MY FAVORITE HEALTHY & SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS APPS

I know I've been a little quieter on the blog this week which is because I've been busy finishing up some work and getting ready for our vacation!

I'll be back after vacation with more Why Do You Blog interviews on Thursdays but for now I thought I'd share a few healthy and socially conscious that I love and use regularly. Health and Social issues have been on my mind a lot lately, a bit more son than usual; so it's fitting for me to share these with you all now.

BUYCOTT | Have you ever wondered whether the money you spend ends up funding causes you oppose? Buycott helps you avoid these socially negative purchases. Buycott helps you to organize your everyday consumer spending so that it reflects your principles. When you use Buycott to scan a product, it will look up the product, determine what brand it belongs to, and figure out what company owns that brand (and who owns that company, ad infinitum). It will then cross-check the product owners against the companies and brands included in the campaigns you've joined, in order to tell you if the scanned product conflicts with one of your campaign commitments.

I particularly love this app because it helps me avoid Monsanto products, a company who I and a growing majority view as the most evil corporation on our planet (see articles below). Basically they work daily to get rich off of making our food unhealthy and our planet more toxic.

Natural News
Daily Finance

VEGEBLE VEGAN SCANNER | I don't actually use this app a ton because I've been eating this way long enough that I now pretty much know what products are safe for me to buy; I also mostly purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and dried beans and don't purchase a lot of prepackaged food. But I do still occasionally use this app and think it's very useful for those new to a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Vegan Scanner's purpose was to help vegan or ethical consumers choose products easily. They tag every product so you’ll know whether it’s vegan, organic etc. They also give you the ingredients, an image of the product and much more. All you have to do to get all this info, is scan the product’s barcode and you’re done!

Unfortunately I can't find this app for iPhone but for those of you with an iPhone, I'm guessing there is a similar app if you do a search.

HAPPY COW | This app is one of my favorites because it helps my husband and I find Vegan and Vegetarian or at least Vegetarian Friendly restaurants where ever we are. This is really helpful when we're out and about running errands and need to stop for a quick bit to eat before heading home. This app list restaurants in more than 150 countries so you can use it when you travel outside of the country as well.

VEGAN EATING OUT | This app is great for those times when we're out with friends at a fast food or chain restaurant that we wouldn't normally visit because it list 1000's of restaurants alphabetically and tells you what items on their menu are vegan or vegetarian. It will even tell you if you should order an item without a dressing or topping because it is not vegan.

This app also comes in handy when you're on a road trip and are stuck out in the middle of nowhere with only fast food and chain restaurants.

Unfortunately this app is temporarily unavailable for android and I can't find it for iPhone. In this case however I did find a similar app for iPhone called Vegan Xpress and I've written to them and asked them to develop it for Android just incase Vegan Eating Out never makes it back to the Google Play Store (I'll let you know if Vegan Xpress comes to android).

CHOOSE CRUELTY FREE | I love this app because I initially became a vegetarian when I was 15 for animal rights reason. Animal rights and the practice of Ahimsa (non-violence) is still a big part of the reason I eat the way I do but I also very much do it for health reasons because I feel much much healthier on a plant based diet.

However animal right extends far beyond what I eat and so I also try to purchase vegan and cruelty free products for my hair, skin and home. A vegan product means that it is made without any animal ingredients and cruelty free means that the product is made without the use of animal testing.



I hope you find some great uses for these apps and please let me know if there are any similar apps that you love and use: I'd love to hear about them!

PIT BULL CHARITY CARD

I'm excited to share one of my new laLa Grace Charity cards.

Since launching laLa Grace at the end of January I've been thinking about how I can use this business to give back. I decided about a month ago that I wanted to illustrate a few cards that would benefit charities that I personally support and have donated to in the past.

I am an animal lover and have a great deal of compassion for all animals most especially those that are abused and mistreated like Pit Bulls. Contrary to popular belief Pit Bulls are one of the sweetest most loving breeds; and it breaks my heart that humans have succeeded in giving such a beautiful dog a bad name.

Which is why the first card in my charity series is the I'm A Lover Not A Fighter Pit Bull card. A portion of the proceeds ($1.00) from the sale of each card goes to The Villalobos Rescue Center, the largest Pit Bull rescue in the world.



The Villalobos Rescue Center works ceaselessly to give Pit Bulls another chance in life. Each and EVERY dog taken in, gets spayed or neutered, and given any medical treatment necessary. They work patiently to re-acclimatize fearful dogs to the loving care of a human, so that they may eventually be adopted. In some cases, these dogs have never had a kind word or touch, and it is a slow process. After determining temperaments and compatibility factors, they begin that long search for the perfect home.

Unfortunately Pit Bulls are their own worst enemy – their loyalty and devotion make them the perfect victim. Have we already forgotten about Petey? He was the loyal ring eyed dog of the Lil Rascals. Yes, Petey was a Pit Bull! You see the dogs themselves haven’t changed – we have!

We’ve turned these All American Family dogs into the killing machines of the ’90′s. It is our responsibility to turn this around. We owe it to them. After all, aren't they man’s best friend?

THIS WEEK | 5-17-13

I cannot believe that it's Friday already. You know when you have a really productive week yet you only get through about 50% of your To Do List, well that was my week. However over the past few years I have luckily learned to ignore my inner control freak and let things unfold as they should when they should. I have learned that I am only human and can only do so much in a day and that it's okay if something doesn't get done, there is always tomorrow.

So here are a few things I'm loving this week...

This Life Lately post by Kendi Everyday is one of the most beautiful and eloquent post I have ever read. It had me in tears by the end, not tears of sadness but ones of joy because I too have suffered and off with depression since I was a teen. I know all too well what she is talking about and even more, how important it is to confront your depression head on and that part of that confrontation as difficult as it may be, is to tell people that you are depressed.

This quote by Rumi is very fitting for what Kendi is talking about in her blog.

This photo makes me long for my home country. It's been years since I've been back to Jamaica and I think I need to remedy that soon.

Just wanted to say thank you to Bird Aria for suggesting me on the Follow Friday Twitter list today, so sweet. :)

Tuesday night was awesome because my very favorite show started a new season. What is it you ask? So You Think You Can Dance of course! I have to say when it first started 10 seasons ago I had no intentions of watching it but I love dance so I gave it a shot and it's awesome, it so entertaining and constantly reminds me that I have severely underused my body in this lifetime, LOL! My husband loves it too and one of my favorite things about watching it with him is when he gets up and tries to do the dance moves the contestants do. It's hysterical because though we both love dance neither of us actually think we can dance; but the fact that he makes me laugh daily is one of my favorite things about him so keep (trying) to dance honey!

Lastly this video brought me so much joy this week, this couple is beyond AWESOME and I so want to be friends with them!


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WHY DO YOU BLOG? | ANGEL YARDE of STATIC ROMANCE

I discovered Angel and her blog after she commented on one of my blogs a few months ago. Since then she and I have chatted quite a bit via email and Twitter and I simply adore her. She is so genuine and kind and so supportive of other creatives and their work. Her enthusiasm for all things design is bound to take her far in that field and I for one look forward to watching as things unfold for her.

Read on to find out more about Angel and why she blogs.
 

BLOG | Static Romance
CAREER | Graphic Designer & Front-End Web Developer
BUSINESS | Sevanality
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Flickr

I blog to share things that I find inspiring to others. I've also come to realize over the years that blogging is also an extension of my creative process as a designer. If I'm having designers' block, I will search for something to blog about.

I enjoy showcasing the work of other designers, especially up and coming designers. I usually don't notify them, unless it's specified on their portfolio. It's always fun to see a comment from them a few days later on the blog or on Twitter saying, "Wow, thanks for featuring my work!".

I would have to say the post featuring my repainted bookshelf. It's not a big deal to most bloggers, but getting the courage to post something from my home was a big deal for me.

About three years ago, I posted this list of blogs written by 18-30 year old bloggers. I didn't expect it to become a big deal but to a lot of people it was. I was surprised to see how many people don't get their blogs featured or linked to so it was fun to share what I read and introduce people to new blogs. I am thinking of doing something similar again soon!

There are so many! I think for the past few years, Design Work Life has been my favorite design blog. I love the consistency of the posts, the work that is featured, and the range of work posted. It's a great design blog that deserves much more recognition than it receives.

Check back next week for a new Why Do You Blog? interview!

WALLPAPER 05 | A TIGER DOESN'T LOOSE SLEEP

 

2560 x 1440 | 1680 x 1050 | 1440 x 900 | 1280 x 800 | TABLET | MOBILE 

"A Tiger Doesn't Loose Sleep, Over the Opinion of Sheep."

A new FREE illustrated Wallpaper download for your desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile device.
Enjoy!

If you're not sure what your screen resolution is, CLICK HERE and it will tell you.

3 FAVORITE YOGA WEBSITES

Ever since I started practicing yoga almost 20 years ago now (I started when I was a teenager), people often tell me that they would like to practice but complain that studio classes are so expensive. I am not the biggest fan of the cost argument because I believe that we all (myself included) spend tons of money on many little things without even realizing it. However I do know that even if we all cut back on those things like $5 coffees; studio yoga is still beyond some people's budgets.

So I wanted to share 3 of my favorite yoga websites that will make it very cost effective for you to not only practice yoga, but to practice with some of the best teachers in the world!

yogaglo | $18/month for unlimited yoga!

This site offers classes in a variety of styles for every level from beginners to advanced with some of the best young and hip yoga teachers in the world. One of my client's Tiffany Cruikshank and my friend Kathryn Budig teach on here. These two ladies have truly inspiring personal yoga practices which is probably one of the reasons they are such great teachers; they also happen to be two of the nicest people I've ever known.

If you're like me you may have a harder time practicing at home without the class energy. This is probably the top reason I love yogaglo because the videos are filmed in a class setting so it gives home practitioners the feel of being in a class.

gaiam | average $14.98/video

Even if you don't practice yoga chances are good that you've heard of this company, they've been around since before I started practicing and they are one of the largest yoga and fitness brands in the world. I actually started practicing yoga using 3 of their videos with Rodney Yee. My friend Kathryn Budig has a few awesome videos out with them as well.

This is a great option if you'd prefer to buy a video outright and not pay a monthly membership.

my yoga online | $9.95/month or $89.95/year for unlimited yoga!

This was one of the first online yoga studios and it is absolutely amazing. They offer classes with some of the best established yoga teachers in the world, like Cyndi Lee, Desiree Rumbaugh, Sharon Gannon, and Rolf Gates (one of my personal favorites, I took some workshops with him a few years ago and he was awesome!) When I first came across this site I could not believe the teachers they had. If you are a yoga traditionalist like me then this site is the one for you.


I actually recommend getting a membership on this site and yogaglo, it's still way cheaper than any studio membership and you'll be able to choose any level, any style and any teacher your little heart desires.

9 MONTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY | WE'RE A GOOD MATCH

Today is our 9 Month Wedding Anniversary and so as I've done every month I thought I'd share the illustration I drew for my husband.

My husband and I often say "We're A Good Match" to each other so I knew months ago that those words would be used for one of our first year drawings. I drew 11 matchsticks because we got married on the 11th and I left just two full matchsticks because there are two of us.

I can't wait to spend many many many more months of our lives with this amazing man. It's pretty awesome getting to spend everyday with someone that I am so well matched with; he's my best friend in every way and I thank God daily (sometimes hourly) for bringing him to me. 

WHY DO YOU BLOG? | LATRINA MCNEILL of OF TREES & HUES

I  love everything about Latrina's blog; what she talks about, her design aesthetic and most definitely her photography.

Read on to find out more about Latrina and why she blogs.
 

BLOG | Of Trees & Hues
CAREER | Barista, Photographer & Etsy Shop Owner
BUSINESS | Of Trees & Hues Etsy Shop
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Oh, wow. That's a tough one... for so many reasons, I suppose. I'm a memory keeper -- I like to document life... my travels... and the little stories that happen each day that I would both like to remember and share with others. I also find that blogging is a great way of discovering who we are as artists... I love the searching + combining of images, words, and typography to create something special... If I can inspire at least one person with my words and imagery, then I am one happy gal.

I love to explore! So any chance I get to compile the imagery I've taken on a recent road trip... I'll do it! I truly believe exploration + getting lost among the trees is what soothes our souls and makes us grateful and better people.

Most definitely my blog entry about the Pacific Coast! I can't tell you how thankful I am to experience places like that... truly mesmerizing. I am actually going back this week and can't wait! My heart craves the coast.

...more like many moments -- I have had the privilege of meeting some of the most amazing & warmhearted people simply by them stopping by my blog. I have made some very special friendships, some dating back from over a decade ago! I am so blessed to know these people.

Oh, this is a tough one! I have literally folders + folders of bookmarks. But if I had to choose one... it'd most definitely be my friend Ronnie's blog over at Pink Ronnie. She is a mother, a wife, designer, and one amazing lady. She writes about life -- true + honest happenings. She writes from her heart and I have always admired that about her. I always leave her blog feeling good... very hopeful!

Check back next week for a new Why Do You Blog? interview!