Putting together this series is quite fun. As soon as I publish a new things I’m loving lately post, I start a new list on the side of the refrigerator. Once I’ve collected a handful of new items that I love, it’s time to post another list!
You can find my previous lists here:
- 7 Foods I’m Loving Right Now (March 2012)
- 14 Foods I’m Loving Lately (April 2012)
- 12 Things I’m Loving Lately (July 2012)
- 10 Foods I’m Loving Lately (October 2012)
- 6 Foods I’m Loving Lately (November 2012)
- 8 Things I’m Loving Lately (April 2013)
- 8 Things I’m Loving Lately (May 2013)
- 11 Things I’m Loving Lately (May 2013)
Here we go…
1. Desert Essence Organics Fragrance-Free Body Lotion
My go-to body lotion. If you are like me and loathe strong fragrances in many beauty products, you’ll appreciate this fragrance-free Desert Essence Hand & Body Lotion. I’ve written about my love for Desert Essence products many times before, such as their body wash which I still use exclusively. This is my go-to body lotion that I’ve been using it for the past several months. The consistency and thickness is great (neither too thin nor too thick) and it leaves behind no greasy feel like some natural lotions can. Desert Essence also makes body lotions with natural fragrances if that is more your thing!
2. Favourite Snack of the moment: Soaked Almonds
![soaked almonds vs dry almonds-4009[3]](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/soaked-almonds-vs-dry-almonds-40093_thumb.jpg "soaked almonds vs dry almonds-4009[3]")
Once a week, I soak a cup of almonds in water overnight, rinse them off well in the morning, and then place the soaked almonds in a container for quick snacks all week long. There’s just something about hydrated, plump almonds that I adore! I really love the taste (they seem a bit more sweet when soaked) and texture. Best of all, soaking almonds makes them more digestible and your body will absorb the nutrients much easier. They are bursting with calcium and protein – 1/4 cup has 7.6 grams of protein and 91 mg of calcium. Not too shabby!
3. The Healthy Deodorant
I’ve tried many natural deodorants over the years and none of them came close to being worthy of buying twice. I’m happy to report that I’ve found a natural deodorant that I love called The Healthy Deodorant by Lavanila. The rave reviews convinced me to try it out. It’s free of petrochemicals, aluminum, phthalates, synthetic dyes, sulfates, parabens, and more. It works comparable to regular drugstore deodorants that I’ve tried over the years. The only thing I’m not crazy about is this particular scent – grapefruit vanilla. I find it smells a lot like baby powder (I’m not a fan of baby powder smell at all). Fortunately, they have 7 other scents (like vanilla lavender and vanilla coconut!), so next time I will try one of those scents instead. In the US, you can find this deodorant for $14 USD on Amazon or Sephora.com. In Canada, it’ll set you back $23 CAD from Sephora.ca. It’s pricey, but I bought this back in April and my stick is still going strong 4 months later.
4. Eat Your Greens Medley – made with Lentils
I made a version of my Eat Your Greens Chickpea Medley for a party this past weekend. This time I used tiny French green lentils (sadly, I was out of spinach though). A great twist on this recipe!
5. Beanitos Chips
These black bean chips are not only genius, but so tasty. They have a fair amount of protein per serving (4 grams per 12 chips) and their ingredient list is short and sweet: Whole Black Beans, Whole Grain Long Brown Rice and/or Long Grain White Rice, Pure Sunflower and/or Safflower Oil, Guar Bean Gum, Sea Salt. My only complaint is that the chips are quite thin and they can break in hefty dips. Otherwise, two thumbs up.
Well, that’s a wrap for August 2013. What things are you loving lately?
Love this post! NEED to try those chips! <3
Love LaVanila!! It’s the only vegan deodorant I’ve tried that’s worked (and I gave the DIY method a really good try)
I just soaked a big batch of almonds, walnuts, and pepitas yesterday! They are currently “activating” in my turned off, but still kinda warm oven right now. I throw them in everything from yogurt to oatmeal to salads or eat them by the handful! So much easier for the body to digest!!
I’m also loving spinach chips…like kale chips but with spinach! And also, my new favorite kitchen tool, my CHERRY PITTER!!!!
Thanks for the deodorant recommendation! I’ve been trying to switch my beauty products over to more natural ones lately and so I just picked up a Jason’s deodorant to replace the Dove kind that I usually buy. This one is okay but I’m not crazy about it.
Lately I’m loving Rise kombuchas, homemade miso gravy, and Giddy Yoyo chocolate bars!
I have no idea if it is vegan friendly or not, but I am loving the Suuthe by Mari Skin Repair Lotion. I tried it because my oldest son has eczema which I can never seem to fully get rid of. This stuff makes a noticeable difference in the redness of his skin overnight. Amazing stuff. What attracted me to it was the fact that all ingredients are food grade. Pricey, but it lasts and lasts. I got the trial with chapstick and two small jars. We have been using it mostly daily for 2 months now and the first jar isn’t even half gone. I generously lather one cheek and the insides of both his elbows.
I love the Lavanila deodorant! I’ve been using it for over a year now, my favorite scent is the Vanilla Passionfruit. It’s a really fresh and clean smell.
Thanks for the tip – I’ll have to check out that one!
Hm soaked almonds; I’ll have to try that!
Things I am loving are: red seedless grapes, farmer’s markets, the new Poppin’ line from indigo, and Chelsea Roff’s indiegogo campaign for her Yoga initiative as a treatment for EDs (http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/yoga-for-eating-disorders)
Definitely want to try that lotion!
I’ve loving Beanfields chips in “Nacho”….I think it’s becoming a problem, they are that good! =)
almond is great snack indeed, I am crazy about lentils…well for organic fragrance, deodorant it is impossible to find here in Nepal though I want to use them..anyways great post..
Hey Angela! Just wanted you to know that this feature you do is one of my favorites! It inspired me to start thinking of things I love more often too:) I love the idea of keeping it on your fridge! I may do that soon! Or, perhaps add a note to my Notes app to my phone of what I’m loving lately:)
I also LOVE soaked almonds and this post inspired me to stick a batch in some water in the fridge now:) THANKS!:) Hope you are well! So glad you’re back!!
I love when you do these posts! I’m always interested in all the great things you find.
I’ve had Beanitos that were made in Austin, TX and they were awesome. I wonder if that’s the same brand? The packaging looks different.
I’ve also heard great things about that deodorant! Natural deodorant is always so finicky but everyone has said great things about that one- I have to try it!
I adore the Lavanila deodorant! I have tried just about every single kind of aluminum free deodorant out there, and this is by far my fave!
I’m obsessed with soaked almonds right now too! Soooo much better than unsoaked.
That deodorant is THE BEST. The absolute best. So glad you like it too.
PS — in San Fran right now on a girls’ trip with my mom — just as you were a few months ago! xx
Right now I am loving peach season! I’ve been making smoothies, eating them over the sink, and I think I’m going to try my hand at peach jam.
Also, I am in LOVE with homemade cashew milk. Shorter soaking time than almonds, and the cashew flavor is so prevalent. Plus the creaminess is unmatched!
I’m loving all of these too! Especially the soaked almonds. I’ve soaked almonds before for different recipes and always ended up munching on a few as I went and the texture is so much better than regular almonds. And I love the deodorant suggestion – I’ll definitely have to try it out! Thanks!
Lavanila is the only natural deodorant that does not make me break out! I currently am using the blackberry & lemon scents!
I bet you could make your own “beanitos”…give the beans & rice a whirl in the food processor, add a bit of oil to prevent the mix from dehydrating, salt and spread on a baking sheet?? Or do you think it is more complicated than that? You could also make them thicker to withstand the heartier dips ;-) I am not as talented in the kitchen as others, but I may try the DIY version…
I was on a no gluten, dairy, soy, corn, sugar, eggs, peanuts cleanse recently, and the only chip I could have were these Beanitos! They are surprisingly good! There’s also a nice chipotle flavor, though there’s a touch of brown sugar in those….
I also love Beanitos! The soaking nuts is something I need to really get on. That and sprouting things. I know once I get into the routine it’ll be no big deal, but just gotta get started. One day ;)