Here is a quick overview of why I am interested in animal rights and what some of my favourite foods & cruelty free products are. I would also LOVE to hear about your journey and what your top picks are - so please feel free to copy and paste this survey into the comments below and fill in your answers :)
THiS & THAT
Vegetarian or Vegan: Eco-Tarian? In the process of becoming vegetarian!
Why animal rights?: I would have to thank my grade 8 teacher for sparking my interest. She gave us the debate topic of Animal Testing and (thank goodness) she had me on the opposing team. I spent an entire Sunday at the library doing research and the more I learned about the topic the more my heart hurt. I also came across www.goveg.com and peta2.com and that sparked my interest further into finding an alternative to the use of animals for clothing and food.
Which animal rights campaign is most important to you?: Hmm.. I honestly can't say that one is more important than the others but I have really been passionate about boycotting products tested on animals. I feel that it is something so easy that everyone can stand up for, regardless of dietary choices.
Also, adoption!! So many animals are surrendered to animal shelters and never get a second chance to live beyond their 4 kennel walls. You will never experience anything more fulfilling than opening your heart and your home to an animal in need.
Favourite animal rights quote: "if slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian" - Sir Paul McCartney
Who inspires you to make compassionate choices?: Definitely my animals! We have a bunny, kitten, crested gecko, snake, bearded dragon, fish & a toad. They are like my children and I couldn't imagine anyone ever hurting them!
Favourite veg celeb?: So many to choose from! Jaoquin Phoenix, Olivia Wilde and of course Sir Paul McCartney. I am a huge Beatles fan!
Veg book?: Alicia Silverstone's "The Kind Diet" was extremely inspirational and tackled so many issues beyond simple giving up meat.
What is the easiest part of living a cruelty free lifestyle?: The easiest part for me is making the choice. I have always been a huge animal lover and having the respect for another living being is something that has always come naturally to me.
What has been your biggest challenge in living a cruelty free lifestyle?: It can be challenging getting certain friends and family members to understand the dietary change. Also finding a good replacement for meat! A lot of the mock meats out there taste awful, are packed full of preservatives and cost way too much money.
FAV MUNCHiES
Veggie meal: Pad Thai
Fruit: Strawberries
Vegetable: Peppers & mushrooms
Drink: Water
Restaurant: Johnny Rocco's for tapas!
Snack: Tostito's & guacamole
Soda: Club Soda
Fast food: Pizza!
Sandwich: Grilled cheese with avacado & tomato
Coffee or Tea?: Both! I have an entire cupboard full of various flavours of tea, but I also keep a box of Starbucks Instant flavoured coffees on hand :)
Breakfast food: Breakfast burrito with salsa
Meat Substitute: Portobello mushrooms
CRUELTY FREE PERSONAL CARE:
Body wash: Live Clean Argan Oil
Shampoo: Organix or Tresemmé Naturals
Conditioner: Tresemmé repair and condition deep conditioner (every few days) and Live a Clean Argan Oil leave in conditioner (everyday that i don't use the deep conditioning treatment)
Face wash: St. Ives apricot scrub for blemish prone skin
Hand soap: Method - Sweet Water
Lotion: Still searching for one I really like. Please send me any suggestions!
Lip balm: Burt's Bees original peppermint
Toothpaste: Tom's of Maine, not great flavour but not terrible either.. Still looking for a really good one!
Deodorant: Nivea
Make-up: Hard Candy, Essence, Elf & Urban Decay are some of my favs!
SQUEEKY CLEAN:
Dishsoap: Method - red current pump
Laundry detergent: Attitude - Citrus Zest (one of the least expensive and smells amazing! Does 40 loads)
Floor Cleaner: Method - huge variety including hard wood and tile
Window cleaner: Method
Bathroom & Shower: Method daily shower and toilet bowl cleaner smells minty and no harsh fumes!
*** I buy the majority of my cleaning and personal care products at Target since they are the cheapest and have organic/cruelty free products sorted by their own isle.
Here are a couple of links for more information on Eco-friendly cleaning!
www.cleanattitude.com
www.methodhome.com
