Monday, May 20, 2013

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

Saturday, May 18, 2013

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

Thursday, May 16, 2013

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

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

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

Saturday, May 11, 2013

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

Thursday, May 9, 2013

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

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

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