The Reason Why Products Have Nasty Chemicals

Products with nasty chemicals (often) work better.

Certainly there are notable exceptions. But in my quest to greenify and simplify my life, I've discovered over and over again that one of the reasons why we cling to our products is because they work. Like Pantene shampoo. Seriously. I miss it. I want my hair to be shiny and smell like some not-quite-discernible-delicious-fruit/flower. And I want my hair to be shiny and smooth. I like my Paraben-free, Sulfate-free, artificial-fragrance-free shampoo as well as one could like such a utilitarian thing, but I'd be totally lying if I said it works just as well as Pantene. I'm looking into some home-made hair shine masks that involve mashed avocado and egg yolks. But I don't really want to waste a perfectly good avo OR a spendy cage-free egg on my hair. Sigh. Priorities bite.

Anyway, that was a longer than necessary lead-in to my latest Green Product Trial:

I have been missing mascara. Ever since I started the G3 experiment, I haven't been able to bring myself to buy it, and I can tell that my face looks droopier and a little mousier without it. I admit that this was an impulse purchase partly inspired by the fact that I am not super happy with my new hair cut (photos to come) and I wanted to look more feminine. I didn't do any research or consult any websites. I just lurched to the makeup section of the CVS and looked for the Lesser of All Evils based on product packaging.

Let's see what this claims to do without:

• Harsh Chemicals
• Synthetic preservatives
• Smudging, flaking, clumping
• Fibers
• Dyes (How do you make mascara without dyes? I need to look into this)

It also claims to be be "ECO CERT", whatever that is, and feature "Organic Soy and Eco-Olive". On the back it touts that the tube, in addition to being really stupid looking, is also made from recycled materials.

Anyway, I was desperate, so I gave it a go.

Two hours after applying yesterday, I looked like a I had been crying for a day and a half. I had mascara smudges under my eyes and swooping upward towards my forehead. AND they reappeared after I swiped them away in with a tissue. So I can't endorse this product as anti-smudge. I'm wearing it today, however, and I'm pleased to see that it has stayed put so far. Maybe the stinging wind in my face yesterday made my eyes water and contributed to the running.

But today I had to check it out on the Good Guide and the Skin Deep Database. Here's what I found, for all that greenwashing:

Skin Deep: EcoWear is not listed in their product listings. It may be too new. But, I did discover that Physicians Formula Retro Glow UltraDramatic Mascara is rated a very respectable 2 on their safety ratings! So, if the Eco Wear turns out to be a farce then I may try Retro Glow next.

Good Guide: 6.8 out of 10, with a 10 out of 10 for health, a 6.9 for the environment, and a 5.5 for Society.

When I ask the Good Guide to suggest higher-rated alternatives, I was surprised by the findings. Here are the Top 4 Similar Products:

1. Miessence Mascara - 8.7 I have never heard of this brand, but it gets pretty good user reviews.
2. The Body Shop mascara - 8.2
3. Maybelline Ultralash Waterproof- 8.1
4. Loreal Paris Voluminous Waterproof Mascara - 8.1

Pretty surprising, huh? It pays to do some research! I would like to look the Maybelline and the Loreal on Skin Deep, just to cross check, but it looks like our friends at Physician's Formula duped me with some greeny packaging tricks. Honestly, I would buy a different brand in the future just to avoid the uber-childish and somewhat-phallic looking tube....

So there you have it! Succumbed to Greenwashing once again. Be careful out there, my lovlies. And do your research!

Random Green Efforts

Two little greeny things that make me happy.

1. You don't actually NEED a plastic, nasty, VOC-spewing shower curtain liner! Check it:

We thought we needed a new shower curtain liner when we bought this new shower curtain at Target. Because, you know, you have a plastic one sheet on the inside to keep the water from spraying all over your bathroom, and a pretty one on the outside to be pretty. But I wondered: what if you just put the fabric curtain inside the tub instead? Unless you have a really hideous rose-pink bath tub you are trying to hide, I highly recommend you try this next time you feel like it's time to retire your grimey, mildewy plastic liner (That never happens to your liners? We must be particularly nast around here.)

No new plastic! And no more looking despondently at the mildewy hems of the interior liner wondering where we went wrong.

2. Less packaged food, more bulk stuff stored in repurposed jars!

No need to buy more glass storage containers! Just save your pasta sauce or peanut butter or salsa jars instead. This makes me happy. Particularly their mixy-matchy sizes and shapes! (Type-A friends may want to lean towards collecting ONE type of jar).


And my favorite make-at-home vegan dish:

Sweet potato, avocado, and usually salsa, but I ran out.

Vegan MOFO has been much MUCH harder than I anticipated. Sigh. At least this is delish, easy, and cheap.

Tastiest Vegan Thing I Have Eaten So Far

"Vegetable Noodles With Tofu" from the Thai/Japanese lunch place near my work.

Asian and Indian food is a good bet for vegan fare. Lots of veggies, little or no dairy, and you can usually get anything made without egg if the dish usually has egg in it (like Pad Thai).

Vegan MOFO has been really hard for me, and I am totally just eating "more vegan" than I was before. Breakfast is no problem. Lunch is usually pretty easy since I work downtown and can acquire pretty much any food my little heart desires. Dinner has been trickier, but Les just came home from the grocery store, so I am hopeful about our future dinner options. I'll keep ya posted.

Say it Ain't So, Anthro!

The Good Guide tweeted this link today that ranks 182 apparel brands based on their "Good Guide" metrics of social, environmental, and health impact. Their overview page says this about the ratings:

Our highest rated apparel brands work closely with their supply chains to improve working conditions and minimize environmental impacts. The best brands disclose the identity of their suppliers, audit how they perform on labor issues and make public the steps they take to respond to violations. They also design their products using life cycle principles and educate consumers about how to reduce impacts. Our lowest rated apparel brands are made by companies that are not focused on improving working conditions or reducing environmental impacts across their supply chain.

Thank you, Good Guide, for yet again doing the research that I was way too lazy to conduct. This ranking list has some good news, and some bad news.

Good news! - You do not have to spend a zillion dollars to buy more-responsible clothing! In fact, H&M and Old Navy ranked higher on their rating scale than dear old J.Crew.

Bad News! - Spending some extra cashola for "less cheap" clothes because you assume that only the bargain brands cut corners is a bad idea. Anthropology's spendy boho chic brand ranks NEAR THE BOTTOM of the Good Guide ratings, despite being the most expensive brand I've ever convinced myself to spend money on. Worst offender on their list? Anything by Ralph Lauren. Booooooooo expensive designers! And shame on you!

Now, I'm all for buying things second hand, making your own stuff, or swapping with friends (Co-conspirator Jackie hosted a neighborhood clothing swap this weekend that was a super success!), but sometimes you just need/want a new dress. Or shoes. Or 4th gray sweater. This list is a helpful tool in making choosier choices.

Gulp. Is it time to unsubscribe from JCrew and Anthro email lists?
Or maybe it's just time to bust out the sewing machine and use their emails as inspiration, because fall fashion is tormenting me from catalogs and shop windows everywhere I look.

Veganish

Ugh! Eating vegan is hard! Not that it is not good and awesome and everything like that. But so far I have managed an average of 1-2 vegan meals per day. I have had only one FULLY vegan day so far, and I'm barely a week into it. Yesterday and today were total flops.

Here's what kills me:

Cooking.

Yes, there are tasty vegan options to be had when eating out, but they are fewer and farther between (even in Chicago) than many of us can reasonably plan on when going out with friends on the weekends. And I have not been organized enough this week/weekend to cook balanced vegan fare. I've ended up with weird odds and ends that leave me a little hungry, which is then quickly remedied when seeking out the crucial next meal. Often purchased on the fly. And this weekend, almost entirely un-vegan. (Still veg, of course, but cheese-laden and egg-tacular).

Anyway.

I set my sights on a new week, and plan "grocery shopping" into my to-do list.

Vegan Pumpkin (chocolate) Oatmeal Cookies

I'm only a couple of days into this Vegan Mofo, and I I have to come clean.

1. I have eaten not one, but 2 completely NON VEGAN meals already
2. I have spent much of my mental food energy bemoaning all the delicious things I "cannot" eat this month, and eyeing people's brownies and mac and cheese with pathetic desperation

But obviously Vegan Mofo is about all the amazing things you CAN eat while sticking to a 100% plant-based diet, so I'm going to share my (so far) all-time favorite vegan baking recipe, including my gratuitous chocolate addition improvements.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies from Vegan With a Vengeance
2 cups all purpose flour (I use whole-wheat flour, still delish)
1 1/3 cups rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 2/3 cups sugar
2/3 cups canola oil
2 TBS molasses
1 cup canned pumpkin, or cooked pureed pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla
1 TBS ground flaxseed (optional)
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1/2 cup raisins

I leave out the raisins b/c I never have any, and add 1 chopped up 100% Dark chocolate bar. 100% Dark chocolate is vegan, and so are some 70+ % bars, but check the labels. Some are made with milk fat. Also note that 100% Dark chocolate is suuuuuuper bitter on its own. Don't even try a nibble - you'll want to spit it out, and then feel bad for wasting even a crumb of chocolate. But mixed in with other sweet ingredients, it is quite an adequate smack of chocolateyness, complete with all those lovely anti-oxidants. Some very strict vegans do not use refined white sugar because the refining process of cane-based sugar may involve charcoal made from animal bones. I had some "raw" sugar, so I used that.

Preheat the oven to 350 and lightly grease 2 baking sheets
Mix together the flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and spices.

In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, oil, molasses, pumpkin and vanilla (and flaxseed, if using) until very well combined.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet in 3 batches, folding to combine. Fold in the walnuts and raisins (and chocolate, if using.)

chopping up the suuuuperdark chocolate bar

Drop by tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets. They don't spread very much so they can be placed only an inch apart. Flatten the tops of the cookies with a fork or your fingers to form a cookie shape. Bake for 16 minutes at 350 degrees. If you are using 2 sheets of cookies on 2 levels of your oven, rotate the sheets half way through for even baking.

Remove from the oven, cool on the cookie sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Let them cool! They taste better when they've had some time to set up.

Enjoy your vegan treat! Yay for yummy baked goods.

Vegan MOFO is a thing. Who knew?

So apparently October is also "Vegan MOFO", more politely known as Vegan Month of Food, which is a blogosphere celebration of vegan eating and vegan bloggers. Or something. It depends on who and what you read, and my internet is behaving poorly tonight so I couldn't look it up very easily. I think also part of the intent it to help people see that you can eat a plant-based, animal-free diet and still, you know... eat.

And in that spirit, I must confess that my first two days of vegan experiment were hit-and-miss.

Yesterday, I ate:

Granola and almond milk (turns out the granola had honey in it - technically NOT vegan, but I'm not going to stress about honey)

Veggie rice bowl and an edamame dumpling from Wow Bao + an apple

Um. For dinner I had half a slice of deep dish pizza. FAIL. Allow me to explain.

Les went out to the burbs to see his family yesterday during the day, because Mondays are his mom's day off. He ordered a pizza. He very thoughtfully brought a slice home for me, forgetting that I had just announced that I was going vegan for the month of October. As a former strict vegan himself, I thought he would be totally gung-ho about this plan. And he is. But I couldn't resist a sliver of Lou Malnati's pizza. Good thing we can start fresh every day.

Today I ate:

Granola and soy milk

Pasta and sauce from home, apple, cup of minestrone soup and saltines

Soy latte + KIND bar (it had honey in it too)

English muffin + peanut butter

Handful of spiced almonds that Les made

And now I'm sitting here blogging, wishing I had made it to the grocery store tonight so that I could have some ACTUAL dinner. But I was lazy and didn't make it, and we don't have a whole lot in the house at the moment. So hopefully the rest of the vegan month will be more interesting. And more vegan.

October Gray Update and The Scariest Challenge Yet

So here is a camera phone shot of my October gray hair:

Not the most flattering photo of me, and yes, I am sitting at my desk taking random snaps with my camera phone, but I've been wearing my hair like this A LOT lately (messy bun, teeny-bopper elastic head band), and I think you can really see the silvery stripes quite nicely. Anyway, I'm diggin the stripes. I like the messy bun so far. But I'm eager to have an actual hair style rather than just a thick mass of hair, so I'm excited that I finally made a hair cut appointment for Oct. 22. Yay.

But really, the gray is the least of my worries these days. Because today marks my official first day as a 5-day-a-week Vegan.

Yep. 5 days on, with 2 days of wiggle room.

I'm going "mostly vegan" for the month of October. The idea has been stirring around in my head for a while now, and it actually part of a larger effort to overhaul my sugar-fat-cheese-crap laden diet and see if I have more energy and sleep better than I currently do. And force me to get deliberate about my protein management. And it was one of those things where all of a sudden it seems like reinforcement for your inkling idea just keeps flying at you from the universe. The farm that sold us our Happy Eggs at the farmers market told us this weekend that they are no longer "doing eggs". And while generally my cheese consumption is over the top ridiculous, we are actually out of all our usual cheese products at the moment, so I'm just not going to buy any more. For a month.

And I'm reading "The Emperor of All Maladies"  about cancer. And last month I finished "In Defense of Food" which, while not promoting veg or vegan eating, still smacked me in the head with all kinds of plant-based encouragement. But what really pushed me over the edge was when I sat down at the laptop last night to distract myself from some other life stresses and Netflix suggested "Forks Over Knives" for me to watch. So I did. And right there, I decided that the vegan experiment was a go. It's not that all the facts and figures in the movie are unquestionably accurate (there are plenty of online critiques you can read about how the material was presented, and the facts on which they base their claims). It was just the last nudge I needed to look at my fridge, my waistline, my cupboards full of processed food, and my values about creation care and animal welfare and decide to try something different.

It's almost time for lunch, and I know just where I'm going to go. Wow Bao is an Asian food place with several delish vegan options. And I'm going to take some vegan cookbooks with me to lunch and make a shopping list.

So, wish me luck! I'm pretty excited, actually. I'm pretty bored with all of my current food ruts, so bring on the Veg!