Monday, 21 February 2011 15:17 Written by Mary Gabriel

This is a nice little brush.  The bristles are really soft and the handle is cool.  It's definitely nice quality.  I would personally use it more for travel.  The size does come in handy if you want to control the area of application.  I really like this brush, I am just used to a larger size.  It's vegan though and no one got hurt so I love it for that alone!!

Learn more: Emani Cosmetics

Monday, 21 February 2011 15:06 Written by Mary Gabriel

This finely ground very soft mineral dust is like magic!  I tried it as a highlight under my eyebrow, as a cheek highlighter, as a light shimmer over my shadow on my lid, and I even tried it as a body duster.  It was so pretty in every application.  The consistency is super smooth and the powder is very finely ground.  Other mineral powders can be ... how do I say diplomatically... rough, cheezy and chunky.  They commonly have large particles.  You can feel the quality of Emani's mineral products by the consistency alone. It goes on like a second layer of skin!  Champagne is very versatile.  This swatch really is not accurate.  It is much lighter and not as intensely warm.  It is in the warm family, but oh so subtle.  I would know because of my olive (almost jaundice) complexion.  If something is going to turn orange, it will on me!  Champagne is classy.  No more to say.

Learn more: Emani Cosmetics

Monday, 21 February 2011 14:49 Written by Mary Gabriel

I have been wanting to try Emani Cosmetics for quite some time after reading other positive reviews.  When I recently received some of their products, I was not disappointed!  I often find other mineral cosmetics to be impure.  Emani is clearly an exception!  The consistency of this shadow is soft as silk. It is so finely ground and goes on incredibly smooth. Mercedez duo is a gorgeous natural combination.  It is warm and lovely.  This combo would compliment any eye color wonderfully.  I have hazel eyes and it made them pop in a beautiful and subtle way.  The packaging is rich and gorgeous!  It is very nicely done.  You can feel the high quality just when snapping the top shut.  I also love the silver foiled logo and artwork.  I am a designer so I appreciate good packaging.  This is very nicely done...inside and out!

More info: Emani Cosmetics

Monday, 21 February 2011 00:31 Written by Cameron Gabriel

The leaps forward in vegan cuisine in the last decade have been astounding. So many options are available now, that even the most steadfast omnivore can get a meal they would find delicious, and half the time wouldn't know was vegan unless they were told. Even at parties I am able to bring some killer munchies that often disappear before everything else. However, veganism's toughest battle won't be fought in a restaurant, grocery store, or company party, but in a place that has woven itself into the fabric of our culture: the barbecue.

That's right, the barbecue. Most other places I can almost pass for human, but here I may as well have fallen to earth in a meteor. Tell me if this sounds familiar: hot dogs, burgers, chicken, steak, wings, but more appropriately, cows, pigs and birds skinned and dismembered and laying on the grill. Potato salad with eggs and mayonnaise, pasta salad with salami and parmesan, jello salad with flaccid looking chunks of canned fruit floating in it. The list goes on. If you don't come to the event you're antisocial, and if you do and don't eat anything you're a freak. Up until about 7 years ago, the hot dog and hamburger substitutes were minimal and had room for improvement.

That is until our good friends at Turtle Island invented Tofurkey sausages. Look the hell out. These things are unbelievable. 3 different flavors are currently in the line up including Beer Brats (made with Full Sail Ale), Keilbasa Sausage and Sweet Italian Sausage, my personal favorite. They've got weight, they've got girth (sorry), they grill up nicely, taste great and really fill out a bun. And to reward you for making a healthy, compassionate vegan choice, each dog is organic and has 29 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber, compared to 8 grams of protein and 0 grams of fiber in a Jimmy Dean sausage, not to mention the cholesterol, sodium, msg, preservatives, hormones and antibiotics that are along for the ride.

So check these out if you haven't already, and bring some to the next barbeque you're invited to. Guaranteed you'll get some takers, and save a life in the process.

Learn more: Tofurky

Tuesday, 30 November 2010 03:42 Written by Cameron Gabriel

Uncle Eddies is a vegan cookie you can brag to your meat and dairy eating friends about! They're soft. They're chewy. They're organic. They come in Chocolate Chip with Walnut, Oatmeal Raisin, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter, Cocoa Spice, Molasses and my personal favorite, Trail Mix. They are so damn good that I have run into my buddy a half dozen times in the store buying them, and he remarked that someone was going to have to do an intervention on him. Plus they have 3 grams of protein per cookie, and I have even used that as an excuse to eat them for breakfast after the gym. I wonder what my mom would say about that...

Not only are these cookies a shining example of vegan deserts, they are of cookies in general. In fact, take them out of the bag at the next party you go to, and when people begin lavishing you with complements on your cookies, you can tell them that they are vegan and that  nobody had to get hurt to make them. Pretty sweet. However, you may want to hoard a few because you know how it is. You bring vegan food to the party and everyone eats it and then there's nothing for you to eat. I guess you better stock up...

Learn more: Uncle Eddies Vegan Cookies

Sunday, 14 November 2010 15:06 Written by Cameron Gabriel

All protein powders are not created equal. Trust me, I’ve tried them all. Whey protein powder is out of the question, not just because it isn’t vegan, but because it is foul. All of the very worst things about milk – pesticides, herbicides, hormones, antibiotics – concentrated into a powder. If you are vegetarian, I would seriously rethink this stuff. It is easy to be lured in by it since it has a higher amount of protein per serving, but at what cost? You feed the dairy industry and stomp on your own health at the same time.

Moving on to soy protein. Soy powder is also pretty high in protein content, but also high in phytoestrogens, so its good not to eat it too often. Additionally, it can be difficult to digest, leaving you with a windy backside. So no soy protein. Or “Yo no soy”, as I like to say when I’m feeling multicultural. If you simply must have it, you can mitigate the side effects somewhat with fermented soy protein, just try and stay away from isolates, they’re bad.

Hemp protein, while packed with Omega 3’s and 6’s, is not as high in protein, and doesn’t taste that great. Hazelnut/Brazil nut protein is killer, but expensive. Pea protein rivals whey in protein content, but is often made as an isolate, and has an “acquired taste”. All of these protein powders are great in a smoothie, but if you are looking for something you can slam in a cup and chug you have to look elsewhere.

Rainbow Light to the rescue. Rainbow Light’s Vanilla Protein Energizer gives you 30 grams of rice protein in 2 medium sized scoops, and is packed full of herbs, herbal extracts and vegetable powders (kale, spinach, dandelion, beet). It also contains organic spirulina, is high in fiber, low in fat and flavored with stevia powder to keep the sugar calories down. It dissolves easily, and tastes good. Give it a shot, you won’t be disappointed.

Sunday, 07 November 2010 01:55 Written by Mary Gabriel

Have I ever mentioned to you faithful readers that my mottoo is you can never be too sparkly?  Well it's true!  I really like this purse.  So many purses these days are tacky, gaudy, and scream bad accessory.  I will always love black everything.  Yes, I have goth roots, but how can anyone go wrong with basic black anything?  Besides, this is obviously not basic.  It has a beautiful gradation of sparkle created by silver, copper and gold lines of studs.  This purse comes in all silver studs too, but I opted for the cool gradation version.  I have a lot of criteria when choosing a handbag and I take this check list very seriously.  Think about it.  You bring your purse with you pretty much everywhere you go and you are in and out of it a million times a day.  So my checklist is: Shoulder strap is a must, zipper must open and close with ease, it must be able to hold all my stuff (which is a lot), I need to be able to take things out easily so the opening has to be fairly large. Forget those dainty evening bags.  Those have never and will never be for me!  Maybe I have too much baggage to carry?  Once again, I digress. Also, of course, it has to be cute! This purse includes a detachable long strap.  Check.  The zipper is smooth.  Check.  It is 12" wide and 7.5" high so it can hold all my crap.  Check.  The opening is wide so I can get at my stuff easily.  Check.  It sparkles and is cute as hell.  BIG AND FINAL CHECK!

This purse is not on the Steve Madden website so you will have to do your research.  I bought mine from Macy's.

Sunday, 07 November 2010 01:50 Written by Mary Gabriel

I needed a nap to regenerate before posting another Urban Decay review.  All this excitement takes a lot out of a gal!  I need to make sure I appropriately convey just how great these products are.  So fasten your seat belts my little vegan and vegan curious friends... here we go!

I have a gazillion brown eye shadows covering the gamut of every range, tone, hue, texture, finish and formula pretty much known to man.  So why would my first eye shadow from Urban Decay be brown? Well, because I also have every range of every other color too so why not another brown!  Truth be told, this is not just another brown.  This is one of those perfect taupe's that you keep going back to.  It is a true taupe with the most subtle mauvish undertone.  I was hesitant to even mention the mauve undertone because it is so subtle and only detectable to a keen eye (and to someone who has every other brown eye shadow on the planet to compare it to.) I have read many other reviews about UD eye shadows stating they are highly pigmented, smooth and long wearing.  They did not lie.  They go on so smooth and there is none of that crazy fall out that some shimmer shadows leave.  I'm glad I started with Stray Dog because it is just one of those colors that quickly became my frequently used favs!

Learn more: Urban Decay

Sunday, 07 November 2010 01:47 Written by Mary Gabriel

As referenced in the photo I used in the review for Paranoid 24/7 lip pencil, Heavy has a shimmer to it.  UD calls it "shimmering nude."  I am really appreciating more subdued colors these days. I really love the shimmer in Heavy and Wicked.  They are the only two UD 24/7 lip pencils with a shimmer.  Heavy is a rich, deep, true brown nude and the shimmer quality makes it very unique.  If Urban Decay ever discontinues this product line, I will need psychotherapy.

Learn more: Urban Decay

Sunday, 07 November 2010 01:43 Written by Mary Gabriel

Just when I thought I had reached the height of all fabulousness...I get to another level.  Paranoid is described as a "pinky nude." Now don't get confused between Paranoid and Naked just because they use similar words to describe both colors.  Naked is a neutral pink and Paranoid is a pinky nude.  I know I know.  It's confusing!  Luckily, I am here to help!

(Stepping away from my computer to apply colors on my skin as a testament and commitment to YOU...my readers!  Oh the lengths I go to.)

OK, I am back.  See the difference?  Paranoid has a lot more pink and is a bit darker.  You can also see the sheen in the shimmer formulas of Wicked and Heavy.  Again, how many times can we thank Urban Decay for these amazing pinks without the use of carmine?  Paranoid is also a must have.  Perhaps it seems as though Urban Decay is paying me to promote their products.  I wish!  No, that is not the case. I just am passionate when I find a great vegan product let alone a beautiful addition to my makeup arsenal!

Sunday, 07 November 2010 01:33 Written by Mary Gabriel

Holy mother of God Naked is nice!  (I figure it's only fair to address the mother of all mothers since I included God in another recent review.)  

I am insane for Urban Decay's 24/7 lip liners!  They are hands down, without a doubt the most amazing lip liners ever.  You readers best sit down because I am about to use a word I do not utter easily....LUXURIOUS!  That's right.  Luxurious! These liners are nothing short of perfect.  They are smooth, creamy and moisturizing as can be yet stay put all day. How the hell did they do it?  Naked is freaking gorgeous.  Again, UD produces the perfect nude with a pink tone. They call this a neutral pink and that it is.  It's not too light like a lot of other nude pencils.  If you have never tried these liners or any other UD products, start with Naked 24/7 lip pencil.

Learn more: Urban Decay

Sunday, 07 November 2010 01:30 Written by Mary Gabriel

OK, don't be scared!  This color is not the end of the world!  I could spend all day naming makeup colors, but I would never dare consider naming a lipstick Apocalypse!  But who the hell am I?  Obviously I am not as courageous as Urban Decay.  Again, I digress. 

Apocalypse is simply referred to as "blackberry" by UD.  It is a sheer coverage with cream texture.  Bust out your UD chart girls and boys!  You would think by the swatch that we are about to embark on a serious goth adventure and we could if we wanted to.  However, it is all in the building application.  This does not go on near as dark as the swatch would imply.  If you put it on lightly, it is a beautiful berry making your lips look like a deep natural stain.  If you build it up, it is rich rich rich!  This color can be worn in the day no problem whatsoever.  For some interesting reason I found this color to be slightly more drying than the other sheer colors.  I don't know why.  It is still more moisturizing than most other lipsticks.  I decided to live dangerously and order it in spite of the swatch color.  I am 48 and my goth days are over.  I was very pleasantly surprised by this color and impressed again by Urban Decay's production of cool purple and pink undertones without the use of carmine.

Learn more: Urban Decay

Sunday, 07 November 2010 01:26 Written by Mary Gabriel

Dear God thank you for pinks and thank you to Urban Decay for producing cool pinks without the used of crushed bugs!  If God exists, then she is guiding Urban Decay in their labs while they mix their luscious pinks.  Hot damn I love this lipstick!  I love all pinks...warm, cool, dark, light, cream, sparkle, etc., etc.  You get the picture. Lovechild is a sheer cream formula.  It is a very subtle color.  It makes your lips look like the color you would dream them to be naturally.  Speaking of God, why can't my lips look like this when I wake up?  Come on God!  Get with the program.  Where are your priorities?!  Here's my prayer: Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray oh God to get me pink!

Two words folks....Get Lovechild!

Learn more: Urban Decay

Sunday, 07 November 2010 01:23 Written by Mary Gabriel

Did I say earlier that I struggled to decide which UD lipstick was my fav?  How does one choose a favorite color?  It's like being faced with choosing if you like your arms better than your legs!  OK, maybe a little drastic comparison, but I love lipstick so this is a serious dilemma.  I can confidentially say Rush is my favorite nude---ish lipstick.  It is described as a neutral pink by UD.  I think the subtle pink hue is what makes me love this so much.  Totally brownish nude colors can wash out my face because of my olive complexion. Also, my lips are not naturally pigmented like some lucky gals so I need the boost.  Rush is a perfect color for the days I go more intense on my eye makeup or when I just want an overall more natural look.  Rush is another color that would likely compliment any skin tone or hair color.

Learn more: Urban Decay

Sunday, 07 November 2010 01:19 Last Updated on Sunday, 07 November 2010 01:23

Step aside world ... Buzzkill has arrived!  First of all, don't you just want to buy this for the name?   I love it!  However, it does everything but kill my lipstick buzz.   If anything, it puts me on a high of fabulousness!  Rich is the first word that comes to mind when describing this color. UD refers to it as a dark rose, which is definitely accurate.  I think deep rose would be a more appropriate description hence why I feel UD should hire me as a consultant, but I digress.  Buzzkill is one of those colors that screams classy.  The formula is full coverage with a cream texture. It is highly pigmented and very creamy and moisturizing.  It is a warm and cool color at the same time and will wow your lips to eternity!

Learn more: Urban Decay

Sunday, 07 November 2010 01:10 Written by Mary Gabriel

OK kids, you are about to get blasted with a bunch of Urban Decay reviews! I am on an Urban Decay craze.  I am so impressed with their products and I love that they have a vegan section on their website.  Thank you Urban Decay for making conscious shopping for great cosmetics so easy!

So onto the matter at hand: For you UD lipstick virgins, allow me to enlighten you.  UD lipsticks come in different formulas and different textures.  There is full coverage (FC), semi-sheer (SS) and sheer (SR) and each color has a various texture e.g cream (CR), sheen (SN) or shimmer (SM).  The website is very clear on coding each lipstick according to its coverage factor and texture.  

It is very difficult to decide which Urban Decay lipstick I love the most, but Wanted is definitely in the running!  It is described as a warm berry.  It is a berry color for certain, but it is not so warm that it turns orange by any stretch.  I am an expert in reddish tones turning orange being of Italian descent.  Wanted is a SR/CR, which translates into sheer and cream as the above formula description explains.  Although it is considered sheer, it has a beautiful amount of pigment with the first application and can be built up easily.  This color is gorgeous!  It stays true to color all day. It brightens you on a drab day and makes your lips luscious and moisturized.  Some people on other makeup review sites report there is a negative taste and smell to UD lipsticks.  I don't find this to be the case at all. There is a semi-noticeable scent, but it is not bothersome if you ask me.  I think it has a subtle vanilla scent and I don't notice it after 2 seconds once applied.  I think this color would compliment any skin tone and any hair color.  It is just that perfect!

Learn more: Urban Decay

Sunday, 31 October 2010 22:40 Written by Cameron Gabriel

Man oh man, I love Thai food. It's a good thing too since no matter where I go I can usually find a Thai restaurant who, if they don't already have vegan options on the menu, can make some. Interesting flavors, spicy kick; it stands out in stark contrast to the gelatinous slop found in most Chinese restaurants. I think my obsession with it reached an all time high when I was living on Lower Haight street in San Francisco. I lived over top of a restaurant called Phuket Thai, and the smells of the food would waft through my windows and carry me downstairs like Pepe Le Pew. I almost forgave the owners (who lived in the apartment next door) for their late night band practice, and for only knowing 2 songs: "La Bamba" and "Ain't Nothin But a Hound Dog", choices which occasionally prompted a speaker war between our two households.

Needless to say, I've eaten a lot of Thai food in a lot of cities, and I am always impressed with how many Thai Restaurants there are in a county of only 200,000 people. Great news for vegans and vegetarians. There is one, however, that is a cut above the rest.

Ornsurang Yoorungruang, or "Boo" as she is affectionately known, opened Siam Cafe about 10 years ago on the corner of 6th Street and Main in Medford, right across the street from the Medford YMCA. She has at least a dozen vegetarian dishes on the menu (which can all be made vegan) including some of my personal favorites such as Pahd Thai, fresh spring rolls, Pahd See Ew, Pahd Kee Mow and a yellow curry that is so good it will make you do cartwheels around the parking lot (luckily, I can't do a cartwheel so I'll never have to test that theory out). The service is great, and Boo's hospitality is unforgettable. Check it out. You'll see what I mean. Just watch for cars before you start those cartwheels...

Visit Boo at:
618 W Main St
Medford, OR 97501-2742
(541) 734-4789

Tell her Cameron and Mary sent you!  You'll either get the best service of your life or thrown out on your ass! Good luck!

Saturday, 30 October 2010 20:38 Written by Cameron Gabriel

I was in my local Co-Op grocery store a few years ago and ran across a tiny display with some really stout looking bread, with a logo of a cartoon muscle-bound stoner looking dude playing a guitar. "Dave's Killer Bread" it was called. Far out. I grabbed a loaf, flipped it over, and read the story of Dave Dahl, an ex-con who had done 15 years behind drugs and drug related crimes, and who now had turned his life around and was baking bread. Dave spoke of using his time to exercise, play guitar and really get in touch with himself, and he spoke of the ability of suffering to propel us into awareness. He even had a Gandhi quote on the label: "Be the change you want to see in the world."

I wanted to buy a loaf just to support this guy. I was a former addict and "Denizen of the State" myself, and I remember the hopelessness and desperation of that lifestyle. I also remember the lousy rot-gut food they served in there, and am surprised that everyone doesn't become bakers and chefs when they get out. But what I remember more than anything, is the sense of clarity and liberation I felt when I surrendered. As Dave puts it, life didn't become easy, but it became worth living.

But what really sealed the deal for me was when I read the ingredient list. Not only was Dave's Killer Bread vegan, it was organic and made with sprouted grains and a host of seeds and nuts. Plus it was loaded with protein, which (probably like Dave) I am borderline obsessed with. And of course we are forgetting one important point:

IT TASTES FREAKIN KILLER.

Hence, "Dave's Killer Bread". Dave has 12 varieties of bread when I counted last, in a variety of seed and grain combinations, plus hamburger (veggie burger) buns, a baguette called the "Peace Bomb" and something called the "Sin Dawg" which is quite possibly the greatest cinnamon roll I have tasted in my whole life. Dave supports sustainability, and donates to many charity organizations. 

Rock on, Dave.

Learn More: Dave's Killer Bread

Tuesday, 26 October 2010 13:57 Written by Mary Gabriel

In my humble opinion, these are the best vegan burgers available. I love all the flavors, but BBQ is my fav.  Not only are these burgers tasty as hell, they are made of the highest quality ingredients.  No protein isolates, gluten free and delicious!

Ingredients: Organic Barbecue Sunshine Burger: organic cooked brown rice, organic ground raw sunflower kernels, organic pinto beans, organic brown rice syrup, organic onion, organic garlic, organic paprika, organic black pepper, natural smoke flavor, sea salt.

Learn more: Sunshine Burger

Sunday, 24 October 2010 00:00 Written by Cameron Gabriel

Terence "Geezer" Butler - Bassist - Black Sabbath - Proud Vegan

Whether or not you consider yourself a fan of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, I am sure you will agree that there is scarcely a person walking the planet who has not heard of the band Black Sabbath, or heard one of their songs on the radio. Considered to be the godfathers of heavy metal music, they not only defined and shaped the genre, but gave birth to thousands of bands who would claim them as a major inspiration. 40 years after the release of their first album, their songs remain a relevant force in music, and continue to spark the imaginations of each new generation of musician.

While not the front man for the band, Geezer Butler was responsible for writing most of the lyrics, which were heavily influenced by his fascination with religion, the occult and horror movies, and his disdain for the corporate war machine and its role in an impending global apocalypse. With a style of bass playing that is often emulated but rarely reproduced, he has no doubt been a vital part of Black Sabbath's meteoric rise to cult status.

Geezer Butler is also a vegan.

In an interview with PETA, he is quoted as saying:

"I went vegetarian when I was about - I think I was about 8 years old. One day I cut this piece of meat open and blood came out and I asked my mother, 'Where did this come from?' And she said 'animals,' and that was it. And now these days, you can get everything vegan -- vegan marshmallows...so now I'm eating all these things that you couldn't even get before."

My freakin hero. The power of his voice in what can often be the over-machismo world of metal music is unrivaled. I love this guy. If you are unfamiliar with his music, I strongly suggest checking out their first album Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath. It is a sweeping epic of songs that twist and turn crossing many genres in the process but remaining true to the sound of the band. Do yourself a favor and listen to the album all of the way through. The musicianship is astounding. I have studied it many times throughout the years and learn something new every time. And then log his name into your mental database, because the time will come when you need to name drop in a conversation with someone, and you can say:

"Geezer Butler is Vegan".