Oh my, it’s been an exciting week! Our baby girl, Adriana, was welcomed into the world on September 21st. We are so in love with this sweet little monkey. I can hardly handle it. In case you missed it, my announcement post is on the Baby section here.
I prepared a bunch of posts in advance for the next several weeks, so keep your eyes peeled for some recipes to come. I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since I put together a Things I’m Loving Lately post. What the heck? That year went by fast. I thought it was time to finally get my butt in gear and share some of my favourite new-to-me products. As always, this is not a sponsored post – I’m just spreading the love.
1. So Delicious Coconut Milk Ice Cream Bars (Almond)
My mom got me hooked on these and oh boy did we go through a lot of boxes this summer! The first time Eric tried one he thought it was made with real dairy ice cream. Bravo, So Delicious…you make a fine ice cream bar free of any dairy. I also like that the ingredient list is quite simple.
If you are scarf-challenged like me, you’ll find this how-to video inspiring.
3. Thayer’s Rose Petal Witch Hazel (Alcohol-free)
I started using this toner almost a year ago and now I’m never without it. I was never a big toner person, but this one is so gentle and non-drying. I’m always amazed by how much make-up comes off my skin even after washing my face. I’ve noticed less breakouts and I think this extra step is a big reason why.
4. Luke’s Organic Sweet Potato, Hemp, and Buckwheat Chips
These are my all-time favourite snacking chip. They are a bit like the Food Should Taste Good Sweet Potato chips, but these are organic and have other fun ingredients like buckwheat and hemp. I love them with hummus, guac, or fresh salsa.
5. Lakewood Organic Super Veggie Cocktail
It took me a while to find a solid veggie cocktail drink, but once I found this Lakewood brand I never looked back. I went through a phase during my 3rd trimester when I was chugging 2 glasses of this stuff a day. There are 2 servings of veggies in every cup which is great. I love all the healthy veggies you get in one glass (kale, swiss chard, tomatoes, beets, carrots, celery, etc). Best of all: no artificial ingredients, additives, or preservatives.
6. Clean Well Hand Sanitizer
This is the natural hand sanitizer that we’ve been using for years now. My purse is never without it and I love the light lemony scent. It’s thyme oil based instead of alcohol based. I don’t think sanitizers replace actual hand-washing, but it’s nice to have in the purse (especially after handling skeevy grocery carts) until I can get home to wash my hands properly.
7. Black River Organic Cranberry Juice
Another kick I got on while pregnant: Making “mocktails” with Pellegrino, lime juice, and a splash of 100% cranberry juice. Be warned – it’s very tart, but you can add sweetener if you like. I loved knowing I was also getting the health benefits of cranberry juice in there. This brand is 100% pure juice and not from concentrate.
8. Natural Choice Coconut Fruit Bars
I’ve been buying these for years now, but I’m not sure if I’ve ever shared them on here before. If you are a coconut fan you will LOVE these popsicles. My favourite part is the base where all the shredded coconut meat falls to the bottom!
9. Avalon Organics lavender hand soap
I’ve tried a ton of hand soaps over the years and this one is our favourite. It’s thick and coats the hands nicely, foams well, and leaves behind a fabulous lavender scent. It makes hand-washing feel like a spa experience!
10. Grace and Lace Co. Boot Cuffs
I recently ordered a couple boot cuffs to try out and they are so cute. My calves are muscular, so I love the option of a boot cuff; they won’t make my boots too hard to zip up.
Ok, that’s a wrap for now. Hopefully the next installation will be posted before a year! Be sure to let me know what products you are loving lately below. Check back this week for a recipe!
Congratulations on the birth of your daughter Angela! And thanks for another list of great products to try!
Maybe I need to start using a toner, will have to give this one a try!
Congratulations!! Hope these days are full of lots of cuddles, nurturing for you and baby, few worries, and as much sleep as you can manage :)
I want to try those coconut bars–both of them! And congratulations again on your new bundle of joy! <3
Love the coconut minis…too much… :)
Those ice cream bars are amazing – discovered them this summer and love love love them!! I buy them at Costco (score!) and they are such a good price (when dairy-free ice cream can tend to be a bit expensive!). I will keep my eyes open for those chips – I am sure they go great with hummus! Loving that you brought back the “my ‘fav’ things” post! :)
Hi Angela,
Great list of fav things! I concur re: almond coconut milk minis – SO ADDICTIVE! And with a husband who’s equally addicted, one box lasts about a second in our house.
I bought your Oh She Glows Cookbook a couple months ago and haven’t been able to put it down! I’ve tried about 75% of the recipes – all amazing – and even my meat-a-tarian husband is a fan!
So thanks for the inspiring & healthy recipes!
And congrats and the new wee one…
I’m so happy to hear that!
Angela, your blog is great but it’s your book that I go to first, to flick through, page mark, look things up in…occasionally smear tahini sauce on or spray with oat flour ;)
I highly recommend that readers of the blog, buy the book – it’s got a lovely narrative, as well as all the best recipes :)
Also – congratulations! It’s been a privilege and deeply inspiring to follow your recovery, pregnancy and now motherhood journeys…xx
Those coconut almond bars are one of my absolute favorite treats! I found them at Target once and then they stopped carrying them. We just got a Whole Foods, though, and they are well stocked with the deliciousness! I also recently picked up a pint of the Coconut Bliss Ginger Cookie Caramel and it’s perfect for this time of year!
Wow posts in advance for the next few weeks. You are so organised, its impressive. Congratulations on your new baby. Enjoy all the precious moments of the first few weeks.
Hey Angela!
I just wanted to tell you how much you inspire me with your blog and way of living! I’ve always wanted to share my love of food and living and so I actually created my own blog called the Therapist’s Kitchen. Congrats on your new daughter, we almost shared a birthday! Along with my nephew, cousin, and like 20 other people, lol! No wonder she decided the 21st was the better day! Anyway, I love your recipes and positive attitude, you never disappoint :) I can’t wait for my copy of your book to arrive either, I’m so impatient! Stay golden :)
Thank you Shannon :) I’ll be sure to check out your blog!
congrats on the baby girl! :) i’ll have to try out that toner!
Hi there! I just created a new blog about me – a 16 year old vegetarian health nut! I post recipes such as juices, smoothies and much more!
Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl! She is a lucky little lady to be born into such a health focused home! Best of luck with all the adaptations that you will be maneuvering over the next little while – I know you will rock it. :)
I love these monthly roundups. Thank you for sharing and congrats on the baby!
Congrats on your new baby girl, she is precious! Is there a way to add the baby section of your blog to my feed?
I love Avalon Organics products! I use their toner and facial cleanser and also Clean Well hand soap.
The boot cuffs are super cute…but these new born leg warmers are even cuter!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/151127690/itty-bitty-lil-lacie-grey-baby-newborn?ref=shop_home_active_2
One thing I’ve been loving lately is making my own blush. It’s super easy, organic, vegan and crazy affordable.
http://www.thecleandish.com/all-natural-homemade-blush-with-dried-raspberries/
Hi Angela! Congrats on the birth of your daughter! I love your blog and love love love your cook book. It has been so well used that I may need another copy. Thanks to you I have become a vegan and could not be healthier and happier. Your “favorite things” posts have introduced me to so many wonderful new products. Sometimes I find it hard to locate some of your favs even though I am in Toronto. Do you think that you could add some shopping tips as to where to find each product? Not now of course… you have your hands full!!!
Hi Liisa, if you get a chance to visit Roncesvalles in Toronto there are 2 healthfood stores on the strip and they carry ALL of that and more (minus the boot cuffs which are an online purchase likely). Good luck!
I love Witch Hazel as a non-stinging substitute for hydrogen peroxide. It has antibacterial cleaning properties. Here’s my list of household faves: Eden Organics Gomasio blend (toasted sesame seeds, seaweed & sea salt… ridiculously awesome on curried squash soup, etc.), Nature Clean’s Mandarin & Grapefruit dish soap, Dr. Bromner’s incredible Magic Liquid Castile soaps for cleaning the entire house or using as shampoo (!), Bragg’s all purpose liquid soy seasoning (more natural than soya sauce / tamari), Mrs. Meyer’s lemon verbena liquid hand soap (their whole produce line is amazing), Lafes roll on natural deodorant, St. Francis’s Herb Farm coconut oil (my fave!), the entire derma e natural ingredient face care line… so much good stuff out there!
Tell me, with all of those brands that you mentioned, are they all vegan? After deciding to eat vegan, it slowly dawned on me that household products, personal care products (shampoo, conditioner, face cream, etc.) all seem to either use animal products in them, or they test on animals. I’d rather make the humane choice, but finding good products isn’t easy. At least, not yet. Any suggestions for products available in Canada would be greatly appreciated!
Love those Natural Choice Coconut Fruit Bars as well! Delicious!
I LOVE number 10! I have muscular calves too and I’ve always loved the socks and boots combo but I’ve never been able to pull it off (or up since I can’t get my boots up with socks!) I’m totally getting a pair for me and mom!!!
My husband and I also love number 1!!! THANKS FOR SHARING :)
Love your site. We are just starting out eating whole foods, no dairy/meat and really appreciate good quality recipes, and suggestions. If you like the clean well hand sanitizer, you would love Doterra ‘s essential oils line of onguard products….using a blend of essential oils that have no chemicals in them. ada