MaaDisha (which translates to “Mother” and “Direction”) infuses an Ayurveda focus into their body care products. MaaDisha explains, “Ayurveda is a 5,000 year-old ancient and holistic healing system. Stemming from Ayur, meaning “Life,” and Veda, meaning “Knowledge,” Ayurveda is currently a prevalent medical system used to prevent and treat illnesses by maintaining balance in the body and mind.” After all, if we seek to find balance in our day-to-day activities and diets, why not consider extending that balance to your beauty regimen as well?

The lovely woman at MaaDisha that I spoke with explained, “Since our skin absorbs what we put on it, by using products with harsh chemicals and artificial ingredients, we’re introducing chemicals that throw off the balance of our internal energies. We like to describe our products as “Ayurganic” made from ancient formulas, but perfected with pure, organic ingredients—hence the motto: “Ancient formula. Organically perfected.’”

I was sent two items to review: the Lavender Enriched Soap5 and Hairmask2. (There are many more items on the website store.)

The Lavender Enriched Soap5 is lightly and delicately fragranced; its scent is peaceful and calming. It does not leave any soapy residue nor strip the skin of moisture. With the lavender, coconut and essential oils, and pops of color from turmeric and orange peel, this was a lovely body bar. One of the ingredients is palm oil and I inquired about the sourcing of MaaDisha’s palm oil. I was pleased to learn it is sourced under Fair Trade and sustainable palm oil.

The Hairmask2 is an all-in-one deep conditioning treatment meant to leave hair repaired, stronger, thicker, shinier, and bouncier. The jar is for two treatments and I was worried that using such an amount might make my hair droopy, over-conditioned, and not “bouncier” at all, especially since I don’t have particularly long hair. But hey, I was willing to give it a shot. After its use, I dried my hair and gave it a brush and looked into the mirror to see the results. Whoa! I couldn’t believe how my hair looked—shiny, healthy—not at all over-conditioned. It felt soft to the touch; not greasy! And my hair continued to stay that way with each use—no build up occurred. And as Ayurveda teaches, continued use leads to deeper healing of hair and soul.

After several uses of these products, I’m a total believer. I appreciate the Ayurveda philosophy that is weaved into the mission which guides MaaDisha to create products that heal and contribute to one’s overall health. I love that the products are vegan, cruelty-free, chemical-free, and use many organic components.

Be sure to check out MaaDisha products this holiday season—either to help you feel beautiful and balanced throughout the holiday hustle and bustle, or as lovely presents/stocking stuffers for someone you’d like to gift with a little holistic pampering.

The post Product Review: MaaDisha “Ayurganic” Beauty Products appeared first on Chic Vegan.

Addictive Wellness chocolates are unlike any other raw chocolates I’ve tried. They’re made with both superherbs and superfoods that pack exotic taste and nutrient dense ingredients in every bite. They’re sugar-free and therefore suitable with anyone who has to watch their blood sugar levels–xylitol and stevia are where their subtle sweetness comes from. Their raw cacao is sourced from Fair Trade sources. Plus, they are non-gmo and made in a dedicated facility free from common allergens including soy, dairy, nuts, GMOs, sugar, eggs, wheat, gluten, and fish–perfect for people that suffer from any of these allergies.

I was sent a 3-pack of their chocolates to sample. Being that these chocolates are raw, 89% cacao, and infused with flavors of tree mushrooms like Tremella,  Ashwagandha, and Reishi mushrooms (to name a few), I didn’t know what to expect. Would they be too bitter? Too earthy? I nibbled with hesitation…

However, I was pleasantly surprised that while their flavors were complex and outside of the realm of my normal chocolate-eating habits (and I have a lot of those!) that they were delightfully palatable. I could tell I was eating a very sophisticated and delicate chocolate product.

They’re not the type of chocolate that satisfies a true sugar craving, but that’s not the intention behind Addictive Wellness. Their mission is to be able to help people enjoy chocolate in a healthful way by using ingredients that have been used in the Taoist and Ayurvedic systems and indigenous cultures for years. Great attention and care is given to producing artisan chocolate where the body absorbs the maximum potency of every ingredient. This is definitely a chocolate that you don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying!

The post Product Review: Addictive Wellness Raw Chocolate appeared first on Chic Vegan.

The Bakeology Cookie Bites currently come in three varieties: chocolate chip (my favorite!), snickerdoodle, and vanilla chai shortbread. Not only are these little cookies vegan, but they are also certified gluten-free and sourced from non-gmo ingredients.

For not a huge caloric hit, you can have three crunchy cookie bites that deliver a lot of flavor. And if you don’t bother too much with worrying about calories, then by all means, keep snacking! They make a great after-dinner dessert or pair perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea—especially, the vanilla chai shortbread. I’m a chocolate girl all the way, but I was surprised how much I loved the hit of chai in the vanilla chai shortbread! The snickerdoodle had great flavor, too, and, although you might think it odd, I kept thinking these particular cookies would make a great fall pie crust after a quick whirl through a food processor. Sadly, I devoured my cookie samples before I got to give this (possibly brilliant?) idea a chance.

Bakeology is the result of a mother/daughter team, Dawn and Sasha, whose desire is to “to share our home baked, pure creations with everyone.” Their little company is relatively young, and hopefully expanding its reach beyond their California home base. If you’d like to enjoy these lovely little sweets and help a woman-owned small business expand its roots, I highly encourage you to order a few of these cookie bite bags from their website.

Bakeology Cookie Bites are good on their own, but you can also use them in recipes, such as these Spooktacular Snickerdoodles, which are perfect for the spookiest day of the year. Everyone from guests, ghouls or goblins will enjoy these treats!

Spooktacular Snickerdoodles

Ingredients
Cookies

• 1 bag Bakeology Snickerdoodle Cookie Bites

Pumpkin Creme

• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• Dash of vanilla extract
• 2 cups organic powdered sugar

Method
Whisk together coconut oil, pumpkin puree, cinnamon & vanilla extract until smooth. Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, and mix until combined & creamy. Using a small knife, add roughly 1 teaspoon of creme to the center of a Snickerdoodle and top w/ another Snickerdoodle to create a crunchy Spooktacular Snickerdoodle.

Contest time!

Enter to win two bags of Bakeology Cookie Bites and 2 small almond milks. Follow the instructions below to enter. U.S residents only, please. Contest ends at midnight eastern time on October 28th. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Product Review & Giveaway: Bakeology Cookie Bites appeared first on Chic Vegan.

I was sent their Mini Chocolate Truffle Cake, the Super Trail Mix Raw Chocolate Bark, the Organic Gourmet Sprouted Almond and Sea Salt Raw Chocolate Bark, Orange Chocolate Hearts, Mint Chocolate Hearts, and Chocolate Covered Figs. Everything was fabulous, delicious, and I can’t say enough how much I enjoyed every morsel of chocolate I nibbled on. (There are even more products on their website, so be sure to check them out!)

All of Rawmio’s products are carefully stoneground to a wonderfully smooth chocolate consistency. I’ve had stoneground chocolate before and if it isn’t ground smoothly enough, it can taste gritty. This was not the case with Rawmio’s finely crafted sweets. And because these chocolates are sourced from the best organic and raw ingredients, many of the natural health benefits of chocolate are preserved in every bite. I also love that part of Rawmio’s mission is to “support small farms and villages both domestic and beyond.” As a vegan who cares not only about the animals, but about my health and the environment, I feel really good about choosing Rawmio chocolates, as well as the fact that they are a recommended chocolate on the Food Empowerment Project’s Chocolate List.

It’s hard to choose a favorite out of the bunch of samples I was sent, but I can’t deny there were a few not-to-be-missed goodies I want to tell you about. First off, the chocolate covered figs were fantastic. I love figs, so if you want to go ahead and pour some chocolate over them, fine by me!

Secondly, the chocolate truffle cake–omg! This mini, raw cake is a little bigger than the palm of your hand, which may sound small for a cake, but its dense, rich flavor is sure to satisfy even when you share it among friends. (Disclaimer: No, I didn’t share this cake; I totally polished it off proudly all by myself, teehee.)

Even though I’m a lover of cake, raw or not, my absolute favorite product was the Super Trail Mix Raw Chocolate Bark. Firstly, it was so beautiful. One side had an artisan design stamped into the bar with the Rawmio logo and the other side is completely sprinkled with nuts, seeds and bright, colorful dried fruits such as goji berries, mulberries, and pumpkin seeds. The smoothness of the raw chocolate, the crunch of the nuts, and the soft chewiness of the dried fruits made for an incredible combination.

Whether you come across some of the Rawmio products on the shelves of your local health foods store or order them online, I promise you will love whatever you can get your hands on. I hope you’ll give them a try and treat yourself to some delectable chocolate!

To purchase Rawmio products, visit: http://www.rawguru.com/store/rawmio-raw-chocolate/ Use the coupon code RACHIC20 for 20% off all Rawmio treats at RawGuru.com.

The post Product Review: Rawmio Chocolate Products appeared first on Chic Vegan.

I tried both the Apple Cinnamon (a new addition to the product line!) and Organic Coconut banana bites. They look like dates that have been compacted into little cubes, only they are more exciting than dates because they also have simple and whole added ingredients such as apple, cinnamon, or coconut–and that’s it! They weren’t overly sweet, either. Truth be told, I might have overindulged on my sample on one particular night, but I didn’t feel too badly about that little fact considering a serving is just over 100 calories

Much of the product line from Barnana is vegan-friendly, and a few products are even raw for those that adhere to a raw, vegan diet. Also, Barnana products are organic, non-gmo, kosher, and gluten-free.

Not only did I enjoy these snacks, but I think they’re extremely kid-friendly, too. If you want to test my theory for yourself, use Barnana’s store locator to find a supplier near you, or heck, just buy them online.

The post Product Review: Barnana Chewy Banana Bites appeared first on Chic Vegan.

It’s ironic that much of the multi-billion dollar “beauty” industry has a dark side that relies on the exploitation of animals through animal testing and/or using animal ingredients in products—how is that supposed to make us feel beautiful? Fortunately, there are companies like La Bella Figura who produce high-end, luxurious beauty care that are fabulous for both you and the animals.

La Bella Figura products are crafted from raw, organic materials sourced from non-gmo resources. As often as possible, the ingredients are cold pressed, ice pressed, and unheated. They even grow some of their own herbs and flowers in a community garden for their extracts. They take their craft very seriously in order to produce pure, unprocessed, unrefined and gentle products.

I was able to test out multiple items from their skin care line that included the Gentle Enzyme Cleanser, Modern Radiance Concentrate, Daily Elements Defense Free Radical Fighter, Skin Revitalizer, and the new Elysian Fields Hair and Body Hydro-Essence.

My favorite product was the Elysian Fields Hair and Body Hydro-Essence. I would add a few spritzes to my hair after styling to give it a light, summery scent and a bit of shine before my work day. Some days I even sprayed it on my arms in lieu of perfume. The Gentle Enzyme Cleanser was my next favorite product as it works like a cold cream in that you don’t have to wet your face first to remove your make-up. Even when I was wearing foundation, powder, blush, eye shadow, eye liner, and mascara, the cleanser was very effective in removing all my makeup. However, unlike a cold cream the enzyme cleanser doesn’t feel heavy and greasy in your hands or on your face. It left my skin feeling clean, light and moisturized.

I live in Maryland where we’ve been experiencing some pretty humid weather—which isn’t great for my acne-prone skin. I had to be careful about layering on the Modern Radiance Concentrate and Daily Elements Defense Free Radical Fighter after using the cleanser. That level of application was too much for my skin type, but that doesn’t mean these products aren’t absolutely divine! I can see how they will be quite hydrating in the winter months, or moisturing year-round for anyone who has normal, dry or maturing skin. And because of the clean ingredient list, La Bella Figura products would be gentle enough for sensitive skin as well.

As I mentioned, La Bella Figura is a high-quality line and not your buy-it-at-Target type of product. The products come in sophisticated glass bottles (no yucky plastics!) and will last you quite a while. Each pump or spritz of a bottle delivers the perfect amount of product to get the job done.

In addition to the products I tried, La Bella Figura also offers perfumes and makeup which is free from talc, corn, soy, beeswax, coconut, parabens, synthetic lake dyes, chemical preservatives, and GMOs. So if you’re looking for vegan, cruelty-free make-up and skin care, look no further! Best of all, you can order their products online and treat yourself to the same pampering I was able to experience.

The post Product Review: La Bella Figura Vegan, Cruelty Free Skin Care appeared first on Chic Vegan.

In case you’re not familiar with Victoria Moran’s work, she is the author of twelve books, including Main Street Vegan, the best-selling Creating a Charmed Life, and the plant-based weight-loss classic The Love Powered Diet: Eating for Freedom, Health, & Joy. She is also a certified holistic health counselor, founder and director of Main Street Vegan Academy (which aims to train vegan lifestyle coaches and educators) and is the host of the popular Main Street Vegan podcast. Suffice it to say she is an expert at spreading the word about healthy and balanced living through plant-based nutrition.

The Good Karma Diet is actually not a diet book at all. I look at it as more of a guide book for anyone who is seeking out a more peaceful and liberating life starting with their food choices (specifically by adopting a whole-foods, plant-based diet). The ultimate goal of The Good Karma Diet is to set readers on a path towards “the Good Karma Life, a process of moving from doing fine to doing splendidly, from not so healthy and not so happy to vibrant health.”

To that end, this book has tons of resourceful information such as:

• what foods to eat to help you feel healthy and vibrant
• how to make incremental changes at a pace and in a way that feels natural for you
• how to listen to your body and nourish yourself beyond the food you eat
• understanding the plight of animals in animal agriculture
• understanding how our food choices affect the planet
• how to shop for clothing and beauty needs in a “good karma” way
• a 21-day clean-living program

Sprinkled throughout the book are GKT’s—good karma tips—that offer practical suggestions to help you along your journey. Each chapter also offers a “Good Karma Story” from various men and women who regale how making the shift to a vegan diet upped the wow factor in their own lives.

Even though the The Good Karma Diet is not a cookbook there is a section of easy and nutritious recipes (juices, smoothies, breakfasts, soups, salads & dressings, spreads, main dishes, and desserts—my favorite!) created by Toronto recipe creator, culinary photographer, and raw food chef, Doris Fin.

Finally, there is a section entitled “Books for Your Bedside and for Your Kitchen” that offers suggested books and cookbooks that are sure to help your flourish throughout your “good karma life.”

As I read this book, I found myself thinking a little more contemplatively about my food choices and day-to-day activities: How will this meal make me feel? Have I done something today to improve my well-being? Reading The Good Karma Diet helped guide me to take the time—long overdue time—to really check-in with myself on a regular basis. And as you know in this busy digital age, we rarely take enough time to be still as we are constantly bombarded with stimulus.

I absolutely loved The Good Karma Diet book and I encourage you (or someone you know) to check it out if you are looking for a resource to help you eat and live in a way that is healthful and positive. In the very words of Victoria Moran, “I invite you to consider the possibility that nothing will more readily bring about a state of peace with your body and your food than making sure no one else’s body is your food.”

The Good Karma Diet is available May 19, 2015. Preorder the book before May 19th to get an exclusive teleclass with Victoria and you will be entered entered in the Good Karma Contest in which the charity of your choice will be in the running for one of three $100 contributions. Visit Victoria’s website for more information. We have a copy of The Good Karma Diet for one lucky Chic Vegan reader. Follow the instructions after the recipe to enter.

Chia Seed Pudding 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened nut milk (homemade Brazil or almond milk, or unsweetened commercial vegan milk)
• 3 tablespoons chia seeds (whole or ground)
• 4 to 5 drops stevia or 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla bean powder or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional:

• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or hempseeds
• 1 tablespoon chopped nuts
• 1/3 cup berries (blueberries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries all work well)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Loving Preparation: 


1. Stir the chia seeds, milk and sweetener in a jar. Cover with a tight-fitting lid, and leave for 5 minutes.
2. After 5 minutes, shake the jar really well. Leave for another 5 minutes, then shake really well again.
3. Leave at room temperature for at least 20 minutes or, for best digestion, keep in the fridge overnight and serve for breakfast. You can also prepare this in the morning and leave in your fridge for a midday or evening snack.
4. Before opening, shake vigorously one more time. Then pour into a bowl and add any or all of the optional ingredients.

Serves 2

Excerpted from THE GOOD KARMA DIET: Eat Gently, Feel Amazing, Age in Slow Motion by Victoria Moran, with the permission of Tarcher/Penguin, a division of Penguin Random House. Copyright © 2015.

Photo and recipe by Doris Fin, CCHP, AADP.

We have a copy of The Good Karma Diet for one lucky Chic Vegan reader! Follow the instructions below to enter. U.S. and Canadian residents only, please. Contest ends at midnight on May 13, 2015. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Review and Giveaway: The Good Karma Diet by Victoria Moran appeared first on Chic Vegan.

I was shopping in my local health food store and made it a point, as I usually do, to peruse the chocolate section in the off-chance they had some new products on the shelf. No, I didn’t need chocolate; I had plenty at home. No, chocolate wasn’t on my grocery list. I just regularly check out what’s on the shelves because…well, that’s what I do. I’ve designated myself the local chocolate-checker. If there’s something new and it’s vegan-friendly, I gotta try it.

It was during one of my routine “chocolate checks” that I discovered Charm School Chocolate bars. There they were. These chicly-wrapped bars with the word “Vegan” neatly stamped on the front. And then I saw it: the phrase “Vanilla Bean White… Our charming non-dairy alternative to white chocolate.” It was like the heavens parted and a voice said, “Here’s what you’ve been waiting for.” (We vegans know how elusive white chocolate can be!) So I grabbed the white chocolate bar and headed home to see if Charm School’s chocolate would live up to its name.

Let me tell you, this chocolate will charm you.

I immediately went to the website to learn more about the company. As it turns out Charm School Chocolate prides itself on being a non-dairy (and certified vegan) chocolate company. They specialize in transforming fair trade cocoa beans and organic ingredients into sweet, sophisticated flavors which are refined into polished, delicious sweets.

Heading the production of Charm School’s amazing chocolate is Joshua Rosen, winner of The Food Network’s “Sweet Genius” competition, who has an impressive culinary background and a passion for the health-conscious lifestyle. As a result, all Charm School Chocolate products are 100% dairy-free, egg-free, cholesterol-free, soy free, lactose-free, gelatin-free and are made without high fructose corn syrup, or refined sugar.

I couldn’t get enough of this chocolate. I researched where I could find a tasting. I drove to a local Whole Foods where I was greeted by a lovely woman from the Charm School family who was elated to hear how I had come to the store expressly to try more of their samples. This time, not only did they have their bars on display, but I got my hands on their award-winning Coconut Milk Chocolate bar, a 2015 Gold Seal Winner for the Good Food Awards, as well as the toffee-covered almonds, vanilla-enrobed roasted coffee beans, and strawberry-coated duchilly hazelnuts. (Good Lawd!)

Everything, every single product, is delicious. Chic Vegan readers, I would not lie to you. Every delectable product from Charm School Chocolates is outstanding. And here’s some sweet news: you can order their products online! With Easter just around the corner, there’s no doubt these chocolates would make a fabulous addition to any chocolate lover’s basket, especially if that chocolate lover is you. Check out their website here: http://www.charmschoolchocolate.com/

The post Review: Charm School Chocolates appeared first on Chic Vegan.

But wait. You can!

I’m super excited to tell you about the Vegano Italiano Festival. A collaboration between Green Earth Travel and Tierno Tours, the Vegano Italiano Festival takes place this July. There are four one-week tours (one tour for every week in July) where you’ll be able to vacation, sight-see, shop, and relax in Cilento, Pompeii , and Positano, as well as a myriad of other historical and cultural locations in southern Italy. Because this is a vegan tour of Italy, all food and drinks provided during your stay are 100% vegan.

The Vegano Italiano Festival includes:

• 7-Breakfasts continental
• 4- Lunches, including wine
• 7-Dinners, including wine
• 7-Nights in four-star Villa/B&B
• Transfers to and from airport – Naples
• All admission to sites
• English speaking guide throughout your stay
• 1st class motor coach
• Tips for baggage handling, taxes and hotel gratuity, except Tour Director

Activity highlights include ceramics-making demos, nature walks, boat rides, visits to historical villas, exploring city life, beach days, and even a pizza night. For a full itinerary, be sure to visit the Green Earth Travel website. While there’s an array of planned activities throughout the week, you are free to participate as you choose. And don’t forget, this vacation is open to all; you don’t have to be vegan or vegetarian. And yet, I have no doubt everyone will find something to enjoy.

As if all that wasn’t enough, here’s the cherry atop your vegan sundae: some of the biggest and brightest names in the vegan community will also be on some of the tours! I’m talking Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sulliva, Jason Wyrick, Dr. Ruby Lathon, Carolyn Scott-Hamilton, Miyoko Schinner, Matt Frazier, and Fran Costigan! During each of their tour weeks, these folks with give talks or cooking demos as related to their respective areas of expertise, as well as have some time to mingle and dine with the tour-goers. How awesome would it be to sip local, Italian wine over a fresh-made dish of Italian pasta while chatting up any one of these veg-famous folks?!

Prices are from $2595.00 per person and single supplement is $385.00. Single rooms are limited and tend to go very quickly. Availability is first-come first-served, so the sooner you book the better. The absolute deadline for the first tour is April 4th.

I don’t know about you, but it sounds like I’ve found my summer vacation plans. Ciao, bella!

For more information about the tour, Green Earth Travel and Tierno Tours, check out the press release.

For inquiries about Vegano Italiano, contact:
Donna Zeigfinger
Green Earth Travel LLC
info@greenearthtravel.com
888.246.8343

images: logo by Green Earth Travel, photo by Paolo Costa Baldi. License: GFDL/CC-BY-SA 3.0

The post The Vegano Italiano Festival: The Ultimate Summer Getaway appeared first on Chic Vegan.