Are you looking for an active dog who also loves to lay in your lap? Then Abby is the dog for you! Abby is a spayed, 2-year-old Labrador/Shepherd mix. Abby enjoys playing with toys, running around, and laying in your lap. Abby is very affectionate and wants to be by your side as much as possible. Abby is still very playful and can be very curious when seeing new things. Abby would do great in a medium to high energy home who can give her lots of love.
 
Included with every dog adoption will be the first DHLPP shot of the series, a rabies vaccine, a medical exam good for up to three days from participating veterinarians, implanting an identification microchip (registration extra), spay or neuter surgery, if necessary, as well as a collar, ID tag, and a leash. For dog adoptions, a yard check will be performed prior to adoption. In addition to adequate fencing and shelter, those wishing to adopt a pet must provide either proof of ownership of the residence or a rental agreement for that address indicating that pets are allowed. If you are interested in learning more about adoptions, please contact the Humane Society of Ventura County at (805)646-6505.

Athena is a 9-month-old, spayed, brown and white Australian Kelpie mix. Athena came to the Humane Society recently from another rescue organization, when she was surrendered by her owner through no fault of her own. Athena is an energetic, young, happy dog. She loves people and she gets along with other dogs. She is still a puppy, so she will need training and lots of exercise at her new home.  She was temporarily homed with four other dogs so she may do well with other dogs. Come by and meet this exotic pup Athena if you are looking for a dog you can take along on adventures!
 
Included with every dog adoption will be the first DHLPP shot of the series, a rabies vaccine, a medical exam good for up to three days from participating veterinarians, implanting an identification microchip (registration extra), spay or neuter surgery, if necessary, as well as a collar, ID tag, and a leash. For dog adoptions, a yard check will be performed prior to adoption. In addition to adequate fencing and shelter, those wishing to adopt a pet must provide either proof of ownership of the residence or a rental agreement for that address indicating that pets are allowed. If you are interested in learning more about adoptions, please contact the Humane Society of Ventura County at (805)646-6505.
 
Photo by Leslie Lange

Detoxification Works ® is a Canadian company offering detoxification products manufactured primarily in the UK in accordance with ISO standards to ensure quality and traceability. Their organic products are certified by the Soil Association and they are registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

They offer a range of wellness products to the public, including supplements for heart health, joint health, colon health and, of course, detoxification. For this review, I tried the Pro Meal, which is a vegan, non-GMO protein powder with vanilla flavoring.

You can sprinkle this vegan protein powder on cereals or yogurt, blend it with fruit or make a simple protein shake with a scoop of Pro Meal mixed with water or non-dairy milk. Since I make smoothies all the time, I went the protein smoothie route by adding one scoop of vanilla Pro Meal with coconut milk and a banana.

25 grams of this vanilla-flavored powder that is packed with vitamins and minerals has 18 grams of protein, so Pro Meal definitely offers an easy way to increase your protein intake.
It is also a convenient meal to take with you when you are on the go and can be easily thrown into your suitcase for protein smoothies while traveling.

The smoothies I made with this vegan protein powder were simple, quick, filling and delicious. So this is a good option for folks looking for a quick, vegan protein option you can enjoy for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Okay, so here is the part you’ve been waiting for: the promo code!

To save 10% off any order at the Detoxification Works website, just click here to grab this promo code (CHEAPVEGANCHICK) and head over to the site to start shopping.

I received a product sample to try out for this product review. I received no other compensation. The opinions are, of course, my own.

Tucketts non-slip grip socks are designed to enhance grip and stability during barefoot workouts – like yoga, Pilates, barre, and martial arts.
 
Most of the grip yoga socks I have tried have either had a closed toe with all of your toes together (like most socks) or an enclosed or open toe with each toe separated. The enclosed, separated toe socks I have tried felt constricting and awkward. The open, separated toe socks I have tried allowed more freedom of movement among my toes, but often irritated the skin between my toes and separated my toes more than I would like.
 
This is why I was interested in trying out the grip socks from Tucketts to see if their toeless design might work out better for me.
 
Now that I have been using them for a couple of weeks, I am definitely in love and thought it was about time that I share this with you!

 For starters, here’s a few reasons to love Tucketts:
 

• Tree-free, biodegradable, recyclable packaging
  
• Shipping envelopes made from post-consumer and post-industrial material
• A nude line that comes in five shades for more inclusivity
• Every pair you purchase supports the work of Move This World
  
• The company is certified by WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise)
• The factory is part of a local clean production agreement
• The factory has ISO 14001 certification in environmental management
  
• The factory is committed to W.R.A.P. principles (World Wide Responsible Apparel Production)

Tucketts are designed in New York and manufactured in a socially and environmentally responsible factory in Colombia. In part to lower the carbon footprint and in part to support emerging manufacturing regions, Tucketts has set up a supply chain where the cotton is grown, the socks are manufactured and the goods are packaged for shipping all within a small area.
 
Aside from their commitment to sustainability and having a positive impact in the world, Tucketts is committed to enhancing barefoot workouts with attractive, comfortable grip socks in a variety of styles and colors.
 
One way they enhance barefoot workouts is by freeing the toes with their toeless design. This allows for more mobility of the toes and more stability, since you can make small adjustments in toe placement to improve balance.
 
Another way they enhance barefoot workouts with their toeless grip yoga socks is to enhance the body-mind connection:
 
 
“Tucketts allows the toes to have full sensory contact with the ground, which strengthens the intrinsic musculature of the foot and provides direct contact with the earth.  
 
The awareness of connection and freedom to make and feel constant, minor toe adjustments activates the connection with oneself.”

I personally love that they don’t separate each toe from the others. So many yoga socks either squish your toes together or force them apart too much. This is not the case with Tucketts. My toes are free to move around, and I love how these socks feel, which combines the feeling of going barefoot and the feeling of wearing cozy socks at the same time. I’m sure most of this cozy feel comes from the fiber blend consisting of soft, breathable cotton with nylon and spandex to maintain fit and functionality.
 
In fact, they are so cozy that I don’t just use them as yoga socks; I also like to just wear them around the house. I get to enjoy the feeling of walking around the house barefoot but without the constant slipping my uncoordinated self is prone to. This works out nicely for me.
 
I’m not finding anything not to like about these grip socks. I’m planning on getting at least one more pair, and I think you might want to try them out too – particularly if you regularly partake in barefoot workouts.

If you do think you want to try out some new grip yoga socks, now is the perfect time to do it, because I have a promo code for you!
 
Just use this promo code at checkout to save 20% on your entire order on the Tucketts website. Yay!
 
If you do try them out, let me know what you think in the comments!

I received a product sample from Tucketts so that I could conduct this review. The opinions and views, as always, are my own.

Blaze is a seven-year-old, neutered, tan Chihuahua. He came to the Humane Society recently through no fault of his own. Blaze came to the shelter with his sister Sugar and the two enjoy each other’s company. You can often find them curled up together in one of our dog play yards, enjoying the sunshine. Blaze has a go-get-um attitude and enjoys his walks. This little guy can sure zoom around and is always excited to see you. Blaze does have a slight limp due to a past leg injury, but it doesn’t slow him down at all. Blaze doesn’t seem to mind other dogs, but we don’t know how he is with children or cats.

Included with every dog adoption will be the first DHLPP shot of the series, a rabies vaccine, a medical exam good for up to three days from participating veterinarians, implanting an identification microchip (registration extra), spay or neuter surgery, if necessary, as well as a collar, ID tag, and a leash. For dog adoptions, a yard check will be performed prior to adoption. In addition to adequate fencing and shelter, those wishing to adopt a pet must provide either proof of ownership of the residence or a rental agreement for that address indicating that pets are allowed. If you are interested in learning more about adoptions, please contact the Humane Society of Ventura County at (805)646-6505.

#adoptadog #adoptdontshop #adoptdontbuy #rescuedog #rescuedogs

How’s your dental care routine treating you these days?
 
I just got an upgrade on mine, and I didn’t even know I needed one.
 
If you are committed to taking care of your teeth naturally and are looking to up your toothcare game, you might want to take a look at the Essential Oxygen organic dental care line. This California-based, woman-owned company offers vegan, organic products that provide germ-killing, gentle whitening goodness for healthier gums, fresher breath and a whiter smile.
 
As an added bonus, they give a portion of their proceeds to community organizations, so you can also feel good knowing that your purchase is doing good for you and for the community.
 
Plus, I’m going to give you a promo code for 20 % off your order, so, if you are in the market for a low-abrasion toothpaste or organic brushing rinse, now is your chance to try Essential Oxygen with a big, ol’ discount!

The organic toothpaste, tooth polish and brushing rinse are all vegan, gluten-free products that are not tested on animals and come in recyclable, BPA-free packaging. Each of these products is free of fluoride, glycerin, alcohol, and sodium laurel sulfate and work together to give you whiter teeth, fresher breath, healthier gums, and reduced tooth sensitivity.
 
The ingredient lists include only stuff you are familiar with and can pronounce, which is always a huge plus.
 
See for yourself:
 
Essential Oxygen BR Organic Brushing Rinse ingredients – purified water, aloe leaf juice, food-grade hydrogen peroxide, peppermint oil, rosemary leaf oil, eucalyptus leaf oil, lemon peel oil, clover flower oil, and cinnamon leaf oil.
 
Essential Oxygen BR Organic Toothbrush ingredients – food-grade hydrogen peroxide, aloe very gel, xanthan gum, guar gum, coconut oil, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, stevia, lemon oil, rosemary oil, clove oil, cinnamon oil, frankincense oil, coconut flour, and calcium phosphate.
 
Essential Oxygen BR Tooth Polish ingredients – calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, bicarbonate soda, MSM, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, myrrh, stevia, wintergreen essential oil, cinnamon essential oil, lemon essential oil, clove essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, and rosemary essential oil.
 
Gotta love that.

Now that you know what is and isn’t in these natural, cruelty-free toothcare products, let’s talk about how to use them.
 
 Essential Oxygen recommends using what they call the Pristine Protocol:
 
1. Rinse with Essential Oxygen BR Organic Brushing Rinse for whole-mouth cleaning.
 
2. Brush with Essential Oxygen BR Organic Toothpaste.
 
3. Polish with Essential Oxygen BR Tooth Polish as needed for an extra boost in whitening and tartar reduction.
 
Now, you don’t have to do this. You can use the brushing rinse as a pre-rinse before your current toothpaste, use just the tooth polish when you need a mild abrasive for whitening and plaque removal, or you can even use the brushing rinse alone as both an organic mouthwash and a brushing medium.
 
For this review, I followed the Pristine Protocol so that I could have the full experience, and then tell you all about it.
 
So, let’s do it.

As I mentioned above, I decided to do the Pristine Protocol so that I could get the full experience and see how well these products worked together.
 
One thing that I loved right away is that the toothpaste is not abrasive but that they offer the separate tooth polish for those days when you want to add a mild abrasive to polish your teeth and work on those tougher stains from all that tea and coffee. So, you can use the toothpaste for your usual toothcare routine, and then throw in the tooth polish as needed.
 
I also really like the idea of using a brushing rinse before I brush my teeth so that it can reach areas of my mouth I generally do not get with my toothbrush. As a twice daily routine, the brushing rinse and toothpaste leave my mouth feeling clean and fresh, and I particularly appreciate that they are able to do this without harsh chemicals and additives I can’t pronounce.
 
One thing that I have noticed with some organic toothpastes and mouthwashes is that the taste is way too strong and, in the case of the mouthwashes, it can even burn a little. This is not the case with these Essential Oxygen products. The flavor is light and pleasant. While each product has a mix of essential oils, you will mostly taste a light peppermint flavor when using them.
 
Whitening is not the most important attribute I look for when I’m choosing an organic toothpaste, but it sure is a bonus. I would say I was using the brushing rinse and toothpaste about one week when I first noticed that my teeth were a bit whiter. I had only used a small amount of the tooth polish once at that point, so I can certainly see how regular use of these products can help keep my smile brighter.
 
Plus, this gentle whitening is an added bonus on top of healthier gums, fresher breath, reduced tartar, and a cleaner mouth overall. So, yeah, I will be ordering this organic, vegan dental care set again!

Okay, now let’s save you some money.
 
The special promo code I got just for you so that you can save 20% off Essential Oxygen products is CHEAPVEGANCHICK.
 
You can remember that, right? =)
 
So, just...

1. Click here.

2. Fill your cart.

3. Type in the promo code (CHEAPVEGANCHICK) during checkout to save 20% on your next order of organic mouthwash, toothpaste or tooth polish (or their other products!).
 
If you happen to be reading this months after it was posted, check the Essential Oxygen page on Dealspotr for the most recent deals on their organic, vegan dental care products.

About five years ago, I had the opportunity to review some CORE Meal Bars and instantly fell in love with this easy, pre-packaged, vegan meal option that I could take with me on road trips or when attending an event where I knew vegan options would be scarce. I loved them so much that I hounded my local Whole Foods to stock them and, when they did, started regularly stocking my freezer with them.
 
Now their meal bars and other whole-food items are much easier to find at your favorite grocer – plus, they have expanded their offerings to include CORE bars, tonics and granolas.
 
There is a lot to love about convenient whole-food options that are vegan and organic, but there is even more to love about this company. So, when Corey from CORE Foods sent me an email to see if I would like to do a vegan product review for their CORE Bars, you know I was all over that.

Before we even get to the food, we’ve got to talk about this company. This small, Oakland-based company staffs their kitchen with formerly incarcerated people to give them a second chance and sources their sustainably grown ingredients from carefully selected farmers that share their dedication to organic, sustainable foods.
 
Their oats are grown by the Smith family in Colorado on the world’s leading gluten-free oat farm, and then processed in a dedicated factory to ensure their certification as gluten free. Their almonds come from an employee-owned, democratically ran company in Central California. The raisins are sustainably grown by the Sahatjian family on the world’s first organic raisin farm, which was established in 1928.
 
You can find out even more about where their ingredients come from on their website where you can read about how each ingredient is processed and where it was grown.
 
You gotta love that – but if buying from a company that gives second chances to the formerly incarcerated, supports sustainable family farms and is transparent about ingredient sourcing isn’t enough for you, there are plenty more reasons to love these whole-food bars, like 100% organic, non-GMO, certified gluten-free ingredients in tasty bars with no added sugar.

The Cashew Chip Core Bar is made from organic, gluten-free oats, organic cashews, organic raw flaxseed, organic cacao mass, filtered water, organic coconut and organic almonds. With eight grams of protein, six grams of fiber, 15% of the daily allowance of iron, no additives, and no added sugar, these vegan bars are perfect for breakfast on the go, road trips, or heading out for a day of outdoor activities.
 
I loved this bar. I mean, really loved it. Sometimes I get a hankering for chocolate that just will not quit, but I definitely do not want to reach for some sugar-laden chocolate bar or something of that nature. So, instead, I can eat half (or all) of a Cashew Chip CORE Bar and feel totally satisfied without that icky feeling you get after eating something super sweet.
 
The Cashew Chip CORE bar is kind of like an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie but not as sweet. Basically, it’s awesome.
 
Like all of their bars and meal bars – and any real food – these bars are perishable, which means you can store them in the freezer for up to two years, your refrigerator for two months or at room temperature for one week. Storing them in the freezer works great, because it only takes about 10 minutes for them to thaw, which means you can set one out for breakfast while you are getting ready or you can throw one in your backpack for later in the day.

The short, easy-to-pronounce ingredient list for the Bananut Dream CORE Bar includes organic gluten free oats, organic cashews, organic walnuts, organic banana, filtered water, organic flaxseed, organic coconut, and organic cinnamon. This one has seven grams of protein, five grams of fiber, 10% of the daily allowance for iron, and no added sugar.
 
If you are a fan of banana nut bread, oatmeal cookies and cinnamon, you are going to love this bar. It’s like the perfect combination of these three examples of deliciousness and, since there is no added sugar, it’s a cleaner taste where you can taste each of the real-food flavors without that overwhelming sweetness that should only be found in cupcakes but is often found in snack and meal bars made by other companies.
 
Like the Cashew Chip bar, the Bananut Dream bar is a filling, tasty option that is completely portable and ready to go for some quick fuel between meetings or activities. While I do take this one with me when I’m going to have a long day away from home, my favorite way to enjoy it is at home with some hot tea.

You can purchase CORE bars (and CORE Meal bars, granola and tonics) online at the CORE Foods website. You can also find CORE bars in Whole Foods Markets and in tons of stores across the country. Use their handy store locator to find one near you.
 
If you purchase your bars on the CORE Foods website, you might want to sign up for their subscribe and save option, which means you will get your bars automatically delivered to you at an interval of your choosing and with a 5% discount. (Total yay for discounts!)
 
When shopping for CORE bars or meal bars, always glance at the end of the ingredient list to make sure it says “(VEGAN),” since some of their bars have whey. 

The ayurvedic superfood snack, AshaPops, is brought to us by mother and son team, Asha and Jai. Growing up in India, Asha regularly enjoyed popped water lily seeds as a healthy, flavorful snack, so, when Jai couldn’t find any healthy snacks that really satisfied him, Mom set out to fix that by combining her childhood snack with modern flavors that would tempt his taste buds.
 
After perfecting a handful of flavors ranging from sweet to savory, Asha and Jai brought AshaPops to the public, and I am SO glad that they did. Seriously, y’all, I cannot stop eating them. I tried a few of each of the flavors I received so that I could tell you about the flavor and texture, and then I sealed the bags and set them on my desk so that I could reference the labels while writing. Problem is, I keep stopping to open them back up and steal a few more, which basically means I am getting no work done today – just snacking.
 
Most of you – like me – are probably not that familiar with water lily seeds, so maybe we should start there. According to the AshaPops website, the Euryale Ferox is a water lily plant that grows in India, the seeds of which are recommended as part of a healing, ayurvedic diet. Water lily seeds are widely considered an Indian superfood and can be puffed to create plant-based snacks that are satisfying and delicious.

AshaPops popped water lily seeds are vegan, paleo, gluten free, corn free, soy free, grain free, and non-GMO, so that is already pretty awesome. They also have short ingredient lists containing only ingredients that are familiar and easy to read and pronounce. Asafoetida might be the only exception to the easy-to-pronounce part for Westerners, but this is a common spice used in India made from dried resin from the roots of fennel plants. It has a flavor reminiscent of onion and has historically been used medicinally to treat infections, such as bronchitis and whooping cough.
 
Something else I love about AshaPops is that you are only taking in 100 calories if you eat the entire bag of one of the savory options and 120 calories if you down the whole bag of the Dark Chocolate. Plus, these snacks offer that savory flavor and crunchiness that makes them super satisfying and filling.
 
Did I mention that one serving has four grams of protein? Yeah, this is just one more example of how vegans and vegetarians can get plenty of protein from plant-based foods – even our snacks.
 
Another bonus if you live in SoCal or Central California – AshaPops are handmade and dry roasted in Los Angeles, so you get to support small business and local business when you buy these healthy, vegan snacks!
 
Not to worry, if you don’t live in California, they offer free shipping nationwide, so you can enjoy these tasty treats across the country. Plus, no matter where you live, when you purchase AshaPops, you are helping support growers, since AshaPops gives 5% of net proceeds to help growers and their families in low-income areas.
 
Okay, now that we know how awesome AshaPops are, let’s talk flavors.

The Bombay Pepper Masala AshaPops have four grams of protein, two grams of fat, 35% of the daily allowance of manganese, 15% of magnesium, 15% of thiamin, 10% of vitamin B6, 10% of phosphorous, 8% or iron, and 8% of potassium.
 
I love pretty much anything with masala or pepper, so I was pretty sure I was going to love these, which I did. If you like your savory snacks to have just a little bit of a kick, this is the flavor you should try. I definitely wouldn’t call it spicy, but there was more of a kick in this flavor than in the other two that I tried. These are awesomely savory and crunchy, so I would definitely give this flavor a try.
 
If I can manage to not eat the entire bag tonight, I’m thinking these would be perfect in place of croutons on a salad tomorrow.

The Turmeric AshaPops have four grams of protein, 2.5 grams of fat, and 30% of the daily allowance of manganese, 15% of magnesium, 15% of phosphorous, 15% of thiamin, 10% of vitamin B6, 8% of folate, and 8% of potassium.
 
This is my favorite of the three I have tried. Now, I should point out that I have not yet tried the Vegan Cheese AshaPops, so those might be the winner once I have had a chance to taste them, but, for now, Turmeric is my fave. I have a couple of days during the week when I have to do a lot of driving and need to bring enough food with me to last throughout the day. The Turmeric AshaPops are exactly the type of healthy, filling snack I want with me on those days. 

The Dark Chocolate AshaPops have three grams of protein, one gram of fat, and 15% of the daily allowance of manganese, 10% of magnesium, 8% of thiamin, 8% of phosphorous, 6% of vitamin B6, and 6% of potassium.
 
I don’t know why, but I can’t help but think of chocolatey, puffed cereal when I eat these. In fact, I’m seriously thinking of bathing them in coconut milk in the morning and having them for breakfast. I’m usually a savory snack kind of girl, but I do tend to look for something a bit sweeter after meals or when I’m working late into the night. The Dark Chocolate AshaPops have just the right level of sweetness to perfectly cure that craving. 

You can buy AshaPops straight from Asha and Jai at AshaPops.com or through their shop on Amazon.

I received product samples at no charge so that I could try this product and give you my honest opinion.

I met two of the ladies of Le Clairer at the Your Plant Based Guide Conference earlier this year and – as I am with pretty much any vegan, organic skincare line – I was immediately interested. Believe me, this girl can hoard some skincare products.
 
So, when they offered to provide me with a product to review for Cheap Vegan Chick, I jumped at the chance. Given a couple of options, I chose the Rose Geranium lip balm – mostly because my love of rosewater has expanded to nearly any skincare product that smells like roses.
 
Aside from lip balm, Le Clairer offers body butters, facial scrubs, toners, creams, massage oils, and soaps.
 
Le Clairer currently offers four options in their line of lip balms: Lavender, Green Tea & Peppermint, Orange, and Rose Geranium. At the time of this writing, there are $3.99 each and can be ordered on the Le Clairer website.

However – and this is a big however – the lip balms on the website have beeswax on their ingredients list, so you may need to contact them directly to inquire about purchasing their vegan options. The Rose Geranium lip balm I received at the plant-based conference clearly states that it is vegan on the label, and there is no mention of beeswax in the ingredients.
 
Here are the ingredients in the Le Clairer vegan lip balm I reviewed:
 
MCT oil
Organic rice bran wax
Organic olive oil
Organic moringa oil
Organic coconut oil
Organic rose concentrated oil
Organic avocado oil
Organic mango butter
Organic geranium essential oil
 
It looks like most of their products are vegan and made with organic ingredients, so that is awesome. Just be sure to check the ingredients list or shoot them an email before ordering.

an Lip Balm Review
 
The Rose Geranium lip balm I have been testing for the last few months goes on quite smoothly and is not at all heavy or waxy. It has held up better than expected while being toted around in warmer temperatures, which Le Clairer credits to the inclusion of moringa oil.
 
The scent seems to be a bit more geranium than rose to me, so if you are a geranium fan, this is going to be perfect for you. If not, you might want to try one of the other scents; I think I’m leaning towards trying the Orange next.
 
If you try one of the other scents, leave a comment and let us know what you thought of it!