February 20, 2012

Just when you thought your mascara was safe…

Recently some rather ugly news has come to light: Mary Kay, Avon & Estee Lauder have resumed animal testing on their products. Make no mistakes these tests are on rabbits and are being conducted so that those companies can sell their products in China. WARNING: the video is graphic but please consider watching it.

Is wearing mascara more important than the suffering of a lab animal? I think not. Look into your makeup bag and pull out some products. Look them up, are they tested on animals? Do you really want to smear your face with products that are priced with a tag of cruelty and torture? It is not as if cosmetics are a necessity, they are fun but we don’t need to wear them. I have taken a stand: I will not use any cosmetic or household product by a company who engages in this archaic practice. Period. It just is not worth the guilt that I feel every time I look at one of our bunnies.

halo the cutest bunny — Please don't squirt stuff in my eyes!

Whether you like PETA or not, they have a place in the fight for animal rights. They are able to bring attention to events & situations that would otherwise be ignored. Without PETA many cosmetic companies would still be using outdated and inconclusive tests on our furry companions. While I may not agree with PETA’s methods on many occasions, I am impressed by the changes they illicit.

The biggest impact, however, can be made by you and it is a rather small change to make. Pick up some new cruelty free swag! There are so many great companies out there to try- I love Gabriel Cosmetics, Zuzu Luxe and Urban Decay. Now we can look swanky whilst supporting companies who actually care! That is something that both bunnies and humans can get behind!

January 30, 2012

Small changes for big impact

Changes. Nothing inspires or causes fear like change. What side of the fence are you on?

As a vegan, I am more than aware that my life choices illicit opinions, whether I want them or not. What I usually hear is, “Oh wow, that’s so great, but I could never do that.” Those words are then following by a myriad of reasons, all of which are excuses dressed up in costume. It is the big picture that freaks people out. Start small, baby steps if you will, and you can do it.

One of the easiest changes to make is to overhaul how you clean. Clean does not have a smell. Clean is not a toxic fragrance that covers up stink. Clean is just that, clean. Check out what Webster’s Dictionary has to say:

Definition of CLEAN

a : free from dirt or pollution <changed to clean clothes><clean solar energy>
b : free from contamination or disease <a clean wound>
c : free or relatively free from radioactivity <a clean atomic explosion>

So, take a look at the products in your home. How much money do you have racked up in cleaning products? I’d wager that the only things needed for cleaning are distilled white vinegar, baking soda, borax and maybe a concentrated all purpose cleaner like Biokleen or Mrs Meyers. That’s it.

Why are these few items better than what is under your kitchen sink? They are nontoxic. Kids, pets and food do not need to vacate the premises while they are in use. They are not tested on animals. Really, do you think your window cleaner needs to be sprayed into a bunny’s eyes just so you know not to spray it in your own?

Stop giving your money to large corporations who unleash caustic products on the market that need “proper ventilation” when in use. Moreover, these products harm you, your environment, the planet, and the animals that are tortured during testing (yes, Proctor and Gamble, I am talking about YOU). To get you started, Leapingbunny.org has compiled a useful list to help with all things cruelty free.

Here’s my regimen – it is super cheap and super easy!

I use 2 25 ounce spray bottles. The first is filled with a 50/50 water and distilled vinegar. This cleans so many things, but most importantly, it safely cleans everything bunny related. It can also be used to clean the windows, the microwave, the fridge and along with some baking soda, the oven.

The second bottle I fill with a tablespoon of Mrs Meyers and water. This makes for a great kitchen and bath cleaner. For the toilet bowl, I just dump in some baking soda and vinegar, let it sit for a spell and then scrub away.

For wood floors, mix 5 parts vinegar, 10 parts water, 1 tbsp vodka or rubbing alcohol and a teaspoon of oil – olive or veggie. Spray or squirt and mop! If you are feeling adventurous you can add 10 drops of an essential oil!

I guarantee you this: you and your family will breathe much easier with this simple and cheap change of cleaning products. Now, go and buy some greens with that extra $$ you saved and a make salad that both you and a bunny can enjoy!