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)

African American Owned Vegan Businesses for JUNETEENTH!

It is almost Independence Day! That is, until there is finally an Independence Day for the indigenous nations of Abya Yala (aka: America).

Enjoy exploring these businesses owned by African Abya Yalans (aka: Americans)!

Coco Luv

(Los Angeles, CA)

Get Coco Luv vegan pastries here:  https://cocoluvcookies.com/collections/pastry

Delightful Foods (aka: The No Cookie Cookie)

(Online Orders and Oakland, CA location)

Get Delightful Foods treats here: https://nocookie.com/

Way to Life Foods

(Online orders and California locations)

Get Way to Life foods here:  https://www.waytolifefoods.com/

Souley Vegan

(Oakland, CA)

Get more info on Souley Vegan here:  https://souleyvegan.com/

Azla

(Vegan restaurant in Los Angeles, CA)

Get more info on Azla here:  http://azlavegan.com/

Stuff I Eat

(Vegan restaurant in Inglewood, California)

Get more info about Stuff I Eat here: https://www.stuffieat.com/

Houston Sauce Co.

(Online Orders and Houston, TX location)

Get Houston Sauce here:  https://www.houstonsauceco.com/

Symphony Potato Chips

(Atlanta, GA)

Get potato chips here:  https://symphonychips.com/pages/our-product

DaJen Eats

(Eatonville, FL)

Get more info about DaJen Eats:https://dajeneats.com/

Rooted Delights

Vegan cheese! (Chesterfield, VA)

Get vegan cheeses here:  https://www.rooteddelights.com/home

NuVegan

(Greenbelt, MD)

Get vegan food at NuVegan:  https://www.ilovenuvegan.com/

Vegan Father’s Day Gift Ideas

For dads, grandpas and father figures.  Here are some great Father’s Day gift ideas to light up their day!

Cariuma Shoes

Get Cariuma shoes here: https://cariuma.com/?currency=USD

Bite Body Balm, Bar Soap, and Deodorant

Unisex body moisturizer, bar soap and re-fillable vegan deodorant.

Get Bite self-care products here: https://bitetoothpastebits.com/products/body-balm-kit?variant=40598182527081

Myro Vegan Deodorant

Unisex plant-based re-fillable deodorant 

Get Myro products here:  https://www.mymyro.com/products/deodorant-starter-kit

Vegan Apple Leather Wallet

Get a vegan leather wallet here: https://immaculatevegan.com/products/mens-brown-bill-fold-wallet

Vegan Leather Belt and Wallet

by Watson & Wolfe

Get a vegan leather wallet and belt here:  https://www.watsonwolfe.com/non-leather-vegan-belts/

Vegan Leather Shoes

Get vegan shoes here:  https://www.gentleberg.com/product/cap-toe/

Vegan Leather Apple Skin Black Boots

Get vegan leather boots here: https://goodguysdontwearleather.com/en-us/collections/appleskin%e2%84%a2-men-boots/products/blaze-black-ankle-dealer-boots

Stainless Steel Shaver

Get the shaver here:  https://www.fendrihan.com/products/parker-sr1-barber-straight-razor

Veecoco Vegan Cooking Lessons

Get vegan cooking lessons here:  https://www.veecoco.com/all-courses

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!

Gift Ideas!

It’s a great time of year to get gifts for those you care about.  Thoughtful giving can boost their day and yours!

  • Food

The Vegin Out

Vegan meal delivery!

VISIT: www.veginout.com

Veestro

Prepared vegan meal delivery!

VISIT: www.veestro.com

Urth Box

Vegan gluten-free drinks and snacks

VISIT: https://www.urthbox.com

  • Self-Care

The Detox Market

VISIT: www.thedetoxmarket.com

100% Pure

VISIT: www.100percentpure.com

Petit Vour

VISIT: www.petitvour.com

UpCircle Beauty

VISIT: www.upcirclebeauty.com

Love Goodly

VISIT: www.lovegoodly.com

So Well

VISIT: www.sowellmade.com

  • Baby & Kids

Pact

VISIT: wearpact.com

  • Household

Crate & Barrel

> Bedroom

VISIT: crateandbarrel.com

> Living Room

VISIT: crateandbarrel.com

> Dining Room

VISIT: crateandbarrel.com

> Patio

VISIT: crateandbarrel.com

  • Tools / Hardware / Construction

The Home Depot

VISIT: www.homedepot.com

  • Books

Barnes & Nobel

VISIT: www.barnesandnoble.com

  • Vegan focus

Nutriciously

Digital downloads

VISIT: https://nutriciously.com

No Meat Athlete

VISIT: www.nomeatathlete.com

  • Apparel

Pact

VISIT: https://wearpact.com

Will’s Vegan Store

VISIT: www.wills-vegan-store.com

Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather

VISIT: https://goodguysdontwearleather.com

Immaculate Vegan

VISIT: https://immaculatevegan.com/

Corkor

VISIT: www.corkor.com

Gunas

VISIT: www.gunasthebrand.com

Happy First Nations of Abya Yala Heritage Month! (aka: Native American Heritage Month)

For First Nations of *Abya Yala Heritage Month (aka: Native American Heritage Month) and to celebrate First Nations Heritage Day on November 25th, we visited Native American World at Venice Beach!

*Abya Yala is the original name of the land called “America” by European invaders.

Native American World is a cozy charming shop with a mystical quality to it.  Enchanting flute music sweeps you into its open doors.  Once inside you are surrounded by interesting handmade items from First Nations in North Abya Yala (North America), Central Abya Yala (Central America), and South Abya Yala (South America).

SOURCE: https://nativeamericanworld.net/

We are happy to say the owner is from a First Nation.  The staff are helpful and attentive.  You are guaranteed to struggle not to purchase something from this unique store.

Enjoy your time there!

ADDRESS:

Native American World – Indigenous

1207 Ocean Front Walk

Venice, California, USA 90291

PHONE:

(310) 452-0684

EMAIL:

sales@nativeamericanworld.net

WEBSITE:

https://nativeamericanworld.net/

As we travel the coast of what is currently known as Southern California – Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and Orange County – It is important to recognize and acknowledge we are on the land of the First Nations of Abya Yala (called “America” by European invaders to their land).  These First Nations are the Chumash Nation, the Tongva Nation (aka: Gabrieliño Nation), the Acjachemen Nation, and the Payómkawichum Nation (aka: Luiseño Nation).  We at VEGANavigate make this video in honor of them.  We believe it is important that our first video on their land and those that follow, never forget who’s land we are living on.

Vegan Candy!

Happy Halloween! Here’s a list of some great vegan candy…

Save the planet, save the animals, save us all! Here are some vegan candies that usually have no plastic packaging:

Bottle Caps

SOURCE: Sweet Candy Cafe

Fun Dip

SOURCE: sweet-juleps.com

Gobstoppers

SOURCE: europeangrocerystore

Hubba Bubba

Jujubes

SOURCE: candywarehouse

Jujyfruits

SOURCE: ferraracandyshopusa

Nerds

Sweet Tarts

SOURCE: sweetcitycandy

The candy above usually has no plastic packaging and the following vegan candies have less plastic packaging than most:
Charm’s Blow Pops
Cry Baby (in a box)
Dots
Dum Dums
Mamba
Mary Jane
Now & Later
Pixie Sticks
Smarties
Super Bubble Bubble Gum

Other vegan candies:
Airheads
Brach’s Lemon Drops
Brach’s Star Brites Peppermint Candy
Chick-O-Sticks
Fire Ball
Go-Max-Go Candy Bars
Laffy Taffy
Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape
Jolly Rancher
No Whey
Pez
Red Vines
Ring Pops
Smarties
Skittles
Swedish Fish
Sour Patch Kids
Twizzlers
YumEarth (Lolli Pops)
Zotz

PRIDE!

Did you have fun at your local Pride celebrations or are you feeling bummed because you missed out? Well, purchasing from brands owned by someone in the LGBTQ+ community is another great way to show your support, allyship and pride all throughout the year! Lets shop!

Beet x Beet

photo source: https://beetxbeet.com/

This company is woman owned and they do all manufacturing locally in Los Angeles. The yarn and ink used are 100% vegan. Also, the packaging is all made of recycled materials and is recyclable. I like the…”beet”…of this :D.

Get stuff at Beet x Beet here: https://beetxbeet.com/

Brave Gentleman

photo source: https://www.bravegentleman.com/

Need some gender neutral gear? Brave Gentleman is your store – especially for kicks – the footwear ranges from sporty to professional. If you’re trying to find something to replace your worn out leather shoes, there is a large assortment of options made of polyurethane (PU). Although PU is not the most eco-friendly material, their chart below shows it is vastly better for the environment than tanning dead animal skins. So, for you, if it’s between leather and polyurethane – go Brave Gentleman.

Get stuff at Brave Gentleman here: https://www.bravegentleman.com/

Get stuff at Brave Gentleman here: https://www.bravegentleman.com/

Arium Botanicals

photo source: https://ariumbotanicals.com/

Arium has a wonderful collection of traditional and exotic plants. They are of the variety that can be grown in pots from home. Arium has even partnered with local artists to sell their hand-made ceramic pots – pretty cool huh? So, lets help out – get to growing!

Get stuff at Arium here: https://ariumbotanicals.com/

Otherwild

photo source: https://otherwild.com/

Otherwild is an LGBTQ+ woman owned company with vegan and eco-friendly products to fill your home with. Our favorites include stainless steel containers as well as colorful coffee mugs, t-shirts and pins with fun graphics, and great phrases.

Get stuff at Otherwild here: https://otherwild.com/

Suay Sew Shop

photo source: https://suayla.com/

They use repurposed materials and eco-friendly dies. You can get clothing, blankets, pillows, towels and more. Everything is made right in L.A. They also offer a few really awesome services. If you have items like shirts or pants that you would like to keep, but they have a tear or hole, Suay Sew Shop does repairs! Check out their website to see all the other cool products and services.

Get stuff at Suay Sew: https://suayla.com/

11 Eco-Friendly Gifts for Father’s Day

Here are 11 great gift ideas for your dad or a father figure in your life! They are all vegan and eco-friendly options to help you make a socially responsible purchase for Daddy-o. Happy Father’s Day!

Cold Brewer with Stainless Steel Lid

photo source: www.county-line-kitchen.com

Get the Cold Brewer here: https://www.county-line-kitchen.com/products/cold-brewer-with-stainless-steel-lid

Vahdam Chai Tea Assortment

photo source: www.vahdamteas.com

Get the Vahdam Chai Tea Assortment here: https://www.vahdamteas.com/products/chai-tea-assortment-gift-set-12-tin-caddy?variant=32946751569963

Stoneware Mug

photo source: unitedbyblue.com

Get the Stoneware Mug here: https://unitedbyblue.com/products/16-oz-potters-mug?variant=36469138686024


BewBow Bamboo Cutlery

photo source: handykitchenwarestore.com

Get the BewBow Bamboo Travel Cutlery here: https://handykitchenwarestore.com/product/bamboo-utensils-cutlery-set-bewbow-reusable-cutlery-travel-set-eco-friendly-wooden-silverware-for-kids-adults-outdoor-portable-utensils-with-case-bamboo-spoon/

The Sistain Bamboo Straws

photo source: shop.thesistain.com

Get the Sistain Bamboo Straws here: https://shop.thesistain.com/products/bamboo-8-straw-4pck?variant=39328703479921


United by Blue SoftHemp™ Socks

photo source: unitedbyblue.com

Get the Soft Hemp Socks here: https://unitedbyblue.com/products/softhemp-printed-sock?variant=39363900506184


Corkor Messenger Bag

photo source: www.corkor.com

Get the Corkor Messenger Bag here: https://www.corkor.com/collections/cork-messenger-bags/products/cork-messenger-bag


Air Plant

Get the Air Plant here: https://www.air-plants.com/pages/air-plant-club

Triple Surfboard Wall Rack (made of Bamboo)

photo source: www.corsurf.com

Get the Bamboo Triple Surfboard Wall Rack here: https://www.corsurf.com/collections/surfboard-racks/products/the-core-multi-rack



Recycled Wine Bottle Platter

photo source: www.uncommongoods.com

Get the Recycled Wine Bottle Platter here: https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/recycled-wine-bottle-platter-with-spreader?clickid=UdFWEuXWmxyIT1C0SyQ3A0xGUkDx7YTuIyyv1U0&irgwc=1&trafficSource=Impact&sharedid=thespruce.com

Sqwishful Sqwish Set

photo source: Sqwishful.com

Get the Sqwishful Set here: https://sqwishful.com/products/sqwish-set