Second Annual THIS VEGAN LIFE Gift Guide

December 16, 2017November 22, 2025 ValerieLeave a comment

By Valerie A. Cody

Valerie

This may be more of a “my favorite things” roundup versus an actual gift guide. But, if you have someone in your life (maybe even you personally) who is obsessed with yoga, all things vegan, reading, and metaphysical science – you have come to the right place.

Let’s see.

Lululemon Leggings: Don’t get lost in the many legging options, my all time favorite is the Wunder Under Hi-Rise Tight in FULL ON LUXTREAM. I own three pairs of this particular legging, in different colors. The high waist is perfect for pairing with cropped work-out tops. Lululemon also makes this legging in a different fabric called Luon, but the Luxtream is far better for practicing yoga. There are no extra pockets on the legs or zippers, making it great for rolling around on the mat. Shop here.

Gorjana Power Gemstone Bracelets: These beautiful bracelets are made with real crystals -everything from Aventurine to Onyx. Read through the description of each stone to find the specific bracelet that resonates with you. Maybe it’s Garnet for revitalizing your energy levels or Amethyst for tranquility. Shop here.

DermaE Skincare: I feel like I’ve hacked the world with this little secret. I have started mixing my body lotion with a serum. We take utmost care of the skin on our faces and necks, why stop there? After getting out of the shower, I will dispense a few pumps of the Vitamin C Concentrated Serum into my hand to combine with my body lotion. It is hard to choose a favorite DermaE product, because their line is so wonderfully inclusive. I advise navigating their website using the “Shop By” tab – from there you can shop by Key Ingredient or Skin Concern. Shop here.

Books: Here is a list of links to my favorite books of 2017.

Sunbeam Velvet Plush Heated Throw: Imagine an incredibly soft blanket with the power to spread warmth across your entire body with the click of a button. Imagine yourself enjoying a morning cup of Golden Magick Mylk (recipe here) whilst cuddled into said blanket. Make these musings a reality with this perfect electric blanket (which comes in a variety of colors). Shop here. Govinda Premium Palo Santo Sticks: This particular brand sources their sticks directly from Peru. I prefer these sticks to other energy clearing mechanisms because they are outrageously easy to re-light. Unlike my experience with sage bundles, you can actually reuse Palo Santo multiple times. Shop here.

Angela Roi Vegan Leather Handbags: I own the Grace Cross-Body in the color russet. Having owned and used other high end vegan bags, I can confidently say that Angela Roi is my favorite. Fashionable and ethical, the brand doesn’t support animal cruelty OR sweatshop labor. If you are looking for quality and style similar to Tory Burch, but cruelty free – look no further. Shop here.

Secret-In-A-Tube Lipgloss: Kiss with confidence, not toxins (I love their slogan!) – but truly, who wants to slather their lips with chemicals? These glosses are 100% vegan, cruelty free, gluten free and organic. My personal favorite color is called Lit. It is a rich blackberry color; perfect to wear into the new year. Shop here.

Jade Yoga Harmony Mat: This has been my mat for the past two years of practicing. I have the teal color. Jade mats are made in a sustainable manner with natural rubber tapped from rubber trees, a renewable resource. Unlike other mats, Jade mats contain no PVC, EVA or other synthetic rubber, and are made in the United States in compliance with all US environmental, labor and consumer protection laws. And, through our partnership with Trees for the Future, JADE PLANTS A TREE FOR EVERY MAT SOLD – with over ONE MILLION trees planted so far. Shop here.

Magical Moon Lamp: If you love the ambiance of a salt lamp, you may enjoy a similar feel from these moon lamps. Great to have on during a meditation session to set the mood. Shop here.

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Super Moon Spa Night

November 14, 2016November 20, 2025 ValerieLeave a comment

By Valerie A. Cody

Valerie

If you gaze up to the sky tonight you will see something that has not been visible since 1948. Something that will not be seen again until 2034. You will see a super-moon. Super-moons themselves are not all that uncommon; we just had one on October 16, and after the November 14 super-moon, we’ll have another one on December 14.

However, the November 14 Moon becomes full within about 2 hours of perigee, so it’s going to look the biggest it has in nearly seven decades.

I like the way Mind Body Green describes the happenings:

The full moon is a time of positive opportunity if you use it correctly. It can increase your positive energy or conversely, it can wreak havoc on your emotions.

Since the full moon pours down a tremendous amount of energy, you must be in a calm state of mind to receive a positive effect. Remember that whatever is going on in your body, mind and spirit will be amplified.

If you are angry, you will feel angrier or if you are happy, you will feel happier. During the full moon, the ocean swells and emergency rooms have more patients. The energy is very powerful so it’s important to direct it with positive intention.

In order to harness the power of positive energy and to create the calm state of mind referenced above, I’ve put together a list of ways you can enjoy an in-home spa night to celebrate the super moon.

1. Have a Bath. Both the moon and water are wrought with feminine energy. A woman’s natural (versus someone on the birth control pill) monthly cycle is 28 days. The moon’s cycle of waxing/waning is also 28 days. The moon is receptive of the sun’s light, which is why we can actually see it. The moon itself does not generate light at all. It only appears to glow due to its reflecting light from the sun. The ocean tides are also directly affected by how close or far the moon is from the Earth. I will be using a classic bubble bar from Lush Cosmetics called “The Comforter.” This one in particular is a favorite of many bloggers, so I picked it up while in Chicago.

2. Exfoliate While exfoliating, focus on physically removing negative energies from your being. Focus on watching these negative thoughts swirl around and go down the drain. Any emotional blockages which make it difficult for you to express how you truly feel, negative self-talk which holds you back from evolving into your best version, and especially thoughts of you not being the creator of your own destiny; take back your personal power. I just purchased a new sugar scrub from one of my favorite brands, Tree Hut.

3. Drink Tea Non-caffiniated herbal teas are a lovely way to wind down after a long day. My favorites for this time of year are the spicier, heavier flavors such as chai or ginger.

4. Bentonite Clay Masque In the spirit of removing toxic energies, I could not forget to include the application of this masque. Bentonite clay has a very strong negative electrical charge. Since many toxins have a positive charge, the clay bonds to them. When it comes in contact with a toxin, heavy metal, chemical, or other impurity, the clay will envelop the toxin and release its minerals for the body to use. In addition, Bentonite clay also pulls hydrogen from cells, allowing room for oxygen. This helps with circulation, and overall skin tone and health. I’ve been using Aztec Secret Healing Clay for years now, and it still continues to be a favorite. Following the directions on the container, simply mix with apple cider vinegar until a paste is formed.

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Top 3 LUSH Products

November 6, 2016November 20, 2025 ValerieLeave a comment

By Valerie A. Cody

Valerie

After becoming the favorite of many bloggers and vloggers, Lush gained what some would consider a cult following. Their natural products are hand crafted using the freshest ingredients; meaning their products have an actual expiration date. Body balms, shampoos, face masques and more; all so fresh they could literally expire. It is becoming widely accepted that processed foods with a long shelf-life aren’t the best for our health; Lush is applying that concept to our hygiene products.

Lovely scents aside, I can also get on board with their stance on animal testing:

We’ve been fighting against animal testing for decades and believe in only buying ingredients from companies that do not commission tests on animals. We only test our products on human volunteers, and have turned our belief into a company-wide policy.

See below for a quick list of my top 3 favorite Lush products.

Bubblegum Lip Scrub This lip scrub smells amazing, tastes delicious and it’s vegan. Why would you ever want to scrub your lips with any else?
Veganese Hair Conditioner This conditioner is extremely light, which means it delivers massive amounts of volume to your hair. The herbal scent is lemony with an Earthy undertone.
Daddy-O Shampoo Blondes, thank me later. As flaxen-hair babes, we understand the struggle that is brassiness. If you find your blonde strands to be yellowing, get your hands on this shampoo.

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Cruelty-Free Cosmetics

October 20, 2016November 20, 2025 ValerieLeave a comment

By Valerie A. Cody

Valerie

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.

screen-shot-2016-10-20-at-2-07-14-pm — 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.

screen-shot-2016-10-20-at-1-54-43-pm — Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer ($30)

screen-shot-2016-10-20-at-1-47-15-pm — 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.