A Vegan's Biggest Regret

I love just about everything about being a vegan.  The past 3 years have been full of transformation, discovery, growth, and meaning.  But there is one thing I regret about going vegan, and today I'm sharing it with all of you.

My biggest regret is...

That I didn't go vegan sooner.

I went vegan at 19 after 8 months as a vegetarian.  That means I spent almost 2 full decades contributing to unnecessary slaughter and abuse of innocent animals.  Almost 20 years of contributing to the industry with the number one largest negative impact on the environment.  The vast majority of my life punishing my body with unhealthy foods.

In the past 33 months as a vegan, and 8 months as a vegetarian before that, I have saved (according to PETA's estimate) at least 365 animals, and potentially many more.  

But in my 18 years and 11 months as an omnivore?  Despite eating relatively little meat compared to the average, I likely consumed somewhere in the ballpark of 1,900 animals.  That's almost 2,000 sentient beings gone, just because I wanted to eat chicken nuggets and ice cream.

If I could, I would go back in time and do it over.  I would go vegan as soon as I could make my own food choices.  

I would correct my biggest mistake.  

But I can't.  And so, instead, I would like to urge you to go vegan.  Try it for a day, a week, a month.  Preferably forever.  Because it makes a difference.  YOU can make a difference, no matter what anyone says.  I promise you that difference is not a small one to the animals who live rather than die, to a planet that needs every ounce of help it can get, and to your body that is suffering under the weight of an unhealthy diet.

One person can create a ripple effect that changes everything.

And that person can be you.

Not sure how to start?  Read this post on how to go vegan, pick up a book from my resources page, or book a coaching with me one on one.

Oh, and subscribe to my newsletter for updates about my ebook, coming soon!

You can do it, and I'm committed to helping you succeed.

Learn from my biggest regret.

Go vegan today!

Until next time,

LINKED UP.

Should You Stop Drinking Coffee?

Hi.  My name is Elizabeth, and I'm a coffeeholic.  

It's not just one thing, but the whole that makes coffee so irresistible.  The heavenly aroma, the slightly bitter toasty taste, the warm fuzzies, the kick of energy... Basically, coffee is damn good.  But is it good FOR you?  I'm on a mission to find out.   

Why don't you come along? 

C O F F E E   &   Y O U R   H E A L T H

Depression

In a 2011 study, caffeinated coffee was shown to reduce the rate of depression in women, lowering the rate further with each additional cup consumed (up to 4+ cups a day).  Decaffeinated coffee did not have the same effect.

A similar result was found in Finnish men in this 2010 study, showing that heavy drinkers of caffeinated coffee (more than 3.25 cups a day) had a lower risk of developing depression than men who did not drink coffee.

A further study found an unexplained lowering in the risk of suicide with each additional cup of coffee per day.

The evidence is not definitive by any means, but these studies seem to indicate that the consumption of 3-4 cups of coffee or more a day can aid in the prevention of depression and suicide.

Diabetes

A 2002 study found a 50% reduction in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes with 7 or more cups of coffee a day, compared to those who drank 2 or fewer cups a day.

This finding was supported by an observational reduction in the risk of diabetes and obesity in those with a higher coffee intake in a study conducted in 2015 and by a 2014 Harvard study which found that over a 4 year period those who increased their coffee consumption by 1 cup per day lowered their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 11%, while those who reduced their coffee intake by 1 cup per day increased their risk by 17%.

While this is good news for those of us without type 2 diabetes, it looks like coffee consumption may have a negative effect for those already affected by the disease.

This study (though conducted with a small sample size) found that caffeine impaired postprandial glucose metabolism (the body's ability to metabolize glucose after a meal).  The study did not look at the effect of coffee and tea, but of caffeine in isolation.  Another study found that caffeine consumption may make the control of glucose in those with type 2 diabetes more difficult with adverse effects on glucose metabolism and exaggerated postprandial glucose responses.

Cardiovascular Disease

Could coffee protect your heart?

This 2012 study observed the strongest inverse association between coffee consumption and heart failure at 4 cups of coffee/day, but a potentially higher risk when the number of daily cups was increased. 

Another study observed that higher consumption of coffee and tea reduced the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease (measured up to 4 cups of tea and 2 cups of coffee per day). 

Longevity

Coffee has been associated with no (or very small) change in mortality rates, beginning with 1-2 cups per day.  According to one study, the risk of death was reduced by 3% with each additional cup of coffee consumed daily.

This study found an overall 10-15% lower risk of dying for those drinking 6 or more cups of coffee a day for those between 50-71 years old at the beginning of the study, but that any amount over 4 cups a day actually increased the risk of mortality in those under the age of 50.

Cancer

This 2015 liver cancer report from World Cancer Research Fund International found strong evidence that coffee consumption was linked to a decreased risk of liver cancer, by as much as 50%.

Further studies have found lower rates of colon, breast, and rectal cancers with increased coffee consumption.

Parkinson’s Disease

A significant reduction in the risk of developing Parkinson's was observed in men who drank at least 3.5 cups of coffee/day in this 2000 study and this one showed promise in the use of caffeine to improve motor function in those already suffering from Parkinson's.

Unfortunately,  'coffee seems to protect men but not women against Parkinson’s disease. One possible explanation for the sex difference may be that estrogen and caffeine need the same enzymes to be metabolized, and estrogen captures those enzymes.' - Harvard Health Publications

Further Effects of Coffee

• Alertness. Caffeine can make you feel more awake and focused, and as this study found, may improve performance on simple tasks.
• Acid Reflux. This study found that coffee caused acid reflux in a way that tea did not, regardless of whether the coffee was caffeinated or not (although decaf did result in less acid reflux than the caffeinated variety).
• Anxiety. Those with anxiety may notice that it worsens with caffeine consumption, or perhaps that it improves.  The evidence is not conclusive.
• Fractures. This meta-analysis found that daily coffee consumption was associated with a higher risk of bone fracture in women and a lower risk in men.
• Insomnia. This study demonstrated that a cup of coffee at dinner time reduces sleep quality (duh).  But if you're having trouble sleeping you may want to reduce your caffeine intake (and do it earlier in the day)!
• Gallstones. While it has been shown that coffee drinkers may be less likely to suffer from gallstones, this study found no correlation between coffee intake and gallstone incidence.
• High Cholesterol. There are two specific substances in coffee which raise cholesterol levels: kahweol and cafestol.  While paper filters capture these substances, many people now drink un-filtered coffee, such as espresso. Those with high cholesterol would do well to drink solely filtered coffee and to avoid decaf, which is also linked to cholesterol increases.
• Epilepsy.  This study documented the case of a man who's epileptic seizures became less frequent when he reduced his coffee intake from heavy to zero consumption, but more research must be done on the subject.
• Atrial Fibrillation. Caffeine does not, in contrast to popular belief, cause atrial fibrillation.  In fact, this study found that 1-5 cups of coffee a day may actually reduce your risk.
• Tooth Health. While it is well-known that coffee stains teeth, it may surprise you to learn that coffee may actually protect against cavities!
• Urinary Incontinence. For both men and women, coffee intake at 2 or more cups a day had a strong association with urinary incontinence.
• Blood Pressure. Unlike what was previously thought coffee does not increase the risk for high blood pressure over time, though it does increase it temporarily.  Researchers believe this phenomenon may be due to the development of a tolerance to the hypertensive effects of coffee after extended use.  

A Quick Note on Energy Drinks

While I would hope that most are aware that energy drinks are NOT good for our health, and are no substitute for REAL energy which we get from food.  20 standard energy drinks contain approximately 5g of caffeine, the lethal dose.  So PLEASE be careful if you like to drink energy drinks throughout the day in high amounts in addition to coffee, tea, and other caffeinated substances!  

(*of course, you can reach 3g of caffeine from any source if you ingest enough, but with the trend of downing large quantities of energy drinks mixed with alcohol popping up all over college campuses, I felt it was important to add!)

F A I R   T R A D E   C O F F E E

...may not be all we thought.  We wish it were, as in the standard coffee industry individual growers may receive as little as 10% of the retail price after working in sub-par conditions.  Learn more in this article: 10 Reasons Why Fair-Trade Coffee Doesn't Work.

C O F F E E   &   T H E   E N V R I R O N M E N T

As with any business, the coffee industry is rife with competition.  The drive to produce more coffee, more quickly, has lead to less sustainable methods of cultivation which have resulted in the clearing of 2.5 million acres of forest in Central America, according to WWF.  Tellingly, deforestation is most present in those countries that are also major coffee producers, and the trend doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon.  

C O F F E E   &   T H E   A N I M A L S

What does this mean for the animals?  Well, as we all know, virtually no species can survive the utter destruction of their habitat at lightning fast speed.  In other words, the mammals, insects, and plants that populate the rainforest are being driven to extinction at astounding rates.

So what can we do?

If you can, buy Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee.  Learn more about their initiative here.

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Feeling overwhelmed?  

I don't blame you.

Allow me to summarize:

S O,  S H O U L D   Y O U   S T O P   D R I N K I N G   C O F F E E  ?

That's up to you.

As for me?

I'll continue to enjoy my daily cup or two of joe, but I'll be sure it comes with a Rainforest Alliance certification and goes into my eco-friendly mug or tumbler. 

Until next time,

How many cups of coffee do you drink a day?  Let me know in the comments!

Don't forget to subscribe to the Plant Based Bride newsletter (form below) for weekly updates and other goodies!

Linked Up.

S O U R C E S   &   F U R T H E R   R E A D I N G

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/coffee-and-mortality/

http://www.health.harvard.edu/family_health_guide/coffees-health-benefits

http://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/is-coffee-good-for-you#2

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22591295

http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1105943

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7825358&fileId=S1368980010000509

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8275213/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12433517

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26002927

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-014-3235-7

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/27/8/2047.full

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/31/2/221.full

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7918922

http://circheartfailure.ahajournals.org/content/early/2012/06/26/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.112.967299.abstract

http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/early/2013/03/14/STROKEAHA.111.677500.abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Effects+of+habitual+coffee+consumption+on+cardiometabolic

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23934579

http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=192731

http://www.neurology.org/content/early/2012/08/01/WNL.0b013e318263570d.abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Caffeine+and+urinary+incontinence+in+US+women

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23276513

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24576685

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-0080.2012.01601.x/abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Heavy+coffee+drinking+and+epilepsy

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-wydick/10-reasons-fair-trade-coffee-doesnt-work_b_5651663.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24009307

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12204388

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/coffee-and-its-impact-on-people-animals-and-the-planet/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2654546/How-cup-black-coffee-stops-teeth-rotting-Certain-type-bean-property-help-break-bacteria-causes-plaque.html

The Ultimate Guide To Winter Dressing As A Vegan

It's cold in Toronto right now.  Really cold.  -34 degrees celsius cold.  And it got me thinking... dressing for the winter as a vegan isn't as easy as it should be.  We want to be warm without exploiting animals.

Is being compassionate AND frosbite-free too much to ask?

Luckily the answer is no.

I'm going to share my tips and tricks (and you can trust me because I'm Canadian, and we know cold) and picks to keep you toasty from head to toe!

*This post contains affiliate links, indicated with an asterisk.  This means that if you choose to click through one such link and make a purchase I will make a commission, at no extra cost to you.  I will never recommend a product that is not vegan or something I don't use or believe in.  If you enjoy my content please consider using these links for your purchases as a way to support Plant Based Bride!

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H A T S

We've all heard that a lot of heat escapes from the top of our heads.  Keep your noggin warm with the innumerable styles of vegan hats!  Here are some of my very favourite...

1. Asos Reclaimed Vintage Bobble Beanie  
2. Asos Cable Beanie 
3. Hooldamb Ruderalis Hat
4. Vaute Couture Boater Felt Hat
5. Asos Fine Rib Knitted Turban Hat  
6. Urban Outfitters Lumberjack Beanie
7. Vegan Faux Fur Bobble Hat
8. Asos Rib Headband
9. Urban Outfitters Brushed Beanie
10. Asos Cable Pom Beanie  
11. Lulus Cuddled Up Grey Knit Beanie*  
12. Vaute Couture Cole Felt Hat
13. Urban Outfitters Classic Beanie 
14. Urban Outfitters Open Boucle Slouch Beanie 
15. Asos Fluffy Headband
16. Asos Short Turn Up Beanie with Pom  

Animal materials to watch out for... alpaca, angora, calfskin, camel hair, cashmere, felt, flannel, fleece, fur, leather, mohair, pashmina, shearling, sheepskin, silk, suede, tweed, wool.

Vegan materials perfect to keep you warm... acrylic, corduroy, cotton, cotton flannel, denim, faux-fur, flannelette, leatherette/imitation leather, linen, moleskin, muslin, nylon, polyester, polyester fleece, rayon, spandex, ultrasuede, velour, velveteen, viscose. 

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Great North Tip: Always, and I mean ALWAYS keep your head covered.  Your brain is essential to the well-being of this planet.  And also your ears.  Those are less essential, but really hurt when they get too cold.  So just wear a hat, ok?  Ok.

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S C A R V E S

I don't know about you, but I like to prevent cold wind from blowing down my neck and into my coat on bitterly cold days.  Scarves are the perfect solution, not to mention cozy and stylish (and they don't need to be made of wool).  Check out some of my vegan picks below...

1. Asos Oversized Scarf in Colourblock with Tassels  
2. Urban Outfitters Boucle Cable Hooded Eternity Scarf 
3. Urban Outfitters Avant Garde Brushed Woven Scarf  
4. Asos Pieces Ribbed Oversized Blanket Scarf 
5. Lulu's Que Sera Serape Reversible Black and Ivory Print Blanket Scarf*  
6. Urban Outfitters Femme Super Soft Square Scarf
7. Asos Blanket Scarf In Black And White Design  
8. Asos Woven Oversized Scarf In Geo Shapes
9. Asos Long Scarf In Colourblock With Tassels
10. Urban Outfitters Brushed Plush Lined Eternity Scarf  
11. Urban Outfitters Multi Stripe Blanket Scarf
12. Asos Long Scarf With Mixed Stripe And Chevron  
13. Lulu's Weaving Path Beige Striped Scarf* 
14. Urban Outfitters Faux-Sherpa Eternity Scarf  

Animal materials to watch out for... alpaca, angora, camel hair, cashmere, fleece, fur, mohair, pashmina, shearling, sheepskin, silk, wool.

Vegan materials perfect to keep you warm... acrylic, cotton, cotton flannel, faux-fur, flannelette, linen, modal, moleskin, muslin, nylon, polyester, polyester fleece, rayon, spandex, tencel, ultrasuede, velour, velveteen, viscose. 

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You might also like...  Finding My Wedding Dress: No Silk, Please. 

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S W E A T E R S

It's called sweater weather for a reason.  Get your layers on!

1. Asos Jack & Jones Shawl Collar Cardigan in Mixed Yarns 
2. ModCloth Recipe Club Sweater in Salt* 
3. Asos Jumper in Twist with Aztec Design 
4. Lulu's Log Cabin Cream Cable Knit Sweater*  
5. Urban Outfitters Native Youth Sweater  
6. Lulu's Cup of Cozy Light Grey Cardigan Sweater* 
7. Asos Shawl Neck Jumper in Grey Cotton  
8. Urban Outfitters BDG Elbow Patch Sweater
9. Lulu's Icy London Icy France Black and Ivory Sweater* 
10. Asos Cotton Crew Jumper with Blocking
11. Urban Outfitters BDG Parker Cardigan  
12. Urban Outfitters O'Hanlon Mills Calhoun Sweater  
13. Lulu's Parker Bridge Black Sweater* 
14. J Crew Rugged Cotton Sweater

Animal materials to watch out for... alpaca, angora, calfskin, camel hair, cashmere, flannel, fleece, fur, leather, mohair, pashmina, shearling, sheepskin, silk, suede, wool.

Vegan materials perfect to keep you warm...  acrylic, batiste, chambray, chino, cord, corduroy, cotton, cotton flannel, denim, faux-fur, flannelette, gingham, khaki, leatherette/imitation leather, linen, moleskin, muslin, nylon, polyester, polyester fleece, rayon, spandex, tencel, ultrasuede, velcro, velour, velveteen, viscose. 

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Great North Tip: The chunkier the sweater, the more Canadian you look.  And we all know that Canadians are irresistible.  So throw on that heavy knit sweater with abandon, you sexy thing, you.

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C O A T S

I could argue that a good coat is the most important aspect of keeping warm in the winter.  We can get away with less than perfect boots, a lack of layers, and no gloves or hat if we have a warm coat with a hood and pockets!  But it is difficult to survive the winter in any sort of comfort without a warm coat.  Here are some of my picks for men and women, made without animal products:

1. Vaute Couture Lincoln 
2. North Face Men's Thermoball Snow Hoodie
3. Vaute Couture Whitman in Primaloft Insulated Moleskin  
4. Hoodlamb Ladies Parka in Black, this is my winter coat - check out my unboxing video here!
5. Nau Luminary Trench
6. Vaute Couture Mark Mountain Coat in Primaloft Insulated Moleskin
7. Marmot Downtown Component Jacket
8. Hoodlamb Men's Tech 4-20
9. Vaute Couture Emily in Insulated Moleskin 
10. Nau Temp Jacket 
11. Vaute Couture Mark Snow Coat 
12. North Face Women's Thermoball Hooded Parka 
13. Nau Men Synfill Hoody Pullover
14. Vaute Couture Amanda Maxi Coat   
15. Fair Trade Vegan Cocoon Coat
16. Marmot Uptown Jacket

Animal materials to watch out for... alpaca, angora, calfskin, camel hair, cashmere, down, feathers, fleece, fur, leather, mohair, pashmina, shearling, sheepskin, silk, suede, tweed, wool.

Vegan materials perfect to keep you warm... acrylic, cotton, cotton flannel, denim, faux-fur, flannelette, gore-tex, khaki, leatherette/imitation leather, linen, moleskin, muslin, nylon, polartec wind pro, polyester, polyester fleece, primaloft, rayon, spandex, synthetic down, tencel, thermolite, thinsulate, ultrasuede, velcro, velour, velveteen, viscose, waxed canvas.

There is literally something for everyone!  Vegan coats are more abundant than I ever realized until I put research into it, and they can be VERY warm (like my Hoodlamb!) 

Check out this post from Green Planet for even more vegan coat options, and a bit more information on synthetic insulation types!

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You might also like... Say No To Fur (Hoodlamb Vegan Coat Unboxing)

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G L O V E S

Weather it's using your phone or holding your coffee, often you can't just keep your hands in your pockets while you're out in the cold.  Keep your digits protected no matter what you get up to with vegan gloves!

1. Burton Gore-Tex Gloves
2. Asos Echo Touch 'Cashmere Feel' Drawstring Glove
3. The North Face Montana E-Tip Gloves  
4. Manzella Adventure 100 Gloves
5. Asos Touch Screen Gloves in Burgundy Fair Isle Palm Print
6. REI Tahoma Gloves
7. Vegetarian Shoes Vegan Gloves
8. Adidas Originals Trefoil Gloves  
9. Seirus Prism Gore-Tex Gloves  
10. Asos Plain Touch Screen Gloves  
11. Dakine Bronco Glove  
12. Asos Fingerless Gloves In Black  

Animal materials to watch out for... alpaca, angora, calfskin, camel hair, cashmere, fleece, fur, leather, mohair, pashmina, shearling, sheepskin, silk, suede, wool.

Vegan materials perfect to keep you warm... acrylic, corduroy, cotton, cotton flannel, faux-fur, flannelette, gore-tex, leatherette/imitation leather, linen, moleskin, muslin, nylon, polartec wind pro, polyester, polyester fleece, primaloft, rayon, spandex, synthetic down, tencel, thermolite, thinsulate, ultrasuede, velcro, velour, velveteen, viscose, waxed canvas. 

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Great North Tip:  Instagram is important, I get it.  But losing a finger makes it hard to like all of my photos.  So maybe wear gloves with touch-screen technology.  It's really the best of both worlds.  Pictures of my cats, and all ten digits.  #blessed

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B O O T S

As anyone who has ever been outside in a snowstorm in inadequate footwear will know, warm toes is a must for winter comfort.  Here's a wide variety of vegan men and women's boots to keep your feet warm and dry. 

1. Kamik Seattle - I own these!
2. Vegetarian Shoes Brooklyn Boot
3. Vegetarian Shoes Vintage Boot  
4. BC Footwear Collective Boot
5. Brave Gentleman Worker Boot
6. Kamik Sugarloaf
7. Vegetarian Shoes Veggie Trekker
8. Native Shoes Jimmy Winter
9. Jambu Artic Vegan
10. Dr Martens Vegan 1460
11. Vegetarian Shoes Snug Boot
12. Vegetarian Shoes Engineer Boot
13. Cougar Serge

Animal materials to watch out for... alligator skin, calfskin, fleece, fur, kangaroo skin, leather, shearling, sheepskin, snakeskin, suede, wool.

Vegan materials perfect to keep you warm...  acrylic, cork, cotton, cotton flannel, faux-fur, flannelette, leatherette/imitation leather, linen, microfibre, moleskin, muslin, nylon, polyester, polyester fleece, polyurethane, rayon, spandex, tencel, ultrasuede, velcro, velour, velveteen, viscose, waxed canvas. 

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You might also like... Should You Get Rid Of All Your Leather Now That You're Vegan?

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O T H E R   L A Y E R S

Layers are your friend!  Here are some other layers like socks, long johns, and lightweight tops you may want to consider piling on to keep warm.

1. ASOS Esprit Henley T-Shirt
2. Urban Outfitters Project Social T Finley Tank Top
3. Braintree Clothing Blair Rock Thick Bamboo Socks
4. Urban Outfitters Truly Madly Deeply Helena Raw Edge Thermal Top
5. Urban Outfitters Polyester Fleece Lined Full Tight  
6. PETA Vegan Knee High Socks
7. Urban Outfitters Project Social T Christy Tunic Tee
8. ASOS 2 Pack Crew Neck Jumper in Cotton  
9. Urban Outfitters Out From Under Leggings
10. Urban Outfitters Nassau Galaxy Tank Top  
11. Uniqlo Women's Heattech Socks
12. ASOS Jack & Jones Long Johns
13. Bergies Cat Lady Crews

Animal materials to watch out for... alligator skin, alpaca, angora, calfskin, camel hair, cashmere, down, feathers, felt, flannel, fleece, fur, kangaroo skin, leather, mohair, pashmina, shearling, sheepskin, silk, snakeskin, suede, tweed, wool.

Vegan materials perfect to keep you warm... acrylic, batiste, chambray, chino, cord, corduroy, cork, cotton, cotton flannel, denim, elastic, faux-fur, flannelette, gingham, khaki, leatherette/imitation leather, linen, microfibre, moleskin, muslin, nylon, polyester, polyester fleece, polyurethane, rayon, spandex, tencel, ultrasuede, velcro, velour, velveteen, viscose, waxed canvas. 

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Great North Tip: The more layers you wear the more you will sweat when you finally get inside and can't just start stripping willy nilly.  It's just a fact of life.  You'll just have to get used to it, or move to the equator.  Which actually doesn't sound like a bad idea right about now.

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You made it!  If I accomplished nothing else, I hope I've shown you how very possible it is to be warm and stylish (no matter what your style may be) as a vegan in colder climates (and maybe made you smile).

To help you out while shopping (and just to simplify everything as much as possible, because I know it can be hard to remember all of the different materials and their origins.  Listen, I got you.) I have created a printable list of animal materials and vegan materials.  

Best of all?  It's free!  Sign up below to get your download link right away.

Want inspiration for vegan winter fashion?  Follow me on instagram to see my outfits and check out my winter capsule wardrobe to see my foundational pieces!

Until next time, stay warm, stay compassionate!

What are your favourite vegan winter pieces?  Any tips to share with new vegans to stay warm?  Let us know in the comments below!

Linked Up.

Sources & Further Reading

http://plantbasedbride.com/blog/nonveganingredientlist?rq=avoid

http://features.peta.org/how-to-wear-vegan/

http://bikesexual.blogsport.eu/2012/03/24/list-of-fabrics-vegan-or-not/

Review: e.l.f. Mad For Matte Palette (Vegan & Cruelty-Free)

Hello, friends!  It's time for another beauty review... and this time we're taking a look at the e.l.f. mad for matte eyeshadow palette!  A compact palette of ten neutral matte shades at a very affordable price... but is it any good?  Let's get into it!

​What e.l.f. has to say about it...

'Achieve both beautifully bold or subtle everyday eye looks with these perfectly curated 10 matte eyeshadow shades. This collection of hues is ideal for shading, highlighting, and defining the eyes. The satin matte shadows can be used as a liner, on the lid, and in the crease of the eye for an expertly contoured and blended look.'  (from elfcosmetics.com)

Cost: $10 US

Vegan?  Of course!

Cruelty-Free?  100%.

Ingredients: Talc, Mica, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Nylon-12, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol. May Contain:Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarines (CI 77007) 

This palette comes with a 10 neutral matte shades, ranging from light to dark and cool to warm.  From left to right there is light nude, baby pink, light warm brown, medium pink beige, medium red brown, medium cool brown, medium taupe, dark warm brown, medium gray, and soft black.

The Good

• This palette has a nice range of everyday shades, making this a great starter kit for anyone transitioning to vegan and cruelty-free makeup;
• The matte shades are very wearable and versatile;
• Most of the shades are quite pigmented;
• Very affordable, and;
• Decent longevity of about 5 hours when applied dry with a brush.

The Bad

• The shades are smooth, but slightly chalky which means they can cause fallout, so be sure to tap off the excess before applying and be prepared for a bit of cleanup;
• The two lightest colours don't show up on my skin at all (but would perhaps be pretty on someone with a darker skin tone);
• The darker colours are difficult to blend, and;
• There is no highlight shade for lighter skin tones.

Shade by shade...

light nude... good for setting my primer or concealer on the lid, but not light enough to work as a highlight (basically invisible on my skin).

baby pink... almost invisible and not a good shade for my skin tone.

light warm brown... my go-to eyebrow colour since I picked up this palette!  I used to use omega from MAC, and while this one has a warmer undertone than the cooler taupe of omega, that's actually a better match for my slightly reddish brown hair.

medium pink beige... a very pretty 'no makeup makeup' shade for the crease on days you want your eye look to be subtle, or a lid colour for a more dramatic look.  Blends well.

medium red brown... a pretty everyday crease colour, blends relatively well.

medium cool brown... the cool version of your everyday crease shade, also blends pretty well.

medium taupe... for me this is the cool version of the medium pink beige, aka a great crease shade for subtle eye makeup or a nice lid colour for something dark and dramatic.  Blends well.

dark warm brown... my favourite 'natural' eyeliner shade applied with an angled brush and a nice dramatic crease shade, but is a bit difficult to blend.

medium gray... a pretty late gray shade that is a nice subtle eyeliner or a pretty crease shade.  Blends relatively well.

soft black... my favourite for everyday liner, applied with an angled brush.  Another one that is more difficult to blend.  Wetting the brush can deepen this shade and give it more of a dramatic feel, but it is definitely a SOFT black, not a deep or true black.

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RATING: 4/5

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Final Thoughts:  This is a very good quality palette considering the price point and is a great starter kit for any vegan beauty lover!  I wish it contained a true highlight shade as that would land it squarely in the land of all-in-one everyday eyeshadow palette, but I do think the shades are well varied.  I find the fallout slightly irritating but it doesn't prevent me from using this palette daily.   I dislike shimmery eyeshadow and wear almost exclusively neutral shades, so this palette a big hit - convenient and affordable!

Would I recommend?  I would definitely recommend this palette if you are just starting your makeup collection (or restarting it, as I have been!) or want an all-in-one neutrals palette.  It is also great for those of us without extra cash to spend on expensive single shadows or high-end palettes.  Plus, it's 100% vegan and cruelty-free!

Do you have the e.l.f mad for matte palette?  What did you think?  Is there a vegan and cruelty-free product you'd like me to review or another e.l.f. product that you love?  Let me know in the comments below!  

Also, be sure to check out my list of cruelty-free beauty brands before you head on your next shopping trip!

Until next time,

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