More: A Few Of My Favorite Vegan Things!

In the summer I reintroduced this “few of my favorite vegan things” feature.

I’m excited to bring another post to you today!….

Chickpea Miso

Ever since I discovered chickpea miso, I haven’t gone back to soy-based miso. It’s not that I eschew soy, I simply prefer the taste of chickpea miso. It’s more mellow in flavor, and also has a lighter color. I use it in some of my favorite recipes including Wonder Spread, and a bunch of the new recipes in PPF. I get questions about chickpea miso all the time, and since I first discovered it 3-4 years ago, it’s become far more available. I buy Feeding Change brand locally, and love it! If you can’t find this brand, look for Miso Masters or South River. Pick it up at your next shop, I think you’ll love it!

Copco Water Bottles

A couple of days after this post about packing lunches, I found these Copco water bottles. I was in the checkout line at Winners, looking at all the point-of-purchase merchandise that they are so good at displaying. Charlotte (14 year old) was with me and was looking at the water bottles. She picked up one of these Copco bottles and we both thought it was clever. First, it’s the perfect size for toting in backpacks. Sometimes water bottles are too large to stuff in the side pocket. This one is the same size as a storebought water bottle, so it’s handy… and not too uncool for teenagers. 😉 Second, it’s BPA-free. Third, it opens about 1/3 of the way down for easy washing and filling. You can even add wedges of lemons/limes, or other fruit for an infused water. I’ve since picked up another 3! If you have a Winners or HomeSense in your area, have a look. If not, I also found them on amazon.

Purple Sweet Potatoes!!

I’ve been looking for purple-flesh sweet potatoes ever since my Summerfest trip. Dr. Greger talked about them and I was fascinated. They aren’t easy to find here, however. Most of the grocery stores don’t carry them. Once I found purple skinned sweet potatoes but they were yellow flesh inside. Still delicious, but not the elusive purple I was hoping for. Then, I spotted them one day at our local corner produce market. What are the chances?! I baked them whole, and they were delicious. Almost a cross between a yellow and orange sweet potato in taste and texture. The color is magnificent! I kept sharing photos on IG, because I was so enthralled with the color. I’ve bought them several times since, however only once was the texture the same. The last few times the potatoes have been much more dry. Quite mealy and dry. After reading this post, it appears there are two varieties. Anyone have any insight into how to know when shopping? Please, please share if you do! Regardless, I’m still a fan, and will still be on the lookout.

Andalou 1000 Roses Color + Correct Cream with SPF 30

Quite some time ago, I posted about my skincare routine. I’ve been using Arbonne for a few years, but mostly sticking with the tinted moisturizer and lip polish. Those have been my favorite products. Recently I found this Andalou cream at Choices Market. They had a special on the entire line of Andalou, and since I’ve used (and loved!) the pure oil in the past, I picked up this cream. When I tried this product, I immediately loved it. For me, it’s similar to the Arbonne product, but with that beautiful light, natural rose scent that I love (it’s not a strong rose smell, really light and pleasant). I don’t wear a lot of makeup, but now in my 40’s (today is my birthday, officially 45!), I appreciate having something to even my skin tone some days. It’s not heavy or pasty. I do use a light layer of a natural oil on my skin after showering or washing my face. So, that’s always on my face before applying the moisturizer. Just fyi! If you want to check it out, here it is on amazon.

Roxy YUMA Boots

I also shared a pic of these on IG. The past six months to a year, I’ve been enjoying doing a few more things for myself. Treating myself a little more. Doing things just for me because they make me happy. I don’t know if it’s the 45 thing, or because I’ve been a mom for 15 years and dangit, it’s time! But, lately, when I shop, I’m not always shopping for the kids (as many of us moms do). I spotted these non-leather Roxy boots at The Shoe Warehouse, and got a little crush! I love fall boots, and I have a couple of pairs of longer vegan riding boots. But, not an ankle-length pair. I love the chunkier heel on these. They are rad. So much fun to find vegan footwear at local stores. Again, if you want to check them out on amazon, here they are. The photo doesn’t really do them justice, they look better here!

So, that’s my current “fave vegan things” list!

Share some of yours with me! What foods or vegan products are you loving these days? Hey, it’s my birthday, and I’m quite willing to go shop. 🙂