Restaurant Review: Honolulu's Peace Cafe

BBQ Tempeh Plate

On a recent trip to see family on Oahu, I was hoping to have an opportunity to try a vegan restaurant. After reviewing some options in the area, we decided to visit Peace Cafe, a vegan restaurant close to the Waikiki area. My family had already been there once without me but were eager to eat there again.

Pros:

• High-quality food
• Nice variety of entree options
• Several gluten-free choices
• Delicious yet healthy
• All vegan
• Organic and locally-sourced when possible

Review: Hugo Naturals Sea Fennel & Passionflower Sea Salt & Sugar Scrub

Exfoliation is one of the best ways to reveal softer skin. I like to exfoliate at least once a week, and a great way to do that is to use a scrub. Hugo Naturals offers a variety of scrubs that use sugar and/or salt to help exfoliate.

Pros:

• Available in lovely fragrances
• Leaves skin feeling soft and moisturized
• A little goes a long way
• Effective, gentle exfoliator
• Vegan and gluten-free
  

Review: Naked Organix Soaps

If you have sensitive skin, you often have limited choices for soaps. What if there was a line with a variety of soaps for sensitive skin? There is, and it's called Naked Organix by Organix South.

Pros:

• Moisturizing
• Light scent that doesn't linger
• Lathers well
• Left skin clean but not dry
• Many organic ingredients
• Suitable for sensitive skin
  

Review: Every Man Jack Deodorant

My man had been using a conventional gel antiperspirant. I was hoping to find a safer alternative, so I reached out to companies such as Every Man Jack who make cruelty-free products for men. What I didn't expect was that this would lead me to my new favorite deodorant as well: Every Man Jack deodorant.

Pros:

• Aluminum-free
• Deodorant strong enough for a man
• Comes in a four scents
• Affordable
• Retail availability

Review: Goddess Garden Facial Sunscreen

Note: Packaging has been updated.

My dermatologist recommends wearing at least SPF 30 daily for sun protection. While I've found a variety of products for the body, there are fewer that are formulated for the face. Goddess Garden offers a Facial Sunscreen based on a line designed for sensitive skin.

Pros:

• Water resistant and reef-safe
• Mostly organic ingredients
• Non-greasy
• Absorbs quickly
• Broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) protection

Review: Honeybee Gardens Deodorant Powder

When most people think of deodorants, they imagine waxy sticks available at the drugstore. Few realize that there are other options on the market, which are a boon to us who have allergies to conventional deodorants. One alternative to sticks is Honeybee Gardens' gentle Deodorant Powder.

Pros:

• Free of aluminum and talc
• Gentle formula
• Uses non-GMO cornstarch
• Scented with essential oils
• Affordable

Review: Lunaroma Body Butter

I've been using body lotions for many years, and most have a very similar texture. They usually have a consistency similar to yogurt and disappear on contact with skin. Only recently have body butters appeared on the market, and Lunaroma offers a line in a variety of indulgent scents.

Pros:

• Light, whipped texture
• Available in a variety of luscious scents
• Simple ingredients
• A little goes a long way
• Uses organic shea butter and jojoba