Animal Testing and Cruelty-Free Beauty

I think most of us are aware of the cruel animal testing that has been around since the 70s. Here is a little history. In 1962 the Kefauver-Harris act passed to mandate animal testing for drugs. There is no requirement for animal testing on household products or cosmetics, but the passing of this act made it commonplace. In reality, cosmetic and household items simply need to be “adequately tested for safety.” So why do we test on animals? The only reason I can think of: because we can.

We are not talking about putting lipstick on rabbits or mascara on a monkey. We are talking about so much worse, but I won't get into the gruesome details. Because this post is about what you can do to help stop the testing... don't buy products that are tested on animals or contain animal ingredients.

Look for the the bunny with the pink ears for cruelty-free products. The leaping bunny logo indicates that there was no animal testing of the product or the ingredients, but there could still be animal by-products. There is another symbol that certifies products as vegan, and then one for no animal testing. Keep in mind that these symbols are not on all products that are vegan, it will take time to get there. 

Some specific products/companies that are cruelty-free are:

Arbonne (skin care)

Preserve (sustainable household items)

Crazy Rumors (cute and tasty lip balm)

Urban Decay (check out the vegan eye shadow palette)

Sevi (makeup line)

Unite (I use their amazing shampoo and conditioner)

Eco Bella (I use their mascara, available at Sephora)

There are also lots of online resources for vegan products:

Alternative Outfitters

Vegan Essentials

Sephora

Beauty Without Cruelty

April Turns 13

Happy birthday April! It's hard to believe that our little pooch is 13. She is such a happy and healthy dog and we love her so much.

April was adopted from the Boulder Humane Society back in 1999 and hasn't left Chris' side ever since. Of course, she needed a mom, which is where I came in.

April is a true mountain dog... she loves to hike, climb and camp. She will never turn down a walk, but is also happy at home being pet and loved.

April is simply the best dog in the world.

Monday Munchies: Carrot and Cranberry Muffins

Enjoy these breakfast muffins all week long... from Vegetarian Tastebuds.

All Purpose Flour- 1 1/2 Cup

Rolled Oats- 1/2 Cup ground into fine flour

Carrots- 2 Medium Grated

Dried Cranberries- 1/3 Cup

Orange Juice- 1/3 Cup

Orange Rind- 2 tsp

Oil- 1/3 Cup+2 tbsp

Raw Sugar- 1 Cup

Flax Seed- 1tbsp ground

Baking Powder- 2 1/2 tsp

salt-1/4 tsp

Water- 1/4 Cup warm

Procedure:

• Preheat the oven at 350 Degrees. Grease 12 cup muffin pan with oil or line with muffin liners and keep aside.
• Combine all purpose flour, oats flour,flax seed, salt and baking powder together. 
• In another bowl combine oil, sugar,orange juice,orange rind and warm water together, mix well till sugar dissolves.
• Mix dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and fold in carrot and cranberries. 
• Pour the mix into muffin tray up to 3/4th level and let it bake for 35-40 minutes or till a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin come out clean.

A Happy Thanksgiving

This year, we stayed in Colorado for Thanksgiving… not able to make it out to the Outer Banks with the Webb/Robertson clan. We missed that reunion quite a bit, but were able to skype with family and enjoy our own little feast.

I prepared a delicious vegan Thanksgiving feast that we all managed to devour. We celebrated with our good friend Erin... who made the desserts. Yum.

The menu:

Balsamic Maple Glazed Tempeh

Miso Kale Salad with Cranberries and Pumpkin Seeds

Mustard Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes

Gravy

Cranberry Walnut Bread

Apple Crisp Pie and Pumpkin Cupcakes

Vegan Bailey’s

We are so thankful for our loving family and friends, for our fur children, for our health and happiness, for finding each other, for our home in beautiful Colorado, and for adventures past, present and future. We hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving!