Whew, try saying that name three times fast! It may be a tongue twister of a title, but this sweet story is nothing but a pleasure to read. My copy was sent to me direct from the author, Nathalie VanBalen (thanks Nathalie!), who produced and published it all on her own. Mad respect!

The book itself is totally unique, a dynamic artistic mix of photography, collage, and sketch. Our narrator is a finger (yes, a finger), our protagonists are plush dolls, and there’s some really cute illustrated snails. And on top of amazing art it packs a powerful pro-veg message.

From a press package:

“This new, innovative children’s book . . . raises questions about who we eat and how it feels to be food. When two enthusiastic Vikings decide to use snail shells as a nutritious supplement in juice, their mindful friend Thora challenges the Vikings to think about the effects of their actions.”





This book is recommended for children ages 6 and up, and was probably a bit advanced for wee Waits Rebhal. Still, he sure did love chewing on it! I’ve read it to him a number of times, and unlike lots of other kids books, I appreciate this one because it keeps me interested as well. The multi-media design is clever and creative and keeps my grown-up mind engaged, which is so nice.

Waits even took a turn trying to read it!





Garlic-Onion-Beet-Spinach-Mango-Carrot-Grapefruit Juice is a thoughtful book with an important message, but it certainly doesn’t take itself too seriously. Super sweet, often silly, and with a simple lesson in compassion that subtly encapsulates the veg*n ethos.

Seriously, I’m kind of in love with this book. I highly, *highly* recommend it -no matter your dietary preference! It would really make a great gift for any little ones in your life. So support an independent artist and check out Thora Thinks. If you don’t, Waits will give you frowny face:

You know what’s even better than getting a package in the mail?

The absolute delight of getting a package that smells amazing, filled with wonderful handmade soaps and salves, from a [mostly]* vegan company!

I recently had the pleasure of this experience when I received a small box of goodies from Etsy seller Funk Off. The little shop is run by partners Michelle and Chad, and promises “To Keep You Fresh Not Funky”. They asked me to put their motto to the test and sample a variety of their products. Um, yes please!

* Funk Off is now in the process of selling out the last of their non-vegan items and will be switching over to an entirely cruelty-free, animal-free line! Yay!





Kiss This! Vegan Lip Balm – Vanilla

Of course, I dove right in with the chappy. See, I’m a lip balm freak and I gotta say, the vegan pickin’s are pretty slim! I’m slowly going through all the available options out there, to put together a comprehensive review. And, well, this one just shot to the TOP of the list!

This is my ideal balm: not too gummy, not too grainy, not so sweet I actually want to eat it, haha. It’s got a lovely smoothness that leaves my lips feeling moisturized with just the tiniest tint of shine. Truly, the *perfect* texture. And the scent is spot on: appealing but not edible. What can I say? I LOVE IT!





Keep It Fresh Body Spray – Lavender Vanilla

Mmmm, this is delicious. This one is a bit edible-smelling, but luckily it’s not made for mouths so you’re safe. The biggest problem may be that your sweetheart tries to eat you up – not such a bad thing!

The vanilla definitely dominates here, with the lavender hiding in the background for a certain je ne sais quoi. I’ve been spritzing this on after my daily dog walks, and I find it super refreshing. Just make sure to give it a good shake, as the oils tend to settle at the bottom.


Later, Gator Lotion – Oatmeal Milk and Honey (but vegan!)

This lotion is rather intense – very spicy, like strong chai or holiday baked goods, haha. It’s not an unpleasant smell, but it’s just not so much my style. I prefer a more subtle scent in lotions, as I use a lot at once (whole body). I found it a bit overwhelming for me.

That said,the consistency is great and it goes on very well. I’m a self proclaimed lotion snob and I can attest that this is a quality concoction. Not too greasy but not at all thick, it rubs right in without any issue. For those that like a heavy scent, this is a great lotion.








Vegan Soaps – Assorted

These are really, really great soaps. They smell strong but not overpowering, and are elegant in their presentation. Each bar has a layer of ground apricot seed pressed into the top for an interesting visual affect. When you use the soap the apricot seed disperses, creating a grit in the lather. At first I was freaked out by this – “hey man, there’s sand in my soap!” But I quickly realized that this is an AWSOME built in, all natural, exfoliant. Insta-love!





I was sent 8 samples to try: spring mountain mint, lavender vanilla, sandalwood vanilla nag champa, moon goddess, vanilla blackberry sage, sapmoss bonsai, oatmeal milk and honey, & cool mountain moss. Of course I tried sapmoss bonsai first!! Not that it matters since preferences vary, but my favorites were lavender vanilla, moon goddess, and omg the vanilla blackberry sage is so yummy!

~~~

Conclusion: I feel like there are two schools of body products – the ’spicy/musky/incense-y’ variety, and the ‘cool/light/mild’ type. Funk Off is definitely the former, with bold aromas that are meant to be fully experienced. It can be a bit much (for me, personally) in an all-over body lotion, but I love that richness in a fancy soap. It’s indulgent and ancient and absolutely soothing.

Overall, I’m very pleased with these products. I love to see vegan ingenuity and it’s great that there’s a growing market for awesome compassionate care items. I think these would make perfect gifts for the coming holidays, or as a sweet treat for yourself (because don’t you deserve it?!)

And speaking of gifts, Funk Off is offering a little goodie bag to one Bonzai reader! All you have to do is visit their site, and then leave a comment here telling me which product you’d like to try. It’s that easy! The contest will close at midnight on Sunday 29 August, and I’ll draw the winner on Monday morning.

Now, get thee to funk off!

Yay Yay Yay! Happy happy day, Happy Veganniversary to meeeeeee!!! Last year I honored the day with a party hat and a piece of spice cake, but to be totally honest, I felt like poo! I was solidly into my first trimester morning sickness, and, well, we took a LOT of pictures to get that single semi-decent one.

But this year – this year was a true celebration! And would you believe that the cake up there is entirely RAW vegan?! It’s true – I made it myself!





No, this year there was no morning sickness. Instead we took our gorgeous little veg baby on a fabulous vegan picnic in the park. It was one of those magical days, Waits was all smiles and the weather was perfect and the conversation flowed so easily. Simpatico. Damian and I had the most amazing talk, the kind that leaves you feeling so fulfilled – challenged and heard and hopeful.

Our discussion ranged all over the map, but one central them was, of course, veganism. We spent a lot of time musing on our own, personal understanding of our veg*nism, which is quite different for the two of us. I love this sort of reflection because, at least for me, my relationship with my veg*nism is totally dynamic. It changes, it’s always changing, as I come across new information or reconcile ethical disparities or challenge myself to confront a difficult idea. I am definitely not the same veg*n that I was 2 years ago!

‘Buckwheaties’ gRAW-nola with fresh fruit and coconut water.

Orange chocolate cheesecake with coconut snow. Mmm yes I totally ate dessert for brunch. You get to do that when it’s RAW!

Over the past few months my diet has gone through another transformation. I’ve been so incredibly inspired surrounding food, in the realms of both flavor and nutrition. I’m completely in love with what’s around me – uncomplicated, fresh, seasonal produce in simple preparations. And simultaneously I’ve been furiously studying health and wellness, applying what I’ve learned in the ancient tradition of ‘food as medicine’.

I’m the happiest little witch in my kitchen, concocting the most delicious and nutritious magical creations. And, I feel so good.





But veg*nism isn’t just about food – there’s no such thing as a ‘dietary vegan’ (no one stops buying wool to lose weight, or skips the circus for their health). This is a lifestyle, and it impacts every aspect of living. Sometimes I forget how I used to be, all balled up and stressed out, carrying so much anxiety and angst. This weekend I remembered the gift that veg*nism gave to me – permission to relax into a more peaceful existence. Living each day with my actions reflecting my belief in compassion, unconflicted.





I’m certainly not perfect and I’m still working on figuring all this out. You’ll notice that I try to refer to my own lifestyle as ‘veg*n’ as opposed to ‘vegan’. It’s just that I’d rather not argue about the minutia, and so I’m more comfortable this way. I have mad respect for those who, for example, will trade in all their old leather as soon as they go vegan. But that’s not where I’m at – and I think that’s okay!

It’s a journey, to find our own truth, and then to actually live it. That’s the hard part of course – to be honest with ourselves, and then to live up to that. So, my veg*nism is a beautiful tool for me. A tool that keeps me thinking, and growing, and striving to be the best version of myself.

Plus, you know, look what I get to eat!





So happy Veganniversary, and here’s to many, many more!

Summer is in full bloom and it’s brought along the most beautiful bounty. My kitchen is so full of color and life, I can’t help but photograph it! So here’s a little ‘food porn’, haha, from me to you. Enjoy!

Big Ass Salad (BAS). I’ve been eating *lots* of these! This one featured [organic] crispy crunchy romaine, cucumbers, radishes, red onions, red bells, avocados, carrots, chia seeds, and hemp hearts – tossed in lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil.

Raw Wraps! Stuffed with sunflower seed paté, cucumber, carrot, leeks, and avocados, served with a turmeric tahini dip.

Cinnamon Rolls. I made these for Damian’s first father’s day, and they were very much enjoyed by both him and my father-in-law. I didn’t actually have any, but I’ve made the recipe before and can attest that they are maybe the most delicious, and most naughtiest, breakfast food on the planet. =)

Strawberries! I growed these myself, ain’t they cute? I think this handful went straight into my blender (before I realized Waits reacts to them).

Wakame seaweed salad. This puppy packs something like 50% of my RDA for iron, and about 25% for calcium. I like it with sesame oil, lemon juice, sesame seeds, crispy cucumber, slivered onion, and a side of avocado slices. Mmm delicious!

Black bean and quinoa salad, with onion, tomato, avocado, black olives, and plenty of homegrown cilantro. This is a summer staple, and SO GOOD. Damian scoops it up on organic corn chips; I use it as filling for raw cabbage leaf ‘tacos’.

Remember when I showed you all the cherries that Damian harvested from our tree? Well, this is what I did with them!

For Damian I baked miniature cherry pies. How friggin’ cute is that??!

For myself I made raw chocolate cherry tartlets. Oh. My. God.

Plant Blood! For this veg*n vampire, muahaha. Cucumber-cilantro-celery-watermelon, plus the watermelon rinds (which are really good for you!) My first homemade green juice! Also, can you find my family hiding in this pic? ;-)

Damian bought me a raspberry bush for my first mother’s day. Isn’t that so sweet? This is the first teeny harvest. Harley was very interested . . .

My first batch of kimchi fermenting on the counter. Success! I’ll post a tutorial soon, this stuff is so amazing and crazy good for you!

Raw sushi! With chunky almond paté in place of rice, filled with cucumber, avocado, and red bell pepper. Served with kimchee (store bought).

‘Peanut Butter & Jelly’ green (pink?) smoothie. Such a treat!

This was an amazing farmer’s market stir fry, sublimely simple with sesame, tamari, garlic, and ginger. Featuring snap peas, sweet onions, tempeh, and shiitaki mushrooms. We eat this weekly these days – just had a variation tonight!

I honored the first peaches of the season in this raw tart. The peaches sit on a bed of vanilla cashew cream and are garnished with fresh berries and a generous dollop of raspberry cashew cream. Um, yeah. AMAZING

I’ve been so inspired around food lately, just loving this delicious, health-giving, high-raw fare. I’m coming up on my 2 year Veganniversary, and I’m really feeling so grateful and so delighted to be veg*n! To explore and enjoy such diverse plant-based cuisine, it’s so powerful! Such a positive force in a mindful life.

So what about you? What foods have you been enjoying lately?

VEGAN BABIES!!! All within a few weeks in age – um, Waits is HUGE.

And now, Oi! Most Epic FFF Ever:

1) Firstly, I have to give a delighted and Heartfelt THANK YOU to Ann, who was so sweet to send Waits an awesome gift off of our registry – an organic cotton ‘fruit basket’. Ohmygod so cute! Thank you so much, he loves to shove them in his mouth (along with everything else these days), haha. The grapes are the best. =)


2) Second, I want to apologize for the light posting schedule this week. Work’s been kicking my ass. Obviously Waits and my family are my first priority, but oh how I wish the blog could be second in line! Usually it is. Sometimes though, I gotta go for the $crilla.

Maybe someday this blog and the $crilla will be one-and-the-same . . . a girl can dream, no?


3) Let Live was AWESOME! That pic up there ^ is from the conference. I’d planned to write up a post about it this week but time just didn’t allow it (see #2). So here’s the super quick re-cap:

Tabling in the main ballroom, tons of literature and resources.

- Babies and lectures are oil and water. I tried to see a few panels but the little dude just tried to talk along with the big kids and I had to duck out. No worries! We had tons of fun hanging out in the ballroom.

- This was as much a social event as it was an informative one. That’s one of the things I love about activist communities. The ‘big players’ and movement leaders all mingle easily with everyone else, allowing for awesome dialogue and a real sense of empowerment. No pretense. Just positivity and optimism.

- So many babies! I think there were five little ones under 6 months, which was so cool and inspiring. It was great chatting with all the vegan Mamas – including (unbeknownst to me) Kim McCoy of Sea Shepherd/Whale Wars (I thought she looked familiar!) Her son is just 10 weeks old, and damn cute I must say. Yay for vegan babies!

- For a more in-depth overview of the conference, check out this writeup from Epicurvegan, or here at Liberation BC Blog. And at the Let Live facebook page they’re posting videos of the talks!

Waits chillin’ with Brian of Scapegoat Tattoo (he did mine)

4) Um, this is so effing hysterical to me I just had to share. Hit’s a *little* close to home . . .

Soooooo, after all that yakking, it’s also time for comments, critiques, thoughts, support, and suggestions. What’s on your minds???

As usual, the Feedback Forum will remain here at the top of the page all weekend, so if you’ve got an idea or a question or you just want to introduce yourself and say ‘Oi!’, you can stop back by any time. This is your community, so get involved and have your say!

Happy 4th of July to all you Americans! Have a fireblast-tastic weekend!