Expanding the circle

 Not all that long ago, I was working as a manager at a no-kill animal rescue and adoption center. Finally, I thought, my dream of helping animals had come true. And in some ways, it had. I spent my days surrounded by hundreds of dogs and cats who had been fortunate enough to escape any number of horrendous circumstances.

Many had been abused and neglected by the very people whose responsibility it had been to care for and love them. Lots were throwaways. Kicked to the curb when the novelty of a rambunctious puppy or kitten wore off. At least two dogs who arrived during my time there had been quite literally thrown away. Hope, a Beagle puppy was thrown from a speeding car. And Phoenix, a young Chihuahua, who is fast asleep on my lap as I type this, was thrown in a dumpster. Countless cats and kittens were left in boxes outside our gates. Some were surrendered when their guardians could no longer afford to feed them or pay their medical bills. Some arrived after losing everything in Hurricane Katrina, and never left. And some had the misfortune of being born into the shelter life. Knowing nothing of the potential happiness and love that might exist on the other side of the eight-foot high chain link fences they associated with home. In spite of it all, for the most part, they greeted me each morning with an exuberance and vigor for life that both humbled and inspired me.

And, to the best of my ability, using the limited resources that were available to me, I believe I did help them. We all did. Because we loved them. You’d have to in order to keep showing up despite the despair that settles into your bones. Knowing that day after day you would leave and never be able to take them with you. It is arduous and heartrending work at best. And just when you think you can’t do it for even one more minute, let alone an eight-hour day, something beautiful like an adoption of a hard to place animal goes through. Or a blood test comes back negative for cancer; or a check for one hundred dollars arrives from an anonymous donor in the mail, and you remember why you’re there.

For a time, that was enough for me. For a time, I was able to ignore the fact that while we were there working tirelessly to save the lives of those dogs and cats, billions of other animals were still being tortured, exploited, enslaved, and killed on a daily basis. And by the same people who claimed to love animals. By the same people I was working with. Good people who fought each day for dogs and cats, but were grilling up hamburgers and hotdogs in our parking lot at our biggest annual event. What exactly, I wondered, was the message we were trying to send? And if we were all so willing to fight, to give up our free time and our energy and passion for the dogs and cats we loved so much, why weren’t we all willing to do the same thing for animals of all species? This disconnection is prevalent and continues to grow each time any one of us claims to love one being, yet willingly harms another.

It was while working at that shelter that I realized I would never stop working to save the lives of dogs and cats, but also that my work would include fighting to save the lives and promote the rights of animals of all species.

So, through my organization, Karuna For Animals: Compassion In Action, Inc., I am proud to present the first Long Island Animal Rights & VegFest. Taking place on Saturday, July 13th. Please see our website for more information and to become involved. www.karunaforanimals.com

Erica Settino | Twitter | Facebook | Website
New York Erica is the founder and executive director of the non-profit organization, Karuna For Animals: Compassion In Action, Inc. A long time vegetarian turned passionate vegan, she works tirelessly to educate others on the countless benefits of adopting a vegan diet. She currently holds a BS in Psychology with a concentration in Animal Behavior and an MFA in Creative Writing. Along with her work in animal advocacy, Erica works as an editorial assistant, freelance writer, certified and registered yoga instructor, nutritional counselor and health coach. She lives with her veg husband and their four rescued animal companions.

Photo credit: Karuna for Animals

Warm weather tips for the compassionate pet guardian

 Each spring, the arrival of longer, warmer days after so many bone-chilling weeks of winter makes us humans rejoice. But for our companion animals, spring and summer are too often a time for suffering, not celebrating. Here are a few reminders for helping your dog and cat enjoy beach weather as much as you do:

Keep critters off of Fluffy and Fido. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitos love the warm weather too. But their bites can be not merely annoying, but actually life threatening to your pets. (Mosquitos spread heart worm, for example). Talk to your veterinarian about treatment options; both chemical and natural solutions are plentiful.

Watch where you walk. Yes, it’s great to get outside and give your dog (and yourself) some healthy exercise. Unfortunately, it’s still common for lawns to be sprayed with toxic substances (this includes residential lawns as well as those in public spaces), so steer clean when the grass looks a little too green. You don’t want your pooch to pick up poisons on his paws—which he’ll either lick off or track all over your house, neither of which is a safe scenario.

Shave and a haircut? Think twice. Pets are supposed to be furry, so shaving is not a good idea. (Fur helps regulate animals’ body temperature in both hot and cold weather, and it protects them from sunburn.) On the other hand, you should help your pet shed that heavy winter coat. So do some heavy-duty brushing to rid your furry friend of all that excess fluff.

Poolside pleasures. If you have a yard and can safely let your dog outside, lucky you! Just make sure that there’s a shady spot for resting and plenty of fresh water for drinking, since your pup can get just as parched as you can. Many dogs enjoy and can benefit from the cooling effect of a sprinkler or kiddie pool, so provide these too if you’re able. (Very short-haired dogs may develop skin cancer, so check with your vet about using dog-friendly sun protection. Do not assume a sunscreen designed for humans will work, as it may contain ingredients toxic to animals.)

Parked car = Doggie deathtrap. Sure, you’ve heard it before, but I bet you’re still tempted to crack the window and leave your four-legged baby in the car for “just a minute” while you bump to get that iced latte. Don’t do it! Those lines at the coffee shop can be painfully slow, and you might run into someone you know and begin chatting. And soon that minute has turned into ten or twenty, which is enough time for the temperature inside your parked car to reach well over 100°, even on a relatively mild day. No latte in the world is worth losing your pet from heatstroke, is it?

A little vacation planning goes a long way. If your pets like traveling and can be accommodated on your vacation, consider taking them along! (There are more and more pet-friendly hotels these days.) But if your feline or canine won’t be joining you, make sure your time apart brings them delight, not distress. Whether you use a pet sitter or a boarding kennel, get plenty of references and never leave your baby anywhere you haven’t visited in person. The best sitters and kennels offer play, exercise, and affection, not just room and board, so keep looking until you find what your pet needs and deserves.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your treasured tabby or terrier savors the sunny months as much ahead.

Elizabeth Gordon | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Website
Massachusetts Elizabeth is a writer, educator, and vegan advocate. She lives on the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border with her husband and their quirky animal companions: a dog, two cats, and four fish (all rescues). An avid plant-based cook, she's proud to have finally perfected vegan versions of foods from her dual heritage—meatloaf, mac and cheese, and bacon from her Southern side, as well as potstickers, summer rolls, and wonton soup from her Asian side. (Plus she makes a drool-worthy buffalo wing pizza.) Elizabeth is the creator of the website MassVegan.org and founder of Vegans of North Central Mass.

Photo credit:cc:flickr.com/photos/bredgur

Product Review: Lisa's Organics Frozen Vegetables

As vegans, it can be tough to find frozen vegetables that include sauces or additional flavoring. While we vegans love our vegetables, sometimes we like to spice them up and play around with sauces. Now and then, we want our side dishes to be a little more exciting and it’s nice when we don’t have to go the extra mile ourselves.

With Lisa’s Organics frozen vegetable side dishes, this is made possible. For $3.49 per bag, busy people like myself can get a quick but delicious meal on the table in five minutes. While I prefer to serve my frozen vegetables with a main dish, these vegetables also make a great addition to a vegetable wrap or can be used in fajitas or risotto. You can also add them to pasta, salsa, or whatever else sounds delicious. The possibilities are endless. Plus, each bag of vegetables is recyclable.

Vegans can choose from three different varieties of Lisa’s Organics frozen vegetables, and all are sold in more than 300 retailers nationwide. Choose from Southwest Vegetables in Ranchero Sauce, Whole Green Beans in Garlic Olive Oil Sauce, and California Vegetables in Balsamic Glaze. The Green Beans in Garlic Olive Oil Sauce are also gluten-free.

Lisa Organic’s cares and you can feel great about buying their products. In 2012, Lisa’s Organics created Garden to Hospitals, a program dedicated to teaching kids about the importance of healthy eating. All Lisa’s Organics products contain certified organic vegetables and are grown in rich, protected solids in the United States and Canada.

For more information on Lisa’s Organics or to find out where you can buy your bag of delicious frozen vegetables, please visit http://www.lisasorganics.com/.

Alexandra Beane | Facebook | Twitter
Minnesota Alexandra is a lover of all animals, but has a soft spot for especially dogs and rabbits. She believes that life is not complete without an animal to love. Alexandra is highly passionate about animals and animal rights, and wants to raise awareness of the cruelty that many animals suffer in the best way she knows how, and this is by written word. Alexandra is a recent graduate of Metropolitan State University in Minnesota, with a degree in Professional Writing and a minor in Creative Writing. She absolutely loves to write news and creative nonfiction, and obsesses over spelling and grammar.

Photo credit: Lisa's Organics

Vegan grub crawl part three-Atlanta

Our last stop on our Atlanta Vegan Grub Crawl was Healthful Essence, a Caribbean vegan/vegetarian restaurant, featuring Jamaican specialties.  As we walked through the door we were greeted by reggae music and the smell of incense and spicy things. They have a rotating menu of raw as well as cooked dishes to choose from.

The specials are written on the black board but they will gladly walk you down the line of today's selections, lifting steamy lids offering you a peek of what is inside. We built our own sampler platter (pick three from the menu) with  Macaroni UnCheese, Jerk UnChicken and Sweet Potato Corn Bread. The plate was then garnished with a few fried sweet plantains to further tease your appetite.

The Jerk UnChicken was shredded and piled high on the plate. It was smoky, sultry and spicy, introducing complex heat before you finished the first bite. Its developed flavor went well beyond anything I have ever tasted, vegan or otherwise. It was spicy in that way that makes you continue  to eat just one more bite  in an effort to put out the fire. But it never ends and it just leaves you wanting, needing more.  It was addictive and I still think about it.

The macaroni looked unlike any mac I had ever had. It was peppered with diced celery and red peppers which made it divine. The sauce was creamy, robust and exactly what I needed to tame the heat  from the Jerk UnChicken. Don't order the jerk dish without I if you want to be kind to yourself.  Paired with a bonafide slab of sweet potato corn bread....we left in agony even though we shared one plate. The portions were generous and the food blew my mind. Thank goodness we hadn't gone there first. I may not have left.

Sherry Duquet | Facebook
Sherry is on a mission to inspire others to join in her journey to change the world, one meal at a time. As a long time vegetarian and vegan newbie, Sherry launched a compassionate living blog Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe where she welcomes meat-a-tarians, vegans and anyone interested in creating change with their choices and voices.

Photo credit: Sherry

Where not to travel as a vegan

 If you’re like my husband and me, you want a no-fuss vacation where you can simply relax on the beach and not worry about a thing. However, this has become much more difficult since becoming vegan, and it shouldn’t be!

My husband and I chose an all-inclusive Puerto Vallarta beach resort in Mexico for our spring vacation, and instead of the no-fuss, no-stress we were expecting; we realized that our problems were far more complicated than staying somewhere outside of the all-inclusive and exploring local restaurants on our own. We would have actually been much safer staying outside of a resort and not wasting all of our money on the resort’s food (or lack of, I should say).

When we were looking into all-inclusive resorts, we were a bit skeptical that there may not be enough vegan food options for us to eat. Because of our concern, I had contacted the resort via email and explained our situation. They kindly sent over their vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menus for us to review. Since it looked like the resort had so many options, we booked our trip and were relieved that we could stay on the resort and wouldn’t have to venture off. We felt much more comfortable staying at the resort and not having to leave for anything.

When we arrived at the resort, we learned that the resort had only two sit-down restaurants for dinner, and everything else was a buffet. So, basically all of our meals would consist of buffets for five days. Since we arrived late the first night, we missed the sit down dinners and had to eat at the buffet. This was our first disappointment, only an hour after arriving.

The next disappointment came when breakfast arrived and we had to eat at another buffet for breakfast, and again at lunch. Breakfast consisted of fruit and a hash brown potato and lunch was French fries and tortilla chips and salsa. Thankfully, we were able to make dinner reservations for our second and third night. We were able to eat vegetable fajitas one night and vegan basil pesto spaghetti the other—both vegan! We were very pleased, but it was a hassle even getting those.

"Caprese Salad"- the vegan version was just 4 tomatoes

It turned out that none of the vegetarian options that had been emailed to me previously were even served at the resort—we were not sure if the menu had recently changed or what the deal was, but the only vegan options were the ones that we had to modify and make sure that they were actually vegan. The servers seemed annoyed that we were asking questions and it didn’t help that they didn’t speak any English, and we knew very little Spanish.

Thankfully, we were able to have two meals during our five-day vacation (four nights, five days), or we would have felt far more terrible than we did. As vegans who are always snacking, we were not used to surviving off of simply fruit for breakfast, raw vegetables, salads, French fries or baked potatoes, and chips and salsa for five consecutive days! We wanted our rice and beans, which you would expect for a Mexican resort! We were so wrong.

Since our last night was on Cinco De Mayo, the resort had a larger Mexican buffet but there were still no beans (or none that looked safe enough to eat, anyway). However, we were finally able to find tortillas so we could put roasted vegetables in them with guacamole. This felt like a lifesaver. We were so hungry and we were so disappointed that we paid for an all-inclusive when it felt like we barely ate anything at all.

Vegetable Fajitas

In conclusion, we learned our lesson to not stay at an all-inclusive resort again. We won’t risk it again, and plus, it was a bit uncomfortable taking food from a buffet that mostly contains non-vegan or non-vegetarian items. It really took a lot away from our vacation experience and we highly recommend that vegans do not stay at an all-inclusive, unless of course, it’s a vegan all-inclusive, or you know for a fact that the resort is vegan-friendly.

We were wise enough to bring a carton of shelf-stable rice milk and some granola bars and crackers with us so we could snack on them during the day. I am sad to report that our best meal was at the Phoenix, Arizona airport on the way home when we were finally able to get our vegetarian bean and rice burrito! After eating the burrito, we felt absolutely revived. It’s amazing how great beans and grains can make a person feel.

On our next vacation, we plan to explore one of the many vegan-friendly cities in the United States, and we plan to eat a lot.

Alexandra Beane | Facebook | Twitter
Minnesota Alexandra is a lover of all animals, but has a soft spot for especially dogs and rabbits. She believes that life is not complete without an animal to love. Alexandra is highly passionate about animals and animal rights, and wants to raise awareness of the cruelty that many animals suffer in the best way she knows how, and this is by written word. Alexandra is a recent graduate of Metropolitan State University in Minnesota, with a degree in Professional Writing and a minor in Creative Writing. She absolutely loves to write news and creative nonfiction, and obsesses over spelling and grammar.

Photo credit:cc:flickr.com/photos/hbarrison

Vegan grub crawl part deux-Atlanta

This is the continuation of my vegan grub crawl across the city of Atlanta. When we left off, I had just been to an all vegan bakery and deli. Next stop, mind eracing doughnuts. 

After we left Dough Bakery and Gutenfleischers we drove east toward Decatur, Georgia, home of Revolution Doughnuts. They are a small batch doughnut shop featuring organic coffee and the most voluptuous doughnuts I have ever seen. They come in yeast style, filled, baked cake and cake style. Standing in front of the case felt like standing in a Tiffany & Co with a Black Amex. I felt limitless and effervescent. Each doughnut had its own sign, the vegans marked with a V for easy spotting.

The day we visited there were at least fifteen  flavors to choose from, most of them vegan. Round puffy pillows  infused with tart lemon curd and dusted with coarse sugar. Dark chocolate enrobed cakes the size of nautical life rings.

We ordered several to go because we were both still so full from Gutenfleischers and Dough Bakery. Sandy went to the ladies room and when she returned she caught me with cheeks the size of a very active squirrel and coarse sugar all over my mouth. "I thought we were waiting," was all she said. "We were," I  replied with unwarranted pride. What happened was as I sitting there waiting for her I realized that it would be much more authentic if I photographed the doughnuts while we were still in the shop. So, I hoisted one out of the bag and set it down on the table. As I snapped a few shots it occurred to me that the photo would look tastier if you could see the lemon curd captured inside, so I broke open the doughnut.  That was it. I had half of it in my mouth before she returned.

I am finding it difficult to verbally elevate these vegan doughnuts to the place they have wedged inside my heart. They were outstanding and I shall never forget them. I bought a t-shirt and have worn it twice.

One bite and it is abundantly clear, they have been baked with care  in ovens of love. If you find yourself within 300 miles of Decatur, Georgia, stop by Revolution Doughnuts and just give in  as your better judgement escapes your body leaving you powerless. Don't fight it...just bite it.

Sherry Duquet | Facebook
Sherry is on a mission to inspire others to join in her journey to change the world, one meal at a time. As a long time vegetarian and vegan newbie, Sherry launched a compassionate living blog Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe where she welcomes meat-a-tarians, vegans and anyone interested in creating change with their choices and voices.

Photo credit: Sherry

Bill Gates new website promotes plant-based options

Bill Gates just gets smarter and smarter. This time, he is thinking about the future of food and encourages people to try eating plant-based.

Bill Gates cares about the world and the environment and he wants people to know that there are plenty of healthy and great-tasting foods that don’t require the large amount of resources that animal products require. You can see for yourself at his new website that promotes the Future of Food.

On the website, Gates talks about how meat consumption has doubled in the last 20 years, and is expected to double again by 2050. He stresses that we cannot produce enough meat to feed 9 billion people, so people should start trying plant-based options for the sake of the environment.

Gates mentions the healthy and delicious plant-based alternatives that are out there and how much he enjoys them. On the website, he wrote that they “taste just like eggs, chicken, and other sources of protein.” He said that he “couldn’t tell the difference” between the Beyond Meat brand chicken alternative, or the Beyond Eggs Hampton Creek egg substitute. He also mentions the health benefits and how the plant-based eggs do not contain the high cholesterol of real eggs.

The website also features several videos so viewers can learn the science behind plant-based proteins. Videos feature “The Science Behind Plant-Based Proteins,” “Reinventing Food,” “Remaking Meat,” “Egging On An Industry,” and “Solving For Sodium.”
 
“If we shift our thinking about what we eat, and how it gets to our plates, we’ll be more open to the food innovations that are out there,”explained Gates.

Hopefully others will follow Gates’ message. After all, we tend to grow up thinking we are supposed to eat animals instead of thinking about the other options. We don’t stop to think about how food gets on our plates.

To learn about the future of food, please visit http://www.thegatesnotes.com/Features/Future-of-Food.

Alexandra Beane | Facebook | Twitter
Minnesota Alexandra is a lover of all animals, but has a soft spot for especially dogs and rabbits. She believes that life is not complete without an animal to love. Alexandra is highly passionate about animals and animal rights, and wants to raise awareness of the cruelty that many animals suffer in the best way she knows how, and this is by written word. Alexandra is a recent graduate of Metropolitan State University in Minnesota, with a degree in Professional Writing and a minor in Creative Writing. She absolutely loves to write news and creative nonfiction, and obsesses over spelling and grammar.

Photo credit:cc:flickr.com/photos/dfid/5093737688 Department for International Development/Russell Watkins

The top ten workout songs for May

 This month's top 10 highlights the return of several workout favorites. Daft Punk released their new material since the Tron: Legacy soundtrack. The Jonas Brothers and Avril Lavigne offered previews from their upcoming albums.

Lastly, Paramore—whose future was uncertain after two founding members left the band—topped the Billboard chart for the first time in their career.

Here's the full list, according to votes placed at Run Hundred--the web's most popular workout music blog.

Ash - Arcadia - 151 BPM
Krewella - Alive - 128 BPM

The Band Perry - Done - 102 BPM

Daft Punk & Pharrell - Get Lucky - 116 BPM

Alex Gaudino & Mario - Beautiful - 128 BPM

Jonas Brothers - Pom Poms - 148 BPM

Will.I.Am & Justin Bieber - #thatPOWER - 129 BPM

Avril Lavigne - Here's to Never Growing Up - 83 BPM

Paramore - Still into You - 137 BPM

Carly Rae Jepsen - Tonight I'm Getting over You - 126 BPM


To find more workout songs, folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era—to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine.

Posted by Chris Lawhorn from RunHundred.com.

Photo credit:cc:flickr.com/photos/gigijin

Vegan grub crawl-Atlanta

I love sharing  about vegan travel because before I went vegan, I believed that traveling as one would be a challenge. Over the past few years I have come to realize that isn't the case at all. With a bit of planning, it is just as easy to find a compassionate meal while on the road. This will also  make it easier to find the  most unique places in the area you are visiting, which  is always more delicious.

Recently while visiting family in  Atlanta, my partner and I decided to go on a self created, self proclaimed vegan grub crawl. We were on our way to a natural history museum in an area that we were only somewhat familiar.  I did a HappyCow search for a vegan lunch spot so we would know where to go when we were ready to dine. Nothing worse than searching for vegan edibles when you are famished.

The list of vegan friendly and exclusively vegan places blew my mind. I clicked on menus, made a list of addresses and announced,"We are going on a  vegan grub crawl, the heck with the museum." We hopped in the KIA with a credit card,  the camera and an appetite for adventure. I felt like the female, kinder, vegan version of Anthony Bourdain. It was an absolute ball.  I could do this for a living but it would require much larger clothes and a generous travel sponsor.

We had four different dining experiences in only three destinations because two of the places we wanted to try were in the same building.  Bonus. Throughout the week, I will share all four with you in the order that we experienced them, starting with today's post from Dough Bakery and Guteinfleishers Vegan Deli. Now, if you find yourself in the Atlanta area you will have a few new places to check out.

Dough Bakery and Gutenfleischers share the same building. Both are vegan which makes decision making  a welcome challenge. As you walk in. you are welcomed by the Dough bakery case which is adorned with familiar favorites like sticky buns and cinnamon rolls.

There are also epicurean offerings such as Grapefruit Ginger scones and German Chocolate brownies. They also have steaming mugs of coffee and soft serve ice cream cones.  My mind raced as I began to order. "I'll have this for here, two of these to go..." I realized I was on joy and desire overload and had to reel it in, so I walked away to order my sandwich.

Gutenfleischers is the next counter over. They offer soup, sandwiches and deli salads. You may also purchase their meats and salads by the pound to enjoy at your leisure. The day we visited, their special was a Southern icon, the Pimento Cheese sandwich. I ordered mine with tempeh bacon, banana peppers, pickles and lettuce. Sandy ordered the Cajun slices with mozzarella cheese,  spicy brown mustard, mayo and all the veg  fixins. Both sandwiches arrived  on the freshest oat bread with  dill pickle spears.

I savored my sandwich like it was my very last meal. I had mistakenly given Sandy a  half of my sandwich in a well meaning trade for  half of hers. I made her trade it back. It was so outstanding. It was spicy, creamy and salty. The veggies were crisp and the spread was divine.

 
As I was polishing off my entire sandwich, I realized that I had broken the cardinal rule of grub crawling...never, ever finish anything you order. Taste and move on with a buxom doggie bag. Too late.

I left with a belly ache and two more destinations to go. 

Grub crawling is so fun. In part deux and three I will tell you about two more Atlanta veg destinations,  Revolution Doughnuts and Healthful Essence. They are worth the wait and your own visit. 

Sherry Duquet | Facebook
Sherry is on a mission to inspire others to join in her journey to change the world, one meal at a time. As a long time vegetarian and vegan newbie, Sherry launched a compassionate living blog Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe where she welcomes meat-a-tarians, vegans and anyone interested in creating change with their choices and voices.

Photo credit: Sherry

Hip Apotheca launches new vegan category

It can sometimes be tough to find the vegan beauty products you are looking for, but it’s certainly possible. When companies hear that their shoppers are looking for cruelty-free, vegan products, they do listen. Thankfully, the natural and organic beauty retailer Hip Apotheca has recently launched a new vegan category which features over 200 cruelty-free skin, body, nail, and makeup products that are also suitable for vegans. Hip Apotheca has always sold products that are free of animal testing, but now they have extended their line to attract vegans as well.

Vegans know that if someone isn’t meant to be eaten, it shouldn’t be worn either, and this also goes for beauty products. Now that Hip Apotheca has launched a new vegan category, finding the perfect vegan beauty products will never again be a struggle. The line features brands such as One Love Organics, Yarok Organic Hair Products, skinnyskinny, John Masters Organics, LippyGirl Makeup, Scotch Naturals, Alima Pure, and mbeze. With the vegan population on the rise, companies are smart to include vegan products in their stores.

As if we are not already excited about Hip Apotheca’s expanded vegan product category, we are even more excited that so many options are available so that we can purchase everything we need right there on their online beauty retail site. Vegans no longer have to surf the web and purchase items from numerous websites, since Hip Apotheca carries everything from haircare, to bath and body, to cosmetics, skincare, and nails.

The online store even features products for men as well as fragrances and gift packages. This could certainly make things easier for non-vegan family and friends who are questioning what to buy the vegan in their life.

Be sure to check out Hip Apotheca’s vegan products and support a company that truly cares about its consumers, as well as the world as a whole.

Alexandra Beane | Facebook | Twitter
Minnesota Alexandra is a lover of all animals, but has a soft spot for especially dogs and rabbits. She believes that life is not complete without an animal to love. Alexandra is highly passionate about animals and animal rights, and wants to raise awareness of the cruelty that many animals suffer in the best way she knows how, and this is by written word. Alexandra is a recent graduate of Metropolitan State University in Minnesota, with a degree in Professional Writing and a minor in Creative Writing. She absolutely loves to write news and creative nonfiction, and obsesses over spelling and grammar.

Photo credit: Hip Apotheca