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?
Where could I find Beanitos in Toronto?
Hi Kate, I bought them at Organic garage in Oakville.
I was also inspired to make a version of the “Eat Your Greens” salad with lentils! I added: toasted walnuts, rehydrated sundried tomatoes and currants, sauteed carrots, green peppers, and fuji apple, and I used a dijon/balsamic dressing. Absolutely deeee-lish!
I soak nuts all the time for recipes but never soak them to eat ad a snack. I have to try!
What? I’ve never thought about soaking the almonds! lol Definitely going to try this next time, I would enjoy the sweeter taste of them.
OMG you must try the white bean beanito’s! They taste like tortilla chips. I may have finished a whole bag the other day… maybe it’s time for a beanito’s break ;).
I’ve got almonds soaking now!!! Thanks for that tip, can’t wait to try them! I’m loving these delicious little almond candies we get at the farmer’s market!!! Those are delicious!
I like your list except for one ingredient! I thought I should point out the fact that the Desert Essence Hand and Body Lotion contains Palm Glycerin. I’m not sure if you’re aware of the situation with the palm oil industry and the loss of orangutan habitats, but if not, it is horrendous. Orangutans are starving to death because of the loss of their habitat, they are burned to death when forests are set on fire to clear them for new palm oil plantations, and they are even being tortured for fun by the villagers when they wander into their villages after being displaced by deforestation. It is so heartbreaking and if you care about animals, it’s important to avoid any products that use palm ingredients….and unfortunately there are a lot. For more info, a good link is: http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/about_forests/deforestation/forest_conversion_agriculture/orang_utans_palm_oil/
and a good website is www.orangutan.org.au.
Thanks for the info Jenna. I’m going to contact the company!
I`ve been using an Indian brand of luxurious ayurvedic products called “Forest Essentials”
http://www.forestessentialsindia.com/. The scents are amazing and completely sourced from essential plants and flowers. They have this Indian rose night cream and a Jasmine Patchouli Day Cream which smells heavenly! Its also free of parabens/sulphates/pthalates etc..My fav go to snack is almonds and walnuts, slightly roasted in the microwave. I also love bath salts from Forest Essentials or ones that I can make my own.
Shobha
Right now I’m loving anything with peaches and cherries. The peaches have been fabulous at the farmer’s markets. Regarding the deodorant, this might sound weird but I use Arbonne’s FC5 foot cream and LOVE it! It even works for me during my runs and yoga class. Two uses for one product!
mmmm Blackbean chips sound SOOO yummy!
I actually made myself a homemade deoderant a few days ago, and it’s worked so good for me, I would even say it;s BETTER than the drugstore brands I’ve tried. I think I may have to do a post on it sometime soon!
5 things I been loving…
-Your site of course!! (Always loving it and thank you for it!)
-KALE…I never thought I would love it so much! Can not get enough in smoothies and salads!
-White bean Beanitos! So yum. Favorite chip hands down.
Raw walnuts and almond together. I’ll have to give the almonds a soak and see how that is!
-Plant based foods! (and all the incredible ways to prepare them)
Thank you for your site and all your incredible recipes!!
Love this post, keep more of them coming! Especially love hearing about beauty products.
Purchased the Desert Essence lotion yesterday and just ordered the Lavanila from Amazon! I trust your opinion on ALL THINGS! Lol.
Do you know if the deodorant leaves a white residue? That’s the biggest problem I have with stick deodorants. Nothing’s worse than wearing a LBD and having those tell-tale white streaks under your arms!
It’s not a clear stick, so yeah it does leave marks!
Thanks for the response, Angela! It still sounds like a good product!
I’m hungry for the lentil dish and those chips!!! Mmmmmm :D
I also love, love, love the Healthy Deodorant!! Finally a product that works!! I have tried and wasted so much time and money on other deodorants, only to be so disappointed. When I tried the Healthy Deodorant, I was a wee bit skeptical. I was happy to report that this deodorant works- even during exercise!! yeahhhhhhh. FINALLY !Thanks for all of your great tips.
DJ- the Natural Food Nut!
OMG! Those Beanitos are to die for! I love to bring those on a trip to the beach to feel a little bad ;) Now if only I could get in the habit of soaking my almonds on a regular basis.
Katie xoxo
Angela thank you so much for telling us about soaking the almonds in water. SERIOUSLY I had previously stopped eating almonds cause they were so dry, hard to chew, and hard to digest. I said I’m giving up on eating almonds. Then I tried soaking them and I LOVE THEM. So much better that way. now they’re my daily snack. Thanks a lot! :)
Thanks for the soaked almonds idea! I’ve been putting them in my smoothies and salads (much easier to stab with a fork this way ;)
so glad you enjoy them too :)