Cruelty-Free Cosmetics

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By Valerie A. Cody

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For today’s post, I bring you a much anticipated topic: Cruelty Free Beauty Products. Yes! I found a way to fuse two of my interests: Veganism & Makeup.

Not until I watched the documentary “Earthlings” did I begin to understand how cruel the cosmetic industry is to animals via animal testing procedures.  What’s worse, I even saw a puppy who looked exactly like my dachshund Sundae being tested on (during a scene from Earthlings).

Let’s discuss some current favorites:

TyraBeauty: Specifically, I am loving the Light in a Stick cream highlighter. This product melts into the skin to create the ‘lit from within’ glow that we are all looking for.

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Light in a Stick Highlighter ($25)

Too Faced Cosmetics: Mascara lovers, the search is over. I can honestly say that the Better Than Sex mascara is my favorite of all time. This product provides volume and length and DOES NOT wear off during the day. I have oily eyelids, so trust me when I say: I know the struggle. Recently I’ve purchased the Milk Chocolate Soleil bronzer and will vouch for it as well. It’s matte (perfect for the winter months) and smells decadently of chocolate.

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Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer ($30)
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Better Than Sex Mascara ($23)

Kat VonD Beauty:  Her products are Holy Grail status. Spoil yourself with one of the eyeshadow quads. I literally CAN’T even use my Urban Decay Naked Palette anymore because the KatVonD shadows are vastly superior. Pictured below a few of my favorites.

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Shade + Light Eye Contour Quads in “Rust” ($26)

 

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Studded Kiss Lipstick in “LoveCraft” ($21)

 

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Shade + Light Refillable Face Contour Palette ($49)
 

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DIY Bath Salts: Lavender Vanilla & Peppermint Green Tea

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I wanted to share a quick and easy recipe for homemade bath salts.

For this project you will need:

epsom salt

essential oils: lavender & peppermint

food coloring (optional)

measuring spoon (1 tsp)

tea leaves of your choice

jar for the finished product

bowl and spoon for mixing

Epsom salt is a wonderful base (as compared to dead sea salt or other options) due to its high levels of magnesium. The body is able to absorb this crucial element through the skin.  A few benefits of magnesium include: Alleviation of muscle cramps, reduction of inflammation, and soothing of any cuts or abrasions on the surface of the skin.

salt

We will begin by filling our holding jar with the desired amount of salt, this helps ensure we are making exactly enough to fill our jar.

Once you have measured the correct amount of salt, place the salt into the mixing bowl.  The next step is to mix in the tea leaves.

I have chosen my favorite green tea, which includes notes of vanilla, by Harney & Sons Fine Teas. Next, mix in 1 teaspoon (or more if you would prefer) of essential oil.

I think these measuring spoons are adorable! You can find them at World Market, I’ve linked them: here.

teaspoon

Once the leaves & oil are fully incorporated, it is time to drizzle in the food coloring. I used purple for the Lavender Vanilla jar and green for the Peppermint Green Tea jar.

food coloring

green

purple

Enjoy these salts on your own or give as a gift to your glamorously health conscious vegan friends. XO!

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Gluten Free/Vegan Pancakes

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By Valerie A. Cody

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Ingredients

Ice cold water: 1/2 cup

Gluten free & dairy free pancake mix: 1.5 cups

Almond milk: 3/4 cup

Egg replacer: 1 large egg equivalent

Fruit: unlimited

Vegan chocolate chips: 3/4 cup

I found all of the ingredients for this recipe at my local EarthFare.  All ingredients would be available at Whole Foods as well.

This was my first experience with the ‘vegan egg.’

Vegan Egg

To make 1 ‘egg’ you simply whisk 1/2 cup of ice cold water with 2 tablespoons of the powder.

The resulting mixture is a creamy, thick, yellow liquid.  At this point you can scramble it, make it into an omelet, or add it to any recipe which calls for eggs.

Next, add the pancake mix, egg, and almond milk into a mixing bowl. Once combined, you may fold in chocolate chips, fruit, etc.

Chocolate Chips

The final step is to plate your creation and enjoy!

Pancakes

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Luscious Locks: A Coconut Oil Hair Masque Recipe

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By Valerie A. Cody

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Sunday night is self-care night at the Cody household.  Face masques and hair masques for both of us, plus an epsom salt bath for me.

I’ve always had a self-care night. I can remember as far back as middle school; sneaking to steal my mom’s face masques and foot creams.

True girly-girl at heart right here. 

If you don’t already have a self-care night, I would recommend you adopt one.  It doesn’t have to be Sunday, we choose Sunday because it prepares us for the week ahead.  Here are a few additional ideas you may feel compelled to incorporate.

*Read.

*Get a Manicure. (highly recommended for men as well!)

*Get a Pedicure. (highly recommended for men as well!)

*Do a mini-declutter. Recycle three things from your wardrobe that you don’t love or regularly wear.

*Unplug for an hour. Switch everything to airplane mode and free yourself from the constant notifications of social media and email.

*Meditate. Even five minutes is progress. 

*Get fifteen minutes of sun exposure. (especially if you’re in a cold climate.)

* Do a Pinterest DIY. 

I started using this weekly coconut oil hair masque over a year ago now.  Here is the recipe and method for application of my Clary Sage, Lavender, and Coconut Oil Hair Masque.

You will need:

Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Essential Oils: Clary Sage and Lavender

Small mixing cup or bowl

Spoon

Hot Water

Hair tie or hair clip

Shower Cap

 

Coconut oil has a low melting point.  If you’re in a warm climate, your oil may already be liquified.  If not, simply submerge your jar in hot water.  This is the most natural way to melt the oil (compared to microwave or stove top).

Then, using your spoon, fill your mixing bowl with 2-6 tablespoons of oil.  This amount will vary depending upon your hair length.

Quickly touch the coconut oil to make sure it is not burning hot.  We are about to add the essential oils, which are quite sensitive to high heat.  We do not want them to evaporate. Once your coconut oil has cooled (but is still liquid) drip 5-8 droplets of both clary sage and lavender into the mixture.

Next, saturate your hair from root to tip with the mixture.  Make sure to apply this when your hair is dry. If your hair is wet, it will repel the oils. 

I typically leave this masque on for about 2-3 hours while wearing a shower cap. The cap traps heat onto the scalp which renders this mixture more effective.

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Are You Consistent?

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I have learned that consistency is key.

I thrive when I make sure to consistently take care of my mind and body.  Even if I don’t have time to workout for 2 hours a day, everyday — I still make sure to get in at least 45 minutes (everyday). I prioritize the process of holding myself to the personal standard I have set for myself.  We should all set our personal standards high, as this is what creates excellence. When we have a personal commitment to excellence, this helps to guide our daily decisions.  At the core, all ‘consistency’ really means is making the proper choice in the moment.

Are you choosing to carve out a bit of time in your day to follow the plans you have set for your growth? Or are you choosing to do nothing at all, just because you can’t fit in as much time as you would like?  These are the little moments which make all of the difference when it comes to creating success.

Choosing to remain inconsistent when it comes to self-care, exercise, or personal growth is detrimental to long term success.

Are you building your goals to be such mountains, that taking even the first step seems impossible?

Don’t do that to yourself.  You don’t deserve that sort of pressure.  Relieve that pressure by taking small steps in the moment which move you *even a minuscule amount* toward your goal. This is how we build momentum.

Choosing to consistently move towards your goals (whatever they may be) is nothing more than a choice in each and every moment.  Make your moments count, because moments add up to days which become years.  Do you really want to spend years in stagnation?

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Cinnamon Apples & Berries

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By Valerie A. Cody

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Cinnamon Apples & Berries

Here is a delicious vegan breakfast option for you guys!

Ingredients:

1 Teaspoon Allspice

1 Tablespoon Cinnamon

2-5 Apples (Lady Alice, Braeburn or Pink Lady)

1 Cup Raspberries or Blueberries

My favorite apples for this recipe are the Lady Alice variety; however Pink Lady or Braeburn will work as well.  For the sake of tartness, I would not recommend using Red Delicious apples.

Lady Alice Apples

After you have washed your apples, it’s time to cube them.

Chopped Apples

If time is an issue for you in the mornings, you could chop these ahead of time.  Keep the apples from oxidizing by spritzing with a bit of lemon juice.

Next, we add the spices.

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1 teaspoon of Allspice
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1 tablespoon of Cinnamon

Combine the apples in spices in a medium sized pot.  I like to use a large wooden spoon to mix everything together.

Apples and Spices

Once combined, add just enough water to cover the apples.  Place the pot on the stove top and proceed to let the mixture simmer for about 7-10 minutes. You will know it is time to add the berries when the apples are squishy.

Raspberries

The berries should only be on the heat long enough for their color to brighten.  Watch this carefully, because they will quickly turn dull if left too long.  When you’re ready, remove the mixture from heat, place in a bowl, and enjoy!

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Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

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It’s no secret that I take self-care very seriously.  I believe we have the obligation to look after ourselves properly so that we are able to present our ‘best self’ to the world.  For today’s post, I am showcasing a few of my favorite ways to make sure I look and feel my best — with an added Valentine’s Day theme!

“Animals are not ingredients.” -Barbara Thompson

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Starting with one of my favorite cruelty-free and vegan products: LUSH Lip Scrub!  LUSH carries many different flavors, but “This Kiss” is the perfect little Valentine’s pick me up.  This lip scrub is made of food-grade, delicious vegan ingredients.  You simply apply a small amount to clean lips, scrub with small circular motions and lick off the excess.

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I’ve recently discovered Valentina’s Home-Brewed Pure Body Care while exploring the beauty section of Whole Foods.  These Magickal Mineral Bath Salts are lovely.  Run a hot bath, and mix in these salts for a detoxifying and sensual experience.  With the scent of chocolate and roses – the True Love variety screams Valentine’s Day.

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Roses are a classic gift idea this time of year – why not put an unexpected twist on the idea with 1,000 Roses Body Lotion by Andalou Organics?  In their words: This ultimate skin food blends rosehips and argan oils with fair trade shea and cocoa butters to smooth and soften dry skin.

Soothing rosewater, rose stem cells, pomegranate antioxidants, and ultra-hydrating aloe vera effectively protect skin’s moisture barrier and stimulate healthy cell renewal for an all-over body treatment.

Fruit Stem Cell Science renews skin at the cellular level, blending nature and knowledge for visible results.

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You can find Andalou Organics at Whole Foods and Earthfare.  I also use the 1,000 Roses Eye Revive Contour Gel.

Lastly, you may want to consider this Love Potion elixir by Aura Cacia Essential Oils. This spicy-sweet blend of mandarin orange, lemon, cardamom, sandalwood and other fragrant essential oils are perfect for setting the mood. Place a few drops into an essential oil diffuser and let the magic happen.  Find my favorite essential oil diffuser: Here.

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