Heel In Mint

Healing Pantry : Bahamii Nut & Date Bars Review

Heel In Mint — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 04:54:32 +0000

Bahamii Nut & Date Bars

Do you snack on nut & date bars? or just nuts & dates? While trail mixes with nut & dates are super healthy, they are also so inconvenient to carry around. If you’re looking for non sticky nut & date bars that are easy to snack on and convenient to carry, this post might be useful to you.

This week I got to try a yummy date & nut bar from a brand called Bahamii. I’m not new to date bars and have been snacking on these for decades. I love trying new brands out just out of curiosity and a quest to discover fresh new flavors. These healthy, nutritious and energizing snacks are super convenient to carry, easy to use (unlike the messy shakes) and will keep you satiated for hours. You can take them to school, work, camp trips, hikes or anywhere you can think of.

Sounds good, doesnt it? Oh and.. a generous hint of sea salt in these bars enhances all the yummy flavors in them leaving your taste buds wanting more and the mineral content in the salt is great for athletes who might need some minerals to spring back quickly and avoid cramping.

Pros: No mess. Easy to consume nutritious & super delicious bite-sized pieces per each bar. Total 6 bars in a box.

Cons: Some might feel like the bars are too tiny but I’m okay with it.

This California brand started by three brothers has a tropical beachy tropical vibe to it and the flavors will transport you to tropical places. I opted for coconut vanilla flavor and they were super yummy You can learn more about the company & its creators by clicking on this link -~

https://www .instagram.com/p/CtR8vbqvANl/?igshid=NjZiM2M3MzIxNA ==i

To be honest, I try to make nut & date bars at home whenever possible but I also do buy them from the health stores occasionally when I have no time to make them. Hope you get to try this brand and like it as much as I do. Do you snack on nut & date bars? Which brand is your favorite? Looking forward to reading your comments.

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Protected: Spring Forward In Style – With Sustainability On Your Mind

Heel In Mint — Tue, 30 May 2023 17:00:08 +0000

The post Protected: Spring Forward In Style – With Sustainability On Your Mind first appeared on Heel In Mint.

Healin’ Finds – 5 Sustainable NonToxic Products You Must Try

Heel In Mint — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 02:45:01 +0000

Review - 5 Sustainable Non Toxic Products You Might Want to Try

In this post, I’ll be shining light on 5 sustainable products that I’ve been trying out for a while and my experiences with them. If you’ve been following me, here on my blog or social media, you know I’ve been into sustainable products and low waste lifestyle for decades now. It’s been a journey, always an imperfect but a progressive one. Changing times have no doubt made this journey a lot easier than ever before. It does help to be surrounded by plethora of options in the market today, especially compared to the 90s, and the system has come to embrace low waste businesses more wholeheartedly than ever before. Of course, this is a blessing and a curse considering the fact that we are now bombarded with plethora of choices to blow our minds out. And, to add to this, mainstream mega companies getting into this space and buying out small organic companies out, especially under the radar and keeping a low profile, has given a loud thriving space for loads of low quality ad-promotion heavy products with hidden ingredients, leading to watering down of our favorites and giving rise to greenwashing. The ones who started out on this path early on have seen this covert buy-outs explode from less harmful minor mergers to threatening mega takeovers.

3 Things to Support Sustainable Businesses

While this buying-out of smaller companies out by bigger mega conglomerates is a fact and something we have no control over, here are a list of things you can do if you want to go low waste and help the environment by supporting sustainable businesses –

1. Going vegan or eating as plant based as possible. If you can’t go vegan, try vegetarian or high-vegetarian diet.

2. Reducing consumption – Buy consciously, maintain your products so they last for a long time, and dispose it off in a way that doesn’t damage the environment. Also, try going for natural, compostable or biodegradable products like bamboo or hemp whenever possible.

3. Buy Local and Small – Buying from small local companies you’re familiar with, you can reduce your carbon footprints and help our environment.

Coming down to the product reviews, I’ve been using some of these new sustainable finds and wanted to share my thoughts and experiences here. If you’re trying to adopt a more sustainable and low waste lifestyle, and trying to find ecofriendly swaps, these products might be something you might want to consider. Here is my take on these 5 Sustainable products I’ve been trying out for about two years or so –

Review on 5 Sustainable products

Vitamix Stainless Steel Blenders –

Vitamix finally decided to carry steel blenders! How cool and exciting is that???? Steel is always welcome in our house and for many reasons: steel is strong, durable, easy to clean, and most of all, a sustainable nontoxic material that has been used for hundreds of years unlike synthetic plastics.

Here are my pros and cons about the new steel blender –

Pros –

– Strong, durable and built to last. If you’re into sustainability, this is a major plus.

– Steel is a non toxic, safe and non reactive material so no worrying about chemicals from plastics leaching into your food.

– Steel is also versatile so you can use it for hot or cold food. You don’t have to worry about hot or acidic food leaching toxins out of the container into the food either.

– Super easy to clean up and stays cleaner longer unlike plastic jars. All you need is some baking soda and a bit of dish soap. Yes, it does get stained if you use ingredients such as cocoa or turmeric and needs some good scrubbing but this beats plastic jars any day. The area near the blades is harder to clean and fibers from the brushes can get caught up in it which can be a pain to get rid of.

– No more cloudy, dull and scratched out ugly containers. Considering the fact that plastic jars are transparent, it’s hard to conceal the scratches, food stains or cloudiness. No need to worry about that problem here.

– Less guilt when it’s time to throw out worn out containers. Unlike plastic, metal is recyclable and non toxic to wildlife or the planet. (There are some plastic parts but it doesn’t come in contact with the food. For example – the BPA free lid and the bottom part of the container that attaches to the base)

Cons –

On the not so bright side,

– Sharp edges near the spout and base area of the containers that could cut you off if you’re not careful, especially while cleaning the blender container. The base could scratch your tables if you aren’t careful. It would’ve been better if the sharp edges were rounded off for safety purpose.

– It would be helpful if they had bigger sized jars too for the same price. 48 oz is good for 2 – 2 1/2 cups max but if you’re going to make smoothies for 4, you might not be able to do this in one go using the container.

– Steel can be noisy and some might find it a bit annoying. I know a few in my family who find the noise really annoying.

– Expensive. Why? I don’t know but it shouldn’t be in my opinion.

– Not a Local Made Product – I’m not against globalization or foreign made products but I follow the philosophy – first local, then global. I would prefer locally made products because this reduces our dependency on fossil fuel used for transportation, which means less pollution that leads to climate crisis we currently are in. May be they can have manufacturing in different countries and sell them right there locally? It’s more sustainable and probably economical.

You can buy here –

Vitamix 48 oz. Stainless Steel Container ~
https://www.vitamix.com/us/en_us/shop/48-ounce-stainless-steel-container

Would I recommend it? Yes, yes and yes! Here are changes I would like to see –

1) Hope they bring down the price,

2) Expand their assortment by adding bigger sized jars to their collection, and..

3) Round off the sharp edges for safety purposes.

Banyan Tree Toothpowder –

Toothpastes come housed in plastic tubes and it’s definitely not sustainable nor healthy for us. While on my quest to find a product to replace my Redmond clay toothpaste, I stumbled upon this brand and their toothcare products. Here are my pros and cons –

Pros –

– Easy to use. It can be dusty and go all over if you’re new to powders but with some tricks, this is pretty easy to use. Use a small spoon to pick a pinch of the product into the palms of your hand and go over this with your wet brush. This might take some time to get used to it but once perfected, it becomes second nature in my opinion.

– Cleans well but the lack of strong peppermint overtones might leave some people feeling like the end result is not clean enough.

– Non toxic organic ingredients that have been part of Ayurveda for thousands of years standing the test of time for effectiveness and safety. No unnecessary filler ingredients which is a plus.

– Lasts about a month plus. I honestly haven’t counted but it feels like it has enough product for a month or plus use (for one person using this on a regular basis 2x a day).

– Comes in a glass jar with a metal lid so yay for that. No plastic anywhere (except packaging may be).

Cons –

– To some (like my kids), this product might taste like ash and smell like ash but I actually don’t have a problem there. Ash and mud to me are not yucky, plastic derived from fossil fuel is in my opinion

– It doesn’t have a strong flavor. Many prefer strong peppermint or cinnamon flavored toothpaste but here the flavor is barely there.

– it can stain the teeth a bit. It might be the charcoal in it or something else. It’s not a stain that sticks and is easy to remove using baking soda.

Overall, I love it and would buy again and again. They should think about improving the flavor and make it taste more refreshing (more peppermint-y or cinnamon-y may be). And, find a way to prevent the staining issue.

You can buy here:

Banyan Tree Toothpowder

Georganics Floss –

Single use floss made of plastic to me seems like a bigger problem than plastic toothbrushes that get thrown away after about three – six months of use. Millions of tooth brushes are thrown away each year and land up in our landfills, where they don’t biodegrade for years, polluting our environment. These flosses are made of peace or ahimsa silk and are biodegradable. I would’ve preferred vegan plant based one but that’s pretty hard to find so this is the best option right now. Right now, I’m testing a bamboo based one which I’ll be reviewing in a few months. Here are my pros cons list for this floss –

Pros –

– Minty flavored and effective at doing what it is supposed to do.

– Glass jar casing that can be reused.

– Decent quantity of floss which lasts for months (may be three to 4? Haven’t really counted here)

Cons –

– Can’t think of any. I know some hardcore vegans don’t like using even ahimsa silk but if I have to choose between plastic and this, I would honestly prefer this.

If you could use bamboo toothbrushes, you would prevent plastic toothbrushes from ending up in landfills. Considering the fact that millions of toothbrushes land up in our landfills, this is something to think about. Read about toothbrushes pollution here on Fast Company

You can buy here: Boston General Store

Kahina Restorative Serum –

Pros

– Smells great. Has a luxurious light floral scent to me.

– Helps with dryness and extremely nourishing to skin.

– Has many Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant oils such as carrot seed, pomegranate seed and sea buckthorn oils to protect skin from environmental aggressors. With all the Vitamin A, C, E, and Omegas, your skin gets all the nutrients it needs to restore your skin every night.

– Good size and content for the price.

– Clean and non toxic ingredient profile full of organic ingredients.

– Has caffeine in it which I love. Doesn’t smell like coffee but it wakes up my skin in my opinion. I love skin products with caffeine in them.

– Luxurious dark bottle that looks upscale and protect the ingredients from light induced degradation. Also, the cap creates an airtight seal which helps protect the ingredients from degradation but sometimes it’s a little hard to open the bottle (but I’m fine with that).

Cons –

– Expensive but then again when you consider the fact that this is a higher end natural brand, the price tag is not exactly ridiculous. There are many lower end serums that are as good as these so no need to fret if you can’t afford this brand.

Overall, I love this product and would buy again. I don’t use makeup at all so I rely on my skincare and lifestyle to stay makeup free. And, I don’t expect to look photoshopped and completely embrace the look of natural skin.

Buy here –

Kahina Restorative Serum

Meow Meow Tweet Soaps –

I tried both rosemary and lavender ones for about 2 years. Both work well and decent at cleaning but don’t count on them to remove oil. If you’re into oil treatments, you might require three to 4 – 5 washes to get your hair clean.

Pros

No extra packaging here – comes wrapped in a compostable paper with zero writing on it.

Smells delightful, clean and natural.

Definitely would buy again for regular use.

Cons:

Not a great product for taking off oil. It might take 3-4 washes to get all the oil off you hair so if you’re into oil hair treatments, you might want to keep this in mind.

You can Buy here:

Meow Meow Tweet Shampoo Bars

Herbivore Botanicals Coconut Sea Mist Texturizing Salt Spray & Hair Mist –

Herbivore Mist

Pros

This spray smells like tropical heaven and so versatile to use! While it does give you that most coveted sexy beachy hair, the product use can go beyond haircare.

When summer is over, this can be used as linen or room spray. Considering the fact that salt is detoxifying, this is probably a great use for detoxifying our space while adding that dreamy tropical coconut scent to the air and boost aromatherapy benefits.

Cons

Not all ingredients are organic but they are natural.

You can buy here:

Herbivore Botanicals Coconut Sea Mist Salt Spray & Hair Mist

Hope you’ll get to try these products and like them

Something to think about:

Micro plastics are everywhere and these small pieces of plastics which are fragments from broken down plastic garbage (less than 5 mm in diameter) end up in our landfills, soil, air, ocean, lakes and even our food! The study which was published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry estimates that the average adult consumes approximately 2000 micro plastics per year, from salt alone! Marine animals also eat these and through food chain, these end up in our bodies. These micro plastics are residue from our clothing, packaging, cosmetics, detergents and other items we use in our daily lives. We need to address this issue and going low or zero waste is the best way to do it.

“What’s the use of a fine house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on.”
~ Henry David Thoreau

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Heel In Trends – Summer Hues

Heel In Mint — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 02:42:50 +0000

Summer Hues

Summer is in and blooming sunny hues are in. It’s time to flash forward and inject some color into our summer wardrobe. Incorporating color is one of the easiest ways to perk up our summer outfits but if you’re like me, you want to add pieces that are not only stylish but also well made, easy to maintain, natural and sustainable. Here are some of my favorite hues that I would love to incorporate into my Summer wardrobe –

Sunny Side Up

One of the hues with a bright, positive and energetic vibe, yellows are known to radiate positive and cheery energy which is perfect way to jump start the summer season. Yellow hues from orange, citrus, lemons to marigold and all the sunny hues are sure to drag you out of your winter blues.

Sunny Hues

Salvatore Ferragamo Spring 2021 Ready-to-Wear Collection

FAITHFULL THE BRAND Gianna Shirred Checked Linen Midi Dress ~ $ 309

REFORMATION Carolena Floral – Print Georgette Midi Dress ~ $ 250

INTERMIX Private Label Aubrey Smocked Poplin Midi Dress ~ $229

Popelin Puffed Sleeves Dress ~ $119.99

ANNA MASON Lily Bow – Detailed Cold – Shoulder Gingham Cotton Midi Dress ~ $ 597

STAUD Cleo tiered stretch-cotton midi dress ~ $ 335

Sweet Butterfly Dream Dress – Nana Jacqueline ~ $449

A Case of Blues

Blues bring a major dose of peace, tranquility and serenity to balance out the chaotic world we live in these days. When in trouble, look up and enjoy the beauty of endless skies, or look far beyond and enjoy the endless oceans for soaking up the vast world of infinite possibilities.

Case of Blues

Hugo Boss Spring Summer 2021 RTW Collection

REFORMATION Paxton Broderie Anglaise Organic Cotton – Voile Mini Dress ~ $ 175

ACNE STUDIOS + NET SUSTAIN oversized ombré organic cotton-jersey T-shirt ~ $ 175

Merlette Vallarta Smocked and Tiered Dress ~ $480

Aje Mimosa Puff Sleeve Mini Dress ~ $525

Green Envy

Refreshing, conscious and enduring, the hue reminds you to keep growing and be sustainable. Green Apple and evergreens to mint and olives, this refreshing hue is a great addition to our closets.

FAITHFULL THE BRAND + NET SUSTAIN Le Galet Paisley – Print Crepe Midi Dress ~ $160.30

BY MALENE BIRGER Disemma Gathered Tiered Cotton – Poplin Maxi Dress ~ $ 375

BELLA FREUD Belted cotton-twill jacket ~ 332.50

The Nima Dress ~ $175

SELF-PORTRAIT Belted broderie anglaise cotton-twill shorts ~ $ 162.50

INTERMIX Private Label Julianna Silk Shirt Dress ~ $ 199

Xirena Hale Shirt in Olive Palm ~ $ 189

Aje Darcel Oversized Denim Jacket ~ $ 209

FIL DE VIE + NET SUSTAIN Medina belted tiered linen midi dress ~ $ 390

Pretty Pink Potion

Pinks, berries, corals and all the pink-red shades are perfect to capture the blooming spirit of spring – summer’s blooming live-filled spirit. If magenta and shocking pinks are too much for you, you could go for softener muted pinks such as burnt coral pink and clay pinks.

MAX MARA Bairo Gathered Cotton – Poplin Shirt Dress ~ $ 805

Azeeza Rory Puff Sleeve Dress ~ $995

MATTEAU + NET SUSTAIN open-back tiered cotton and silk-blend voile maxi dress ~ $ 292

Merlette Paradis Dress ~ $ 294

XíRENA Scout Cotton Gauze Shirt ~ $ 119

ZARA Poplin Shirt from Ecologically Green Cotton

Ulla Johnson Palma Cotton Poplin Midi Dress ~ $425

RHODE Gina Tiered Cotton Midi Wrap Dress ~ $ 262

Sleeper Brigitte Linen Mini Dress ~ $ 260

CARIUMA : IBI Low Rose Knit Sneaker Women ~ $ 98

LoveShackFancy Norleen Smocked Floral Crop Top ~ $ 175

RHODE Ella Cotton Poplin Mini Dress ~ $ 239

ZIMMERMANN Botanica Silk-Linen Midi Skirt ~ $ 995

Gray Area

Pretty much a neutral to go with other hues. Sophisticated, refined and futuristic yet warm, effortless and approachable, versatile grays are great addition to our summer closets.

Gray Area

Giorgio Armani Spring 2021 Ready-to-Wear Collection

INTERMIX Private Label | Jackie Wool-Cashmere Sweater Dress ~ $ 298

INTERMIX Private Label Roya Cashmere Cardigan ~ $ 278

IRO Sirma Linen-Blend Blazer ~ $ 369

BROCK COLLECTION Linen and cotton-blend midi skirt ~ $675. 50

Light Whites

Easy breezy white pieces with an air of dreamy coastal romance are a must in our warm weather wardrobe. Beiges and off whites are good too.

Light Whites

Carolina Herrera Spring 2021 Ready-to-Wear Collection

FAITHFULL THE BRAND + NET SUSTAIN Jacinta Cropped Tie – Front Linen Top ~ $ 149

ÀCHEVAL PAMPA Chiquita ruffled pussy-bow cotton-voile blouse ~ $ 174

SIR. knot cropped bralette top white

SEA Hazel Broderie Anglaise Cotton – Poplin Midi Dress ~ $ 295

MELISSA ODABASH Aliyah Crocheted Cotton – Voile Wrap Mini Dress ~ $ 120.50

Mango Openwork Organic Cotton Blouse ~ $ 29.99

ÀCHEVAL PAMPA Antonia Gathered Linen Midi Dress ~ $ 267.50

GUCCI + NET SUSTAIN + Disney Embroidered Organic Cotton – Jersey Sweatshirt ~ $ 1300

Aje Reine Ruffled Mini Skirt ~ $ 179

Merlette Majorelle Hand-Smocked Cotton Blouse ~ $ 380

Ganni Ruffled Organic Cotton Poplin Crop Top ~ $ 109

Cult Gaia Lola Side-Tie Midi Dress ~ $358

Zara OPENWORK EMBROIDERED DRESS ~ $ 59.99

Mango Ruffled Linen Dress ~ $ 79.99

Desert Hues

Go on a desert drive by incorporating hues that remind of earth desert scapes. Hues such as camels, tan, sand, terra-cotta, burnt corals are perfect addition to our spring / summer closets.

Desert Hues

Alberta Ferretti Spring Summer 2021 RTW Collection

FAITHFULL THE BRAND + NET SUSTAIN Alberte Open – Back Shirred Linen Midi Dress ~ $ 173.40

CCotton Crochet Cardigan ~ $ 39.99

Flared Poplin Skirt ~ $ 79.99

Merlette Paradis Tiered Midi Dress ~ $ 420

WALES BONNER Youth Belted Cotton-Poplin Midi Shirt Dress ~ $ 332

STAUD Giorgiana Cutout Linen Midi Dress ~ $ 350

Jonathan Simkhai Sanaya Crochet Tank ~ $ 245

Marissa Webb Emmerson Tie – Waist Linen Shirt ~ $ 345

Zimmerman Brighton Scallop Mini Dress ~ $ 790

Hope this post helps you invest in effortless and stylish pieces that you can wear for decades.

Here is one sustainable tip ~ if you’re going to buy pieces made of synthetic or synthetic blends, make sure they are pieces don’t need frequent washing like coats or jackets. You can also use bags made to catch synthetic fibers so they don’t land up in our water ways, oceans and rivers.

“Infinite growth of material consumption in a finite world is an impossibility.” ~ E.F. Schumacher

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Heel into Eco-Trends: Sustainable Trends for 2021

Heel In Mint — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 04:21:31 +0000

Sustainable Trends for 2021 and beyond - Plant based diets, Japandi and more

2020 made us reflect on our consumption and out of it emerged a need to consider sustainability when it comes to design. While there are many exhibitionist trends on the side, the focus here is on minimalism and sustainability without the bland factor. It’s time for us to think, live, eat and wear sustainably in 2021.

What trends to catch on to that are good for our health, other living beings and the planet as a whole? Heel into Eco-Trends and consider these top sustainable trends for 2021 –

Sustainable Trends for 2021

Plant Based Diets –

Trend – Plant Based Diets

With the issue of climate change on everyone’s mind, 2021 will most likely see an uptrend in plant based diets. Plant based diets will soon become the ‘It’ thing. Experts in the industry have been shedding light on the extent to which food production is being a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. We can’t side with convenient-for-us science and ignore responsible science anymore. According to a Yale University study, 94 % of Americans say they are willing to eat more plant based, while 55 percent say they would be open to consuming plant-based meat alternatives. The best way to transition into plant based is taking it one baby step at a time, may be start with Meatless Mondays?

And, If you love fried crunchy food, you might want to look into air fryers. There was a time when there was huge obsession over instapots, well, airfryers are the new obsession. The only thing negative side I notice here is that pretty much all air fryers have plastic parts and if you’re into low waste / zero waste lifestyle like me, this is a deal breaker.

Conscious Chic

Trend – Conscious Chic

Beyond reducing diet-related impact on climate crises, consumers might be looking forward to shopping more consciously with sustainability in mind, not just in the food category but in other categories as well, looking for more locally sourced ingredients and sustainably packaged goods. Data from searches show need to go for local, women owned and BIPOC- owned brands, retailers and goods are steadily rising.

Skin Is In –

Trend – Skin Is In

Skin is in, and demand for effortless skincare routine and natural makeup that can help us reveal our own natural glowing skin is on the rise (Read here). It’s all about simple, effective and sustainable skincare – concoctions, routine and coverups. Think – Homemade masks, skin serums, face yoga, natural makeup that doesn’t need much effort.

Above I made some Upcycled Coffee Scrub which is pretty simple –

You can mix up used coffee grounds with some salt (Epsom, Celtic or anything you prefer), sugar, oil (olive, coconut or anything you prefer) and essential oils. Watch out, the mix can be slippery so be careful while using this in the shower. Store in repurposed glass jars.

Here are some organic oils to try –

Botanics Restoring Overnight Facial oil

Ora Organic Beyoutiful Hair, Skin & Nails Supplement

One Love Organics Botanical E Youth Preservation Serum

UpCircle Organic Face Serum With Coffee Oil

JAPANDI Design

Trend – Japandi

Image – Architectural Digest

A delight to minimalistic design lovers, this trend is a beautiful blend between Scandinavian functional minimalism and Japanese simple organic elegance. The end result is a simple, refined yet organic, and functional space with a major tranquil-minimalism aesthetic. Placing spotlight on both functionality and tranquil-minimalism aesthetic with art, nature and simple sleek lines taking precedence. This trend saw a 100% increase in search on Pinterest. Think – sleek lines, airy feel, neutral color palette, warm and natural textures, and eco friendly sustainable materials. Light blonde-ish woods, wooden platform beds, modern matte pottery, elegant plants and streamlined storage to reduce clutter. Japandi is a great trend to consider if sustainability is an important factor to you. Here are few beautiful visuals for you – here , here, here

Some items I love – here, here, here, here

Versatile Elevated Loungewear

Image: Vogue Via Pinterest – Proenza Schouler Spring 2021 Ready-to-Wear Collection

With remote working becoming the norm, business casuals are out and comfy polished loungewear that can double as workwear is in. Being one of the top predicted trends for 2021, this trend is a keeper and great for sustainability. Think – coordinated cotton knitwear sets, polished sweats & a hoodie, effortless jumpsuits, elegant home dresses. This is where comfort and effortless flare meets polished and statement making flair.

What trends posted here excite you the most? Are you going to try any of these? If yes, how and why? Please leave your comments below. Would love the hear from you. Happy Spring

Spring: a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be ~ Unknown

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Healin’ Lifestyle – Is Biodegradable Good For The Planet?

Heel In Mint — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 23:00:52 +0000

Are Biodegradable Products Good for the Planet?

Are biodegradable products really good for the planet? Turns out biodegradable single-use products aren’t really as good for the planet as you might think. Here is why –

1. These biodegradable single-use products such as bottles, straws, and bags can’t degrade under normal conditions. To biodegrade properly, these products need highly controlled environments which don’t happen in reality. So, it’s crucial for us to learn about the time and conditions needed for these materials to break down so we can make better buying decisions.

2. Some of these products such as bottles and cans often contain plastic lining or chemicals that are unable to naturally degrade.

3. Studies have found that degradation of bio-plastics in the guts of sea turtles is no different than plastic. These end up as litter and are potentially deadly food for ocean animals such as fish, seabirds, whales, turtles etc.

4. Most often these products end up in our landfills and contribute to releasing greenhouse gas emissions into our environment.

5. These products are single use and aren’t renewable so they use up resources and natural raw materials from corn starch to bamboo.

Just because something is made from plants and are plant-based plastics, doesn’t mean they are good for the environment or our planet. The better solution is to say no to all kinds of single-use products including the biodegradable ones. This includes – biodegradable bottles, biodegradable containers, biodegradable plastic bags, and biodegradable straws.

If you think paper and bamboo based products are better, think again. Paper-based products such as paper bags might lead to deforestation, and bamboo straws to carbon footprint since it has to go through all that transportation.

The best thing to do is go for reusable natural options – Cloth bags like cotton or jute, glass or steel bottles, steel or glass straws, etc.

Hope this post is helpful and will lead you to make more conscious buying decisions in the future.

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Healin’ Gifts – Sustainable Gift Guide

Heel In Mint — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 01:23:57 +0000

Gift Guide For Holidays and Beyond

Shopping for gifts can be an overwhelming process for many of us. This is especially true when you have style and sustainability in mind. Looking for Sustainable gifts isn’t easy at all – pieces that are enduring, modern, well-made, versatile, affordable, healthy for us and planet can be hard to find. Here are a few pieces that might serve as great gift ideas for you –

Holiday Gifts

Everlane Cashmere Scarf, Gucci GG Marmont Super-Mini Quilted Leather Shoulder Bag, Agnelle Leather Gloves, Portolano Quilted Gloves, Anderson’s Croc-Effect Belt, Opus Mind Leather Saddle Bag, Catbird Dollhouse Necklace

Holiday Gifts

Reformation Carmelina Dress, Reformation Alexea Dress, Reformation Hedi Dress, Anine Bing Leopard Shirt, Olivia von Halle Pajama Set, Alighieri Rosh Mahtani Pearl Earrings

Holiday Gifts

RMS Beauty Master Mixer, Cocokind Organic Ultra Chlorophyll Face Mask, Collina Strada Rhinestone Water Bottle, Kitsch Silk Mask, Herbivore Botanicals Jewel Box, Fujifilm Mini Link Smartphone Printer

FOR MEN

Holiday Gifts

Everlane Men’s The Grade-A Cashmere Crew, Everlane Men’s The ReCashmere Crew, Everlane The Men’s Trainer, Everlane The Wool-Cashmere Blanket Scarf, Silk Pillowcase in Midnight, William Lockie Gloves

Remember, what we consume ends up consuming us. Buy with care, buy less and buy quality. If you’re into Marie Kondo’s philosophy then you should know that the first step to a clutter-free and minimalistic lifestyle is being conscious of what you bring into the house because they all ultimately turn into a gigantic mess.

Say no to gifts if you think people are not into the concept of minimalistic and low-waste lifestyle. And if they insist, ask them to just gift you a bunch of flowers, organic wine or adaptogenic chocolates. Saying no to gifts might be awkward at first but people will eventually appreciate it and respect your honesty. I personally think it’s more disrespectful when people exchange gifts as Rachel does on Friends, never use them (collecting dust) or donate them away.

If we are going to give gifts then we might as well make it sustainable and chic, something they can also use on an everyday basis and something they really need – For example: sweaters and gloves. Sustainable gifts don’t have to be perfect but they have to be bought with some thought and care. I hope you like this list, find the tips helpful and find something you love. Let me know what you think. Happy Holidays

“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.”

~ Rachel Zoe

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Healin’ Travel – Road Trip Tips For a Vegan

Heel In Mint — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 01:55:45 +0000

Long Road Trip Tips For Vegans

Road trips are fun, but taking a long road trip as a vegan isn’t easy at all. Traveling is hard to begin with, but if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you are bound to have more problems than usual.

If vegan is the only box you have to check then it might be a lot easier for you to find restaurants anywhere you go (I mean these days vegan restaurants are everywhere!). But if you are looking for anything more like organic or sustainable, you might spend most of your traveling time on hunting for places to eat.

Vegan Road Trip Tips

Vegan doesn’t mean healthy unless you do it the right way. It has to be combined well and in whole-food form to get the most benefits out of it. Also, people who support veganism don’t realize how many land animals and sea creatures are killed due to micro-plastic pollution. These micro-plastics don’t degrade easily either, making it hard on our planet. There are plenty of articles online and on this site you can read to enlighten yourself on these topics. You can’t do vegan and use plastic; they go hand in hand (a quote by a good vegan friend of mine :))

That said, I am going to start off by leaving a few tips on how to travel as an organic and sustainable vegan, and cover some cool restaurants we found on our trip to Grand Canyon in my next upcoming post. I’m going to break it down to two posts so it won’t be too long and easier to digest

General Road Trip Tips For a Vegan

Road Trip Tips For Vegans

Pack Your Own Food – Driving during weekends and after hours can be a challenge food-wise. Most specialty restaurants, juice shops, and specialty groceries that carry vegan and organic food are closed or close early during weekends or after hours so you might have to pack your own food.

Carry a Lot of Dry Ingredients – Carry as much as dry based food as you can: fresh spun greens, nuts, seeds, dry cooked quinoa, dry brown or red rice, baked tempeh, dry cooked chick peas, carrots, cabbage, olives, dry fruits, dark chocolates, kale chips, protein bites, crackers, bread, wraps etc. Dressings, kimchi, pickles, salsa etc. can be carried in glass mason jars. These stay fresh all day so you can travel without worrying about food if you don’t find restaurants to eat on your way or if restaurant hours prevents you from eating there.

Make a List of All the Whole Foods on Your Way –

Road Trip isn’t the time to find and test new restaurants on your way, especially when you are traveling through small towns where specialty restaurants like healthy vegan restaurants are limited. If the food you’ve packed runs out, you can always shop at Whole Foods salad bar. It’s easier to locate Whole Foods in any place than local vegan restaurants, considering Whole Foods is everywhere. And, you don’t have to worry if the restaurants are good enough. It’s easier to experiment after you have reached your destination and have some time to scour the place for new places to eat.

Carry a Lot of Mason Jars – Carry water in mason jars which can be used later for takeout smoothies, breakfast like açaí bowl or oatmeal pudding or salad. Mason jars come in handy during travel and are multitasking.

Pack Extra Take-out Food – When restaurants are open and available, pack extra takeout food so if you don’t see restaurants on your way, you still have something to fall back on.

Take a Break – Road trips can be really hard on us, especially if it’s a long one. It’s good to stop for the nights, especially after 9-12 hours so you can take a break from driving, get some sleep (extremely important while going on a long road trip), and extend the freshness state of your food. Food that’s mostly in its dry form stays fresh for about 9-12 hours and after that, you might need to refrigerate to extend the freshness.

Get Fresh Air – After every few hours of being on the road, get out of the car at rest areas to get some fresh air. Also, walk a few minutes and drink tons of water which helps with digestion and circulation so you don’t feel stagnant after you reach your destination.

Take It Easy – When you’re on a road trip, you might not always get what you want and being a little flexible can make the road trip a lot easier on you (and people traveling with you :)). Traveling low waste was so much easier for us until Denver but not after that. We had to cave in and buy a few packaged organic food for our road trip from Denver to Grand Canyon because there was literally no sustainable vegan or vegetarian restaurant on our way. Doing the best we could was our motto and it made our journey a lot more easier on us.

Road Trip Tips For Grand Canyon Travelers

If you’re going on a road trip to Grand Canyon, it’s better to stay in Flagstaff and make sight-seeing trips to Grand Canyon or you’ll be driving to flagstaff frequently for food and spending hours searching for restaurants. Grand Canyon is pretty much useless for vegans and vegetarians who are into organic food and sustainability. I wish we knew this!

Restaurant Hunting and Screening For Vegan Travelers

Before calling, learn about the restaurants – their concept and philosophy. Take a look at their about page which gives you a good idea about who they are, what they stand for and what they believe in. Check their website for information about – how they source their ingredients, how they cook their food, their views on sustainability and health, their knowledge when it comes to nutrition etc. Also, take a look at their working hours so when you reach the place, the restaurants will still be open. If you like what you see, if their philosophy fits in with your philosophy, and hours fit into your travel schedule then call them to ask more detailed questions. Here are some questions that helped us find good places to eat –

How much of their ingredients are organic? Not many can make it 100 % so it’s good to know how hard they try to keep their menu organic.

How many vegan / vegetarian dishes do they have on their menu? More they have on their menu, it reflects on who they are and what they believe in.

Ask if they have prepackaged food? Many organic vegan / vegetarian whole food juice shops serve prepackaged food so ask before going there.

Ask if they package takeouts in compostable boxes or plastics. Many restaurants and juice shops offer food and freshly made juices in plastics so ask before going. You can take your own containers if possible.

Do they need reservations to eat there? Most don’t have reservations for takeouts but might require reservations to eat there so ask before going there.

Ask if they are flexible when it comes to substituting ingredients and modifying the recipe for customers. Some restaurants don’t mind customizing so ask if they are flexible enough to customize the recipe for you.

Hope this post is informative and helps make your road trips as a vegan / vegetarian much more enjoyable. If you have anything to add to this, leave your comments below

“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls.”

~ Anais Nin

Heel In Mint

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Healin’ Hair – Shampoo: Tried & Loved

Heel In Mint — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 21:47:23 +0000

Hair Products: Tried & Loved

If you’re in the market hunting for some great natural, organic and non-toxic hair-care products, you might want to read this post.

Well, I recently got to try some luxurious natural and non-toxic hair-care brands, and had to share my reviews over here –

These reviews are for shampoos only and not for the conditioners. A few years ago, I decided to replace the conditioner with warm oil treatment which is working well for me so far. It’s a lot lighter on hair and doesn’t build up like conditioners do but still pretty effective and one less product to deal with.

Anyways, here are all the shampoo products I’ve tried these past few months and hope you’ll find my review of these products useful –

Living Libations – Organic / Wildcrafted Seabuckthorn Shampoo

Packed with amazing ingredients such as seabuckthorn, jojoba oil, rosemary, nettles, horsetail, bladderwrack seaweed, and yucca, this shampoo does a great job at leaving your hair clean and shiny without all the nasty chemicals.

Pros: This shampoo comes in a refreshingly vibrant sunny-hued gel form and has a clean citrusy scent. The best thing about this shampoo is that it does an amazing job at removing oil from the hair with such effortless ease, even after all those hot oil treatments! It has a pretty decent lather for a natural shampoo. The product is super concentrated and super effective so you need only a tiny amount to do the job. This product lasts for a long time making it super cost effective.

Cons: The product is pretty pricey but again it’s super concentrated and super effective so I think it’s worth it. This product comes in a plastic bottle which is something I personally don’t prefer so that’s pretty much the only thing I don’t like about this product.

Rahua Voluminous Shampoo

This shampoo has an Amazon jungle vibe. This is a lush green-hued gel shampoo with a zesty eucalyptus-like scent. A combination of green tea, citrus juices, and lemongrass is supposed to remove product build-up and reduce oil production without drying hair or scalp. The star ingredient, Rahua oil, rich in omega-9, is known to fortify hair from within to help prevent breakage. Lavender and eucalyptus extracts offer a calm and uplifting aromatherapy experience.

Pros: This Shampoo has a pretty green hue, a super luxurious feel, and a refreshing and energizing scent. It does a pretty job at cleaning hair. It clarifies, strengthens, and nourishes hair while delivering noticeable volume and body. This product isn’t great at removing the oil after hot oil treatments (you need 5 plus washes to get the oil completely off your hair), but in general, it does a pretty good job. I absolutely love the bottle – looks super luxurious and chic.

Cons: Not effective at removing the oil after hot oil treatments. You need a lot of product to wash off the oil so you end up using a ton of this product. If you aren’t into hot oil treatments, this might be a good product for you. Comes in a plastic bottle which I’m not fond of and the product is pretty pricey.

Josh Rosebrook Deep Nourishing Shampoo

This clear hued aloe-like gel is filled with botanical extracts, essential oils, active antioxidants and vital vitamins that work in perfect synergy to create a truly gentle yet powerfully effective shampoo. This product is loaded with many amazing herbs and essential oils such as horsetail, burdock, rosemary, sage, oregano, peppermint, cinnamon, thyme, and lavender, which is a treat to the hair.

Pros- With African Black Soap as its cleansing base, it thoroughly purifies hair and scalp without stripping hair. It’s an extremely gentle, clean and effective shampoo. It does a great job at leaving hair clean, soft, and shiny. Great for dry and damaged hair. The omega-3 fatty acids along with vitamins A, C and E do a great job to keep frizz down and repair dry/damaged hair.

Cons: It again comes in a plastic bottle which I don’t prefer. The product is pricey and you might need a lot if you’re into hot oil treatments (the oil doesn’t wash out easily). I still love the shampoo though and would buy it again.

All these three are amazing products but it depends on what type of hair you have and what you’re looking for from these products. All these are great for normal-oily hair and does a pretty good job when it comes to leaving hair smooth, voluminous and shiny. If you’re into hot oil treatments, you might want to go for the Living Libations one. If you are looking for gentle shampoos, Josh Rosebrook would be a great choice. If you want something effective and luxurious, Rahua would be a great pick. Hope this helps. If you have any questions, email me or leave your comments

Hair is the greatest thing to experiment with because it’s not permanent. If I didn’t like my colour, I’d just change it.

~ Linda Evangelista

Heel In Mint

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Heelin’ Trends – To Dye For

Heel In Mint — Mon, 13 May 2019 17:02:37 +0000

Tie Dye Picks For Spring & Summer

Tie Dye is a major fashion trend for Spring / Summer 2019. Seen on many Spring / Summer 2019 runway shows from Prada, MSGM and R13 to Proenza Schouler and Stella McCartney, this trend is definitely having a major revival. We saw this trend off the runway as well, embraced by many influencers and celebrities from Beyoncé and Hailey Baldwin to Selena Gomez.

Tie Dye is something that’s been part of many ancient cultures for eons so this isn’t something new at all. The fact that these prints can be made from natural organic materials and natural dyes make it a healthier option for us and our planet. It doesn’t really have to look hippie-ish if you choose the right pieces and style it in an elevated way. The best pieces have an organic hand-spun appeal with hues inspired by nature and minimalist design which make them versatile and enduring additions to our wardrobe.

When it comes to choosing tie-dye pieces, you want something that can stand the test of time without losing its spirit, and something that’s good for us and our planet. Here are a few of my favorite picks that I personally would wear and hope you’ll find it worth investing in –

Sky High

Sky High or Dive Deep! Water and sky inspired tie-dyed prints evoke a sense of serene, breezy and crispy cool feel like a fresh breath of air up in the mountains or on dreamy tropical beaches. Easy to pair with jeans, slip skirts, jumpsuits, shorts, straws and other summer pieces.

Sky High

Stella_McCartney T-Shirt, Clover Sweater John & Jenn by Line, x REVOLVE Layering Tank Dress Raquel Allegra, Reformation Perfect Vintage Tee, Paco Rabanne Lose Yourself T-shirt, Monrow Elastic Waist Cloud Tie-Dye Sweats

Not shown in pictures –

Cloud Wash Blouse Splendid , Raquel Allegra x REVOLVE T Shirt Dress , Young, Fabulous & Broke Isla Dress, UO Poppy Tee

Desert Dream

Browns, fiery reds, lilacs, sunset oranges and clay pinks are in right now and you can create desert inspired looks incorporating tie-dyed pieces in these hues.

Desert Dream

3.1 PHILLIP LIM Tie-Dye T-shirt, MADEWORN Grateful Dead Tshirt, Rib Tank Bodysuit AGOLDE, STORY MFG. Mon Tie-Dye Tie Back Top, Streak Dye Hoodie CHAMPION, Proenza Schouler Tie-Dye T-Shirt.

Not shown in pictures –

ELECTRIC & ROSE Sunset Tie-Dye Leggings, PRINCE PETER Tie-Dye Tee, Reformation Perfect Vintage Tee, STORY MFG. Monday Tie-Dye Linen Jacket, RE/DONE Pink Tie-Dyed T-Shirt, Vintage Tee

Lush & Zesty

If you’re in a mood for some lush and zesty greens, you might like to add a few green hued pieces to your spring / summer wardrobe.

Lush and Zesty

Reformation Eddie Long Sleeve Tee, PRADA Tie-Dyes Wool-Cashmere Blend Sweater, PROENZA SCHOULER Tie-Dye Long Sleeve T-shirt, PROENZA SCHOULER Tie Dye T-Shirt, PROENZA SCHOULER Long Sleeve Tie Dye Crewneck, VICTORIA, VICTORIA BECKHAM Tie-Dyed Sweatshirt

Dark Side

If your into inky and dark hued looks, you can add a few dark hued pieces to your spring / summer wardrobe.

Dark Side

x REVOLVE Layering Tank Dress Raquel Allegra, MadeWorn The Rolling Stones Tie Dye T-Shirt, ALICE + OLIVIA JEANS Shira Guns N’ Roses Roll Sleeve Cotton Tee, ALLSAINTS Carme Tie Dye Stripe Tee, ASHLEY WILLIAMS Reincarnation Graphic Tie Dye Hoodie, Proenza Schouler Tie Dye Striped Knit Top

Taste The Rainbow

If multi-colored pieces spark joy in you, these pieces might be fun additions to your spring / summer wardrobe.

Taste The Rainbow

RHODE Lea Belted Cotton-Voile Dress, R13 Tie Dye Rainbow Boy Tee or Here, ALICE + OLIVIA JEANS Evan Roll Sleeve Tee, ALICE + OLIVIA Jeans Shira Roll Sleeve Tee, TANYA TAYLOR Handkerchief Hem Silk Skirt, Vans Authentic Sneaker

Not shown in pictures –

STELLA MCCARTNEY Tie-Dye T-shirt, MM6 MAISON MARGIELA Cropped Pants, ELECTRIC & ROSE Sunset Tie Dye Leggings

What do you think of the tie-dye trend? Would you like to incorporate these pieces into your summer wardrobe? Please leave your comments below.

“Fashion is part of the daily air and it changes all the time, with all the events. You can even see the approaching of a revolution in clothes. You can see and feel everything in clothes.”

~ Diana Vreeland

Heel In Mint

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