the blog.

Vegan Elizabeth Turnbull Vegan Elizabeth Turnbull

Can One Person Make A Difference?

Time and time again I hear the same argument.  One person can't make a difference, so why should I try?

Well, because if not you, then who?

How can you, as one person, make a difference by going vegan?  Let me count the ways.

Time and time again I hear the same argument.  One person can't make a difference, so why should I try?

Well, because if not you, then who?

How can you, as one person, make a difference by going vegan?  Let me count the ways.

Can one person make a difference? // Plant Based Bride

1. You will make a difference in the lives of animals.

You will save the lives of more than 100 animals each year.  That is 100 less sentient beings suffering and being killed for you.  Those 100 animals will thank you.  To them, the difference you make is more than enough.  It's everything.

2. You will make a difference for the environment.

You will use 18x less land than an omnivore to produce your food.  You will produce far fewer greenhouse emissions.  You will reduce water contamination and desertification.  You will contribute to the global effort to reverse global warming.  To the planet, the difference you make is imperative.  

3. You will make a difference for your health.

You will essentially eliminate unnecessary cholesterol and saturated fat from your diet.  You will stop ingesting damaging hormones and toxins from the flesh and fluids of animals.  You will no longer be consuming antibiotics in your food.  You will reduce your risk of cancer by as much as 50% as well as reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, osteoporosis, and diabetes.  To your body, the difference you make will be incredible.

4. You will make a difference in the lives of other humans.

You will raise awareness of veganism to others in your life, opening their eyes and allowing them to make the same positive changes in their own.  You will lower demand for a product that requires the less fortunate to do unthinkable deeds all day every day for a pay check.  You will conserve resources which can be distributed to those who need them.

How much more of a difference could you possibly hope to make?

Until next time,

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Beauty Elizabeth Turnbull Beauty Elizabeth Turnbull

Warm Peachy Makeup Tutorial (Vegan & Cruelty-Free)

Since it's been requested so many times... here's my first makeup tutorial in a VERY long time!  This warm peachy look is the one I wear when I'm not sure what makeup to do, my real 'go-to'.  THe bonus?  All products are vegan and cruelty-free.

Enjoy!

Since it's been requested so many times... here's my first makeup tutorial in a VERY long time!  This warm peachy look is the one I wear when I'm not sure what makeup to do, my real 'go-to'.  The bonus?  All products are vegan and cruelty-free.

Enjoy!

Warm peachy makeup tutorial (vegan & cruelty-free) // Plant Based Bride

Watch it here or on YouTube!

All products used...

concealer... kat von d lock-it concealer creme in L5 neutral
brows... anastasia beverly hills brow wiz in caramel
bronzer... too faced chcolate soleil bronzer
blush... too faced love flush blush in your love is king
powder... too faced primed and poreless skin smoothing pressed powder
highlight... becca shimmering skin perfector pressed in moonstone
eyeshadow... elf mad for matte palette (review here: http://plantbasedbride.com/blog/elf-mad-for-matte-review)
eyeliner... tarte tartiest double take eyeliner
mascara... tarte tartiest mascara
lipstick... dose of colours liquid lipstick in truffle

Would you like to see more beauty content from me?  Let me know in the comments!

Until next time,

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Vegan, Minimalism Elizabeth Turnbull Vegan, Minimalism Elizabeth Turnbull

Veganism: A Minimalist Approach To Food

How do you eat like a minimalist?  You go vegan, of course!

There are so many ways in which veganism and minimalism intersect, and today I'm going to chat about why veganism is the simplest approach to food.

How do you eat like a minimalist?  You go vegan, of course!

There are so many ways in which veganism and minimalism intersect, and today I'm going to chat about why veganism is the simplest approach to food.

Veganism: A minimalist approach to food // Plant Based Bride

Watch it here or on YouTube!

What other minimalism topics should I cover?

Until next time,

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Fashion, Vegan Elizabeth Turnbull Fashion, Vegan Elizabeth Turnbull

Should Vegans Wear Faux Fur?

Most vegans feel certain that they don't want to wear real fur.  Even if they love the look, over time it becomes apparent that skin is not fabric.  With fur, this feeling of repulsion happens much more easily than with leather, even though there's not really much difference between the two.  Even non-vegans may be uncomfortable with the idea of wearing a real fur coat.

But what about faux fur?  

Is it ok for vegans to wear it?  What kind of message does it send?  Let's take a look.

Most vegans feel certain that they don't want to wear real fur.  Even if they love the look, over time it becomes apparent that skin is not fabric.  With fur, this feeling of repulsion happens much more easily than with leather, even though there's not really much difference between the two.  Even non-vegans may be uncomfortable with the idea of wearing a real fur coat.

But what about faux fur?  

Is it ok for vegans to wear it?  What kind of message does it send?  Let's take a look.

Should Vegans Wear Faux Fur? // Plant Based Bride

First, let's start with the possible negative impacts of wearing faux fur:

ONE Wearing faux fur promotes all fur. 

You may not be supporting the fur industry directly, but when you wear faux fur (especially faux fur that looks real) you are advertising for the fur industry.  

This is the number one reason I hear from vegans that claim wearing faux fur is wrong.  The idea is that someone will see you wearing a faux fur coat, think it looks great, and go buy themselves a real one.  In this way, you are indirectly causing suffering to animals.

To play devil's advocate for a second, I don't think vegans (or anyone) should be responsible for the actions of others.  We all make our own choices.  If I wear my vegan winter boots and that influences someone to go buy boots that are similar but contain wool, leather, shearling, or fur - is that really my fault?  I don't think so.

However, I can understand why wearing realistic faux fur is different.  Someone who sees it and likes it is having the idea that fur is fashionable reinforced in their head, faux or otherwise.  And that's not something we want.

TWO People will judge you for it.

When you wear faux fur, there's always the possibility that someone will think it's real, and judge you for it.  You might not care, but people who know you're vegan may get mixed messages.  About what veganism means, about what it represents, and about what vegans believe. 

As possibly the only vegan someone knows, it's up to you to represent the movement as well as you can.  Someone who sees you wearing what they believe to be real fur may lose respect for vegans and not give the vegan movement the consideration and respect it deserves.

Once again, to play devil's advocate, you are not solely responsible for someone's impression of veganism.  You don't need to be the poster child for veganism for all of your family and friends, 24/7.  You're human.  You still have to live your life.  I don't mean that you should be buying burgers for all of your friends and get decked out in animal products head to toe, but be a perfect vegan?  Not only is that not a requirement, but it's not even possible.

So I guess what I'm saying is, do your best.  Whenever you can, aim to be a positive representation of veganism.  But if you just want to eat vegan grilled gary in your pj's and faux fur jacket from time to time, you do you.

THREE It represents a horrific industry.

Wearing faux fur is glamourizing wearing the skin and hair of another animal, and that's pretty opposite to the whole core belief behind veganism.  Even if it's faux fur, it represents a garment and an industry based on the skinning of animals.  

Maybe, just maybe, not something you want wrapped around you.


Ok, so negatives aside, let's talk about the possible positive impacts of wearing faux fur.  (Yes, there are some.)

ONE It proves that vegan fashion can still be badass.

If fur fits into your style, rocking it ethically may just be the best way to show others that cruelty-free fashion is just as awesome as the cruelty-filled kind. (Just so long as they know it's faux.  More on that in a minute.)

TWO It shows others how far vegan materials have come.

I can't count the number of times I've had people tell me they can't believe my Matt & Nat bags are vegan.  The leather looks so REAL, they say.  Yeah, because vegan materials are sexy AF.  And don't hurt anybody.  So basically win-win.

THREE You're voting with your dollar.

It's a cliche, but it's a valid point.  When you buy faux fur, especially from a company that also sells real fur, you're showing them that faux fur is more profitable.  When you buy faux fur from a vegan company, you're helping to support an ethical brand.  In both cases, you're helping sway the tide toward more compassionate fashion.


So, should vegans wear faux fur?

It's really up to you.

If you want to wear it, I suggest investing in a pin or patch to add to it that makes it clear that the fur is faux.  These are a couple of the many options out there (click on the image to buy):

So how do you feel about vegans wearing faux fur?  Would you ever do it? Let me know in the comments below.

If you find this topic interesting check out the post I wrote on wearing leather as a vegan here and about the fur industry here.

Until next time,

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