Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Vegan Hair Dye

Recently @vegbunny asked me what kind of #vegan #hairdye I use or recommend ... I have used different kinds of vegan hair dye; special effects, manic panic, pravana and raw. My favorite and the one I have been using the last year or so has been RAW and nothing else. It says it last 3-6 weeks depending on how often you wash your hair.. but I can maintain it in my hair for a few months and still be all kinds of bright fun colors! (washing with ice cold water every other day or as long as I can go) Over time it does fade as do all semi-permanent, or demi-permanent hair colors do but it fades slower then most and I actually enjoy watching what color my hair turns. I always start off super deep dark purple than fade over time but always still receive hair complements. People must think I dye my hair every week, because that's how often they ask, but its just when I wash it, it fades a bit more each time. @vegbunny also asked where she could obtain some, and I purchase mine at hot topic its 12.99 (14 after tax) but worth it.

Cruelty Free Hair dye is the way to go! also my hair never feels dry or dull.. it almost feels healthier after I freshen it up with some raw! and I use the color named 'purple punch' its the brightest purple, they do have some brand new colors I am tempted to try tho, lavender and mullberry(sp). I have also used raw color shades other then purple so if you are curious, just ask! I have used other brands colors but they don't last as long, fade quicker, and my hair isn't as soft, which is why I am a RAW Hairdye lover!

I also recommend the longer and brighter you want your hair color to last that you wash your hair in cold water! its actually better for your hair then hot even if your hair isn't purple!

ps. I am writing this blog as I am getting my hair done by one of my best friends @msmandydevine, vegetarian herself but she dabbles in the vegan world more then the average tarian! I will post pictures later if you care to see my new hair or perhaps I will change my default picture to represent the new hair do!

last I would like to comment that its a hot day in seattle to be wearing a black cape! melting in the name of pretty colorful hair :)

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Friday, July 30, 2010

a little place called SOUTH in eastern washington :)

south; a mexican restaurant with #vegetarian options printed on the menu but most all options can be made #vegan ! And not with the attitude you may receive at other places that tell you they can substitute, I honestly felt like they respected me and wanted me to have something amazing to eat! I had the green enchilada with rice & beans instead of sourcream & cheese. They also offered me 2 choices of rice; a yellow grain, or a cilantro & lime ( I choose the cilantro and lime green rice! Yum) and they also offered me 2 types of beans; a drunken pinto bean, or a home made refried bean (can't remember the exact name of the bean they use but I got these and they were tastey!) Also they straight up from the begining let me know their guacamole is made with sour cream, but they can give me fresh avocado in replace. Also any of their meat options can be made with fresh, localy grown (when available) veggies! I have been going to Lake Chelan since I was a kid, and the family always wants to stop at gustavs, a burger place, where I usualy pick at a salad with not the freshest lettuce or very exciting toppings. I was very excited knowing the family members I choose to carpool with today were willing to try somewhere new! And it was a #vegan success ! So next time you are driving to eastern wa, whether its. to lake chelan or a nearby town, wenatchee, cle elum,manson and/or you are driving thru #leavenworth (or going camping near by or in leavenworth) start of your vacation adventure with a full tummy and check out SOUTH at 913 front street, leavenworth, wa !

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Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Brit_on_Tofu

If you could be any food, what food would you be and why?

If I could be any food I would be a block of tofu. Because although I tend to block people out or build a wall to protect myself when I am ready I can still let down my firmness and reveal my soft side.

Also tofu can adapt to any flavor or any other food cooked with it, as i try to adapt to any changes or people around me. As well as Tofu gets along with any meal combination and can pick up the flavors and tastes of anything you wish to make it taste like. I try to be very versatile and easy going so that I can adapt to any surrounding or environments I may encounter.

Its good to be open minded in a world like the one we live in, because you never know what is going to happen or who you may need down the road, its best to keep all your options open and never make any enemies.

Tofu is a very open minded food and would never attempt to make any enemies.

We should all try to be a little more like tofu :)

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

VEGAN DETOX

You know when you hear people talk about going on a detox? And your first thought is like OH MY GOSH THEY ARE FREAKIN CRAZY! Some drinking only water all day long, others drinking cayenne pepper, lemon juice and maple syrup, others taking ice cold hot cold showers in 5 min intervals, back and forth and then also 3 times a day!?... These are all things I have heard of people doing. ... so I’m like ohmygosh they are crazy! Not saying that is bad more power to you whatever it is you need to do to get healthy! and I know some people think I am crazy because I don't eat meat or because I’m vegan, but I would not could not ever do a crazy hardcore detox like the ones mentioned above. I LOVE FOOD, so much that I eat all day long everyday, which is good since I eat only healthy food, right? WRONG in the past few months since I started working in and out of health food stores, whole foods to be more specific, and I discovered VEGAN JUNK FOOD!? What became my new worst best friend. They had food I had only dreamed about; marshmallows, pudding, brownies, cookies, ice cream, you name it! I never even ate that much of that stuff even when I consumed dairy! I’ve always been more of a steamed bowl of broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts over a bowl of ice cream kinda girl. And perhaps it was vegfest? That introduced me to so many tasty vegan sweets, but anyways I want to go back to the old ways of not daily chocolate, candy, sweets indulgences, but how do you break a longtime sugar, candy addicts craveings!? SUGAR!? Something I have struggled with my whole life, partially from growing up walking or biking distance from a ‘candy store’. I was hypoglycemic when I was younger and diabetes runs in my family, so its probably not that smart for consuming so much sugar and salt in my diet! Plus its not just about the way I eat, its about life in general, I need to sleep more, drink more water, slow down, exercise! So after a rocky month with a visit to the ER for my heart, and after seeing a doctor last Friday I am on a new mind track of aligning balancing and getting healthy! The doctor was amazing, she is also a naturopath and nutritionist and all her remedies she gave me were vegan because she knew I wouldn’t be down with the medicine approach. Its nice when I a doctor accommodates to your lifestyle instead of trying to push there own on you, in the past I have had doctors tell me “I need to eat meat”, bullshit I do. I am living proof you don’t NEED to eat animals, along with a lot of others out there ☺.

The timing of learning about Plate and Simple’s (@plateandsimple) vegan detox plan via twitter from @yourdailyvegan couldn’t have happened at a more perfect time in my life. This is exactly what I needed! Its not insane, you get to EAT FOOD! And my favorite foods veggies, fruits, hummus, grains, beans! YUM sign me up! Its just sensible, its about balancing your body not starving it, so if you drink coffee still drink it, 1-2 cups a day, because everything is good in moderation. If you are going to eat fruit combine it with eating grains or protein first to balance the natural sugars you are about to give your body. No Soy, that’s good because I eat way too much soy products and again EVERYTHING IS GOOD IN MODERATION ☺. NO Wheat, No Gluten, that’s ok too I have been way to hooked on dave’s killer bread lately (again vegfest/wholefoods) and vegan grilled cheese (we can’t say its cheese!) so my body could use a break, that much gluten isn’t good for your body! moderate remember ;) No Peanuts, also ok because I have been neglecting all the other seeds and nuts that are out there! Plus some other nuts and seeds offer amazing health benefits, flax, hemp, etc. and No Sugar (see above) and NO PROCESSED FOODS! I save so much money when I cook every meal in my kitchen from scratch! So saying a little goodbye to some of the processed vegan foods could do my body & budget good!. Seriously most sensible detox I have ever heard of you should check it out! www.plateandsimple.com to have my friends eat my vegan food took a long time then to have them go vegan that is extremely rare, Even if its just for 2 weeks it will be food for them! Nothing I have ever said has made any of my friends be like wow Monday I’m going vegan! but with just slightly mentioning this detox, everyone was jumping on the plateandsimple bandwagon! 2 of my best friends are doing it with me, 1 who is a flexitarian and 1 who was vegetarian back in the 90s. Then the flex’s sister who went vegan after reading skinny bitch is also obsessed with whole foods aka vegan junk food heaven and is also doing the detox! And then my friend who was tarian back in the 90’s her meat eating mother and 2 best friends also a meat eating couple are also doing the detox! So exciting! I would do it alone but it is nice to have the moral support in anything you do : )

Check out this VEGAN DETOX thanks to @plateandsimple !

www.plateandsimple.com

YOU EAT as much as you want! You are balancing not starving! Its a vegan detox where you eat as much grains as you like except wheat, as much beans as you want except soy and as much nuts as you like but peanuts, eat veggies, fruits, oils, BUT NOT PROCESSED FOOD, no healthy junk food, no vegan earth balance butter or veggie hotdogs, etc... It is suppose to make you stop cravings! … WISH ME LUCK ; )

Veggie Love

Brit

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

being vegan is more then a diet it is a way of life ♥

"A person who believes in peace, love, compassion, solidarity & health, who wants to end world hunger, have clean air, land, water & keep the rain forests. Save the world's resources & end the unnecessary torture & killing of animals..."

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Vegan Pancake Recipe & I love that most vegan chocolate chips are "accidentally vegan" . . .

As requested by @vegancookingwl (vegan cooking with love) via Twitter www.twitter.com follow me @Brit_on_Twit

here is a little bit of pancake love from the kitchen of veggieloverbrit...

Vegan Pancakes~

Ingredients:
~1cup flour
~2tbsp baking powder
~1/2 tsp salt
~1 cup of your favorite vegan milk <3 I use Silk<3 plain but i have also tried vanilla and pumpkin spice (seasonal)
~1 tsp vanilla
~2 tbsp vegetable oil
~3 tbsp's of applesauce (or 1/2 of a very mashed banana.. banana pancakes<3)

I like to use the applesauce they taste like good old fashion grandma's pancakes but better! don't tell my grandma i said that tho!
Then you can add flavors to small portions of the batter for a pancake twist! Vegan Coffee Syrup Flavors are amazing you can make pancakes taste like just about anything! My favorite is raspberry <3 but i am tempted to just use fresh raspberries when they are season! who knows the possibilities could be endless!
But the best of all was adding Vegan Chocolate Chips <3
They were so good they should just be called CAKES ! <3 <3 <3

Directions:
Whisk together dry ingredients first in one bowl, then the wet in another, then mix them together gently!
(my first batch i went whisk crazy.. they cooked so much slower!)
Cook on a preheated greased skillet! vegan friendly grease of course Vegetable oil perhaps ; )

It makes about 10 depending on size!

and in response to @vegancookingwl 's inquiry about chocolate chips being vegan?

Most chocolate chips are actually "accidently vegan" like ghirardelli & hersheys! cocoa butter, powder, oil is an all natuaul vegetable fat derived from cocoa bean!

I use ENJOY LIFE brand semi-sweet chocolate chips.. dairy, eggs, casien, wheat, nut, soy free, gluten free, 100% vegan <3

Now go enjoy some pancakes or some chocolate!

Happy Vegging <3

Thursday, April 1, 2010

my lazy amazing vegan dinner special thanks to trader joes

I love creating new and exciting vegan dishes from scratch but sometimes or a lot of the time, at least in my life, i have zero time to eat, or by the time i have time to eat i have zero energy to cook. So that is where my dear friend TRADER JOES, perhaps you have met? Comes in to save the day! They sell VEGAN CUCUMBER WONTONS now (k for a few months 'now')! they use to only have meat ones but the vegan cucumber creation came in and is here to stay! Perhaps you are reading this and thinking why are you posting about food in a bag any idiot can cook and eat that. Well this is why... the direction of the bag make them suck! it says to either a: steam them, or b: pan fry them. But really you need to steam them first! Then pan fry them ever so slightly and then they are to die for! Trader Joe's also sells Vegan Fried Rice, that cooks in a couple tablespoons of olive oil for 3 minutes and is done! Like magic! This is the quickest, simplest, dinner idea i can come up with after a long non stop day, and it always always taste like it was slaved over for hours on end. Thats where the extra special thanks to TJ comes in : )

What?.. can't a vegan be lazy from time to time ; )

short and sweet

... this is the blog of a vegan living her life. . . you think you know, but you have no idea.