Well, if I made my own products I wouldn’t be able to review such gems as Hurraw!  Like the name suggest it’s made if raw ingredients such as the aforementioned candelilla, cacao butter and oils such as almond, olive, jojoba, coconut and castor. Each ingredient is chosen for a specific healing benefits that is detailed on their site. For example, almond oil is chosen for it’s conditioning abilities and jojoba aids in absorption.
Even their yummy flavors are made from essential oils.  They not only have more exotic flavors such as Chai Spice (my fav) and licorice but lemon, black cherry and coconut.

Just as it’s stated on the website, Hurraw! lip balm is “Super smooth, not draggy, not sticky, not sweet, not too glossy, not too smelly, never grainy, long lasting.” I concur.  It goes on smooth, instantly moisturizes and smells fabulous. Not to mention is vegan and organic.  It’s hard to find a lip balm that doesn’t have bees wax.

It doesn’t get more Conscious than this folks.  I found them at an American Apparel store but you can also order online. 

According to their mission statement there are no “parabens, petroleum, propylene or butylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfates, pesticides, phthalates, artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances.” A few other aspects that make them a Conscious Chick approved company: no testing on animals, they use solar power and recycle.

Juice Beauty actually has an entire line dedicated to the art of blemish clearing.  This is good for me as my ongoing thyroid issues can wreak havoc on my hormones.  The cleanser in particular is important to me as some are too drying and others don’t really feel like they are cleansing.  It’s made of organic ingredients that make you feel healthier just knowing they are included:

A juice fusion of lemon, cherry, grape & aloe

Herbs such as dandelion, sage and lemon balm

Coconut and sugar

Algae

And of course, course the skincare prerequisites, vitamins A and E.

It smells lemony and doesn’t lather very much but still manages to leave a clean feeling. And I’m happy to say that I have not had too many zits since using it.

So if you’re looking for a  Conscious cleanser that doesn’t leave your skin tight but actually cleans, give this one a try.

I’m making these tonight and cannot say enough about how filling , easy-to-make and nutritious these are.  They are a complete meal with the quinoa as a whole grain, the black beans as protein, the peppers, carrots and celery as veggies.

You can also make them vegan by omitting the cheese. Here is the recipe from Vegetarian Times Magazine.

I actually used butternut squash sauce for the bottom of the baking dish instead of tomato sauce since I didn’t have any (I’ve been watching too much Chopped) and it turned out even better than the tomato.

It’s a dish of sensory delight: it not only smells and taste scrumptious but the colors are a mood lifter.  You won’t want to eat it, cuz it looks so good.  You can always take pics.

Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers

Let me be clear that when I’m speaking of dairy I am primarily speaking of cow’s milk. (Other animals milk such as goat’s tend to be more easily digestible and don’t contain the growth hormones found in most mass-produced milk products.)

Calcium is need for  not only bone and dental health but it aids in weight loss, preventing PMS, block colon cancer and maintaining good blood pressure and alkalinity in the body.

Below are some ways to get those benefits without the hormones, mucus and digestive issues.

Leafy greens such a  Kale

Orange Juice

Sardines

Nuts (including nut milks)

Quinoa

Peas and Lentils

It’s a very versatile dish as I’ve seen spinach, tomato, mushroom/zucchini and eggplant quiches.  Cheese and bacon are favorite ingredients in these dishes but you can always substitute with tempeh bacon or Daiya, rice or soy cheeses. Here is a recipe from allrecipes.com

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/vegetarian-quiche/

If you are like me and don’t want to go through the trouble of making one, there are plenty of places that have them on the menu or you can find them in the freezer section. Trader Joe’s has a couple, of course.

These five tips illustrate ways to help you stay on track to achieving your healthy resolution well into 2012.

Click here for the Tips…..

This new one from Aquasana is great for helping filter out the harmful chlorine, harsh chemicals such as mercury, arsenic, cyanide and lead, disinfectant byproducts, and microorganisms that get into your skin and hair. We may not think so but whatever goes on to you skin, gets absorbed by it, and ends up in the system.  So any item that has poluchriptopandolite or whatever, will eventually end up in your body.  So the less chemicals, the better.

One problem with water filters is the lack of pressure.  What’s the point of getting a water filter if the water isn’t coming out? Not the case with this one.  It actually flows better than the previous shower-head.

More benefits: my skin and hair feels softer and my shower seems a little cleaner.

If you don’t have one, you are missing out.  It may seem a little expensive -
around $85 for the first one and $53 for replacement filter (which you will need to change every 6 months) but it’s worth it to have clean, pure water to shower in.

Here is my latest Meatless Monday Suggestion: Black Bean Burritos

This dish is not only easy to make, it’s filling and can be found in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Try the Amy’s one.

Black Beans are a good source of fiber and protein. Although you would get more nutrition from making them from scratch (as in soaking the dried beans and then cooking them), you can still buy them in the can to save time.

You can add or subtract anything you’d like: jalapenos, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, rice, onions, cilantro, quinoa or tomatoes – to name a few. This is also a versatile choice in that you can make them Mexican, Brazilian or Mediterranean-flavored.

Here is recipe that I’m going to try tonight.  Found it on the Closet Cooking website.  It sounds super easy, delish and I love the idea of using pumpkin puree’.   I’ll let you know how it turns out.

http://www.closetcooking.com/2007/11/pumpkin-and-black-bean-burritos.html

I’ve been a fan of the juices for a while so when I found out they were opening up a spot in BK, I got excited.

I’m a big fan of the soups- some of which are made to order!  At first I thought “soups are supposed to simmer for a while” but somehow they really work.  All of the flavors blend together well. They have curry lentils, corn chowder and told me they are trying a split pea with tempeh bacon. Looking forward to that.

I also had one of their delicious flaxseed wraps with quinoa, lentils, raw spinach leaves and dashes of BBQ sauce.  JH are beef and pork-free, serve no dairy and their chicken is organic and halal (like kosher).

The star of the show though is the juice.  I can honestly say I have not had a green juice that tastes better than the “Juicy Greens.” Light and refreshing with a dash of sweetness. The cashew milk is a big seller and taste like it was poured from a bowl of cinnamon cereal. So good.

The atmosphere (with old-school board games!) is so pleasant and the owners are very personable and knowledgeable about healthy living. It’s inspiring to speak with people who have a passion for making the world a healthier place.

Highly recommended! They sell their juice online and are sold in certain stores. If you are in Brooklyn checking out the museum or Prospect Park, stop by and tell them The Conscious Chick sent you.

Did you know that if every American would participate go meatless 1 day a week, it would equal taking 8 million cars off the roads?  That’s a lot of avoided pollution.   1 meatless day a week won’t kill you; in fact it helps the entire world stay alive a little longer.

Today’s meatless suggestion:  Vegetarian Sushi

Just about every deli/grocery store sells sushi and includes vegetarian options.  Some have carrots and cucumber; I like mine with just avocado. Try that out for lunch today.  You won’t miss the fish.