Weekly Round-up #4

Well my week off came and went pretty quickly and unfortunately I didn't manage to do half the things that I had planned but I did relax which was the main thing. I have just finished re-creating my C.V which I haven't had to do in 5 years so that's why I'm a little late with my weekly round-up. Another short one as I had already posted a couple of things (in more detail) that caught my interest during the week.

As Nature Intended

I had been meaning to visit this lovely little shop for a while now so I used my week off to my advantage. It was my first trip to Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford and that was overdue too. As Nature Intended is a little ethical health food store that sell a range of toiletries and cosmetics as well as organic food. This store is not entirely vegan but they do sell a range of foods that are. You can also find brands such as 'Faith in Nature' and 'Pacifica.' I took a couple of sneaky photo's for you.

Unfortunately I didn't need anything from here this time but I did buy a few products from other stores which I shall be reviewing shortly. If you would like to know more about 'As Nature Intended' go to their website HERE where you can also shop online.

Cruelty Free YouTuber's

As you know from last weeks post I have been on the lookout for cruelty free UK YouTuber's that review cosmetics. This week I found Rachel from 'All Natural Aspirations' who has a blog HERE. She has lots of very helpful video's reviewing many different kinds of products that aren't tested on animals. Here's one of her video's for you to check out.

Hooray for HURRAW

I have noticed that Hurraw lip balm is proving to be very popular lately judging by other beauty/cruelty free blogs, so here I am jumping on the band wagon with my post about these little sticks of amazingness. Hurraw balm contains premium organic, vegan (which means no beeswax) and raw ingredients and come in a luscious array of scents (I was going to say flavours as it's confusing when something smells good enough to eat).

I purchased mine from 'Whole Foods,' Piccadilly, upstairs beside the till which obviously proved to be the best selling point. I have also noticed a few displayed in 'Planet Organic' too but alternatively you can buy them on-line at the official US based website of 'Hurraw' or 'My Pure' if you are looking for a UK retailer.

I have the 'chai spice lip balm' and the 'vanilla bean lip balm.' Both are great products but the chai spice has to be my favourite... I just love the smell. I have to remind myself not to walk around in public with my lips turned up to my nose in the effort to get a whiff of the balm. Not a good look at all.

This balm goes on smoothly and isn't sticky but may have to be reapplied a little more regularly. They should most certainly be on everyone's winter essentials list whether it be for yourself or bought as a stocking filler for a family member, part of a present for a friend or even included in a secret Santa present for a work colleague. Do you think I have given you enough idea's!?!

The balm comes in an oval shaped stick which apparently is less likely to work it's way out of your back jeans pocket but I'll be keeping mine in my coat pocket or handbag. The stick also displays the leaping bunny logo which indicates that the product is cruelty free. more information can be found about the packaging and ingredients HERE.

What ones do you have? I'm interested to know what the night treatment balm is like if anyone has tried it.

Vegan Product of the Week: Whole Earth Smooth Organic Peanut Butter

Before I started doing some research I had no idea about the range of products on the market suitable for a vegan diet. I didn't think it would be possible to substitute my favourite foods but I was surprised to find out that I can literally buy or make every product or dish that I have previously enjoyed following a vegetarian diet. To make a change from the usual cereal I eat during the week I like to indulge myself at the weekend with toast and spreads. As I searched the isle with the jarred products in Tesco I managed to find a few different spreads suitable for vegans.

I limited my choice to two spreads, one of them being this delicious organic peanut butter by 'Whole Earth.' It tastes and looks no different to regular peanut butter but it contains natural ingredients suitable for vegetarians and vegans. The fact that it's free from any animal derived products makes it even more tastier and guilt free. It contains roasted peanuts (96%), sustainable palm oil (100% RSPO certified) and sea salt and contains naturally occurring sugars. Both the jar and the lid are fully recyclable for those of us that like to do our bit for the environment. All products in the peanut butter range are vegan but others (including the chocolate spreads) may not be so always check the label. I will continue to use this product and I highly recommend it to others. 

Whole Foods Market, Piccadilly

Seeing as I had some spare time on my hands today, I made a point of checking out 'Whole Foods' which I had only heard about fairly recently (I'm always a little slow on the uptake). I didn't even realise how close the store was to other places I normally visit in the area (why hadn't I noticed this before?).

I was surprised at how big the store actually was and I'm not even sure that this is their biggest. 'Whole Foods' sell a wide range of organic products. You name it, they've got it. What you have to remember is that these stores are not entirely vegetarian or vegan and do sell meat and items that contain animal by-products. Fellow blogger Amber, over at 'Amber's Beauty Talk' kindly educated me on the fact that not all cosmetics certified organic are cruelty-free. So just be aware of this when purchasing.

There are many recognisable cruelty-free brands in the beauty section such as 'Pai,' 'Jason,' 'Pacifica,' 'Faith in Nature' and 'Butter London.' Other items include grains and cereals, Vegan sweets and chocolate, top quality organic fruit and vegetables, milk alternatives, vegan deserts, teas and ethical candles.

I spent so long checking out all the products I started to think that I would have to take up residency in the store. I also started to become conscious of the fact that I had been upstairs three times (yes there is an upstairs) and the people at the counter probably thought I was crazy. The staff I came across were notably helpful and friendly, giving an excellent service.

Upstairs you can find an extended beauty range with make-up, hair care, skin care and oral hygiene products. You can also find a variety of supplements and vitamins.

The bakery looked great but I decided to stay well away as I have been eating far too many cakes and sweet things lately. I was also very temped to try some of their hot food (it certainly looked appetising) but I had already planned to eat elsewhere (that's one excuse for a return visit right there).

Cold food and salads also available.

The best time to visit Whole Foods is just after pay-day because you'll end up spending a fortune (only kidding). I noticed lots of offers on so you may well be able to save some money in the process. I came home with a fantastic little selection of products. My best buy must have been my Jason shampoo and conditioner, two for £8.

Vegan Product of the Week: Vego Chocolate

This item was one of my Vegfest star buys and it could well be one of the best vegan chocolate bars on the market right now. Whilst munching on a sample at their stand I couldn't believe it was actually vegan but considering we were at a vegan event I had to believe it. 'Vego' comes in a whopping 150g bar and is organic, fair trade and gluten free.

Vego contains a generous helping of whole hazelnuts and when combined with the melt in your mouth creamy chocolate it tastes divine. This product seemed to be very popular even with the subscription boxes and I'm not surprised. I'm not sure how many people would be put off by the statement on the back of the bar that reads 'may contain traces of dairy products,' but I assume that is just a precaution as I'm sure they wouldn't be able to label the product as vegan otherwise.

Unfortunately the WEBSITE isn't clear about whether you can purchase them on-line or not but their FACEBOOK page states that you can buy them "everywhere in the UK" examples include WHOLEFOODS (Fresh & Wild), health food store and Planet Organic, so I will be having a look when I next visit. It really must be tried to be believed. Well done Vego... I take my hat off to you.

Vegan Product of the Week: Pukka Tea

I was never particularly into flavoured tea's and for a while I tried my hardest to find one that I liked until I discovered the 'Pukka' range. So many great flavours to choose from. Each stringed tea-bag comes in separate sachets that keep them fresh. The ones that I have pictured here are all Vegan and as far as I know the majority of pukka tea's are. 

You can check out the whole range on their website and when you click on each individual tea it will display it's dietary information. I also have other flavours in the 'Pukka' range and I like them all. Pukka believe in the health and wellbeing of both people and the planet. I highly recommend 'Pukka' to those who have been in the same situation as me.