Vegan Shopping Store Cruelty Free Cosmetics and More

The cute turtle is the mascot of the Shop Vegan store.

Hey, check this out, a  Vegan Shopping Store ! I was looking though this site yesterday, and I love it. Everything they sell is suitable for vegans, and vegetarians. The products they carry and select do not involve animal testing and are free from animal ingredients.

Vegan Vitamins for Kids.

Mr. Tumee vitamins are a big hit with kids and many varieties are offered.  In fact, you may find a wide variety of adult and children's supplements.

Dairy Free Chocolate: Perfect for the Vegan with a Sweet Tooth!

You can find products for your sweet tooth from dried fruit to dairy free chocolate in the Vegan Confectionary area. This is an entire shopping site, not just things to consume.

Cruelty Free Beauty Products are a big hit!

In fact, I'm particularly in love with the bunch of cruelty-free cosmetics they stock and carry.  In fact their wide range of different lines involve NO TESTING on animals. You can find lipstick, eye makeup, and nail polish at affordable rates and in great colors.


Now some would worry that the Shop Vegan Store is a UK based store--but don't be.  There is a flat rate shipping option to the rest of the world, no matter how much you order. Case in point, no matter how much you order you pay flat rate shipping to the USA. By ordering a large quantity of items you will save over buying products from several different sources within the USA. The rest of the world has a flat rate shipping, too!

You will also find:

• Pet Products
• Products for Baby
• Magazines
• Accessories
• and so much more!

What's better than that? Oh yeah, they are registered with the Vegan Society.

Apple Cider Vinegar Diets when Fast Food Has Taken Your Soul

Photo Courtesy of Edopter.com

I was recently reading this great Etsy article on The Importance of Diet Diversity, and figured I'd share my story of how I stumbled upon Apple Cider Vinegar.

I miss my garden. Photo from ScoutRegalia.com go there to see this garden kit.

On the Go and Eating

This summer I've just felt horrible, I've been a lot sicker than usual (I'm usually never sick) and frankly more out of shape and run down that I've ever been. I had to stop and think what may have changed this summer versus every other summer.  The main factor is I have been nonstop traveling due to a heavy workload.  My diet has changed in the sense that previously I could spend more time preparing fresh fruits and vegetables from my garden and eat healthier.  When I did have a non-vegetarian dinner I made sure it was low fat, lean or organic.  On the road however, is a bit different story.

I'm not lying when I say I've probably been at home about 3 weeks out of the past four months.  My job makes me travel, work long hours, live in hotels where the complimentary breakfast is bagel and sausage links.... and eating fast food on the road has really taken a toll on me. 

Fast Food is Not Your Friend 
 
Fast Food is not your friend. I don't just mean McDonald's, I mean just about anywhere out that you can buy something.  Even when I tried to choose the healthiest thing on the menu, it was loaded with sodium. Just eating like this over several months, it gave me high blood pressure, packed on the pounds, and made me feel awful--sluggish, tired, run down.  I felt like I had low sugar, so I'd grab a Fountain Soda and well, what a mistake. The biggest problem I found, is that the average item I consumed has about 30 grams of fat, tons of sodium and fountain sodas loaded with sugar.  See the full list here, for those of you who love to grab a bite on the road!

MY SAVIOR!

Apple Cider Vinegar Diet to the Rescue
 
I ended up having to make a change.  I knew I couldn't go on at this rate.  So, I tried fasting for a few days, resting up and cleansing my system of the impurities by using an Apple Cider Vinegar diet.   Now let's just say I was a bit scared of what the cider vinegar would do to me, as it never went over well on my fries, but it has been a sheer wonder. I felt better and am hopeful when my blood pressure gets checked again, it should be down.

Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits

It is said that it's an old folk remedy for lowering blood pressure, increasing energy, and cleansing your system.  Here are some things I noticed when using the Apple Cider Vinegar in my diet.

• I didn't feel as sluggish, as if my energy level was increasing.
• I felt like the apple cider was washing way the impurities. 
• I didn't feel that there were so many highs and lows in my metabolism--I felt more stable.
• I didn't get those sugar crashes like I was on the road.  I think it stabilized my sugar.
• I lost a few pounds already, which is probably thanks to lowering my sodium intake and getting rid of excess fluids.

In actuality I have nothing bad to say about it, although the initial shock of drinking a bit of it each day sort of freaked me out. You get used to it because the benefits certainly outweigh any unpleasant tastes. (Hint: add the required dose to a glass of semi warm water and chug down) Although many health food stores sell cider vinegar , I have been using grocery store bought versions with no problems.  
A friend of mine who used to work with a doctor on a Holistic Therapy show actually turned me onto it and I can't thank him enough.  You should really read up on it if you too want to Cleanse and Purge the impurities out of your system using a natural remedy.

See a full list of real benefits here.

Celery or bust!

Tips for Eating on the Go

Now I take dried fruits, granola bars, bottled water, and juice on the road.  If I am near a grocery store I'll buy a bag of baby carrot, some celery and go to town on some fat free veggie dip. Some ice out of the hotel lobby into my carrying pouch will usually extend my leftovers until the next meal. Anything is better than eating fast food, even if you have to not eat at all.  ♥

==========================
Post by Ira Mency of Retro Chalet. 

What's NOT in Mother Nature's Cup of Tea: The Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Splenda & Truvia) and Natural, Healthy Alternatives

The breathtakingly beautiful handcrafted teapot featured above is a one-of-a-kind creation from fellow guild member Adrien Art.

Scientific research has shown that artificial sweeteners like Aspartame, Splenda, and Truvia are very hazardous to our health. Aspartame, the common zero calorie synthetic sweetner, in diet sodas, sports drinks, flavored waters & teas, nearly ALL chewing gum (and I am not just talking about the "diet" ones), children's drinks, etc...is discovered to be a dangerous neurotoxin; and scientific evidence suggests that it may lead to neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis. With my mother and twin sister both having Multiple Sclerosis (MS), I am very cautious about this synthetic ingredient. Although, my sister (who has MS yet is in very healthy shape right now) and I avoid Aspartame completely; our mother at the youthful age of 48, however, is completely paralyzed from the neck down and is living in a nursing home where she has been living for 12 years because of the debilitating effects Multiple Sclerosis has had on her body. Now, what is the one thing that our mother has been consuming daily for all of this time? Aspartame; in her diet soda and in the form of "Sweeten Low" in her iced tea...everyday. Now, I am not saying that Aspartame caused her disease, I just have a sense of concerned intuition about the safety of this ingredient. My mother strongly opposes leaving Aspartame out of her diet because she "loves it" and refuses to believe that it could be harmful to her body. I personally think that she is physically addicted to Aspartame.

There is a very informative documentary that I think everyone should watch called "Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World" that talks about the effects of Aspartame by doctors, scientists, and victims of this very common additive in our food supply. I strongly advise that everyone sit down and watch this film and show it to your friends and family. Here is a link to the full film:

Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World


Now, I know that many people believe that Splenda is a healthy sugar substitute; however it is over-processed and thus transformed into a chlorocarbon, with a molecular structure closely resembling chlorine-based DDT, the banned pesticide. Please look at this article on the Women to Women Website and these short video clips by Dr. Mercola about the dangers of Splenda:

"Sugar Substitutes and the Potential Danger of Splenda" by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

"Scientific Basis for Splenda Toxicity" by Dr. Mercola

"Is Splenda Really As Safe As They Say It Is" by Dr. Mercola

Unfortunately "Truvia" is now being advertised as a "healthy and natural" alternative to sugar; however, like Splenda, it too is overly-processed and has posed concern to scientists and doctors about it's safety. Please check out these links about the health concerns of "Truvia"...and please do your own research:

"Truvia: New Low Calorie Sweetener (Toxin)"

"Truvia Side Effects"

"Queen Bee Honey" by the Etsy Shop Queen Bee Honey!!!

You may now be asking..."What is the answer to the sugar substitute madness?!" Well, there are several NATURAL and HEALTHY choices out there for you to try. First of all, local, all-natural honey is a great and very medicinal sugar alternative (I even use honey in baking); pure maple syrup and molasses are also natural, healthy choices.

"Antique Run Away Spoons" by fellow Etsy Recyclers Guild Team Leader Andrea of Storybook Artifact.

Stevia products that you can find at your local health food stores are extracts from the Stevia plant and are very healthy for you. These places shouldn't carry Truvia I assure you...I know because I work at Akins Natural Foods Market and we don't carry it. Also, something that my husband Joe and I love to use is the actual Stevia leaf; we make our own herbal tea blends and add just a few pinches of Stevia leaf to our herbal tea blend (our favorite right now is Sassafras, Sarsaparilla, Licorice, Peppermint, Star Anise, Stevia leaf, and a hint of Cinnamon...mmm, divine)! You can find Stevia Leaf in this charming herb shop on Etsy it is called Mistical Acscents; here is their link to their Stevia Leaf listing:

"Stevia ORGANIC Natural Sweetener"Now, there is also another healthy and natural sugar substitute that I am very curious about...coconut sugar! Please check out this fascinating article about Coconut Sugar from Natural News:

"Coconut Sugar: Enjoy the New Star Among Low Glycemic Sweeteners"

My husband, Joe and I actually buy this delicious and surprisingly NUTRITIOUS (naturally contains trace minerals) Coconut Sugar by Natural News!!!

This blog article was contributed by Etsy Recyclers Guild Team Captain Jessica of Eco-Friendly Freckles.

Boost Your Health With Kombucha!

The delightful image above is an original oil painting titled "Lightness Becomes You" by fellow Etsy Recycler's Guild member Adrien Art.
Feel energized, detox your body, and boost your health with kombucha tea!
Kombucha Tea is a biological active product fermented with a living culture ("scoby") to become a natural living food high in enzymes. Scientific research shows the benefits of Kombucha, whose high concentration of probiotic-rich acids can provide a powerful energy boost, as well as detoxify and cleanse the blood of disease-causing toxins, allowing the body to alleviate a wide spectrum of ailments and conditions; from the mildest indisposition to the most serious diseases.

Drinking Kombucha tea regularly has been shown to benefit the human body by:

* balancing the metabolism
* cleansing the blood and regulating pH levels
* improving liver, gall bladder, and digestive function
* detoxifying the body and enhancing the immune system
* raising overall energy level
This summer while the heat is intense and you're enjoying some fresh air, have yourself a cool, refreshing glass of kombucha and detox while you hydrate!

If you are interested in making your own kombucha at home, I have organic kombucha scobies in my Etsy shop for making this delicious and nutritious probiotic beverage; with this kombucha scoby all you need is some black or green tea and you are on your way to kombucha-making success. Also, with each order of my kombucha scobies, I send a step-by-step picture tutorial that I have made to assist you in making your first batch of kombucha tea!

This blog post was contributed by Jessica of Eco-Friendly Freckles.

Cha Cha Cha Chia! Raw Chocolate Chia Pudding Trifle Recipe!

Chia Seeds are so very healthy for you...they aren't just used to grow cute chia pets! They are a favorite staple ingredient amongst raw foodists...Here is an informative video clip telling you all about chia seed and it's health benefits:

http://www.naturalnews.tv/v.asp?v=F99BA7CA912165275467CC90764F2738

I LOVE chia seed; it is AMAZING! It is great for my digestion and it makes some delicious and nutritious desserts (it is also a great ingredient to implement into many different recipes). Here is the recipe for a "Raw Dark Chocolate Chia Pudding Trifle with Strawberries and All-Natural Vanilla Wafers" that my husband and I made this weekend!

Raw Dark Chocolate Chia Pudding Trifle with Strawberries and All-Natural Vanilla Wafers

Ingredients-

Pudding:

1/2 cup chia seed
1 1/2 raw goats milk (any milk will work for this recipe)
6 tablespoons raw cocoa powder (any cocoa powder will work for this recipe)
3 raw egg yolks; preferably from local farm fresh pastured (NOT pasteurized!) eggs
1/3 cup - 1/2 cup chopped dates (or as sweet as you would like it; "to taste")
1 - 2 tablespoon raw local honey (or as sweet as you would like it; "to taste")
2 tablespoons coconut cream concentrate (We got ours from Tropical Traditions)
1 ripe banana
1/4 tsp. sea salt
A splash of Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum (optional)

Meringue:

3 raw egg whites ; preferably from local farm fresh pastured (NOT pasteurized!) eggs (we used 4 egg whites because we wanted more meringue for layering)
organic cane sugar ("to taste"...we used Organic Florida Crystals)

Trifle Remaining Layering Ingredients:

sliced strawberries (preferably organic)
all-natural vanilla wafers (we used used Organic Vanilla Wafers from Country Choice)

Instructions:

Add the milk to the chia seed in a medium sized mixing bowl, stir, and let sit until the chia seed absorbs the milk and has a gelatin consistency (about 10-15 minutes). Add six tablespoons raw cocoa powder and stir into the milk and chia mixture. Separate three egg yolks from three egg whites and add the egg yolks to the chia seed mixture; set the egg whites aside for meringue. Now you can pour the chia mixture into a blender or Vita Mix, and add coconut cream concentrate, banana, sea salt, and honey...slowing add the chopped dates while pulsing the blender (add a splash of spiced rum if you want...we did!) and then blend the pudding up til smooth.

Make meringue by beating the three (or four) egg whites with the sugar until the mixture forms soft peaks.

Layer the bottom of your trifle dish with all-natural vanilla wafers, putting some decoratively propped up on the sides of the dish as well. Then add a layer of your raw chocolate chia pudding, then a layer strawberries, then meringue, then repeat the layers until you reach the top and put meringue and sliced strawberries on the very top. Vwa la...Enjoy!!!
This blog post was contributed by Jessica of Eco-Friendly Freckles.

Kratom Powder : Healthy Living Natural Remedy

You just must read this article I originally posted on IraMency 2/12/11 as I am addicted to this wonderful natural remedy!

Eco-Friendly Freckles aka Jessica and her adorable decoupaged upcycled canisters!

I just adore Jessica of Eco-Friendly Freckles' blog and her Etsy shop named the same.  She hails from Bixby, Oklahoma and believes in herbal remedies and living with a more organic, healthy lifestyle.  Her blog is full of interesting articles including her sister's bourbon bread pudding recipe!  I'm so very glad she joined the Etsy Recyclers Guild.  You may know that she's guest blogging over here, with her very own column called "Eco-Friendly Freckles Column" which should be interesting. Her first post about miniature horses is just lovely.  I'm such a big fan!

This picture from her listing shows the plant. 

I noticed she had some Dark Jade Indo Kratom powder in her shop. Kratom is a tropical tree growing from 15-50 feet tall that is native to Thailand and Malaysia.  It is said that for centuries, Kratom has been very useful for its uplifting and medicinal qualities in its native cultures; it has helped with depression, pain, sexual enhancement, and diarrhea to name a few; it also is found to be a creativity booster and mood lifter.  It's supposed to have the same antioxidants found in dark chocolate less than calories!  I figured what the heck?  Anything to lift my mood these days would be beneficial--this was my only hope. (I had lost my mother right before Christmas, and by February, was still not up to par!)
 

I felt like it was my birthday!

It arrived lovingly packaged by Jessica with handmade cardboard and floral tags, a thank you note, and a  free soap sample wrapped in a white paper bag with a wax seal!  The soap she's made here is Coconut oil based soap infused with Bergamot and Lemon Essential Oils which she calls, "Orange Blossom Beauty."  

Can't wait to see her soaps in her shop!

The soap smells so lovely and I think this will be a huge hit when she puts it in her shop.I must admit I tried this before I tried the powder. I went right for my face!! The lemon oils left my face feel squeaky clean and tingly, all the whole bergamot the smelling so orangey  made me feel refreshed.  After my face was dry, it was radiant. I for one would absolutely stock up on this soap for holiday gifts as you just don't find soap smelling this good and feeling so good too! I should mention I've already got plans for the great white and green tissue paper she wrapped everything in, that's going to look great on a new mannequin head..

My new Miracle Powder!  Look how lovely the packing was!

Back to the powder,  I have to say, I was a bit of a skeptic at first as I've been very stressed out over the passing of my mom (before Christmas), and under a great amount of anxiety.  I've often felt as if I've been completely "wired" and unable to focus on multi-tasks or sleep most nights.  I didn't want to have to take any type of prescribed medications so I was looking for an alternative remedy and this powder was my only hope as I have tried other things!

The long anticipated Dark Jade Indo Kratom from Eco-Friendly Freckles. 

SO:  Back in February, I tried this for the first time.

I mixed a tiny bit into my tea--it looks like a lot because this didn't quite dissolve as I don't like my tea piping hot like some folks do, but I dumped in the equivalent of enough to cover the very tip of a small teaspoon.  With some natural honey you can't even taste it! I am not exaggerating when I say within an hour and a half I felt a sense of calm over me. It felt as though my stress levels went down and I was more relaxed. It seemed easier to focus than usual, and I felt more like myself.  I've had so much on my mind that these days, just having the television and trying to type would be too much.  After use of the powder, my mind was more at ease and I was back to the old me.  Although my tea contained caffeine, I felt if I wanted to take a nap or go to bed I could without being wired from the tea.   But wait, there's more.........

My husband soon saw a change in my mood over the next two days, and tried some powder himself in a cup of tea.  He agrees that he felt way more relaxed (he within an hour) and says this is a remedy for the blues!  I think I'll call this my new miracle powder! I would have to say it is a MUST for anyone going through mood swings, stress, PMS, depression or winter ruts!!!   It is great for those wound up trying to relax and settle in for a good night's sleep. 

My new favorite place to shop gets a five star rating from myself and my hubby!

You will find this and more herbs such as white willow bark, and more in her shop section for herbs. Perhaps this is because Jessica wants to live more natural like her ancestors did, takes it upon herself to learn what works and what doesn't, combined with her education at a whole foods store--all of which combined she can help you find something natural and beneficial to you.  My husband and I will be longtime customers of hers now and she comes highly recommended! When not selling these great herbs, you'll find her making one of a kind upcycled decoupage canisters, like this one:

Little Miss Cupcake - Hand-Painted Upcycled Decoupage Decor Canister

Using old cans, she paints them and adorns them with her signature "Freckles".  They are decoupaged to make interesting collages! These old cans are now transformed into lovely usable canisters, see them all here. I think these would be great for:

• holding paint brushes
• holding scissors or scrapbooking scissors
• holding pens or pencils
• markers
• seed packs 
• holding your stash of Kratom powder!!!
• using for your secret treasures, like jewelry or photographs
• spare change container
• growing a small herb plant in
• use on the table in the living room to hold your remote - what a conversation piece!
• or just to place around and look lovely!

Please visit her shop !
Blog!
or Read Her Columns for the ERG!

The Healing Benefits of Sunshine

The breathtakingly beautiful image above is an original sculpture made of recycled stoneware clay titled "Arising" and is created by Etsy Recycler's Guild member Adrien Art.

Our radiant sun provides wonderful healing benefits that we need throughout the year, even in this chilly month of February. I love the warm and comforting feeling of the sun's rays on my resting eyelids...it is so peaceful and soothing. Research shows that the sun's vitamin D is well absorbed through the face and eyes.

Below I have listed some of the amazing, healing properties of the sun.

Benefits of Sunlight:
• It increases the circulation of the blood.
• It stimulates the production of more red blood cells, increasing the oxygen content of the blood, and thus increasing muscular endurance.
• It increases liver function and stimulates the liver to produce a drug-metabolizing enzyme. This increases one's ability to withstand pollutants in the environment.
• It stabilizes blood sugar levels.
• It lowers cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Sunlight may decrease cholesterol by more than 30%.
• The ultraviolet rays are antiseptic, a short morning sunbath (before 9am) several times a day will kill germs and promote wound healing. Even reflected light from windows can destroy bacteria in the dust on window sills and floors.
• The heat of the sun is useful in the treatment of neuralgia, neuritis, arthritis and other pain.
• It increases gamma globulin - a protein that helps the body fight infection.
• It is a good treatment for jaundice in the newborn baby.
• It increases muscle tone, persons who exercise in the sunlight build muscle faster than those who exercise indoors.
• It increases body metabolism.
• Sunlight has been shown to increase to relieve depression and to improve sleep.
• Resting heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rates are all decreased after a sunbath.

The illuminating image above is an Upcycled Wooden Box Sunshine Night Light created by Etsy Recycler's Guild member Cher's Passion.

Also did you know that…SUN EXPOSURE REDUCES THE RISK OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS; a disease that has paralyzed my mother and has harmed my sister (although my sister is a strong fighter and will overcome any challenges). ;-)

Our kitty cat, Nozomi, loves the sunshine too! Even though she is an indoor cat, she still gets an adequate amount of vitamin D through our windows. As long as your windows don't have a super UV protection, it is possible to soak up the sun's Vitamin D and even get a little tan through your window! You can actually soak up all of the healing properties our precious sun has to offer through the windows in your home. A little indoor sunbathing might just be the cure for your winter blues...our pets and house plants sure love it!

This post was contributed by Jessica of Eco-Friendly Freckles

See all posts created by Jessica under the tag *Eco Friendly Freckles Column!
Visit her shop, or her blog