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Reusable glass jars – Consol

by Sharné June 28, 2019

written by Sharné

I’m on a mission to reduce my plastic use, and consequently have fallen in love with the many, many uses of glass jars.

Why switch to glass?

Firstly, we all know plastic containers are super convenient, but it’s important to note that they are harmful to us, and to the environment. My green vegan journey (read about it here) has led me to gradually move towards a plastic container free kitchen.

I do have a lot of plastic containers, which are in perfect condition and seal really well. As far as possible, all food containers I buy in future will be glass. I especially love re-using used glass jars, that originally held store-bought products. They can be used in many different ways, to store all sorts of things – I even use them as a glass for my smoothies.

the best things come in a glass
Consol

Glass has so many benefits, and here are some that I know of: Firstly, they are infinitely recyclable. They are free of BPA, and other harmful synthetic chemicals. Glass preserves taste, and keeps things fresh. Lastly, they have a longer shelf life than most other forms of food packaging.

Where to buy Consol re-usable glass jars?

First prize would be to reuse glass jars instead of recycling them. And you can buy Consol jars directly from a Consol Shop, or at places like Merrypak, Makro, Faithful To Nature and Yuppichef. Likewise, you can usually buy them from most Plastic Stores – ironic isn’t it?

Do you use re-usable glass jars? Do you have any other suggestions on how I can reduce my plastic waste? Please send me a comment below. If you’d like to see more of the home & garden products I have found, have a look here. If you’d like to see what body & beauty products I have found, have a look here. New products posted regularly.

It’s good, it’s in a glass
Consol

Let’s get social

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June 28, 2019 0 comment

dischem faithful to nature products search via shop sunscreen The bespoke artichoke wellness warehouse

vegan sun milk from Pure Beginnings

by Sharné November 18, 2018

written by Sharné

I use Pure Beginnings SPF 50+ Sensitive Milk Vegan Sunscreen and it is amazing!

Now that summer is approaching, and we are spending more time outdoors, it’s definitely time to get some vegan sunscreen.

Sun exposure: Good or Bad?

We all know we should be protecting our skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. If you have fair skin like me, chances are having a tanned skin is desirable, but in truth tanned skin is actually damaged skin. When I was a kid I knew this lady who was very close to my mothers age but looked so many years older because she had spent a lifetime in the sun. I realised even back then that my skin is worth protecting. It was such a strong realisation that I have tried to reduce my skin to sun exposure since then.

I’m walking on sunshine
Katrina & The Waves

The trouble is that like everyone else on the planet I need a little sun exposure for vitamin D production, which as we all know is really important. The only other sources of vit D is derived from animal sources and of course that is not an option for a vegan so the sun it is. Apparently 10 – 30 minutes, three times per week is enough. I don’t want to overdo it as too much exposure to the sun’s rays drastically increase the risk of skin cancer, especially melanomas, which are the most dangerous types of skin cancer.

To get enough Vitamin D I need to expose about a third of my skin to the sun, so wearing a strappy top, jean shorts, hat and sunglasses is perfect. In order to protect my skin while in the sun I need to get into the habit of wearing sunscreen, which I need to put on before I go out in the sun. Sound easy enough. Well, most sunscreens on the shelves are not vegan. They either contain animal-derived ingredients or are created by brands who test on animals. And many sunscreens on the market contain oxybenzone, a harmful synthetic chemical which is not only harmful to us but also toxic to coral and contributes to the decline of coral reefs around the world. You go to the beach to appreciate nature, not harm it and you put on sunscreen to protect your skin, not harm it.

I got that sunshine in my pocket
Justin Timberlake

Vegan sunscreen

That is why I was so happy to discover the Pure Beginnings SPF 50+ Sensitive Milk Vegan Sunscreen. I love Pure Beginnings because all their products are 100% natural, free from harmful chemicals, Ecocert approved, Vegan and BWC approved. Their vegan sunscreen protects from both the UVB and UVA rays and is water resistant. Oh, and it is actually for babies and kids. I’m an adult. Does it really matter?

Where to buy?

Pure Beginnings products are available at stores like Wellness Warehouse, + Dischem and online on Faithful to Nature + The Bespoke Artichoke. Have a look at the Stockists page on their website to see which stores in your area stock them.

Have you tried any of the Pure Beginnings products? Which vegan sunscreen to do use? Please let me know in the comments below. If you’d like to see more of the body & beauty products I have found, have a look here. If you’d like to see what home & garden products I have found have a look here. New products posted regularly.

Let’s get social!

© the green vegan chick. All images & content are copyright protected. Please follow my Sharing Policy if you would like to use or share any part of this post.

November 18, 2018 0 comment

food lovers market mayo pick n pay spar the kind kitchen

Egg free Vegan Mayo – B-well

by Sharné October 15, 2018

written by Sharné

B-well have a range of dairy free, egg free, vegan mayo products that are simply delicious.

B-well vegan mayo

B-well’s egg free, canola oil, mayo is a healthier alternative to regular mayo, without compromising the taste. To make their egg-free mayo, B-well substitutes the eggs with a vegetable protein, so their mayo is 100% animal product free, and therefore (yay) completely vegan. And, because the B-well mayo is low in salt and saturated fat, they are the first, and only, mayo in the country to be endorsed by the Heart & Stroke Foundation of SA.

B-well have four egg free vegan mayo products, three of which that I buy and use often. They are truly amazing – I have at least one of them in my fridge at any time. The Original Tangy mayo tastes exactly like ‘normal’ mayo so it is perfect for a potato salad, whereas the Thick & Creamy one doesn’t have that tang, making it perfect for any dish to which you want to add a creamy element. I have even used it in a vegan chicken mayo recipe here. The Olive and Canola option is similar to the original tangy, but has a subtle olive oil flavour. I have not tried the Reduced Oil version yet. If anyone else has, please let me know in a comment below.

We’re taking small steps towards making a big change in the food industry. We want to do things differently, we believe that everyone should be able to eat delicious food that’s healthier, more affordable and better for the environment.
Bwell

Other B-well products

B-well also have a cool range of oils, as well as a vegan sandwich spread, that I would love to use and post about in the future. I have used their wok oil in a recipe here. They really are a great company, that produce locally farmed, healthy products. Although the B-well‘s products are amazing, I wish that they would switch from plastic packaging to glass. What do you think?

Where to buy?

B-well products are available at most Pick n Pay, Food Lovers Market, and Spar stores nationwide. You can also buy it at The Kind Kitchen at 252 Albert Rd, WoodstockWoodstock. Their mayos are available in the standard 740ml tub as well as the mini 370ml tub.

If you’d like to see more of the food products I have found, have a look here. Finally, look at my directory for a list of all the awesome vegan products I have found locally.

Let’s get social

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October 15, 2018 0 comment

checkers cheese products

Vegan Cheese – Nature & Moi

by Sharné October 15, 2018

written by Sharné

Nature & Moi have a range of delicious affordable mozzarella, cheddar and gouda vegan cheese which are available Checkers.

Vegan cheese

Vegans can eat cheese! When I first went Vegan in 2011, I did not know that there was even such a thing as Vegan cheese. I now know that that there are many different types of Vegan cheese and that some are expensive (around R100) and others like these from Nature & Moi are more affordable (under R50).

Where to buy?

Nature & Moi have a range of coconut oil based Vegan cheese products, of which only a few are currently available in SA. At your local Checkers you should be able to get, when they are not sold out, the following flavours: Mozzarella, Cheddar and Gouda. They are now available in 3 options: block, sliced or grated.

Let me just say that this Vegan cheese is different in texture and taste compared to ‘traditional’ cheese. It is a great alternative for people who are Vegan and love cheese. I use it on a sandwich, in a pasta, on a pizza and even eat it as is. I have noticed that there is a trick to getting it to melt though. The times when the cheese has melted really well is when it has been exposed to moisture. The steam inside a just made closed vegan pasta dish helps the cheese to melt. And I have a nifty melt function on my microwave (yeah i know they are bad for you) that melts my vegan cheese and tomato sandwiches perfectly. I’d like to get a sandwich press and see how that works.

Have you tried any of the Nature & Moi vegan cheese flavours? What is your dish to make with vegan cheese? I’d love to hear from you in a comment below. If you’d like to see more of the food products I have found, have a look here. If you’d like to see what else I have found browse my Directory. New products posted regularly.

Let’s get social!

© the green vegan chick. All images & content are copyright protected. Please follow my Sharing Policy if you would like to use or share any part of this post.

October 15, 2018 6 comments

faithful to nature on the go reusables organic living products

Reusable fruit and veggie bags – Freshbag

by Sharné October 15, 2018

written by Sharné

Say no thanks to single use fruit and veggie plastic bags and switch to reusable bags.

I’ve been trying to come up with more ways to integrate reusable items into my daily routine. That way I can reduce the amount of plastic waste I generate. I’ve been using my envirosax reusable shopping bags for longer than I’ve been vegan (since 2011). Using them has become a part of my everyday shopping habits. There are 3 in my handbag so I have them with me all the time and use them everywhere. Isn’t it horrible that when you go to buy loose fruit and veg, you get those thin single use plastic bags. If I am not mistaken, they can’t be recycled and will most certainly end up in a landfill or even in the ocean. We have developed a “disposable” lifestyle and single use plastic has created a rubbish problem that now pollutes every corner of the world.

50% of plastic is used once then thrown away.
unknown

The truth about plastic

The truly scary thing is that all the plastic ever created still exists. This is because plastic can’t biodegrade; it photo degrades. This means it breaks down into smaller pieces, which is still plastic. When plastic waste is collected and transported to a landfill site, and even when it is in a landfill already, there is always a risk that the light weight plastic waste will blow away and end up in trees, our rivers and even our oceans. Currently there is so much plastic waste in the ocean that in some places there is more tiny plastic particles than plankton. And we are to blame as it is estimated that approximately 80% of the garbage in our oceans comes from land, from us.

Today we use plastic, a product designed to last forever, for products designed to last minutes.
unknown

Small change – big impact

As consumers we must take matters into our own hands. We must refuse single use plastic. That way shops will have to provide us with reusable alternatives. I knew there had to already be an alternative to these single use bags and was so happy to find quite a few. I am the proud owner of locally produced Freshbag reusable bags made from a light-weight nylon mesh. They are strong, fold up real small, are easy to use and super cute. Now I pop them in my handbag and use them every time I buy loose fruit and veg. I have noticed that the price sticker tends to fall off of the fabric so I tend to just wrap the barcode sticker around the ribbon drawstring.

Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can change the world.

Howard Zinn

Where to buy?

I bought mine directly from Freshbag. Have a look at the order page on their website. You can also buy them from Organic Living, and online on Faithful to Nature.

Do you use something similar? If you have any other ways Ican reduce my plastic waste I’d love to hear from you in a comment below. If you’d like to see more of the green vegan lifestyle products I have found, have a look here. And to see what else I have found browse my Directory. New products posted regularly.

Let’s get Social!

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October 15, 2018 0 comment

faithful to nature products snacks The bespoke artichoke

Vegan mushroom biltong – Air dried foods

by Sharné October 15, 2018

written by Sharné

Vegan mushroom biltong

I used to love biltong, after all it is a South African classic. Like many others, I did not become Vegan because I did not like the taste of meat. If you’d like to know about my Green Vegan Journey have a look here. When I first went Vegan i did not know that there were Vegan versions of things like cheese, meat, ice cream and even biltong. Vegan mushroom biltong for example is typically dried and spiced in the same way as traditional biltong.

I remember the first time I tried vegan biltong made from mushrooms. It was a few years ago, and I was at a shop with my Mom, who became Vegan soon after me. I was so excited to try it that I opened the packet before I even got to the car. I was amazed at the flavours and the texture, as it was the closest I had come to a biltong flavour since going Vegan in 2011.

Fast forward to 2018, the vegan biltong flavours have greatly improved, and the available options have drastically increased. I’m always keen to try every single new vegan biltong product I find. So far I’ve tried a number of different versions of mushroom biltong, and even found a biltong made from gluten.

Air dried Foods – Dried Mushroom snack

I first spotted the vegan mushroom biltong from Air Dried Foods a few months ago at the Vegan Goods Market. They call it a dried mushroom snack I call it biltong. Now, every time I go to the market, I get some. They are made by a small family-run business. There are 3 options: Oyster, Brown and Shiitake. The mushrooms are dehydrated, and seasoned with tamari sauce, apple cider vinegar, olive oil and coriander seeds. I like the brown mushroom one the most. I have noticed that if I eat a lot in one go, then it becomes very salty.

Holy Shiitake
unknown

Where to buy

The Vegan Goods Market is open from 10am to 2pm on every first Saturday of the month. The market is held at the Khanyisa Waldorf School, 4 Victoria Rd, Plumstead, Cape Town. The next time you go, be sure to stop at the Air Dried Foods stall and taste the various flavours of their vegan mushroom biltong. You can also buy it online on the Faithful to Nature online shop, as well as on The Bespoke Artichoke online shop.

Have you tried any of these vegan mushroom biltong flavours? What is your favourite vegan biltong? I’d love to hear from you in a comment below. If you’d like to see more of the snacks & treats I have found, have a look here. If you’d like to see what else I have found browse my Directory. New products posted regularly.

Let’s get social!

© the green vegan chick. All images & content are copyright protected. Please follow my Sharing Policy if you would like to use or share any part of this post.

October 15, 2018 0 comment

checkers pesto pick n pay spar

basil & lemon vegan pesto – pesto princess

by Sharné October 15, 2018

written by Sharné

I am crazy about this dairy free basil and lemon vegan pesto from Pesto Princess!!!! Yup it is vegan, and whats even better is that it’s not their only vegan flavour.

finding a vegan pesto

Firstly, as a vegan, ingredient checking is second nature. I’m always taking products of the shelf, turning it around and reading through the sometimes very long list of ingredients. Most of the time i sigh, and put the product back, as it either contains some or other animal product, honey or palm fruit oil. (Read more about what I eat and don’t eat here.)

Then, one day i spotted the dairy free sign on one of the pesto princess bottles and turned it around, and to my surprise the pesto was vegan. Finally, a vegan pesto without pecorino cheese. I was so excited because up until then every pesto I had looked at had contained pecorino.

So since then, I have used the basil and lemon pesto in various recipes ranging from brushetta to pasta.

More from Pesto Princess

To my surprise, Pesto Princess have quite a few dairy free vegan pesto products. I buy them quite often as they are delicious and most other pesto’s on the market contain cheese. I have tried most of their dairy free vegan pesto flavour and they are all amazing. You just have to try them! Remember to look out for the black dairy free circle on the front of the jar. I add them to my sandwiches, pasta dishes, wraps and even add some on my vegan pizza.

Here is a list of their dairy free vegan pesto options:

Coriander & chilli pesto
Sun dried tomato pesto
Basil and lemon pesto
Red pepper pesto
Olive pesto

They also have a dairy free harissa paste, chermoula paste and a chimichurri sauce. I used the Pesto Princess dairy free Harissa Paste in a spicy vegan wrap recipe.

And if you love soup, they also have an amazing range of Vegan soups which I posted about here.

Where to buy?

The Pesto Princess pesto’s are available at Checkers, Pick n Pay and Spar, to name a few. For a detailed list, have a look on their website.

Have you tried a Pesto Princess vegan pesto? Did you like them? I really love feedback. Let me know in the comments below. Lastly, look at my directory for a list of all the awesome vegan products I have found locally.

Let’s get social!

Follow me on facebook and instagram to stay up to date with my posts! If you end up making one of my recipes, tag me and hashtag it #thegreenveganchick

© the green vegan chick. All images & content are copyright protected. Please follow my Sharing Policy if you would like to use or share any part of this post.

October 15, 2018 0 comment