Two of these posts in less than 1 month? I’m on a roll. Spring, I love everything about you.
Let’s get right down to business!
1. Desert Essence Body Wash. This is my new favourite body wash – well, I can’t decide between the Vanilla Chai and Almond scents because they are both delightful. The lather is quite foamy too which is a big plus for me. It’s 100% vegan, cruelty-free and free of parabens, SLS, phthalates, artificial fragrances or colors, silicones, EDTA, glycol, or petroleum-based ingredients. Bravo, Desert Essence.
2. Frozen Chickpeas. Lately, I’ve been looking for alternatives to canned goods and I came across this line of frozen legumes and vegetables from Stahl Bush Island Farms. Cooking from scratch is always the cheaper option, but let’s face it; sometimes we need something ready in a flash. I just thaw the bag in the fridge overnight and they are ready to be added into dishes or made into hummus. This company has a variety of frozen products from butternut squash to lentils as well.
3. Theobroma Chocolat – Mint Leaves. This is a new-to-me chocolate and I’m hooked. Some days I have to hide it from myself which works for about 3 minutes. If you are a chocolate + mint fan, you will love this bar.
PS- Don’t you love when one square of chocolate is double the size of normal squares? I’m betting a woman designed this bar.
4. Strawberries. Topped with Coconut Whipped Cream for dessert. I’m also playing around with a strawberry vanilla and strawberry orange chia seed jam recipe. Yum, yum, yum.
5. Gabriel Mascara. When I had a nasty skin reaction earlier this year, I really had to overhaul the chemical-laden products I was putting on my skin each day. Luckily, there are so many choices out there these days, but it can be overwhelming trying to navigate it all. Gabriel Cosmetics is a line of vegan and gluten-free cosmetics using 100% natural ingredients that are fragrance-free. This mascara is what I would call a basic, no frills mascara. It gives a very natural, light feel without being heavy or overdone – perfect for what I’m looking for in my normal life. It almost looks like an eyelash stain and while it lengthens, it does not build much volume. I can get a tiny bit of smudging here and there, but it’s minimal and I haven’t noticed any flaking yet. I might explore other natural mascara brands in the future (have any to recommend?), but I can see myself coming back to this one for sure.
6. Sephora Eyelash Curler. I love this pretty curler! It gives a great curl that lasts all day and it comes in a wide range of fun colours. I love seeing the pop of colour in my make-up bag…never gets old.
7. PLAYOFF HOCKEY! Ahhhhh. I’m a hockey girl through and through thanks to growing up with a fanatical hockey fan for a father. It’s in my blood. Can I just say how happy I am to see the Leafs in the playoffs after nine painfully long years? The last time we watched the Leafs in the playoffs was during undergraduate university times. Crazy. I just can’t get enough of the playoffs this year and I’m following as many different series as I can find on TV. Oh, the drama that’s going on! It’s intense. I don’t know how these guys do it. The only thing better would be to score some tickets to see a playoff game in person, but sadly I don’t see that happening any time soon unless I can bribe someone with a home cooked vegan meal. Other things on TV I can’t get enough of are: The Mindy Project and Chicago Fire, but I think the season is winding down quickly.
8. Lightened Up Summer Granola. I’ve been on a big Vegan Overnight Oat kick lately and I love topping it with my favourite light summer granola. Nothing like a 2-minute breakfast.
Other things I’m loving lately? Neon clothing of any kind (I’m an 80’s child, what can I say?), wearing a t-shirt and shorts outdoors for the first time in months, and baby geese (goslings) by the water.
That’s a wrap. Hope your week is off to a great start!
We LOVE our hockey too and our local pro team (AHL) is in the 2nd round of the playoffs now – yippee!! Sorry, but we are rooting for the Red Wings, but still it’s nice to meet other hockey buffs :).
Chickpeas (and other yummies) from the freezer (I will def. be checking out Stahl Bush Island Farms) AND Vegan Whipped cream! OH, you’ve made MY day!
Love list like this! Happy Spring Time! It has arrived to Amsterdam as well and we are beyond happy!
Thanks for the great post, Angela! I’m in the market for an organic moisturizer, have you tried any by Desert Essence?
And speaking of baby goslings, I saw a family of baby ducklings just last week! Don’t you love spring? Here’s the post I wrote about it if you want to check it out:) http://wp.me/p33L7X-r
Hi Emily!
I’ve just started using the Desert Essence fragrance-free moisturizer (in a blue tube) and I like it so far!! My husband doesn’t like the scent (which in reality is no added scent), but I find it works nicely and I like that it doesn’t have added perfumes because they can really bother me.
Lovely pics in your spring post by the way!
jane iredale make up – i swear by it and i am currently obsessed with the mystikol pens and sets they have!!! also bare minerals and arbonne (they have a sea aloe gel in there sea detox for sun burns etc that is simply a miracle worker!!).
Dear Angela,
Discovered this site from See Sarah Eat (for GM recipe)
I loved your blog, kept exploring it after this story! Could you please print all the recipes used for your Mom-in-law Thanksgiving (the ones on the plate photos). I printed off the VOO recipes, look forward to making all of them sometime. Will be trying the Green Monster recipe first, want a shake/smoothie for breakfast options. I hope I’ve also signed up for your blog while I was at it. I am an O/L Veg. but I do Vegan also for friends w/allergies, health issues, etc. and like the ideas. I have been inactive for 2 yrs. now, (back in school part-time to complete degrees, working fulltime), I want to get back to being active and feeling healthier too and reading both blogs and getting meal/physical activity ideas helped.
Thanks and look forward to reading more!
Bridget
Hi Bridget,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to your comment – I’ve had a bit of a crazy week! Thanks for your kind words, I’m so glad you enjoy the blog :) Just curious what do you mean about printing the recipes off?
Not all the photos identified what you all were eating that year. Something that looked like a “hushpuppy” may have been bread? I tried to match up what food was in the photos as best I can with the available recipes, which I also printed off the computer (that’s what I meant) and I’d actually like the recipes to everything on the whole plate, the photos just blew me away.
Thanks for getting back to me, I know what BUSY is like! Bridget
Nice to see spring is putting a “spring” into your step. At some point when you have a little bit of time, I’d love to hear how you’ve managed keep up with some sense of normal as you hit the final phases with the cookbook project. I am going through a pretty intense and non-stop work/stress period – on the job, at home, extended family, etc., etc. I have found it very difficult to maintain regular exercise and eating, and just to keep smiling in general.
Loved the post, only thing I don’t like is neon even though I’m also an 80’s child lol
Love the frozen chickpeas! Hopefully I can get them here in the states!!! I mean I suppose i could always cook a bunch and freeze them myself, but why should I have all the fun? : )
ahem….GO BOSTON!!! WHOOT!!!
GO BLACKHAWKS! going for more:)
Forgive me if I have not read all 93 comments above; you blog must be a full time job! I was amused by the frozen chickpeas. I used to soak and cook all my dried beans and legumes. Then I got lazy and started buying canned. One day I cooked my own garbanzos again and was amazed at how much better they tasted. Now I cook them in large batches, rinse and freeze them in the correct portions for a batch of hummus or to toss into a salad. Cheaper, too. Keep up the good work, Angela! You are an inspiration. Cheers, V.
Not sure if this has already been asked in the comments… but what gorcery store did you find the frozen legumes line at? Excited for this!
Please forgive me while I say, Let’s Go Islanders! I still recall the playoff series against the Leafs in 2002. I grew up a huge hockey fan and I am so glad my son is now one as well…I switched over my cosmetics as well due to the chemicals and irritations/allergies. I have been using Clinique eye products since I switched from Dior and so far so good.I read about Gabriel and have considered trying it.
I have been trying to cook dried beans on weekends when I have more time. I had leftover mung beans and I made your chick pea salad wrap with the mung beans instead. It was so yummy! Rain here in Phila suburbs today and I drove by a shopping center and saw a DUCK just walking around. Not a pond anywhere in the area. I laughed out loud! What is the saying something like ” weather only a duck would like”
I recently got Dessert Essence shampoo and conditioner and LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. Best things ever! So so happy with them. Made me excited to see you speaking well of them as well!
I didn’t know there were frozen garbanzo beans! I’m getting these on my next trip to Whole Foods!
first i was into new girl, and would just keep the tv on while the mindy project played afterwards. but now i am totally obsessed with the mindy project!! tuesdays are my favorite day :) and i havent watched tv in the past few years at all hardly.
I also love this post! Where did you get the chocolate bar???
Hi Stephanie, It’s from Organic Garage – a discounted organic grocer in Oakville.
Thank you!
Great idea! I never thought of using frozen legumes as an alternative to canned (I am OVER the canned as well) thank you for such a great idea! I love dessert essence too, the stuff is just as lovely as any chemical filled product! Sending you lots of LOVE! Love + Shine CourtStar
Thanks Angela, for the lovely shares. I am recently into home made body scrubs and coconut oil rubs but this almond wash sounds yummy and amazing for a try. I just hope the fragrance last all day round which barely does on my starchy-dry skin
If you can find an Aveda salon, their Mosscara is my absolute favourite mascara! It’s all natural (as all Aveda products are), and contains Icelandic moss so your eyelashes are being conditioned while you wear it. It also makes your lashes look great, and is pretty water resistant, though not waterproof.