Month: June 2013

What’s in my makeup bag? + Giveaway (CLOSED)

I decided to do something different today! I’m letting you guys into my makeup bag!

my makeup bag

I’ve had multiple reader request about cruelty-free, vegan, and natural make-ups and thought it would be fun to show you what I’m loving and why. I’ve always been a lover of animals (especially bunnies, duh), but when I was younger I never paid much attention as to if the brands I was using were tested on animals. I knew that I loved makeup and that was that. Never realizing that precious little animals were harmed in the process of making some of the products I use. I’m not vegan, but since I pay close attention to what I put into my body, I have been paying much more attention to what I put on my body as well.

If I’m going to put makeup on and let it soak into my skin, I should probably look at what’s in it, right? It’s something that we often forget about. If we aren’t eating it, then it must be ok, right? Wrong! If you have Celiac Disease or are truly gluten intolerant, make-up containing gluten might be having an effect of you. It’s seriously something that I never thought about until my friend was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Think about it this way. If you are putting chapstick, lipstick, or lipgloss on, you actuallyend up ingesting it throughout the day. As I was helping my friend find products that were gluten-free, I started going research crazy looking for natural cosmetic and skincare brands. I got totally sucked into the research and obsessed with what I was learning!

I learned that a majority of my make-up was cruelty free, not tested on animals and BDIH certified natural! I’ve been slowly transitioning my makeup bag and learning about new brands that are 100% vegan and even gluten-free! Unfortunately there are some drugstore brands that I use such as Maybelline, that still test on animals… but I’m making my way towards beauty without bunnies!

If you’re interested in transitioning your makeup bag towards more natural and cruelty free products, you can see lists by PETA of companies who DON’T test on animals, and companies who unfortunately do.

When learning more about Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, I found their slogan witty but sad at the same time! “Speak out or the bunny gets it!” It was worth a mention! I’m glad they like bunnies too!

Inside my makeup Bag
1. Tweezerman Slant Tweezers – these are so precise, they get every little tiny microscopic hair. Can’t live without them!
2. Hello Kitty for Sephora Jeweled Compact Mirror – My mom gave me this for Valentine’s day a couple of years ago!
3. bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil – I like to dust this on over my foundation or beauty balm to lock my makeup in place. I figure, I’ve already spent so much time finding/matching the perfect liquid foundation color, why change it with a strange colored powder? Protects your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays with 25 SPF. Just a bare veil of minerals that lock makeup in place and give your skin airbrushed perfection. Not tested on animals.
4. bareMinerals Purely Nourishing Moisturizer – Love the light herbal smell of this and the fact that it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. Formulated without parabens, synthetic fragrances, and artificial oils. Not tested on animals.
5. Urban Decay Baked Bronzer in Gilded – The perfect golden bronze for a CA summer glow year round. Cruelty-free. Not tested on animals.
6. Lavera Gentle Eye Makeup Remover – Gentle enough for my sensitive skin, but strong enough to remove my cat eyes at night! Vegan, gluten-free, cruelty free, NaTrue certified Natural, and BDIH certified natural cosmetics.
7. Hello Kitty for Sephora Retractable Kabuki Brush – The cutest blush brush I own!
8. Urban Decay Travel size Eyeshadow Primer Potion – This is my favorite primer. It does it exactly what it says and keeps my eyeshadow put all day. Cruelty-free. Not tested on animals.
9. Sephora Collection Classic Blending Brush #29 & Classic Large Synthetic Eyeshadow Brush #25 – These are the only two eyeshadow brushes I use. One for the lids and the other for crease color. They’re made of synthetic bristles that are durable and don’t fall out! No animal fur found here, meow!
10. Benefit They’re Real! Mascara – Love love love this mascara. lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts and separates with a super amazing rubber applicator that gets all of the baby lashes! I probably spend the most time on my lashes and I love when people ask if they’re real. Yes, They’re real! Just like the title suggests! Not tested on animals.
11. Urban Decay Naked Basics Eyeshadow Palette – My favorite everyday eyeshadow palette of natural browns and tans. Cruelty-free. Not tested on animals.
12. Benecos Happy Nails Nail Polish in Expressive Mint – Love the color and shine this polish gives. Free from toluene, camphor, phthalates or formaldehydes. Cruelty free & vegan!
13. Boscia Bright White Peel Off mask – I’m quickly getting obsessed with this brand! Free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, preservatives, ethanol alcohol, artificial color, and animal ingredients. It has been dermatologist-tested and is pH balanced with no testing on animals.
14. Sephora Collection Pro Allover Powder Brush #61 & Pro Flawless Airbrish #56 – I LOVE these brushes, I have been using them for years and have bought them for all of the girls in my family. They’re made of high quality synthetic bristles that allow you to go from liquid to powder and back again without sticking together. They’re ultra soft and give a perfect flawless look with broth liquid and powder foundations. I’ll never use a normal foundation brush again.
15. Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in Natural Beige 220 – I’m really hard to match when it comes to foundation, but this is one of the only brands that has a color and formula that actually works for me. I’m hoping to find a more natural and cruelty-free foundation that matches my skin!
16. Benecos Natural Powder Blush in Sassy Salmon – This color is gorgeous, plus it’s gluten-free, cruelty free, and a BDIH certified natural cosmetic.
17. C.O. Bigelow Lemon Lip Balm No. 1421 – I’m a chapstick junkie, and this one glides on smooth and really moisturizes. Formulated with a high concentration of lemon oil and extract, Vitamin C, and super-nourishing Shea Butter. 100% natural lemon flavor. Not tested on animals.
18. Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm – I like to use this on days where I’m running errands around town and only need light coverage. It evens out my skin tone and reduces redness instantly! Cruelty-free. Not tested on animals. I like to set it with the bareMinerals Mineral Veil (#3).
19. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick – As I said before I’m addicted to chapstick. I put this bad boy on before bed and wake up with super moisturized lips. Cruelty-free. Not tested on animals.
20. Lush Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter – I slather this all over my hands (especially in the winter) to keep them from getting dry. I love the light lemon scent and that it’s all natural. Not tested on animals.
21. Hollywood Fashion Tape – I ALWAYS have this in my makeup bag! I use this to keep pants temporarily hemmed, to keep the neckline of my lower cut shirts in place, and also fill the tin with safety pins and bobby pins and a hair tie or two for emergencies.
22. Benecos Eyebrow Designer in Brown – Great for perfecting pretty brows! Vegan, gluten-free, cruelty free, BDIH certified natural cosmetics.
23. Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Perversion – I’ve saved the best for last! My ALL-TIME-FAVORITE eyeliner! This liquid liner has the thinnest brush so you can get the most beautiful and perfect line on your lids. I’m a big fan of the cat eye, and this liner trumps all liquid liners. It makes lining 10 times easier and stays put no matter what. Seriously, you can go swimming with this on if you dare! Cruelty free. Not tested on animals.

* Speaking of curelty-free, I know that my Chanel makeup bag is made from lamb, and I do own other handbags that are made of leather etc. As stated before, I am not 100% vegan, but am currently transitioning my makeup to more natural and cruelty-free items! I respect your lifestyle, so please respect mine and others! xo

What's in my makeup bag My everyday make-up! Love that Benecos Natural Powder Blush in Sassy Salmon!

What's in my makeup bagAs someone who has a collection of over 60 nail polishes, I fell madly in love with this one! It’s so shiny and glossy that it doesn’t even need a top coat! Someone even asked me if my polish was gel! Plus, it’s free from toluene, camphor, phthalates or formaldehydes. Cruelty free, gluten-free, & vegan! Happy bunny!

What's in my makeup bag
I discovered some of my new favorite vegan, gluten-free, cruelty free, paraben-free, natural cosmetic brands from my True Beauty Box from Love True Natural! Love True natural offers three different Beauty Boxes: Flirt ($30), Veganista ($30), and Indulge ($40). With your subscription, you will get a new beauty box (from your chosen boy style) each month, filled with new products and cosmetics for you to try and love! It’s a great affordable way to test new brands without having to commit to expensive full size products.

The Perks of Being a True Beauty:
Exclusive member-only promo codes for 15% off site-wide on LoveTrueNatural.com
Monthly online promotions and giveaways available just for True Beauties!
Get up to 2x the value of your monthly subscription cost in products!

What's in my makeup bagMy beauty box included a Benecos Brow Designer, Lavera make-up remover, Benecos nail polish, Lavera lip balm, True Organic sweet grapefruit soap, and two samples of True Baby sunscreen, and True Self Tanner! I ended up in LOVE with the make-up remover and polish and use the brow pencil to define my brows! I love trying new products, but love them even more when they are fantastic!

GIVEAWAY!
Love True Natural is giving one lucky RFFMBT reader the chance to try a True Beauty Box!
*Winner’s beauty box will contain different items than mine pictured above.

For your chance to win:
1. Comment on this post telling me your favorite must have beauty item.

2. You must like Love True Natural on Facebook.
– Leave a separate comment letting me know that you liked them!

3. Tweet ” Enter to #win a Beauty Box from @LoveTrueNatural hosted my @EatRabbitFood http://bit.ly/1ancc4H ”
– Leave a separate comment with the url to your tweet!

Contest ends on Sunday, June 30th at 11:59pm PST.
Winner will be announced on Monday, July 1st! Must use a valid email address when entering. Open to U.S. residents only.

Medjool Date BBQ Sauce

When Natural Delights sent me an email with their new “naturally sweet” summer recipes, I knew I had to give their Medjool Date & Citrus BBQ Sauce a try! My kitchen is always stocked with medjool dates for raw vegan dessert recipes and my crazy sweet tooth. Although I do throw medjool dates in an occasional salad, I never really thought about using them in savory recipes. I was excited to see a naturally sweet barbecue sauce recipe since I’m always looking for ways to lower my refined sugar intake. This recipe does call for half a cup of brown sugar, but I actually omitted it, using only the dates as sweetener and LOVED how it turned out!

Homemade barbecue sauce= gluten free, vegan, and naturally sweet with no refined sugars!
Just in time for the 4th of July!!!

Natural Delights Medjool Date BBQ Sauce
Natural Delights Medjool Date BBQ Sauce
Natural Delights Medjool Date BBQ Sauce
Natural Delights Medjool Date BBQ Sauce
Natural Delights Medjool Date BBQ SauceMy friend Behnaz brought me a huge bag of fresh picked grapefruit from her backyard! Perfect timing!

Natural Delights Medjool Date BBQ Sauce
Natural Delights Medjool Date BBQ Sauce
Natural Delights Medjool Date BBQ Sauce
Natural Delights Medjool Date BBQ Sauce

Medjool Date & Citrus BBQ Sauce
Adapted from Natural Delights

2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup grapefruit juice
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 cup low-sodium tomato paste
12 Natural Delights Medjool Dates, pitted & coarsely chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper

Chop onions and mince garlic. Heat oil in a large saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients (grapefruit juice, red wine vinegar, tomato paste, chopped medjool dates, and spices) and let simmer for 15 minutes. Transfer to a blender or immersion blender and purée the mixture. Transfer the completely blended mixture back to a saucepan and let simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator.
Note: Great for basting tofu, or tempeh for a mock BBQ chicken salad!

Visit NaturalDelights.com for the original recipe (using brown sugar) and nutrition information!

If you’re a visual learner, Natural Delights has an excellent YouTube video showing step by step insructions on how to make the BBQ Sauce!
Natural Delights Medjool Dates

ViSalus Protein Pudding

Congratulations to my DOLE Bananas Peel The Love giveaway winner, Tammy!
Make sure to check your email!

Motivation Monday: “Be strong, you never know who you are inspiring!”

As you guys know, I’ve been traveling a ton lately. Along with traveling comes little time to cook my own meals and unhealthy airport options, so I was excited when ViSalus contacted me and asked if I would like to try their Vi-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix. I’m always searching for the perfect, quick, no hassle  protein shake that actually fills me up for days where I’m short on time. I’m not a huge fan of protein shakes because they never fill me up and I end up snacking times 100 about a half an hour later, but ViSalus actually kept me full until my next meal!

Since I’ve been on the go a lot recently, I’ve been replacing my usual breakfast (or sometimes lunch) with one Vi-shape shake. I throw it in my blender bottle with one cup of almond milk and hop in my car to go to my meetings. I was really surprised by the flavor. While most protein shakes taste chalky, ViSalus‘ Sweet Cream flavor tasted like cake batter! Very pleasantly surprised!

When I took a road trip a few weeks ago to Chicago with my friend (she got a new job and needed a driving buddy!) I took my ViSalus Vi-Shape Mix and a blender bottle. It was easy for me to get some fresh nonfat milk and shake it up each morning! I NEVER skip breakfast, so the Vi-Shape shakes have really helped me when I have little time in the morning. I even created a recipe for Protein Pudding that I can make overnight and have in the fridge to snack on when I get a sweet tooth!

About ViSalus Vi-Shape Mix:

  • Only 90 calories per serving
  • 20g protein per serving
  • 25 Vitamins & Minerals
  • Lactose free
  • Gluten free
  • Certified kosher
  • Non GMO soy
  • Proprietary Tri-SorbTM protein blend helps build lean muscle to help your body burn fat
  • Full serving of fiber (5g)
  • Low fat (1g)
  • Low sodium (75mg)
  • Low sugar (less than 1g)
  • Low carb (7g)
  • Heart-healthy
  • Includes calcium for bone health
  • Good for those watching their sugar intake

ViSalus Protein Pudding
ViSalus Protein PuddingViSalus shake and chia seeds before refrigerating for 3 hours.

ViSalus Protein Pudding
ViSalus Protein PuddingChia seeds in the ViSalus shake after refrigerating for 3 hours.

ViSalus Protein Pudding
ViSalus Protein Pudding
ViSalus Protein Pudding
Serves 2

2 scoops ViSalus Vi-Shape Nutritional Mix
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
4 Tbsp chia seeds

Combine ViSalus mix and almond milk and blend until smooth. Transfer to a jar and stir in chia seeds. Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight for best results.

The final tally per serving:
Calories: 180
Fat: 10g
Carbohydrate: 14.5
Fiber: 13g
Sugar: <1g
Protein: 12.5g

*nutritional information based on Bob’s Red Mill Chia Seeds, and Unsweetened Original Blue Diamond Almond Breeze.

For awesome inspiration, motivation, and jaw dropping transformation photos, checkout the ViSlus Facebook page, website, and blog!
Website: http://www.ViSalus.com
Facebook: ViSalus
Blog: http://www.ViSalusBlog.com
ABout Vi-Shape Shakes: Vi-Shape Shake Mix

DOLE Peel The Love Banana Party + Giveaway (CLOSED)

I am so excited to tell you guys about DOLE Bananas new Peel the Love Campaign!

DOLE Peel The Love

Bananas: you grill, bake, mash, blend, spread and split bananas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, but this year, Dole is delivering one simple message about the country’s most popular fruit in 2013: Peel The Love. 
“The three-word command serves as the theme of a bold, year-long Dole initiative stressing the fun, irreverence and universally beloved aspects of the iconic yellow fruit, which Dole grows more of globally than anyone else.” – Dole

The first-ever Peel the Love Summer Food Truck Tour, sponsored by Dole Fresh Fruit and partners Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almondmilk and Dole Packaged Foods, will bring DOLE Bananas and Blue Diamond Almond Breeze recipes and samples directly to you in select cities across the country!

Good news LA foodies, DOLE Bananas Peel the Love Summer Food Truck is making a few more stops until it heads off to it’s next big city (Phoenix, AZ)!
June 21, 4pm-6pm – Albertsons 200 E. Sepulveda Blvd, Carson CA
June 22, 7am-12pm – Into the Summer Fun Run, 19800 Bloomfield Ave, Cerritos CA
June 23, 4pm-6pm – Walmart 1290 E. Ontario Ave, Corona CA
June 24, 4pm-6pm – Albertsons 2627 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica CA

Checkout the DOLE Bananas Peel the Love Summer Food Truck route and calendar to see when it will be in a city near you!

DOLE Peel The Love Party

To continue DOLE Bananas’ initiative to “Peel the Love” I wanted to show just how cool bananas really are. Thanks to DOLE, they sent me some awesome party supplies to host a Peel The Love banana party of my own. Their party kit included DOLE Bananas coupons, DOLE margarita glasses, reusable DOLE grocery bags, a yellow platter, banana USB Drive, and a Yonanas machine for my friends and I to enjoy! My first thought was… how can I show my readers how to throw a FUN healthy food party? Umm, obviously by hosting a DOLE Banana Nicecream party! After all, my mission is to make healthy foods fun, exciting, and always tasty!

I had a few friends over for an afternoon of Banana Nicecream and an endless healthy topping bar.
My Banana Nicecream bar consisted of frozen DOLE Bananas turned into banana nicecream/froyo with the help of Yonanas, and all of these yummy toppings:
Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, mango, pineapple, pomegranate seeds, apricot preserve, banana chips, honey roasted sliced almonds, granola, shredded coconut, crushed peanuts, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, chocolate covered sunflower seeds, crushed graham crackers, trail mix, pistachio toffee, cocoa almond butter, peanut butter, honey, agave, and cinnamon! I went a little crazy with my topping selection! Who doesn’t love toppings?

Instead of going to the grocery store for a pint of ice cream each, this is how we will be partying from now on. Bananas. Toppings. Pixar Movie. Best. Night. Ever.
Such a simple but healthy fun party idea for kids and families of all ages!

DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party
DOLE Peel The Love Party Want to host your own DOLE Bananas Peel the Love Party?
Enter for your chance to win a DOLE Bananas Peel the Love Party Kit including:

Yonanas

1 Yonanas Healthy Dessert Maker
1 Banana USB drive
1 Yellow DOLE apron
1 Plastic Yellow serving platter
10 DOLE Bananas coupons
10 DOLE plastic margarita “glasses”
10 Yellow DOLE reusable grocery bags

For your chance to win:

  1. Leave a comment on this post telling me what you would top your Banana Nicecream with!
  2.  You can earn another entry by tweeting: “Enter to #win a @DOLEbananas #PeelTheLove Party Kit and @Yonanas Healthy Dessert Maker! Hosted by @EatRabbitFood http://bit.ly/130eLb7 .”
    – Complete your Twitter entry by leaving a separate comment on this post with a link to your tweet.
  3.  You can earn an additional entry by taking a photo of DOLE bananas on Instagram along with the handle @RabbitFoodForMyBunnyTeeth and hashtag #peelthelove
    – Complete your Instagram entry by leaving another comment on this post with a link to your Instagram image.
  • That means you can earn up to 3 entries: comment on this post, tweet, and/or Instagram!
  • All entries must use a valid email address, Contest open to U.S. residents only (I’m sorry international bunnies!)
  • All entries must be posted by Sunday, June 23 at 11:59pm (PST).
  • The winner will be announced on Monday, June 24.

Good luck little bunnies!
Make sure you like RFFMBT on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram too!

Interested in Buying a Yonanas Healthy Dessert Maker?
They sell for $49.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond. Sign up for their BB&B email subscription and receive a 20% off one item coupon! You know, those ones we all get in the mail every couple of months.

Want to make Banana nicecream without the fancy gadgets?
Here is my recipe for Banana Nicecream!

banana slicerOne last thing… since it’s banana related! If you’re ever having a bad day, read the reviews of this Banana Slicer on Amazon.com. HILARIOUS. I can’t stop laughing!

*The giveaway has ended. A winner will be announced on Monday, June 24.

Eat More Rabbit Food Shirts Are Back!

I’m excited to announce that my “EAT MORE RABBIT FOOD” shirts are back!
Head on over to the RFFMBT store to check out all of the new colors and styles as well as some other goodies! Get them while they’re hot!

Huge thank you to my gorgeous model Brett!
She’s the ultimate bunny babe!

Eat More Rabbit Food Shirt

Health & Happiness xo
Catherine

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