Healthy, Raw, Vegan, Berry Tarts

INGREDIENTS:

• Crust:
• 1 cup almonds
• 10 pitted dates
• 1 Tbs shredded coconut (optional)
• 2 tsp chia - ground
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• pinch sea salt
• 2-3 Tbs water 
• 1 tsp organic confectioners sugar (optional)

• Filling:

  1 cup fresh strawberries 

  1 cup black berries (or blue berries)

  1 ripe avocado

  2 Tbs vanilla (with no alcohol results in a better taste)

  pinch salt

  1 tsp fresh lime or lemon juice

Method:

  1. Combine all crust ingredients, except water into a food processor such as a Ninja or Vitamix and process until ground. Add the water while the processor is running. This 

will help combine ingredients and result in a better texture.

  2. Press crust into the base of individual tart pans or pie plate of your choice. If using a pie plate, it's preferable to choose one that is shallow rather than deep. 

  3. Combine filling ingredients into food processor and process until smooth. Pour filling over crust and even out with a spatula. 

  4. Place in freezer for at least 2-3 hours to set. Keep in mind that this dessert is better served when mostly frozen. You do not want to serve it thawed. Makes for a wonderful summer treat!

AG Hair Cosmetics Professional Shampoo & Conditioner Review

About Product: Colour Savour Sulfate free shampoo - Gently cleanses hair with rich, luxurious lather. Proteins and herbal extracts soothe and repair. Contains sunflower seed extract and natural polyphenols to provide both UV and free radical protection and significantly extend the life and vibrancy of colour. 

Sleek argan conditioner - Transforms coarse, kinky hair into sleek and smooth. Formulated with nutrient rich organ oil and shea butter. Leaves hair shiny and soft. 

No salt

No Parabens

No Gluten

Not tested on animals

Every bottle contributes to educating girls in Africa

Review: What I love most about AG hair care is that it revives dull, frizzy, dry, lifeless hair. It makes your hair look and feel incredibly healthy and soft. Both shampoo and conditioner lathers so well that a small amount goes a long way. I realized after having purchased the one liter bottles that I am most likely to have them on hand for up to 6 months before I possibly run out. It smells heavenly and cleans without stripping down natural oils or hair colour. Though I don't wash my hair every single day because I find that's not personally healthy for my hair and scalp, I believe anyone who wishes to do so would benefit from using AG hair care products as they contain excellent ingredients such as keratin and herbal extracts to help retain moisture. The line is also specifically designed for color treated hair and caters to other hair care such as volume, curls, dry shampoo and more. It's being sulfate free is a big bonus as sulfate can tend to irritate and strip away natural protective oils from hair. Products price range is around $25 to $50 per bottle depending on size. Take into consideration that every bottle purchased contributes to building schools for girls in Africa, is cruelty free and should last you a long time depending on how often you wash you hair. Can be purchased at many salons, online stores or at AG cosmetics website. 

https://www.aghair.com/women-leading-change/

“Women are at the core of AG Hair’s business and we feel both passionate and obliged to help women without any means achieve their potential to create change through education. With each bottle of AG Hair product that we sell, a contribution is made to Women Leading Change. 100% of our donation goes directly towards building schools in Africa. Learn more about where you can find AG Hair products.” - AG Hair Cosmetics

LINKS:

aghair.com

Looking for an excellent waterproof eye liner?

About Product: No - Tug Waterproof Gel Eye Liners glide on saturated rich color without tugging on your delicate eyelids. These liners are clinically proved waterproof even after eight hours of wear! They're also infused with anti-aging technology and skin care benefits including hydrolyzed collagen, silk proteins, and vitamins C and E for younger looking lids. Paragon-free, fragrance-free, sulfate-free, cruelty-free. 

Review: Finally I've found a great eyeliner that I love! I've been searching for a good eyeliner for the longest time because I've been disappointed repeatedly. I don't like eyeliner pencils that you sharpen because most don't apply easily. I don't care for gel liner where you dip the brush in the gel because it takes some real talent to get that technique down. Lastly, most liquid liners I find to dry to come out the tip of the pen. 
I love this liner because it's a gel based pencil which glides on smoothly and makes application so much more easier. I chose my color in black which proves to be a rich and bold color. The one set back as is with most eyeliner pencils, I wish it were a more thinner. It can be a little hard to achieve the perfect line along the upper lash and generally I need a Q-tip to even things out just a bit. However, in comparison to other eyeliners, this is my absolute favorite. It does come with a sharpener you pull out at the base of the pencil which is kinda cool. Doesn't smudge, doesn't run, lasts all day! Retail price $22.00. Kind of pricy for a pencil but it works well and contains ingredients that are good for your skin. 

Dairy Free, Cherry Cheesecake

Vegan or not, you're going to love this recipe! It tastes very much like real cheesecake and it's easy to make.  My last vegan cheesecake was made with cashews which was delicious but this time around I wanted to try a different method. My goal is to discover new methods to create desserts or dishes which are both vegan and in many cases healthier than ordinary recipes that contain dairy. Though this cake calls for powdered sugar, sometimes you just need a little sugar in your life:) 

I used organic powdered sugar which I purchased at the "Harvest Health" store but you can get it at most any health food store around. To my understanding that makes for a true vegan recipe because organic sugar is bone char free. If ever I use sugar in my future recipes it will now be organic which is a win win because it's  both vegan and as far as sugar goes, organic may help you stay closer to your health goals. Here's the recipe...give it a try!

INGREDIENTS:

• Crust:
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (Nabisco graham crackers are 100% vegan)
• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs non dairy butter such as Earth Balance, melted
• 2 Tbs organic powdered sugar only if using graham crackers without honey to make for a true vegan recipe)

• Filling:

  1 (8 oz) package of Firm Silken Tofu ( I purchased a 16 oz and had to cut it in half )

  1 (8 oz) container of non dairy cream cheese ( I used Tofutti purchased at health food     store)

  1 freshly squeezed lemon

  1 Tbs vanilla

  1 cup organic confectioners sugar

  1 Tbs cornstarch

  2 Tbs non dairy milk

  1 (21 oz) can cherries or 1 1/2 cup fresh cherries

Method:

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees

2. Mix together graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press into lightly greased spring foam pan (or pie plate). I choose a spring foam pan to make the unique crust as pictured. The crust can be pressed upwards against the interior of the spring foam pan. Bake for 5 minutes. 

3. In blender ( I used my ninja for extra smooth results but you can probably use a regular blender ) combine tofu, vegan cream cheese, lemon, vanilla, sugar and blend until smooth. Add cornstarch to soy milk and whisk. Add to blended ingredients. Poor filling into crust and smooth with spatula. 

4. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes then reduce heat to 325 for 15 minutes. Let cool for 2-3 hours. I let mine cool in the spring foam pan in the fridge. 

5. Prior to removing spring foam pan, gently add cherry topping without touching the sides of the crust as it is delicate. Gently remove spring foam pan without disturbing the crust. Because the crust is delicate I did not remove the spring foam pan base when cutting and serving. The crust was was crumbly but it sure looks beautiful doesn't it?!

ALBA BOTANICA HAWAIIAN Makeup Remover Towelettes- Cruelty free

                                                         

About product: Makeup Remover, Cleanser & Toner

• Removes makeup, dirt & oils without water or rinsing
• Hypo-allergenic & alcohol free for sensitive skin
• pH balanced formula leaves no residue
• Soft towelette made from natural, biodegradeable fabric
• Deep pore purifying
• Hypo-allergenic, natural
• 100% Vegetarian Ingredients 
• No animal testing, artificial colors, parabens, Phthalates, Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate or Sodium Methyl Sulfate

Time to Clean

Can't do the whole sink-soap-water routine?  No worries!  Get cleaned up fast:  First, gentle cleansers remove makeup.  Second, fruit enzymes break through oil & grime for a pore-deep clean.  Finally, aloe & awapuhi tone & balance without tightness.  A full clean routine doesn't get any easier than this. 

Package qty. 30.

Review: This is the first time having tried a product by Alba Botanica and I'm definitely impressed. Purchased at target for $5.29. That approximately 18 cents each! Not bad price wise. I have no problem removing makeup except the little extra it takes to get black mascara off which I find is the complete norm with facial towelettes. Removing makeup is done in about a minute or less. If you wear heavy foundation you may require the use of two facial towelettes. These wipes have a delightful pineapple smell that's uplifting to the senses and makes you feel good. I love that Alba Botanica uses natural, organic, 100% vegetarian ingredients and doesn't test on animals.  

This brand also has a pore purifying pineapple enzyme facial cleaner which is used to remove makeup, impurities and brighten skin if you do prefer the sink-soap-water routine. Can't wait to try it out!

Coola, Sun Care - SPF 20 to 50 - Organic & Cruelty Free

I recall my mom and grandma telling me during my teen years of wanting to achieve a glowing tan from the sun, "Make sure to put sunscreen on, it will save your skin from aging too fast!" However, I was young and aging wasn't something I had to really worry about for a very very long time...right? 

Taking care of our skin even in our youth is essential to the outcome of our skin later in life. It has been proven time and again that the sun is the leading cause of premature aging and wrinkles. So who wouldn't want to invest money into a product that is truly anti-aging? 

Introducing Coola! This is by far one of the best leading sun care brands available. Products range from 20 to 50 SPF. Talk about excellent skin protection from the suns rays! Products contain natural and organic ingredients such as acai oil high in omegas 3/6/9, rose hip, prime rose oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil, photo-plankton extracts, cucumber, strawberry, shea butter, vitamins etc. Each product specifically designed for lips, face or body is packed with good for your skin ingredients. 

Products are non-oily, nourishing and hydrating for skin. Enriched with vitamins to fight free radicals such as air pollutant smog. 80 minute water resistant sunscreens available. SPF 50 sunscreen for baby and SPF 30 spray for pets! 

Let's make it a Coola summer! 

LINKS:

COOLA_SUN_CARE_FOR_SKIN

ULTA.com