Vegan Valentine!
Category: Vegan Lifestyle
Back to School Eco-Friendly Tools
Are you ready to go back to school? Make sure you have everything you need! Like an eco-friendly backpack from Patagonia, a new cell from Fairphone, and of course plenty of notebooks from Decomposition.
Notebooks by Decomposition
These notebooks at Decomposition are made with recycled paper and eco-friendly soy ink!
Stainless Steel Lunch Box by Life Without Plastic
Plastic is made from oil drilled from the ground creating pollution. Recycled plastic is still ending up in landfills and our oceans. We can make sure our purchases are not contributing to the destruction of Earth by choosing non-plastic materials. Start with these sturdy stainless steel lunch boxes!
Cell phone by Fairphone
A family used to get a phone for their home and still have it when their kids grew up and moved out. Lets stop with the constant cell phone purchases when a marginal change has been made from year to year. Instead, go with the Fairphone cell! No more relying on phone companies and third-party repair shops for constant basic repairs. This long-lasting straightforward design can even be fixed by its owner – with help from Fairphone if a repair is ever needed.
Backpacks by Patagonia
Patagonia is a long standing staple for many homes. Get your eco-friendly backpack here and it can double for any other fun activities you have planned for the school year!
Shoes by BlueView
We have been searching for plant-based compostable shoes for years. Finally, here they are! Comfortable shoes that will not end up in a landfill at the end of their life cycle. These eco-friendly kicks can be buried right in the ground to join mother nature again.
We hope these vegan eco-friendly items will be great long-lasting tools for your academic success!
Our Vegan Summer Favorites!
Enjoy the last weeks of summer with some of our favorite summer things!
Table of Contents
1. Sunglasses
2. Beach Towels
3. Vegan Sandals
4. Swimsuits
5. Vegan Lotion
6. Summer Shirts
7. Shorts
8. Vegan Hats
9. Vegan Lipgloss
10. Picnic Basket
11. Summer Dresses
SUNGLASSES
Protect your eyes with eco-friendly sunglasses. These fabulous styles are made from recycled materials. When their lifetime is up, they can be sent to TerraCycle to recycle again!
BEACH TOWELS
Bring colors and culture to the beach with these fun towels!
Beach Towels by Studio 189 (luxury item)
All My Relations by Eighth Generation
Ribbons Beach Towel by Eighth Generation
VEGAN SANDALS
Walk in confidence wearing shoes in a variety of styles.
Unisex vegan sandals by NAE
DARCO Sandals with Straps – by NAE
Jefferson Block by Native Shoes
Hoya Croco Ciel by Minuit
Beat Poetry Sandal by BC Footwear
Apple Leather Clogs – by Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather
SWIMSUITS
Play in the oceans, rivers and lakes in a new suit!
Grey Swim Trunks by Urban Native Era
Swimsuit by Soul Curiosity
VEGAN LOTION
Keep vibrant skin with this moisturizing stick in eco-friendly packaging.
SUMMER SHIRTS
Water Connects Us All by Beyond Buckskin
Sacred Plants T-shirt by thentvs
Raven T by Ginew
Protect Native Culture by oitclothing
Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese (luxury item)
You Are On Native Land t-shirt by Urban Native Era
SHORTS
Woven Twill Shorts by Pact
The Coastal Daily Shorts by Pact
VEGAN HATS
Block excess sun rays with these great summer hats!
You are on Native Land baseball cap – by Urban Native Era
You Are on Native Land trucker cap – by Urban Native Era
Khaki Black Six Block logo hat (luxury item)
VEGAN LIPGLOSS
These smooth eco-friendly vegan lip balms are good for you and the planet. Even the packaging is plastic free!
Strawberry Vanilla Vegan Lip Balm by J & L Naturals
Tinted Vegan Lip Balm by Ethique
Orange Tangerine Vegan Lip Balm by Meow Meow Tweet
PICNIC BASKET
Citron Picnic Basket by Kazi
SUMMER DRESSES
Effie Modal Dress by LA Relaxed
Sokha Banana Midi Dress – Purple Sage by Valani
Sokha Banana Midi Dress – Cloud Dancer by Valani
Floral Embroidered Dress – Cream + Silver by Symbology
Yali Dress by Diarrablu
Mailys Dress by Diarrablu
Isle of Spice Wrap Dress by Fenoel
Strapless White Dress by Victor Glemaud (luxury item)
Vegan LGBTQ+ Owned Businesses
Here are some vegan LGBTQ+ owned companies to support immediately!
- Lil’ Yenta’s Bakery
(Philadelphia, PA)
The pictures speak for themselves!
Get yummy treats from Lil’ Yenta’s Bakery here: https://lilyentas.com/
- V Marks the Shop
(Philadelphia, PA)
The owners are not only part of the LGBTQ+ community, but also African Abya Yalan (aka: African American).
Get snacks at V Marks the Shop: https://vmarkstheshop.com/
- City Saucery
(NYC Greenmarket stands and Nationwide shipping)
This LGBTQ+ team is helping save the planet! They collect good quality ugly tomatoes that are normally thrown away by large food factories to make delicious vegan sauces and spreads!
Get tasty products from City Saucery here: https://citysaucery.com/
- Lagusta’s Luscious
(New Paltz, NY and Nationwide Shipping)
Variety of vegan chocolates. Lovely boxes of chocolaty treats great for gifts!
Get Lagusta’s Luscious chocolates here: https://lagustasluscious.com/
- RIND
(Available Nationwide)
Vegan cheese perfect for hors d’oeuvres at your next party!
“June is Pride Month, and at RIND by Dina & Joshua, we’re celebrating as an LGBTQ+-owned business!” Tweet by @RIND_CHEESE
Get vegan cheese here: https://www.rind.nyc/
- Meow Meow Tweet
(Nationwide Shipping)
This personal care brand has plastic-free packaging options for lip balm and face cream!
Get Meow Meow Tweet products here: https://meowmeowtweet.com/
- The Wild Chive
(Los Angeles, CA)
The photos of vegan entres have us drooling: sandwiches, burgers, fries, fried chicken sandwiches and more!
Get delicious food at The Wild Chive: https://www.thewildchive.com/
- BEETxBEET
(Los Angeles, CA)
Formerly a clothing store – now this team is focused on graphic design and consulting.
Get in touch with Beet x Beet here: https://beetxbeet.com/
- Gay4U Vegan Eats
(Nationwide)
This is a pop-up eatery that provides a safe space for trans-identifying people of color. Formerly located solely in Oakland, CA, they have closed their store to travel the nation with their unique combination of Asian and Latinx comfort foods. Let’s hope you get a chance to try ’em out!
Some Favorite Vegans on Instagram
Happy Asian American / Pacific Islander month! Here are some of our favorite vegan Instagram accounts!
Cheri Tu
@thrivingonplants
Jeeca
@thefoodietakesflight
Joanne Molinaro
@thekoreanvegan
Krystle Anne
@misskeeki
Miyoko Schinner
@miyokoschinner
Priyanka Naik
@chefpriyanka
Ted Lai
@wokwildside
Toni Okamoto
@plantbasedonabudget
Yvonne
@yvonnesvegankitchen
#happyasianamericanpacificislanderheritagemonth #asianamericanpacificislanderheritagemonth #asianamericanpacificislanderheritagemonth2023
Vegan Middle Eastern Cookbook!
We are excited to present a cook book with savory Middle Eastern recipes that are vegan! Veganistan: A Vegan Tour of the Middle East & Beyond is by Sally Butcher. It is interesting that the author of a vegan cook book would have the last name “Butcher.” One could only imagine what childhood anecdotes she may have about her name growing up. Her photo with wild red hair and punk-rock fashion juxtapose a calm and reflective demeanor, gives a bit of insight into the character that developed Veganistan. An outward explorative nature, may explain the subtitle “the Middle East & Beyond.” While the choice to share vegan meals often is a result of an analytical thought process – of which her photograph hints at.
The tantalizing photographs of the vegan food Sally Butcher shares in her cook book, Veganistan, range from scrumptious rice dishes, delicious cabbage stew, yummy staples like falafel and mouth watering desserts such as Sweet potato cake. When you make a dish, let us know how you like it – send a photo! We would love to hear what you think!
GET IT HERE: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/veganistan-sally-butcher/1141927633?ean=9781623717599
“Beef” Between Vegans and Indigenous People?
(Happy International Womens Month / International Womens Day! Read to end for highlighted lady-owned business.)
There have been quite a few articles and commentary on the tension that has emerged between some vegans and indigenous people. There are those who identify as vegan, who have been attempting to shame indigenous communities for their use of animals. It would be important to first state that most vegans are not likely to agree with this approach. Even so, it has become a trending topic of dispute.
So let us weigh in on the conversation. Although we are obviously advocating a vegan lifestyle with this website, the first thought that came to mind was – “Why is anyone attempting to further dictate the actions of indigenous people in Abya Yala (aka: America) on their own land?”
We believe the focus of non-indigenous people who are vegan should remain firmly on the largest perpetrators of deaths of other beings. This would mean actively working on reducing the suffering of beings in slaughter houses, promoting vegan meals to the main stream, and advertising more eco-friendly and morally sound material use – like cactus leather instead of the skin of beings.
Marginalized communities should not be the target of vegan activism before large corporations are fully addressed and mainstream habits completely changed. This misplaced attention reminds me of some environmental activists who briefly attempted to shame impoverished people in African countries for burning tires for warmth instead of fully focusing on the far greater pollution of western countries.
Yes, at some point…far in the future…non-indigenous vegans may choose to respectfully offer vegan meal ideas and vegan material ideas to indigenous communities. However, it will probably be more effective when these ideas are introduced by the vegan indigenous people that already exist. Yes, there are indigenous vegans. There are also many indigenous communities that eat a primarily vegan diet already.
Due to this conversation, for International Womens Month, we would like to highlight the indigenous founder, Tina Archuleta, of the vegan restaurant – Itality – in New Mexico. She is using native vegetables, fruits and grains to make wonderful vegan indigenous food. She hopes to improve the health of the community and re-connect with de-colonized traditional meals.
Address:
Itality
2500 12th Street NW
Unit E, Suite 2
Albuquerque, NM 87104
Hours:
Wednesday-Sunday 10am – 5pm
Website: italitynm.com
E-Mail: contact@italitynm.com
Here is an interview with Tina Archuleta by New Mexico in Focus:
African-American Inventors
There are currently states in Abya Yala (original name of USA/the Americas) attempting to remove history of people from Alkebulan (original name of Africa) from the school curriculum. Well, here are just a few of the many contributions – important and fun – from African-American scientists, engineers, and more!
Materials used in some of the products below may not be vegan.
Alfred L. Cralle
- In 1897, Alfred L. Cralle patented the ice cream scoop.
Get one for your next treat day here.
While you’re at it, get some vegan ice cream here.
Percy Julian
- In 1923 Percy Julian completed his schooling at Harvard University with a master’s in chemistry. Many scientists were attempting to find a more efficient way to produce cortisone – as it had been found to be effective in soothing inflamed joints. At the time, they were killing 15,000 oxen to produce the bile used for the treatment of just one patient. It was Julian who discovered a way to synthesize cortisone from soybeans instead.
Frederick McKinley Jones
- 1930s Frederick McKinley Jones created refridgeration equipment and has more than 40 patents. He named one the Thermo King. He invented refridgeration units for homes, trucks, trains, and planes. “His work also contributed to the preservation of blood and medicine, proving to be particularly useful during WWII. In 1991, he became the first African American to receive the National Medal of Technology.”
Get one of the most eco-friendly refridgerators, like the Liebherr MRB 3000, here.
Gladys West
- Gladys West was born in 1930. She is the mathematician and programmer who’s mathematically accurate model of Earth was used as “the foundation for the creation of the Global Positioning System (GPS).”
Get a GPS system for your car here.
Mary Kenner
- 1956 Mary Kenner patented the toilet paper holder, sanitary belt, sanitary pad, and walker. She has the most patents of any African-American lady inventor.
Get an eco-friendly (no plastic) bamboo toilet paper holder here.
Get eco-friendly 100% organic cotton re-usable sanitary pads (light, heavy, and overnight) here.
Get a walker for yourself or a loved one here.
Marie Van Brittan Brown
Valerie Thomas
- In 1980, Valerie Thomas invented 3D technology. She patented it under the name – illusion transmitter – while working for NASA. Here invention is still used by NASA today. It is also used to make 3D TVs and 3D movies. We may not be able to use her invention the way NASA does, but luckily we can set up a 3D entertainment system at home to enjoy some movies offered in 3D!
Get a 3D TV here.
Get 3D movies here:
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
Mark Dean
- In the early 1980’s, while working at IBM, Mark Dean and a colleague created the technology that allows computers to interact with printers. Need a computer and a printer? Get them here:
Here are a couple of the most eco-friendly laptops available:
Acer Aspire Vero Laptop | AV15-51 | Grey (Eco-Friendly)
Here are some of the most eco-friendly printers:
EcoTank ET-2720 All-in-One Supertank Printer
Dr. Patricia Bath
Materials used in some of the products above may not be vegan.
SOURCES
Alfred Cralle. African American Registry. (2023) https://aaregistry.org/story/alfred-cralle-inventor-born/.
Futterman, A. (Feb 1, 2023). 5 Interesting Facts About Chemist Percy Julian. Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/5-interesting-facts-about-chemist-percy-julian.
Surmounting the insurmountable. United States Patent and Trademark Office. https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/journeys-innovation/historical-stories/surmounting-insurmountable.
Connolly, R. and Kinney, B. Ten Black Scientists that Science Teachers Should Know About. (2018, February 21). PBS Teachers Lounge. https://www.pbs.org/education/blog/ten-black-scientists-that-science-teachers-should-know-about-and-free-resources.
Gladys Mae West. African American Registry. (2023). https://aaregistry.org/story/gladys-mae-west-mathematician-born/.
Lane, D. (February 17, 2020). Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner: The Forgotten Inventor Who Changed Women’s Health Forever. https://blackdoctor.org/mary-beatrice-davidson-kenner-the-forgotten-inventor-who-changed-womens-health-forever/2/
Jean-Philippe, M. and Burnett, J. 15 African-American Inventors to Remember This Black History Month and Beyond. Oprah Daily. (Jan 19, 2023). https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/work-money/g30877473/african-american-inventors/.
Miller, A. 28 DOBE- Day 17: Marie Van Brittan Brown, Keeping You Safe At Home. (February 17, 2018). https://www.blackexcellence.com/28-dobe-day-17-marie-van-brittan-brown/.
Valerie L. Thomas, Physicist, and Inventor. (2023). African American Registry. https://aaregistry.org/story/valerie-l-thomas-physicist-and-inventor-born/.
Fundación Acua. 8 abril, 2020. Valerie Thomas; inventora del transmisor de ilusión que la NASA usa hasta el día de hoy. https://programaacua.org/valerie-thomas-inventora-del-transmisor-de-ilusion-que-la-nasa-usa-hasta-el-dia-de-hoy/.
National Geographic Kids. (2023). Making History: African American Pioneers of Science. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/black-inventors-and-pioneers-of-science.
Mark Dean: Co-inventor of the Personal Computer. (February 11, 2020). Capitol Tech University. https://www.captechu.edu/blog/mark-dean-co-inventor-of-personal-computer.
Bath, P. Dr. Patricia Bath. (2020). https://drpatriciabath.com/about/.
