

As of today, the Kat Von D website is sold out, but is on Sephora's website. This item is limited edition, so if you want it, you better hurry! It retails for $38.

Parent Companies that are not Cruelty-Free.

A dilemma that vegans, me included, have faced is whether or not a company should still be considered cruelty-free when they are owned by a parent company that is not. Some examples are Urban Decay (owned by L'Oreal), Becca (owned by Estee Lauder), and Tarte (owned by Kose). There are two sides to this argument and I will be presenting them both. While researching about this topic, I found that the topic is not black and white and people may feel strongly about one opinion over another. Keep in mind that the terms cruelty-free and vegan are not interchangeable as cruelty-free simply means that the product was not tested on animals, while vegan means that there are no animal derived ingredients.


Are they really still cruelty-free?
Technically, yes. Companies that have a parent company that are not cruelty-free can still retain their cruelty-free status. As long as the company still keeps with their cruelty-free policies (including remaining certified through Leaping Bunny), they are still cruelty-free. Some parent companies also sell in China and if the cruelty-free company starts to as well, they are no longer cruelty-free.


What is the deal with China anyways?
You may have heard a few things when it comes to companies selling their products in China. In order to sell cosmetics in China, you legally have to test on animals. By default that makes the brand no longer cruelty-free. They can, however, make their products in China, but not sell them, and remain cruelty-free because this doesn't require them to test on animals.


But isn't my money going towards a company that test on animals?
At the end of the day, yes you are correct. The money you spend on a product will go to the parent company. So you are indirectly giving money to a company that test on animals- exactly what you wanted to avoid (keep in mind that not ALL the money is going towards the parent company, but be aware that some of it is). Some argue that they are okay with this because you almost never have the opportunity to buy, lets say groceries, from a completely cruelty-free brand. How many of us can say that we only shop at cruelty-free, vegan grocery stores? On the other hand, many see this as an opportunity to send a message to companies. This creates a supply and demand for cruelty-free, vegan products.


Will companies actually change if we only buy cruelty-free?
The short answer is yes. It's simple supply and demand. If companies don't move away from testing on animals as we as a society condemn these practices, they'll be forced to consider other options. As more consumers turn to cruelty-free brands, the other companies will feel the pressure to change their practices. I even found an outline of the changes that consumers have made in global market: here.

How will I know which brands are cruelty-free?
There are many online resources such as Leaping Bunny and Cruelty-Free Kitty that list who is and who is not cruelty-free. Leaping Bunny also has an app for when you're on the go. They even list if they are owned by a parent company. If you can't find anything on these platforms, you can email the company to see if they're cruelty-free or not. This would also be a good time to ask if they have a parent company, sell in China, and what products are vegan.


Please remember that being vegan means causing the least amount of harm possible to animals. This is a personal choice on whether or not you want to keep supporting these brands. Every vegan decides what they are comfortable with and what they're not.

Eating Vegan at Fast Food Resturaunts

A common misconception about veganism is that you can never eat out or will inconvenience everyone else in a group when going to a restaurant. But there are many fast food places that have vegan options. Whether you're going on a long trip or staying in your hometown, eating at a fast food restaurant on a vegan diet is completely plausible. You can use the Happy Cow app as well- and it's free! Below is a list of twelve fast food restaurants that offer vegan friendly menus.

1. Panera Bread
Panera Bread actually has a good amount of choices for vegans. Most of their bagels and breads are vegan and they also offer salads and soups that are vegan friendly. Even the bread bowl for soups is vegan! Two of the entrees can be made vegan as well. For a complete list, click here. Panera also has a vegan menu on their website here. Some of the vegetarian menu items can also be made vegan by removing items such as cheese.

2. Einstein Bagels
Most of Einstein Bagels bread products are vegan. Just be aware that some of them that appear to be vegan have honey in them, making them not vegan. For a complete list, click here. Einstein Bagels' also indicates what items are vegetarian on their menu. Obviously cream cheese is not vegan, but you can always put a jam spread on a bagel instead.

3. Chipotle
Arguably one of the best fast food restaurants for vegan options is in fact Chipotle. This is largely due to them having a made-to-order menu. You can make a burrito, taco, or burrito bowl very easily with items such as rice, beans, veggies, and guacamole. For a complete list, click here. Not to mention that their portion sizes are amazing. Sounds good to me!

4. Domino's
Think you can't eat pizza on a vegan diet? Think again! Domino's thin crust is vegan and if you order it without cheese, it's now vegan. Easy! You can find a complete list of vegan options here. Other pizza places such as Little Caesar's, Pizza Hut, and Papa John's also have vegan options. So just pick your favorite!

5. Quizno's
If you're more in the mood for a sandwich, Quizno's is a good option. You can easily get a veggie sandwich, hold the cheese, or a salad, with chips and a drink. For a full menu of vegan items click here.

6. Red Robin
Cue the "Red Robin, yum!". Yes, they actually have vegan options here. There is a vegan burger, some made to order options, the spaghetti without the cheese, plus a few sides and salad options. I haven't personally tried this one, but if there's a Red Robin near you, it might be worth a shot! For a complete list click here.





7. Starbucks

Not going to lie, your options are a little more limited at Starbucks if you're looking for a full meal. This would mostly be a good option if you're looking for a small breakfast item, snack, or maybe just some coffee. Pretty much any of their drinks can be made vegan with substituting cows milk with almond, coconut, or soy milk and not adding whip cream. Be mindful that certain flavors (such as the caramel sauce) are not vegan. For a complete list click here.

8. Subway

Subway used to have vegan bread options, but that is no longer the case. The veggie patty is not vegan as well. If you're stopping at Subway, you can get a salad with chips and a drink. Not ideal, but hey, it's something!

9. Taco Bell
If you're wanting something more filling and, let face it, not as healthy, Taco Bell is your place! The bean burrito (without cheese), Fresno bean burrito, and the seven layer burrito (without cheese or sour cream) are just a few options. My personal favorite is the crunch wrap supreme with beans instead of meat and without the cheese or sour cream. For a complete list click here.

11. Qdoba
Like Chipotle, it's very easily to make items vegan. Burritos can be made with rice, veggies, and beans to easily make it vegan. Their chips are also vegan! Chips and guacamole? Yes, please. For a complete list click here.

12. Dunkin Doughnuts
While none of the doughnuts are vegan (sorry), they have vegan bagels, hash browns, and English muffins available. This would be a good option for a quick cup of coffee and breakfast when you're in a pinch. For a complete list click here.

Ten Reasons to be Vegan for Life

So you've gone vegan? That's great! Whether you're a new vegan or not, you may sometimes lose sight of why you're vegan when you're being bogged down by others who just don't get it. Being vegan isn't a stage, once you're vegan, you're always vegan. If you need a little pick-me-up of why we continue to be vegan, here are my top ten reasons- although I'm sure you could come up with more.


1. Not contributing to the cruelty and slaughter of animals
This is the main reason I give to people when they ask me why I'm vegan. Many people realize that they don't want to be a part of cruelty to animals and will turn to grass fed meat or free range eggs thinking that they're doing better for the animals. While this can be a step in the right direction, it is not enough. If you're really concerned about the cruelty and slaughter of animals, veganism for life is the only answer and solution.


2. It's much better for the planet
Animal agriculture is the single worst thing for the environment. If you want to know just how bad, go watch the documentary Cowspiracy. It's even on Netflix. Go ahead, I'll wait...
Did you watch it? Well in case you didn't here are the highlights of the effects we have on the planet by consuming animal products: animal agriculture accounts for eighteen percent of greenhouse gas emissions, is destroying the Amazon, utilizes 34-76 trillion gallons of water a year, and 75% of the world's fisheries are exploited or depleted. Vegans utilize less resources than both vegetarians and meat-eaters.


3. It's better for your health
By being vegan, you will be decreasing your chances of diseases such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Vegans also tend to live longer, healthier lives than their non-vegan counterparts. Many report that they also lose weight on a vegan diet. People ask me how I'm slim and I say it's because of what I eat (and exercise of course). I was never as fit as a omnivore as I am now.


4. Social issues and principles are aligned
A common criticism of veganism is that we care too much about animals and not the suffering of human beings. This mostly stems from a misunderstanding of what veganism is. Because vegans want ALL beings to be treated with respect and dignity- yes, that includes other humans. By eating some animals and loving others, non-vegans are falling for the trap of speciesism. This is when you believe that certain lives matter more than others. Vegans no longer believe in this arbitrary spectrum and therefore being vegan gives you an unobstructed view of all discrimination is society. This includes sexism, homophobia, racism, ableism, etc. If you oppose violence, you should be vegan. If you are a feminist, you should be vegan. If you're an environmentalist, you should be vegan.


5. Better food
I always hear that I eat like a rabbit or that if I'm hungry, I can go graze a field. This is what people tend to think a vegan diet consists of. I hate to break it to you, but my diet is more diverse now than it was when I wasn't vegan. When I ate animal products, my meals mostly consisted of a meat, some type of grain, and a vegetable dish. Now that seems bland to me. There's unlimited resources for finding vegan recipes if you don't know where to start or feel like you're just eating potatoes and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I also explore other cultures dishes more now in search of quality vegan food. Just Google imagine "vegan food" and see what comes up. Does that look bland to you?


6. Consumerism of animal products doesn't affect you
I don't know how many times a day I see something being advertised that contains animals or their secretions and instantly ignore it. Beforehand, I would be hungry when these ads would appear and most likely overeat. Now that I no longer find those "food" items appealing, it is actually more freeing. Even with buying household products and only buying cruelty-free and vegan, it is more freeing. I don't see it as a restriction. I know what is in what I'm eating and I know that no harm comes to animals because of my purchases.


7. Because you can survive and thrive on a vegan diet
People say all the time that they can't survive without their meat, dairy, and eggs. But you can. About 8% of the world in either vegetarian or vegan so obviously a human being can survive on a vegan diet. Not only that, but you have the health benefits that was listed under number 3.


8. Because if I believe that something is morally wrong but everybody around me is doing it, it doesn’t mean that I should be doing it too
We have all heard an adult at some point in our childhoods say "if your friend jumped off a bridge, would you?". We all resent this statement as a child, but then feel uncomfortable to think about doing something that is different than the majority. Following the herd (yes, that is a pun) isn't always what is right. Think to times such as the Holocaust or slavery in America. Those who stood up and said that it was wrong were the minority. But now we recognize that the minority was right. Maybe one day we'll be appalled that we ever treated animals this way.


9. Because I care about poverty and hunger in the world
"Of the planet’s nearly 7 billion humans, roughly 1 billion people are malnourished and 6 million children starve to death every year." (Freefromharm). Animal agriculture uses a variety of resources- one of which is food. The USDA states that it takes thirteen pounds of grain to yield just one pound of beef. Right not we feed half of the world's grains to animals. Often times, these grains will be grown in third-world countries where people are dying of hunger and instead of feeding the hungry people the grains, they give it to the animals. Then the animal meat is shipped to another country. We have enough food to feed the world, the problem is that we'd rather give the food to animals for us to consume.


10. Because it's the right thing to do
Somewhere deep down, we all know this. This is why people are quick to respond when they feel like they're being attacked for their food choices. Because part of them knows that it is wrong. Vegans are not a part of the suffering and death of millions of animals all over the world. One of my favorite sayings is that veganism "isn't the most we can do, it's the least we can do." (That's from That Vegan Couple, in case you haven't heard that before). And it's true, the least we can do is not cause suffering to animals. It's the right thing to do. You are not the center of the universe and what you do affects others.

Top Ten Book Recommendations for a Vegan Diet/Lifestyle

My love of books is no secret. So it should be no surprise that I would turn to books for information while pursuing a vegan lifestyle. Whether you're already vegan or looking into becoming vegan, this list has something for everyone. I provide a range of topics concerning veganism, as well as different approaches to the subject. By no means do you have to read all these books to understand veganism (but if you like to read, by all means!).

1. Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
This book is on nearly every must read lists out there for veganism. Foer began looking into the history of why we eat certain animals and not others after becoming a husband and father and the ethics of what we're eating became important to him. He examines factory farm practices, animal intelligence, and the impact of animal agriculture on the environment. You can tell in his writing that he is compassionate and seeks clarity in the defense for a vegan diet.

2. Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way We Treat Animals by Karen Dawn
Dawn examines how animal rights has become a major concern in our society. This book is presented in a way that is not meant as a lecture, but to inform the reader on the choices they're making and the impact it has. She speaks about animal rights from the perspective of not wanting to utilize animals to our benefit and does so in a way that is entertaining, but informative.

3. Sacred Cows and Golden Geese: The Human Cost of Experiments on Animals by Dr. C. Ray Greek and Jean Swingle Greek, D.V.M
This book talks about animal testing in the medical industry and why experimentation on animals is still used today when more effective and affordable options are available. The authors write about why society as a whole is still okay with animal testing and how this actually puts human health at risk. Instead of appealing to the emotional side of animal rights, they present an overwhelming amount of data arguing against animal testing. Both authors are medical professionals and approach the issue with a scientific mind set, but the information is easy to understand- even if you're not a doctor.

4. The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Thomas M Campbell II
In this book, the authors describe how nutrition is linked to diseases such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and cancer. They also explore the amount of misinformation that is given to the public concerning nutrition. This is one of the largest studies completed on the benefits of a plant-based diet and provides statistics on reevaluating dietary policies in the United States.

6. The Case for Animal Rights by Tom Regan
Regan is a long-time advocate for animal rights and in this book, he reevaluates our treatment of animals. He presents philosophical and moral reasoning behind animal rights and their role in our lives. His concern for animal rights is written in a way that is both powerful and clear. This book is considered one of the greatest defense of animal rights in our society.

7. Main Street Vegan: Everything You Need to Know to Eat Healthfully and Live Compassionately in the Real World by Victoria Moran and Adair Moran
Victoria Moran presents the vegan diet to the general public as both doable and healthy without breaking the bank. She puts an emphasis on baby steps and stresses that not everyone becomes vegan the same way. She also covers ways to a vegan diet and a cruelty-free lifestyle and presents it in a way that is both achievable and accessible. This would be a good book for both vegans and those interested in veganism.

8. Project Animal Farm: An Accidental Journey into the Secret World of Farming and the Truth About Our Food by Sonia Faruqi
Faruqi describes what really goes on in factory farms and how she unexpectedly came across this subject when she visited a dairy farm for the first time. She took this experience as a stepping stone to become an advocate for animal rights. The author travels around the world in order to present factory farms in a global backdrop. She presents a unique insight into animal agriculture and the culture surrounding our food choices.

9. Bleating Hearts: The Hidden World of Animal Suffering by Mark Hawthorne

Hawthorne also takes a global approach in his book that investigates the exploitation of animals in industries such as fashion, food, sports, research, entertainment, and labor. The author comprehensively covers a variety of animal issues that shows his compassion for other beings. If you love animals and truly don't want to cause them harm, this is a must for you.

10. Vegan for Life: Everything You Need to Know to Be Healthy and Fit on a Plant-Based Diet by Jack Norris and Virginia Messina

This book is a go-to guide for vegans and aspiring vegans. It covers how to start on a plant-based diet and the nutritional needs of a vegan diet. They also debunk some of the long time myths surrounding veganism that often leads people to not pursue a vegan diet. The book even provides information for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is packed full of resources, charts, and recipes to help you transition to a plant-based diet.


Happy reading!

Colourpop Party Trick Shadow Kit Review

Colourpop has so many new releases that it is sometimes hard to keep up with. They also discontinue items regularly. However, Colourpop recently released some products that were previously discontinued- just in case you missed them before. As far as I know, these are limited edition. One of these items (the Party Trick Shadow Kit) I wanted to try because the colors looked amazing! The shades are also up for individual sale if you already own some of these colors. This set is cruelty-free and vegan. One shade is in the pearilzed finish, one in the satin, and four are in the metallic finish. I will say that all these shades have a ton of glitter, so if you don't like glitter, you wouldn't like these very much.

Valley Girl

Valley Girl is described as a "vanilla with soft gold sheen" and is in the pearlized finish. It's not too gold or flashy in my opinion. This color would be perfect for the inside corners or as an eyebrow highlight. You don't need much of this product either- I only had to swipe once to get this swatch. I sometimes have difficulty finding a highlight for my eyebrow area, but I think this would be perfect. I also think this could be used as a highlighter depending on your skin tone.

Prickly Pear

Prickly Pear is described as a "lavender with gold and violet glitter" and is in a metallic finish. I thought this would be more purple and was surprised by how toned-down it is. If you want to try a safer purple, this would be a good option. It's not bright at all and would look great as an all over the eye. It also has a cool duo-chrome effect to it and the color changes when you move in the light. Many say this is a must have!

Hot Tamale

Hot Tamale is described as a "rich coppery brown multi-dimensional pearl" and is in a satin finish. This one is so pretty! I think I would mostly use this in the crease myself. It's a brownish-red that is a good every day warm eye shadow.

Birthday Girl

Birthday Girl is described as a "light gold with silver and pink glitter" and is in a metallic finish. This is definitely on the pink side and I can't decide if I like it or not since I don't normally like pink eye shadows. The silver glitter is very apparent though- which is a plus for me. I've seen people use this over a gold and the result is stunning. This is a unique shade that I have not found in any other collection.

Cheap Date

Cheap Date is described as a "true gold with silver sparkles" and is in a metallic finish. This is definitely my favorite of the bunch and I used it on New Year's Eve. This really is a true gold and adds a pop to any eye color. This is probably one of the more glittery ones, so be aware of that when removing it at the end of the day. This is one of the best golds I've ever come across, so if you like gold eye shadows, you need this in your collection!

Moonshine

Moonshine is described as a "chocolate brown with gold glitter" and is in a metallic finish. Like hot tamale, this is a good every day color. It has more of a gold undertone (obviously) and I know some people aren't a fan of that, but I am! Like the others in this kit, it is glittery, but I didn't see fallout so much with this one.

Top to bottom: Valley Girl, Prickly Pear, Hot Tamale, Birthday Girl, Moonshine, and Cheap Date

Overall, I think I will be using this set a lot! The colors are so gorgeous and can be worn as an every day look, or smoked-out. If you haven't tried Colourpop, I would highly recommend one of their kits like this one. This set is $25.00 and can be purchased here.

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