The growing demand for vegan products, both edible and otherwise, has led many to tout the current millennium as ‘the age of veganism’. Consumers are now demanding animal-friendly products of all kinds. Here you’ll find selected articles on cruelty-free products.
and why not consuming them is an act against animal cruelty.
Animal testing has gained notoriety due to the growth of veganism which points this as one of the cruelest practices with animals. Confining an animal to use it as a guinea pig in various types of research is an ancient practice.
In recent history, humans have used animals as tools that allow man to create antibiotics, vaccines and other medicines, but also to test how effective or toxic the ingredients used by the industry are. Throughout the 20th century, the practice of animal testing grew exponentially as a part of the large-scale industrial production. The chemical agents that compose cosmetics, industrialized foods, clothing pigments, remedies, and other various types of products for human use, probably have gone through animal testing in their process.
Analyzing only in the cosmetics industry, Cruelty Free International has estimated that over 500,000 animals serve in testings every year . Laboratories in all segments of the market, with the exception of vegan companies, still use animals ruthlessly to test new ingredients before making their product available.
Multinationals of the food and beverage industry that we can easily find in supermarkets, if are not directly responsible, have business partners who perform these sorts of tests, however, some of them report on their respective websites that they do animal testing only when requested by regulatory agencies, but in practice this means that there are tests, either outsourced or when regulatory agencies from countries such as China and the US request it.
How does animal testing work?
Some trials are preclinical, such as primary skin irritation, cumulative skin irritation, and sensitivity. The animals have areas of its skin scraped, and light scratches are made in different regions, after that a small amount of the product or ingredient is applied on the skin and the area covered with gauze and tape. 24 and 72 hours later the wound is analyzed, to check for any reaction to the skin or lack of it. These injuries usually cause pain and inflammation to the animal if the product tested is in fact harmful.
Google Photo Reproduction
The cumulative skin irritation test prolongs and increases the suffering of the animal, after skin scraping, the scratching procedure and application of the product is repeated during the ten consecutive days. In the sensitization test, contact is maintained between the animal’s skin and an occlusive patch with a small solution of the product or ingredient that will be tested, and involves the injection of a substance known as Freund’s complete adjuvant. According to this document, the use of the adjuvant can be dangerous due to its side effects: pain, fever, nodules, erythema, necrosis and abscess. The test checks whether or not there is an immunological reaction of the subject’s body to the substance.
Google Photo Reproduction
The Draize test (eye irritation): Rabbits are partially immobilized in order to evaluate the irritating effects of the product or ingredient in areas of the animal’s eye (conjunctiva, iris and cornea). The amount of approximately one tenth of a milliliter is dripped in the eye of each rabbit , and it cannot be washed. Its immobilization does not allow the animal to scratch its eyes, which grants the corrosion on the site. If it is found that there was indeed eye irritation, there will be repetition of the experiment for several days in different animals, the consequences are ocular hemorrhage, lack of iris reaction to light, severe redness, swelling in the eyelid region, and even complete eye corrosion and ultimately blindness.
Google Photo Reproduction
The phototoxicity test is done in hairless mice, rabbits, pigs or guinea pigs, in order to understand how much a skin area becomes sensitive to visible light or ultraviolet rays, usually the skin of this animal is burned and peeled.
In toxicity testing it is analyzed whether the ingredient or product has the potential to destroy body cells, it is classified into two tests: In the LD50 carried out in rats and also in other animal species, the test substance for gastric intubation is applied and the procedure seeks to know the value of a possible dosage of the product that would be sufficient to cause the death of animals used as guinea pigs, this procedure is lethal for 50% of animals. The other 50% who survive suffer intensely until they are sacrificed.
The percutaneous toxicity test consists of applying the substance to the skin of rabbits, where it remains for 24 hours straight. The test is done for 14 consecutive days in order to record data on the amount of toxicity and mortality of the substance. After this period of percutaneous toxicity testing, whether these animals have died by sacrifice or by lethal dose, they have their internal organs examined.
The Vegan Society has stressed that “Veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude as far as it is possible and practicable all forms of exploitation and cruelty to animals, whether for food, clothing or any other purpose” – and we know that yes, for many who live in large urban centers it is possible and practicable to avoid products from companies that test on animals. The right to consume is individual, but the right to life is universal. #Govegan!
Resources:
Souza, Robson Fernando de – “Animal Rights and Veganism: Conscience with Hope,
Arivegan.com.,
Brazilian Ministry of Health: Ordinance nº 1,480/1990
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Ask any vegan, and they will tell you this: more than just a diet, veganism is a lifestyle. Vegans who are dedicated to their practice avoid animal products and ingredients in all areas of their life, including what they put on their skin. If you’ve noticed lately, vegan skincare is taking over mainstream beauty as more and more conscious consumers choose products that are sustainable and free of any kind of cruelty directed to unsuspecting animals. However, what’s causing this shift is not just for people to stand for what they know is right. Vegan skincare products have incredible benefits you won’t find in other more traditional formulations.
Let’s break it down even further.
What is Vegan Skincare?
If you have an idea of what veganism is, it’s basically the same only that the products we’re tackling are those specifically for your skin.
A vegan skincare routine can be seen as a beauty hack as it has a ton of benefits, but it’s also more than that. Vegan skincare uses cosmetics and beauty products that do not contain any animal or animal-derived ingredients or by-products whatsoever.
What this means is that traditional ingredients you commonly see on the labels of non-vegan cosmetics and skincare products such as honey, beeswax, collagen, keratin, and lanolin are not used.
Other animal-derived ingredients that vegan skincare brands don’t incorporate in their products are hyaluronic acid, squalene, stearic acid, elastin, carmine, and silk. What these vegan brands tend to use instead are plant-based or synthetic ingredients.
Vegan vs Cruelty-Free: What’s The Difference?
You might think they’re synonymous, but the truth is that there are vegan products that can actually not be cruelty-free and there are cruelty-free products that are not vegan.
Some “vegan” products only claim to be vegan because they exclude the production process. So while the ingredients used may not necessarily contain any kind of animal product or by-product, they may have still been tested on animals.
Cruelty-free products can sometimes contain animal products even though they don’t test on animals.
If you really want to use skincare products that are both vegan and cruelty-free, make sure to do your research first. Find out if the brand you are looking into is true to their word.
What Are The Benefits of Vegan Skincare?
Now, you don’t necessarily need to be vegan to reap the benefits of a vegan skincare routine.
Vegan skincare products are not only healthier, cleaner, and kinder as compared to their more traditional counterparts, they’re also inclusive. They’re great for oily, combination, dry skin—basically, every skin type that exists.
If you’re still undecided, here are some reasons why vegan skincare should be on your beauty routine.
Kinder To Animals and Our Planet
Though skincare products take great care of our skin, it wouldn’t feel as kind if the products we are using hurt those who are innocent.
Skincare brands and products that are both vegan and cruelty-free make sure that no animals were harmed in their creation and production. When we consciously buy these better alternatives, we take part in actively lowering the demand for products that use animal ingredients or those that rely on animal testing.
The best vegan skincare products are also 100% natural and organic. These plant-based products don’t cause any harm to our environment after use as they break down into non-harmful components.
Furthermore, vegan brands tend to be very conscious of packaging. They opt for sustainable and easily recyclable materials instead of plastic.
Kinder To You
Our skin absorbs much of what we apply to it so if we’re opting for products that have toxins, harsh chemicals, or other harmful ingredients, just imagine the damage they could potentially bring to our skin.
Vegan skincare and beauty products typically contain fewer ingredients that will irritate or aggravate your skin or any skin conditions you may have. They also tend to have shorter ingredient lists so that you can understand exactly what you’re putting on your face and body.
Because they are often made with natural ingredients, vegan skincare formulas are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that will nourish your skin to keep it looking and feeling fresh for longer.
Tips On Making The Switch
If you are planning on switching, the first thing to do is to research, research, and research. Educate yourself so that you can be better equipped as you begin your transition from the products you’re using now to a vegan skincare routine.
Remember to take your time. It’s okay to start small and slow. There’s no need to throw out all your current products in the trash—that will just be wasteful and counterproductive. Swap one or two steps in your routine first and the rest can follow. And know that by doing this small thing, you’re already creating an impact.
If you’re ready, take it a step further. Vegan skincare goes beyond the products you are using. At the end of the day, the health benefits of a vegan diet coupled with an active lifestyle can help keep your skin and your body strong, young, and in great shape.
Embrace meat-free Mondays or go flexitarian when you can. Try easy vegan recipes once you’re a little more confident and comfortable about it. All these little things add up.
With a vegan skincare routine, you can keep your skin healthy and radiant and take care of the planet and all its animals at the same time. So try it out for yourself! Your skin—and Mother Earth—deserves it.
Guide to the best ethical vegan fashion brands, that are cruelty-free. Here you can do your shopping with good conscience, and know that the items you buy come from a fair business.
My favorite place where you can buy high equality denim jeans, that are good for you and the world. They use recycled cotton and organic cotton. Their goal is to make circular jeans, both in the environment and social. They recycle items, and re-design items, of f.x.. your old jeans. The old jeans are always recycled after use.
Furthermore they share, you can lease a couple of jeans. That means that you can pick a couple of jeans and sign up, get your discount if you have an old pair, that you can send in. After that you can lease a second pair of jeans. Keep them or swap the item. After 12 months, it is your jeans, fully paid, and you can keep the jeans or swap for a new pair.
The reason they started with jeans was to make the pollution smaller in the fashion industry, the second most polluting industry in the world. They always want the jeans back after use to make the world a better place 😉 Check them out and learn more about their design on www.mudjeans.eu
NOUMENON
Noumenon is a fantastic vegan fashion brand, here you can shop cruelty-free. They also sell clothing from other designers. But I wanna talk about Noumenon.
Here you can buy nice and cool design. Their clothes are produced with linen, cupro, organic cotton, and Tencel.
Furthermore they use recycled and surplus materials. Every fabrics and materials starts its journey in Europe to reduced the CO2. First it started with the fact that she wanted to find an ethical, yet beautiful design, and then she decided to start her own, which is high ethical yet sophisticated she describe her clothes. For me it is sincerely worth paying attention to. It really is a sophisticated, chick, pretty, well-thought, eye catching and cool design that I would love to wear. They have terms, and they follow them, it is amazing. Check them out and learn more about their design www.nou-menon.com
Nae Vegan Shoes
If you are out and about to find new shoes, then look for Nae Vegan Shoes. Their design is excellent. I absolutely love it.
They are highly ethical and use fabrics so sustainability and recycling is not a question or a problem. They make their items f.x. of cork, organic cotton, recycled plastic bottles and pineapple leaf fibers. Their shoes are classic with a twist of something new I think. New ways of making shoes, hot design both to the calm consumer and the high fashion minded.
They also make nice sneakers to a good walk. And a couple of nice high heels if you are out for a cocktail. Get what you need, it should not be hard to find, in a place like Nae Vegan Shoes. Maybe you need sandals to walk to the beach to, or boots to take a walk in the snow. You can get what you need in their store. Check them out and learn more about their design www.nae-vegan.com
Do you have other vegan fashion brands you shop? Tell us in the comments 🌱😊
Choosing a vegan lifestyle is not only about your dietary preferences; committing yourself to a genuinely vegan and cruelty-free lifestyle extends to all other areas of your life, from beauty and personal care products, fashion items like shoes, bags, and clothes, cleaning supplies for the home, furniture and home decór, since animal products happen to be found in a number of things you may not even imagine, and even when products can be vegan, which means that they don’t contain animal products, they may have been tested on animals, which is why it’s important to go for cruelty-free options as well.
If you want to know more about the basics of how to go vegan and have a truly committed vegan and cruelty-free lifestyle at home, keep reading to learn what the experts told us.
As a new vegan, what are the staple foods that should never be missed in your pantry?
Nutritional Yeast – Fortified nutritional yeast is an essential vegan pantry staple making sure you get enough vitamin B-12, naturally found in meat. Often referred to as ‘nooch,’ it can be an acquired taste that adds umami and ‘cheesy’ flavor to your meal. It can be stirred into recipes towards the end of cooking. Or try sprinkling it over the top of pizza, salads, soups, pasta dishes, etc. I recommend starting with a small amount, adding more as you get used to this savory ingredient.
Cashews – When you’re looking for dairy alternatives, raw cashews work wonders in everything from vegan mac and cheese, vegan queso and alfredo, cashew ricotta, vegan cheesecake, vegan cream, and more. Those who are free of nut allergies will benefit from adding this versatile nut to your pantry. They blend up creamy smooth in seconds with a quick soak, and you will never miss dairy again!
Legumes – Whether dried or canned, stocking a variety of legumes such as lentils, beans, and peas is a must. They are extremely versatile and the main protein in a vegan diet. Not only are they inexpensive and extremely versatile, but legumes are also low in fat, high in protein and fiber. Plus, they carry essential micronutrients and phytochemicals to keep you at your best.
Spices – Although they are not really a food, having a good assortment of spices on hand will enhance your plant-based meal. I love the simplicity of simple salt and pepper, but spices and herbs can make all the difference and make your recipe come alive. I recommend sourcing the freshest dried spices and using fresh herbs whenever possible.
What kind of vegan options can we have at home as meat substitutes that provide the proteins required?
The first thing that people need to know is that most of us eat too much protein, and unless you are only eating vegan junk foods, the likelihood of you not getting enough protein is slim to none.
Please check out this video (from 2014) by Dr. Michael Gregor in which he answers the question: “Do vegetarians get enough protein?”. As he states in the video: The average requirement is 42 grams of protein a day. Non-vegetarians get way more than they need, and so does everyone else. On average, vegetarians and vegans get 70% more protein than they need every day. Dr. Gregor also has a great cookbook: The How Not to Diet Cookbook.
Store bought meat substitutes (burgers, sausages, chorizo, deli slices, crumbles, etc.) from the following companies:
Tofurkey
Beyond Meat
LightLife
Impossible Foods
Field Roast
Sweet Earth
Morningstar Farms
Gardein
And so many more
And with so many vegan recipes available online, it’s easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. Hope this helps you on your journey to a more compassionate and healthier way of eating.
In your experience, what are the Do’s and Don’ts when someone starts to adopt a vegan lifestyle?
“Taking the first step is always the hardest”, but becoming vegan has never been easier than it is right now. So many new options – buying food, dining out, clothes, personal care items, sources of information etc. Everything points to an easier lifestyle than ever before.
What can I eat? – Meat, milk products, eggs, seafood, it’s easy to think that your diet will be seriously limited, but this is simply not true. Most peoples’ diets are very limited by what they choose to base their meal options around. There are a vastly larger number of fruits and vegetable options to base your meals on than animal-based options. Also, for an easy transition, there are also a huge number of faux-products – meat substitutes, dairy-free milks, cheeses, pastries, and ice-creams. You don’t have to forego your fave dishes because these days there are plant-based replicas. It’s just a case of finding the shops and outlets where you can buy them from. And it’s the same with dining out – the hardest part is getting started. Once you familiarise yourself with the local vegan-friendly options, you will find that you can eat at most places, and maybe you just do should not want to support places that do not cater at all to vegans. If you find yourself really short of options, try Italian, Indian, Chinese restaurants – you can always find a few options in these places.
Important foods for vegans – everyone needs to consume essential minerals, vitamins, and other components to ensure optimal health, and vegans are no different. Thankfully a well-planned vegan diet lends itself very well to good health. Most dieticians recommend only a vitamin B12 supplement for vegans since modern living has stripped food of this essential item. However, often vegan-friendly milks, margarines, cheeses, yogurts, even cereals will be fortified with B12. Other vegans take vitamin D supplements if they live in less sunny climes. Yet others take fatty acid supplements, however, studies indicate that most people can synthesize what they need. But the truth is that everyone should follow a healthy diet and you might find that your own supplement requirements are different. You can find many recommended vegan nutritionists online to allay any concerns.
How to tolerate the talk – Being vegan can be very challenging, especially when it comes to the thoughts and reactions of non-vegans, whether they be friends, family, co-workers, or just people you meet. Chances are you will be ridiculed, warned about your health by self-appointed “health experts”, treated to attacks from home-spun irrational philosophers, even ostracised. And the crazy thing is that this is usually from the most ignorant.
The trick is to be prepared. Dealing with these issues is challenging at the start, but the more often you address them, the more confident you will become. You will soon recognize the most familiar lines and build up your own stock answers to them. Remember that science and philosophy are on your side. There are plenty of online resources to help you, including vegan Youtube channels. And try to adopt an engaging and positive approach wherever possible because you are now an advocate for doing the right thing.
Staying the course – Making the transition can appear daunting but do not despair; you are not alone. There are more like-minded vegans than you might imagine, wherever you live. “A problem shared is a problem halved”, so get involved in on-line vegan communities such as Facebook or forums, or join local vegan clubs. And if there isn’t one, start one!
What are the benefits of a vegan diet on our overall health?
In a socio-cultural and economic environment, with large-scale publicity aimed towards influencing the consumption of products and, as consequence, diets, we grow up with the idea that we need animal products such as meat and milk to achieve good health and, many times, social status. However, a strictly vegetarian diet is filled with all the nutrients our bodies need and is scientifically proved to be effective in keeping the body healthy at any stage of a human being’s life.
There are many studies that report the benefits of being vegan and following a plant-based diet. This kind of diet tends to offer more fibers, antioxidants, as well as being even richer in potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and E.
According to the American Heart Association, this type of diet is also effective at preventing cardiac diseases. A study was carried out by the association with 100 participants with pre-existing heart conditions to rate the performance of heart functions for patients with omnivorous and vegetarian diets. The vegetarian diet was shown to significantly reduce systemic inflammation and improved the lipid profiles for the patients, while this wasn’t the case for those with an omnivore diet.
Among other benefits of being vegan is the potential to reduce risks for some types of cancer. Regularly eating vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer by 9 to 18%. Among the cancers that we can reduce the chances of risk, we have prostate cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer.
It can be observed that plant-based living is not only healthy and diverse but can also help us live better and longer.
How do you know when a beauty product is cruelty-free? What should we be looking for?
First, check to see if the beauty brand is listed on Leaping Bunny’s Cruelty-Free List or PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies List. You can also check my cruelty-free brands list. If the brand is in either of these three spots, great! It’s easy to tell they’re cruelty-free.
If it is a smaller brand, such as an indie brand like Necromancy Cosmetica, Fyrinnae, or Sydney Grace Co, you’ll want to check their FAQ page or about page to see if they list their cruelty-free status. Most indie brands will be very transparent. Necromancy Cosmetica, for example, states that their lipsticks are made with 100% vegan materials that have never been tested on animals.
If a brand isn’t on Leaping Bunny’s, PETA’s, or my cruelty-free list, and they don’t have the details in their FAQ page, you’ll need to email them.
The questions I typically ask a new brand now are as follows: (these questions were created with my bestie Jen from My Beauty Bunny 1. Is your company certified by Leaping Bunny/CCIC? 2. Are the products vegetarian? (no animals killed for the products – i.e. some forms of collagen, squalane, etc.) 3. Are the products vegan? (i.e. product ingredients that come from animals like lanolin, honey, milk, etc.
Are the finished products tested on animals by the company, a parent company, a third party or an affiliate company? 5. Are the products tested on animals during the production process by the company, a parent company, a third party or an affiliate company? 6. Do you have documents from your ingredient suppliers to show that they are not testing on animals for your brand or any other brand? 7. Does your manufacturer purchase any ingredients from laboratories that conduct tests on animals? Do you have documents to support this? 8. Are the products sold in any markets where animal testing is required by local law and regulations (China, etc)? 9. If the products are sold in China, please explain how you are avoiding pre-market testing (are you aligned with PETA or Leaping Bunny)?
The information you’re looking for is whether or not the brand tests on animals or if the brand contracts out to their manufacturers/suppliers/a third-party vendor for animal testing.
What kind of materials should we look to incorporate in our home to make it vegan and cruelty-free?
Decorative Pillows:“Covers made from linen, bamboo, and organic cotton are healthier alternatives to leather and wool. They are free from harmful chemicals, vegan, and super soft.”
Pillow Inserts:“Consider rubber, kapok, or buckwheat fill for your decorative pillows instead of foam. These fills, unlike foam, are completely organic and free from off-gassing (the harmful chemicals that foam releases). They are also vegan.”
Sofa Cushion Filling:“When a sofa, for example, is touted as faux, make sure you check the fill. The upholstery can be a faux leather or velvet. However, the foam cushions underneath can be wrapped in feathers or down.”
Comforters and Blankets:“How yummy to wrap yourself in a soft thick cotton, bamboo, or faux fur blanket. These are much healthier, kinder options that contain less chemicals than a wool or down-filled blanket.”
Rugs:“I’m a fan of cotton, hemp, jute, and sisal. They are affordable, organic, and have fewer chemicals than wool or silk rugs. Plus, there are endless styles and patterns that are non-animal based.”
Printed Fabrics:“Printed fabrics are beautiful and come in endless prices and styles. Try to find fabrics that use natural dyes that are either vegetable or water-based.”
What tips can you give us to start a vegan lifestyle and actually stick to it?
Our Top 10 Tips to Get You Started
It’s all in the planning!
Don’t wake up on the first day of your vegan adventure without having thought about what you might eat! That is the absolute quickest way to fall off the wagon. Ahead of time, have a think about your first day’s meals and buy plant milk for your breakfast and coffee or tea, some dairy-free butter for toast or sandwiches, and something tasty for your dinner.
Some people find making a weekly meal planner helpful, so they always know what they need to shop for and what they will be eating.
Look out for accidentally vegan foods
There are so many everyday foods that just happen to be vegan, so open up your cupboard and take a look. Pasta, rice, peanut butter and Marmite, most breads, tinned tomatoes, chickpeas and kidney beans, jam and marmalade, coconut milk, curry pastes, tomato puree, baked beans, many crisps, crackers and biscuits, herbs and spices, many gravy granules, tea, coffee and fruit juice… There is a good chance that half the foods you already eat are vegan!
Ease yourself in
There is no need to reinvent your whole eating habits. If you like a sausage sandwich, have one – just make sure the sausages are vegan. If you want ice cream, go ahead. There are dozens of different delicious flavours out there. You can have almost everything you had before in a vegan version, so just switch like for like.
Veganise your favourite dishes
Again, there is no need to adopt a whole new eating regime. If your signature dish is lasagne, make a vegan version with soya mince and plant milk for the béchamel. If you love a morning fry-up, you can make it with vegan bacon and sausages. Whether you cook curries, casseroles, soups, stews, pies and pasties, roast dinners, cakes, desserts or anything else, simply veganise it.
When you’re ready, branch out
Many people find that becoming vegan opens up a whole new world of recipes and ingredients, and rekindles their love of great food. Once you’ve got the hang of the basics, why not jump in and try some brand-new recipes (there are thousands online) and see if it ignites your culinary passions.
Keep snacks to hand
Don’t get caught out! It’s really easy to pick up vegan snacks in most places but not everywhere, so make sure you keep a bag of nuts, a chocolate bar or some fruit in your bag or car just in case.
Persistence pays
Not every vegan product will work for you but just because the first cheese you try or the first latte you make doesn’t hit the spot, don’t rule out all other cheeses and plant milks. There are so many different ones to try – cream cheese, melty cheeses, nut-based, coconut-based, soya-based, all flavours and lots of different brands and styles; and as for milks, you’ll find oat, hemp, almond, coconut, rice and soya. Try them all, and you will soon find your perfect match.
HappyCow
Like eating out? Download the HappyCow app onto your phone and let it guide you to your nearest restaurant, café or shop where you can find vegan food wherever you are in the world.
Find your tribe
It’s easy to feel isolated as a new vegan but there are millions of us out there. Find your local vegan meetup group and make like-minded friends in real life or search online for vegan groups that interest you. From vegan runners to bakers to knitters; from vegan weightlifters to fashionistas to activists. They’re all there waiting for you.
Be kind to yourself
Everyone makes mistakes. Whether you ate something non-vegan accidentally or simply gave in to temptation, it’s OK. It doesn’t mean you are no longer vegan; it just means you are human! Chalk it up to experience and move forward.
What mistakes should be avoided when transitioning to a vegan lifestyle?
First things first – don’t be too hard on yourself. Some people find it easier than others to give up animal products completely from day 1, but others may go back to their normal eating habits from time to time, and both are ok; that’s just part of the process. Don’t beat yourself up for “not doing it right”.
Next, try to avoid vegan junk food. Most people think that just by being vegan, you’re automatically healthier, but that’s definitely not the case if your daily meals just consist of burgers and pizza. I highly recommend you do your research and have lots of healthy vegan recipes on hand to experiment with. Personally, I’m a fan of adding at least 50% raw food into your daily meals as that gives you lots more nutrition. Try dividing your plate in half – fill half your plate with something cooked and make the other half a salad.
Lastly, don’t worry about protein and calorie counting. It is very easy for a vegan diet to meet the recommendations for protein. In fact, vegetarians and vegans actually average 70% more protein than they need every day. Just make sure you have plenty of variety, listen to what your body needs (not craves!) and enjoy your food.
-Anya Andreeva, founder of Live Love Raw and author of “How To Be A Raw Foodie”.
What recommendations can you give us to raise vegan children?
Raising vegan children can come with a set of unique challenges for parents. Talking to children about veganism from an early age can be a daunting task. Especially as reasons for being vegan are not always kid-friendly. However, it’s important to be transparent with your child about why your family is vegan, even if it’s a little uncomfortable at first. There are a lot of resources out there from vegan children’s books to vegan subscription services like Vegancuts. After all, as a parent, you never want your child to feel like they are “missing out”. At Vegancuts we curate 100% vegan snack boxes each month to showcase the very best vegan products on the market. Embracing fun experiences like subscription boxes go a long way to ensuring your kids don’t feel “left out” – and who knows, it might even make their friends jealous!
Why is it important for vegans to supplement with B12 vitamin? Why is this necessary?
Vitamin B12 used to be found in the soil where we farm our food. But over the centuries of over-farming, our soil is mostly barren of naturally occurring B12, which leaves no plant-based sources of it (although it’s worth noting that B12 deficiency rates are about the same in both vegans and non-vegans alike). B12 is a very important vitamin, and deficiencies can have symptoms ranging from sluggishness all the way to irreversible brain damage! A deficiency can take years to develop, as we can store it in our livers for 3-7 years, so even if you haven’t supplemented for years and your blood tests are fine now, it doesn’t mean that they will be down the line. With vitamin B12 supplements being so affordable and readily available, there is no reason not to take the supplement and stay healthy — vegan or not.
– Dani Taylor, Vegan Strong Assistant Tour Director, Author, Vegan Strength Coach, and Natural Bodybuilding Athlete
As you can see, nowadays, you can find vegan options for almost everything you need to move forward to a fully vegan and cruelty-free lifestyle. As more of us choose this way of living, more products will be offered in the market to cover all the needs of this growing trend all over the world.
As Veggly grows further, make sure you subscribe to our blog and stay up to date with all of our announcements, other news stories, blog posts, and recipes.
Here are some benefits of being vegan and how we contribute to the lives of animals, the environment and our own health in the course of one year.
The fundamental premise of veganism is to save animal lives, even if at a limited capacity. This means taking an ethical stance in favor of those who suffer throughout all levels of human consumption: food, clothing, accessories, cosmetics and events. In our daily lives, this seems like a long list of chores, but avoiding certain kinds of consumption is possible and can have many positive results. We become more aware and responsible with all forms of life.
Animal exploitation lies at the center of a series of harmful consequences, like the violation of animal rights as sentient beings capable of feeling pain, fear and demonstrating happiness and love. The environmental devastation promotes climate changes, increased pollution, emission of greenhouse gases, expropriation of native people and the expulsion and death of animals in their natural habitats. For humans, animal consumption might also be unhealthy.
“If anyone argued that discriminating and exploiting non-human animals is justified because they are less intelligent, or because we are stronger and more powerful, then we’d have to accept that this kind of exploitation may also be applied to humans who are weaker and less powerful. That would mean discriminating against members of our society who are too young, too old, too sick. Who would stand for that?” animal-ethics.org
Benefits
The benefits of being vegan are in three fundamental concepts for the harmony of life on Earth: preservation of the dignity and life of all animal species, including humans, environmental protection and health.
How many lives can a vegan save in one year?
One vegan can save on average one animal per day and up to 582 animals per year. The author of this research is Harish Sethu, a professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia, US, a PhD in electrical engineering. This estimate was published by the website Counting Animals.
To reach this estimate, Harish used data about the amount of animals who were killed for food in the United States and population size. With most aquatic species being killed, the result was somewhere between 371 and 582 animals yearly.
To achieve a more accurate number, he had to exclude vegetarians and vegans and divide the total number of killed animals exclusively between the meat-eating population.
However, this research’s conclusion is fairly conservative, given that it doesn’t account for animals killed by the egg and dairy industries, which could make the figure even higher. It’s important to emphasize that the aquatic animals who are “accidentally” killed by the fishing industry, thousands of them, also don’t factor into this data.
Still, vegans’ generous and compassionate ideals save hundreds of lives every year.
Environment
According to a report about land use and climate change from the IPCC, an international panel that assists the UN, the scientis Marta G. Rivera Ferre explains how chicken and pork consumption currently represents 77% of animals raised to feed the world, and 22% is beef.
Each of these species contributes to climate changes in a different way. The ruminantes emit methane gas with heating potencial 28 times bigger than CO2 and can stay in the atmosphere for up to ten years. Monogastric animals, which are no ruminant, emit nitrous oxide and CO2, which can stay in the atmosphere for up to 100 years.
To the UN for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), livestock is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gases, much more than all of the public transportation exhausts in the world. Including its by-products, livestock accounts for at leat 32 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) every year, that is, 51% of all global greenhouse gas emissions.
Water resources, shallow or underground water available for all kinds of regional uses or water basins are also highly affected by livestock. Water consumption for animal agriculture varies between 33 and 75 trillion spent gallons annually. Only in the United States, agriculture is responsible for 80 to 90% of water consumption.
According to Michael F. Jacobson, to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, feed production for livestock consumes 56% of water in the United States.
With livestock, there is excessive water spending across all of the industrial spectrum, whether it is for the production of eggs, dairy and leather, but also for the production of meat itself. In a conservative estimate, it take more than 2 thousand gallons of water to produce 2 pounds of beef, but this figure can go up to 4 thousand gallons.
Animal consumption directly affects the environment. Water waste, deforestation and CO2 emissions.
What are the benefits of being vegan? In one year, one vegan can avoid the waste of:
401,504 gallons of water Deforestation of an area of 14,929 ft² 8,933 lbs of CO2 (cowspiracy.com/facts)
Health:
In a sociocultural and economic environment, with large scale publicity aimed towards influencing the consumption of products and, as consequence, diets, we grow up with the idea that we need animal products such as meat and milk to achieve good health and, many times, social status. However, a strictly vegetarian diet is filled with all the nutrients ouar bodies need and is scientifically proved to be effective in keeping the body healthy in any stage of a human being’s life.
There are many studies which report of the benefits of being vegan and following a plant based diet. This kind of diet tends to offer more fibers, antioxidants, as well as being even richer in potassium, magnesium and vitamins A, C and E.
According to the American Heart Association, this type of diet is also effective at preventing cardiac diseases. A study was carried out by the association with 100 participants with pre-existing heart conditions to rate the performance of heart functions for patients with omnivorous and vegetarian diets. The vegetarian diet was shown to significantly reduce systemic inflammation and improved the lypidic profiles for the patients, while this wasn’t the case for those with an omnivore diet.
Among other benefits of being vegan is the potential to reduce risks for some types of cancer. Regularly eating vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer in 9 to 18%. Among the cancers that we can reduce the chances of risk, we have prostate cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer.
It can be observed that plant based living is not only healthy and diverse, but can also help is live better and longer.
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Vegan cleaning is a reality! Read on for a list of 100% cruelty-free brands, eco-friendly cleaning and how to make vegan cleaning a habit.
Embracing Eco-Friendly Vegan Cleaning Alongside Your Partner
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned: the air quality in many American homes is two to five times more polluted than the air outside – a statistic that is surprising to many couples who prioritize health and wellness. The culprits are often surprising and hidden. They include indoor volatile organic compounds or VOCS hailing from furnishings, consumer products, and harsh cleaning products. Just a few ingredients that can harm human health include bleach and ammonia. Bleach, for instance, can cause irritation to the lungs, as well as the skin, eyes and mouth. If you or your partner have asthma, then you should be particularly keen to make the switch to a greener way of keeping your home spick and span. Rest assured that there are a plethora of vegan green products on the market as well, made by companies committed to not testing on animals.
Making A Commitment As A Couple
In order to improve your indoor air quality, you and your partner need to be equally committed to making key changes so your cleaning routine becomes greener. It is of little use to your health if one of you makes the switch to green cleaning products but the other continues to buy commercial cleaners and degreasers. Ingredients like bleach are, indeed, highly efficient at killing germs and whitening garments, yet by researching together, you can find replacements for commercial products. For instance, instead of using a chemical floor cleaner, you can decide to lay away a little money every month to invest in a good steam cleaner. This will kill germs, and does not require any chemicals at all. You can also make smaller changes – including the purchase of green, vegan cleaning products made with therapeutic grade essential oil blends. Thieves is a popular cleaner that contains essential oils such as clove bud, lemon, cinnamon bark, rosemary, and eucalyptus.
Backing Vegan Cleaning Companies
If you aren’t into DIY and you simply wish to buy eco-friendly products, just a few brands that are 100% cruelty-free include Seventh Generation, Citra Solv, and Mrs. Meyer’s. The latter, for instance, is known for its multi-surface cleaner, which works particularly well on glass and mirrored surfaces. What these and many more vegan cleaning product manufacturers have in common are plant-based formulae made with ingredients like essential oils, corn-derived ethanol, and plant-based fragrances.
Setting (And Sticking To) A Cleaning Schedule
The switch to greener cleaning methods may mean that you and your partner have to change up your regular cleaning routine. For instance, if you have bought a vacuum cleaner for the first time, the machine manufacturer may recommend that you vacuum your home at least once a week. This is, in fact, the frequency recommended by experts in hygiene, since long gaps between vacuuming can lead to the build-up of bacteria such as staphylococcus, which are brought into your home by shoes, and can cause digestive upsets and pneumonia. As a couple, you may decide that one of you prefers washing up while the other prefers to vacuum. The key is to ensure that all vital tasks are completed regularly without stress or tension hampering the quality of your relationship.
Embarking On DIY Projects Together
If you and your partner enjoy getting creative, why not make your own cleaning products together? For instance, to remove mold naturally, all you need is a paste made of water and baking soda. Just use a toothbrush to apply it to areas like your bathroom tiles, and after a few hours, scrub the mold off. To improve the scent in your home, boil leftover apple skins, and add cinnamon sticks and cloves into the pan: your home will instantly smell like Christmas. To make your own laundry detergents, mix natural Borax substitute, soda crystals, baking soda, soap bars, and a few drops of your favourite essential oil. There are a plethora of recipes online for everything from window cleaners to metal cleaners, all of which are perfectly compatible with your vegan lifestyle.
Switching to a greener way of cleaning is an excellent way to improve your indoor air quality. To make immediate improvements, use a vacuum cleaner so you don’t need to rely on toxic cleaning ingredients. You can also have fun with your partner by trying out different DIY cleaners, refining your list until you have a trusted few cleaners you can use for tasks like cleaning the oven, keeping surfaces clean, and keeping metal items shiny.
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The growing demand for vegan products, both edible and otherwise, has led many to tout the current millennium as ‘the age of veganism’. Consumers are now demanding animal-friendly products of all kinds – including fashion, skincare, and beauty items. This includes nail care and beauty, which includes products such as nail polish, treatments, hardeners, and cuticle oils. If you love dazzling nail looks but wish to ensure that you support vegan companies, the following tips may be of aid. You may want to read on to prepare for your Veggly Vegan Dating 🌱 😊
Animal-Derived Ingredients In Nail Products
Two of the most common animal-derived ingredients in modern day nail products include guanine/pearl essence (obtained from fish scales) and carmine (obtained from the crushed carcasses of the cochineal insect).
When choosing products, read the ingredients list carefully, and make a commitment to yourself as well: avoid components which are known to harm human health. These include toluene, DBP, formaldehyde, and camphor. Some of these components are known carcinogens, so opting for products made with fewer chemicals is ideal.
Top Vegan Nail Care Brands
There are literally dozens of vegan nail care brands to choose from, some of which include L.A. Girl, Sally Hansen, NCLA Los Angeles, 100% Pure, BWC (Beauty without Cruelty), Mineral Fusion, and Essie. Unlike its main high-end rival, OPI, Essie recently reformulated all its products to ensure they are vegan and free of all ingredients that can potentially harm human health. Brands range from budget-friendly to luxury, so regardless of what you are willing to spend, you will find a bevy of vegan polishes in a wide array of hues and finishes.
Beyond Nail Polish
It is important to be vigilant with all items in your nail care kit, including nail strengtheners. These are a usually transparent product used to counter nail brittleness and fragility. However, they can also be used to mend cracks and chips in nails, and are often used in line with fine paper or tiny pieces of cut-up tea bags applied over a crack or chip. Some brands sell hardeners whose main strengthening agent is keratin (which is not vegan). Others use shellac, derived from the lac bug. Ensure your hardener is made with 100% plant-based ingredients. The brush bristles used in the polish should also be sourced from plants. Like non-vegan hardeners, vegan hardeners may require the use of a heat lamp, but these are very affordable and can be sourced for under $10.
Vegan Cuticle Care Products
If you are a fervent mani-pedi fan, then you know that if your cuticles (the skin beneath and surrounding your nail bed) are dry or cracked, the look of your nails can be all but appealing.
Cuticle care products which are oil based can make a big difference, keeping skin healthy and in tact so you don’t need to trim it at all during a manicure session. Once again, opt for plant-based treatments containing beneficial products such as jojoba oil, shea butter, sesame oil, sweet orange oil, and coconut oil. If your cuticles are very dry, opt for a cream-based treatment to really lock the moisture in. In case you love lemon scents, try Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, which softens skin and is easily absorbed.
If you love having sleek, well cared-for nails, then delve into the fascinating world of vegan beauty and care products for nails.
Top companies such as Essie have seen the value of going 100% plant-based, as eco-friendly consumers express their wish to support companies that are committed to the environment and to animal welfare.
Ensure you read ingredients lists carefully, and make informed choices regarding everything from colored polishes, right through to hardening gels and cuticle treatment products.
Living a vegan lifestyle can be challenging, yet it’s also extremely rewarding. When you think of being vegan, you think immediately on your diet and the things your body consumes. However, in order to be truly vegan, the same principles should be put into practice at home, too. Whether you’re looking for new cruelty-free products, furniture, or décor, read on to learn how to create the ultimate vegan and cruelty-free home. Originally posted at Porch.
The Basics of Vegan and Cruelty-Free Products
Anything that’s considered vegan means that it doesn’t include any animal animal-based ingredients, from hot sauces, to furniture, however, that doesn’t always mean that the product was not tested on animals. To ensure that your home products are truly vegan, make sure they’re also labeled as cruelty-free. This term means that the product was never tested on animals before being introduced into the consumer marketplace. Read the ingredient labels on all of your cleaning products to ensure that they don’t contain any animal-based components. Then, make sure that they’re specifically labeled cruelty-free, so you know you’re getting a safe product that’s in line with your values. It can be challenging to find home décor and furnishings that specifically state they are cruelty-free. You may need to ask the retailer or contact the manufacturer directly to confirm before you make a purchase. Look for products that are Leaping Bunny certified, which means they are not tested on animals. Anything without this certification could mean that the final product may not be tested on animals, but the ingredients or materials used to make it could be. Some companies will also create a “vegan” product line, while continuing to explore and kill animals in other product lines. A real vegan product is one that comes from a company that does not practice this tactic.
Start with Vegan Cleaning Products
You don’t need to purchase chemical-laden products in order to have a clean and spotless home. In fact, many ingredients used in mass-marketed cleaning products aren’t just harmful to the environment, they’re also potentially harmful to you, your family, and your pets. Avoid products like caprylic acid, which is sourced from milk, and animal glycerol and stearic acid, which are both animal fats. You may also see the term “animal lecithin” included on the ingredients list of many cleaning products. This term refers to the use of waxy nervous tissue and should also be avoided. Research the names of the most common ingredients found in cleaning products and their source. This simple step will make it much easier to identify the things you know you want to avoid.
While baking soda and vinegar can be a great all-natural way to clean your home, there are still some products you might need to buy in order to achieve the ultimate clean. Brands like Seventh Generation and Ecos offer plant-based formulas that are both vegan and completely cruelty-free. Products that use natural enzymes provide effective cleaning to remove stubborn dirt and grease without the need for dangerous chemicals. Do your homework and read labels carefully, and when in doubt, ask the manufacturer directly. You can also make a few DIY cleaning products using natural ingredients like lemon, vinegar, and baking soda to accomplish quick, daily cleanings in a safe way.
Furnish Your Home with Vegan-Friendly Options
When it comes to furnishing your home, finding vegan products can be especially challenging. Wool and leather should obviously be avoided, as should silk. The process to manufacture furniture from these materials is especially cruel, and none of them should ever be used in a vegan home. Look for furniture with upholstery made of pure, organic cotton and fabrics treated with natural dyes instead of synthetics. Even faux leather furniture can be harmful due to the chemicals used and the environmental damage caused via the manufacturing process. Tables, cabinets, and shelving made of reclaimed wood is another excellent way to choose sustainable, repurposed furniture that doesn’t contribute to the deforestation problem. Visit your local thrift or antique store to find quality furniture made from safe materials like bamboo, natural fabrics, or solid wood. It’s a great way to repurpose older furniture and save money in the process.
The benefits of choosing vegan and cruelty-free furniture are plentiful, including:
Using vegan furniture at home is much healthier than products treated with toxic chemicals. These chemicals can penetrate your skin and get into your bloodstream and can also be breathed in causing damage to the lungs. It’s especially important to choose all-vegan furniture if you have children or elderly adults living in your home.
Vegan furniture is easier to clean since it shouldn’t attract dust or insects as leather furniture will. Rugs made of cotton are easy to keep clean, and they’re much more resistant to stains than wool area rugs.
If you suffer from allergies, most vegan furniture and décor are hypoallergenic. Animal fur and feathers can cause allergies to flare up big time. Choose bedding and pillows made from a down alternative to keep your allergies under control. Not only will you feel better, but you’re also ensuring that you don’t purchase items that harm animals in the process.
When you furnish your home with vegan and cruelty-free products, you’ll feel good about your surroundings. While eating a vegan diet is the cornerstone of this lifestyle, having a vegan home is also essential to achieve a well-rounded and value-driven life.
Living the Vegan Lifestyle: Don’t Forget Décor
Finding and using vegan and cruelty-free cleaning products and furniture can be easy once you know what to look for and what to avoid. When it comes to decorating your home, don’t forget that all of your home accents and décor should be vegan, too. Stay away from throw pillows and bedding made of silk and wool or anything filled with down feathers. Instead, choose down alternative textiles and try pillows, rugs, and linens made of organic fabrics. If you love the look and feel of leather but hate the cruelty, there are some companies currently making products from vegan synthetic leather. Remember to stay away from fur at all costs, too. Delve into vegan companies that are dedicated to making quality home products without the need for animal products and byproducts.
There are a few key things to look for when choosing items for your vegan home:
Try furniture and décor with rubber cushions instead of memory foam. Natural rubber foam cushions are soft, comfortable, and are made sustainably by harvesting natural latex from the rubber tree. This material may also be referred to as “natural latex.” Visit the GOLS, or Global Organic Latex Standard to learn more about how to choose the cleanest option for your home.
The sourcing of materials used to make home goods and furniture should not create toxic pollution or cause harm via deforestation. Make sure every item you’re interested in has been third-party certified so you’re confident in your choice.
Even the finishes on furniture and home décor can be harmful to the environment and animals. Check to see if the finish uses low or nontoxic organic ingredients that have no or very little off-gassing that can cause harm to the environment as well as your health.
Some home goods, especially many cleaning products, are completely biodegradable. Find out about the life cycle of your products and whether or not they can be reused, recycled, or if they’re fully biodegradable before you purchase.
Reduce the demand for mass-produced home décor items and furniture by buying products from a local thrift store. Not only will you give these items a new life, but you’re also slowing down the need for mass-produced products in the consumer marketplace. It’s also a great way to get something new without cutting down trees, testing on animals, or harming the environment through importation and transport.
It’s also important to note that even products like the paint on your walls could contain animal products. Milk and beeswax are often used as a binder when the paint is manufactured. Some paint brands still test on animals, either by putting the paint directly on the animals’ skin or doing things as cruel as forcing them to ingest it. If you’re planning to change the paint color in your home, always make sure that it’s completely vegan and cruelty-free. Thankfully, there are a lot of eco-friendly and cruelty-free paint brands out there to choose from. Do your research if you’re planning to paint your home so that you’re using a product that is both safe and vegan.
When picking out items to decorate your home, always keep sustainability and cruelty-free practices in mind. Materials like glass, repurposed wood, and natural fabrics are all excellent choices. Shop locally to find artisans and furniture makers who use repurposed materials to make their products. Look at labels carefully to ensure that every item you purchase for your home from cleaning products to area rugs is entirely vegan and cruelty-free. It may take some time and patience to find everything you need, but the process will be worth it in the long run.
Say Hello to a Vegan Home
Whether it’s window and oven cleaners with the Leaping Bunny logo or furniture made of organic cotton upholstery and natural latex cushioning, achieving a vegan home is possible. Always research where your items are coming from and don’t be afraid to ask companies about their manufacturing processes. With a little bit of homework and research, you can transform your home into a 100% vegan abode. Thanks to many new brands that are embracing veganism, you’ll be able to create a cruelty-free space to enjoy for years to come. There are no limits to this lifestyle, you can even find your vegan love here with Veggly! And don’t forget that the way we eat has a huge impact on the environment as well!
