Vegan winter teas are a 'cool' surprise

By Giselle Wedemire

The last time I wrote about DavidsTea's seasonal teas, I was peeved at the lack of vegan-friendly options available. I was at the point where I was considering boycotting the store because it seems like it's been such an extreme uphill battle for me to find readily available limited edition teas that don't contain bits of shellac or dairy in them. But (for now), that's changed.

On Nov. 2, DavidsTea unveiled their winter tea lineup and, to say the least, I was floored.

Screenshot via DavidsTea.com

Number of new vegan fall teas leaf - I mean 'leave' - something to be desired

By Giselle Wedemire

From the heightened appreciation for a good squash soup to the open invitation to start dressing in layers and boots until I start to resemble Rhian from My So Called Life, fall is definitely my favourite time of year. And with fall comes an increased need for a hot cup of tea. 

Pretty much the perfect autumn view

One of my favourite things to do on an autumn weekend morning is waking up before Mr. Picky Bitch, going into my little reading nook, and cozying up with a book and a hot cup of tea.

This makes the release of the new fall-themed teas at DavidsTea a very exciting time of year for me. I mean, it's got autumn-inspired teas and cute mugs involved, so how can I not love it? Look at how cute the new fall mugs are; the vintage camper and fox mugs? Get out of town! They're so darn cute I cute pinch them (but that might not work, since they're made of ceramic).

Summery iced teas to help you keep your cool

By Giselle Wedemire

Summer is here which, for some, means it's time for SPF, vacations, and sandy beaches. Or, if you're like me, you soak up the summer heat by donning your favourite/only oversized floppy sun hat, fixing yourself a cold drink,  and parking yourself on your porch for a bit of outdoor reading.

While some may reach for iced tea on hot days, I'm really more of an iced coffee kind of girl. (I like to mix my iced coffees with a splash of soy milk, a squeeze of agave nectar, and a handful of ice cubes, and then BAM, I've got myself a kickass porch-reading, sun-tanning drink!)

Shout-out to Brian K. Vaughan for the amazing-ness that is volume 1 of Paper Girls.
Not only is it super badass, it's also perfect for outdoor summer reading,
as pictured above with my amazing ice coffee and my hella cute pedicure.

But if you're of the iced tea persuasion, there a few new vegan options at DavidsTea you might want to scope out. At the time of writing, DavidsTea has two summery tea collections on offer: their Summer Collection and the Boardwalk Collection. 

Winners is the best for us Picky Bitchez, and here's why

By Giselle Wedemire

I have a long and storied obsession with Winners (and Marhsalls, and TJ Maxx, if I’m in the US). If I’m having a rough day, or if I’ve got a bit of walking money burning a hole in my pockets, I almost always seek out the fluorescent lit aisles of my neighbourhood Winners in hopes of scoring a deal. Even if I don’t buy anything on a given trip, there’s just something about those stores and the requisite digging and scavenging for a deal that calms me.

This obsession predates my veganism by a number of years, but my commitment to a meat- and cruelty-free life has only bolstered my love for Winners stores everywhere. And for good reason, too: with their well-stocked, vegan-friendly options in their beauty, food, clothing, and accessories sections, stores like Winners et. al. are veritable vegan havens, if you know how to shop with a keen eye.

Photo via Wikipedia

Here are some things to keep an eye out for during your next trip to Winners:

Menses Munchies: Jazzed up Daiya cheezecakes

By Giselle Wedemire

Welcome to a new feature just for us girls that I'd like to call Menses Munchies. In this feature, I plan on providing a monthly spotlight on sweet, calorific vegan treats that can help to chase away menstrual camps and make you feel less like an ogre that's set on destroying the nearest village.

For my inaugural Menses Munchies mention, I'd like to give a shoutout to Daiya's new(ish) vegan cheescakes, which, as I found out the other day, are perfect for lady time. You see, as I was just beginning to surf the crimson wave the other day, I found myself daydreaming about Daiya cheesecakes. I'm a bad vegan because up until this point -- almost a year since the company released their famed gluten-free and vegan cheesecakes to the public -- I had never taken the plunge and tried one. I blame the $9 price tag and my near-constant habit of being fiscally responsible. 

But the siren song of cheescake got louder while my increasingly painful cramps sucked my will to live, and I set off on a quest to find this mythical treat. I walked in a pained daze to my local health food store (Amaranth) to no avail. Grumpy, I then stomped to my neighbourhood Safeway, and was met with even more frustration. 

The elusive Daiya New York Cheezecake.

New teas might add a bit of a 'spring' to your step

By Giselle Wedemire

Spring has sprung today, my fellow picky bitches! Congrats; we made it out of winter alive, which means we can (hopefully) start putting our winter clothes in storage, bust out some lighter threads, and dig into less carby, more rejuvenating fare.

To help make the transition from winter's heavier palate to spring's lighter menu are DavidsTea's springtime tea collection. Of the five teas being promoted for this time of year, three of them seem to be vegan (and, as usual, they are all gluten-free):

And, of course, it wouldn't be a proper springtime post without some mention of Easter. In addition to the standard seasonal teas above, the folks at DavidsTea have also resurrected (see what I did there? I made an Easter joke) three fan favourites for their special Easter tea collection. 

This limited edition collection brings back three previously discontinued dessert-themed teas that are perfect for those with a sweet tooth. However, if your sweet tooth is a bit more discerning as far as animal-derived bits go, you might want to stay away from this festive trio, since only one of the three teas seem to be vegan**:

Sadly, the other two Easter teas and the remaining two Spring teas contain milk in various forms. (Seriously, why? You can just add milk to the tea once it's done steeping, that way everyone can enjoy these teas! But I digress...)

Are you excited to try out any of these seasonal teas? What are you going to do to celebrate the first day of spring? Are you going to hole yourself up in your apartment and bake for a few hours like me, or are you going to head outside and actually enjoy the great outdoors? Let me know by commenting below, or by tweeting me at @PickyBitchez

* Even though their site says that the Pistachio Ice Cream tea contains "natural and artificial pistachio cream flavouring", a DavidsTea rep assured me via email that it does not have any dairy in the tea blend. Sounds a bit suspicious to me -- because what else could this pistachio cream flavouring be made from? -- but until I have further evidence, I have to trust the rep and report that it's dairy-free. Please let me know if you hear anything to the contrary.

** The ingredients for the Jolly Jellybean tea cut off about halfway through the word 'pineapple', but the rest of the ingredients are vegan; if you happen to hear of any further ingredients that were cut off that might deem this tea not vegan, please let me know!

New year, new teas...new you?

By Giselle Wedemire

A cup of tea can do a world of good when you're not feeling well. If you're cold, it can warm you from the inside. If you're tired, a caffeinated tea can really wake you up. And if you're feeling a bit under the weather, a herbal tea can soothe and nourish you.

Photo courtesy of Free Food Photos

And that's the idea behind the latest collection of teas from DavidsTea. Released on Jan. 7, the limited edition Feel-Good collection aims to improve overall wellness and, according to their newsletter, make it "easier" to stick to your New Year's resolutions.

However, as we've learned, not all brews from DavidsTea are vegan-friendly. Of the five brand new teas, four are vegan (and all are gluten-free). That's not a bad turnout, but the secret animal-based ingredient in the sole non-vegan tea is a bit of a head-scratcher. 

Here are the four new teas Picky Bitchez can sip on, worry-free:

Turns out that while us vegans can sip on the above teas without question, we won't be able to find relief after a hard night of partying. According to the teal tea purveyor's website, the new Hangover Helper brew contains "natural yoghurt", which, if you ask me, is the last thing I'd want in my tea when I'm wrapped in the cocoon of self-loathing that is a hangover. 

Luckily for Picky Bitchez who may have had a bit too much fun the night before, I've been around the block. For those days when you just want to draw the shades and laze about on the couch all day, I highly recommend cooking up some hash browns and toast, dabbing your temples and neck with Escents Aromatherapy's Head Aid rollerball, and getting into some hangover yoga.

What do you think of "yoghurt" making a cameo in tea? What are your fool-proof hangover cures? And what are your thoughts on turmeric teas? (I'm personally a fan.) Let me know by tweeting at @PickyBitchez

Warm your bones with new winter brews from DavidsTea

By Giselle Wedemire

Temperatures are dipping, and mitts and toques are starting to make their annual return to Canadians' outfits. With this increasingly nippy weather, snow is inevitable, so I've got my winter jacket on stand-by just in case I wake up to a blizzard one day (which, truth be told, is always a terrible sight to behold first thing in the morning).

Softening the blow of winter's return is the allure of warming and comforting beverages of any kind. Whether your poison is a mug of hot chocolate, a pot of tea, or a gigantic thermos of coffee (no judgment), there's plenty of choices out there for those of us who constantly need to warm our bare hands against a hot mug of something in the winter.

I'd make a predictable Game of Thrones joke, but instead I'll say this:
just looking at this picture is making me crave a hot cup of tea.
Picture via Pixabay

Tea-infused hand creams are your dry hands' BFFs this season

By Giselle Wedemire

My hands are almost reptilian in nature: unnaturally cold, sometimes scaly (depending on the outside temperature), and impressively dry. This only gets worse as temperatures drop and the cool fall air starts demanding that I dig my mittens out of storage. 

I have no idea why my hands are that way since the rest of my body doesn't resemble a dinosaur's hide at all, but such is my lot in life. The best I can do is moisturize them as often as I can to curb the problem before my hands go all Jurassic Park on me.

On June 13, Bare English & Co. announced on their Facebook page that their brand new hand cream had just hit their online store. I am a huge Bare English & Co. convert ever since I reviewed their lip balms last winter, so I immediately got in touch with them to see how and where I could get my (dry) hands on this new product.

Each Green Tea Infused Hand Cream retails for $8.99 on their website, and they are currently available in three scents: lavender, vanilla coconut, and juicy peach. While you might guess from the name that it contains green tea (which acts as an antioxidant), the ingredient list also boasts a slew of fantastic moisturizers like oat protein, aloe juice, coconut oil, almond oil, and shea butter. 

Bare English & Co.'s Lavender Green Tea Infused Hand Cream. The only thing better than the hand cream itself is the packaging. I love that the cruelty-free bunny is right on the front of the tube!

'Fall' in love with new flavours from DavidsTea

By Giselle Wedemire

Fans of sweater weather and all things cozy, rejoice! With September just a few days away, DavidsTea has released its fall collection of teas. 

And even though weather experts are predicting unseasonably warm temperatures for Alberta this autumn (with many days expected to peak in the 30 degree-range), there's something incredibly comforting about sipping a cup of tea while marvelling at the changing leaves outside. 

Just looking at this picture makes me want to don my favourite sweater and leggings, STAT.

Whether you reach for a cup of tea this fall in a sweater or a tank top (because Alberta weather can be a cruel and unpredictable mistress sometimes), it's important to note that not all of DavidsTea's offerings are vegan. Some are enhanced with not-so-vegan ingredients, as we found out earlier this year. Here's the 411 on which of the five DavidsTea fall collection teas are vegan-friendly*:

As a chai tea lover, I'm bummed out that I can't try their new Pumpkin Chai (because it contains milk and butter). However, I'm kind of relieved that I can't try their Peanut Butter Cup flavour because even though I love anything that's peanut butter and chocolate flavoured, there are some things that just shouldn't be in a cup of tea....

Have you tried out any of the new fall-themed teas from DavidsTea? Let us know by tweeting us at @PickyBitchez or by commenting below.

*No worries for the gluten-free Picky Bitchez: DavidsTea blends are gluten-free.

Some of these teas are not like the other...

By Giselle Wedemire


It seems like everywhere you look, there's a Davids Tea store popping up. While that might be a bit of a hyperbole, there are currently eight Davids Tea retail locations in Calgary at the time of writing this post. (Another shop may very well open up tomorrow for all I know.)

Here's a look at Calgary's eight DavidsTea locations.
Screenshot via Google Maps

 
Suffice to say, there are a lot of DavidsTea stores in town (and, in fact, across Canada and the U.S.). And with a seeming endless list of tea flavours ("over 150" according to its website), it can be kind of overwhelming when shopping for tea as a celiac or vegan.

All-natural headache relief that works

By Giselle Wedemire

HeadOn, apply directly to the forehead! HeadOn, apply directly to the forehead! HEADON, APPLY DIRECTLY TO THE FOREHEAD!

If you don't know that inane infomercial from 2006 or 2007, how is it living under a rock for so long? Is it chilly? Cramped? How's the wi-fi there? If it's pretty good, I suggest giving the infomercial a quick watch:

When my youngest brother was a toddler, he was obsessed with that commercial, and would recite the ad's cheesy script verbatim even when we were miles from a functioning TV. So I guess you could say that that ad has been ingrained in my brain for a while.

Summery haircare to get you through gloomy winter days

By Giselle Wedemire

It's the end of February, and this winter is really starting to grind my gears. Lately it's been gloomy and chilly and exceedingly lame. I mean, just look at how terrible it looks outside:

Photo via Flickr

Just kidding! It's actually nowhere that bad here in Calgary. But still, I am so over winter right now, and summer just can't seem to come soon enough this year. Even though I'm really not the biggest fan of the heat, this drab winter has really got me itching for summer -- or at least for spring. All I really want is to be able to walk without having to watch my every step for potential death traps ice patches or worry that my just-washed hair will freeze and snap off during my walk to work.

What can I say? I'm a simple kind of gal (sometimes).

One thing that's been helping me out with this seasonal wanderlust of mine is the fantastically tropical scent of what's soon to be my new favourite haircare duo: Live Clean's Coconut Milk moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.* 

With its creamy, dreamy coconut scent, it feels like my shower is right across the way from a white sand-filled, resort-like beach -- the kind you'd expect to receive impeccable service and even better pina coladas.

As far as aromatherapy goes, this duo helps me dream a little dream that warmer days on their way. And as far as formulation goes, this collection is fortified with -- you guessed it -- coconut milk, plus other nourishing ingredients like Vitamins C, E, Provitamin B5 (all plant-sourced), rice protein and (curiously) "milk protein".

Reading that last part on the bottles' labels originally had me pouting so hard that I looked like I was duck facing for some unknown photo. Fearing the Vegan Police from Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World would be in hot pursuit of me if I even entertained the idea of using something that had traces of dairy in it, I immediately touched base with my contact at Live Clean and shot him this email:

The Live Clean rep got back to me the next morning with this short but effective (and, frankly, endearing) response: "Hi Giselle. Coconut milk!  Cows milk – yuuch!"

With my anxieties soothed, I set to work and tried out the newest addition to Live Clean's haircare roster.

Here's what I thought

LC Coconut Milk moisturizing shampoo
Thick in consistency and creamy, opaque white in colour, this shampoo is definitely different than any other Live Clean shampoo I've ever tried. But it's different in a lovely and luxurious way. It lathers beautifully and makes it feel like you're using a much more expensive product -- almost as if you're lavishing in a seaside salon or some other mythical setting I just made up.

True to its claims, this shampoo is cleansing without over-cleansing, and it leaves my hair feeling supple yet clean each time I use it.

LC Coconut Milk moisturizing conditioner
Like the coordinating shampoo, this conditioner** is on the thicker side, and as far as texture and consistency goes, it reminds me of Live Clean's Age Resist conditioner. It provides a good amount of slip and it seems to hydrate my slightly thirsty late-winter mane very well. 

But beware! A little of this conditioner goes a looooong way. I suggest using about half your regular-sized dollop of conditioner when trying this product on for size, and if that isn't enough for you, then add a bit (little by little) if you need more moisture.


I first tried this haircare duo out on February 13 in anticipation of rocking a super sexy Victoria's Secret model-inspired blow-out on Valentine's Day. It worked beautifully and my overall look was straight up Kardashian-like. Though this collection is deeply moisturizing, it never felt heavy on my straightened hair, nor did it make my hair greasy quickly, which I think is a hard balance to strike sometimes especially when dealing with a blow-out. 

A week later, I used the shampoo and conditioner once more to return to my natural curls and I was surprised that curls were so well-defined and almost Tracee Ellis Ross-like in how rad they looked.

All in all, I am a fan of this haircare duo and its heavenly scent, and I'm really hoping it sticks around for a long time. Because lord knows we all need a little help remembering what summer smells like while we're slogging our way through interminable winters.

You can find Live Clean Coconut Milk moisturizing shampoo and conditioner at Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, Jean Coutu, and Lawtons stores across Canada.

Have you tried Live Clean's Coconut Milk moisturizing shampoo and conditioner? Do you have any amazing products that help you forget that it's still winter outside? Let us know by commenting below, or by tweeting us at @PickyBitchez


*Live Clean Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner were sent to me to review
**This product contains beeswax, which may conflict with some vegans' ethics. Depending on your views as it pertains to beeswax, this product may not be a good fit for you

Natural perfumes to unleash your inner goddess

By Giselle Wedemire

You're never fully dressed until you've applied perfume. That's the advice my mom gave me when I was around 10 years old -- right before I was given my very own (and very classy) bottle of Cinderella perfume for my birthday. 

Since then, fragrance has played a big role in my daily beauty routine, and I never miss an opportunity to give myself a quick spritz -- even when I'm at home with the flu. For me, a splash of my favourite scent instantly classes up any outfit I may throw together, even if I'm rocking a lazy day ensemble of sweatpants and a tank top. 

The problem with many perfumes and colognes is that they're synthetic in the worst possible way: they often contain harmful ingredients like parabens and phthalates, which have been linked to hormone disruption and carcinogenic side effects, respectively.

Years ago, I made the switch to all-natural products for all but one aspect of my beauty regimen. I've simply found it too hard to let go of my favourite perfumes (I'm looking at you, Flowerbomb!), but this year I've vowed to kick the synthetic scent habit and stock my dresser with natural perfumes from companies like Grasse Roots Perfumery.

Based in Stratford, Ontario, Grasse Roots Perfumery is a vegetarian (and mostly vegan) perfumery that crafts luxurious perfume blends with pure natural essences and botanicals. Often times, these blends are even made with certified organic essences whenever possible.

I contacted Grasse Roots in an effort to broaden my natural perfume horizons, and they generously sent me samples of each of their pure perfumes to test out. Each one was lovely in its own way, awakening old memories in me with every fragrant application, and I found that natural perfumes don't last as long on the skin as their unnatural cousins. However, there's something to be said for knowing -- and being able to pronounce -- a perfume's ingredients. It's very liberating.

Photo courtesy of Grasse Roots Perfumery

Get mistletoe-ready with Bare English & Co. lip balms

By Giselle Wedemire 

A good lip balm is hard to come by and I am very picky about the consistency, durability, and (most importantly) the scents/flavours of the lip balms I wear. It probably stems from my memories of junior high when I was really into The Body Shop's satsuma flavoured Born Lippy lip gloss, which I wore so much of every single day of ninth grade that the scent of it made me feel physically ill within three months of buying it.

Since that day, I have (naturally) stuck exclusively to mint-scented or fragrance-free balms to avoid the bout of nausea I associate with wearing tasty lip balm flavours. All that has changed, however, with my latest discovery: Bare English & Co. lip balms,* which comes in tempting scents like pomegranate berry, vanilla coconut, chai tea latte, mint chocolate, and pink grapefruit.

It's fair to say that I'm a little obsessed with Bare English & Co. They are just too awesome -- they are a small Canadian company based in Toronto that specializes in organic, vegan, GMO-free, and gluten-free lip balms. Each lip balm is infused with organic tea (from green tea to white tea, and rooibos to peppermint tea), which, according to their site, "supports the immune system, fights free radical damage and promotes cell rejuvenation."

They're also packed with amazing natural moisturizers like jojoba oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil, vitamin E, and olive oil, making them a great way to stave off the dreaded chapped lips that come with cold winter winds. Not bad for one little tube of lip balm, right?

The verdict
I absolutely love these lip balms (especially the vanilla coconut flavour!), and happily give it five stars and the Picky Bitchez seal of approval! Not only do these bad boys apply smoothly and moisturize fantastically, they also have great staying power (which is great news if you find yourself under the mistletoe a few times this holiday season).

You can find Bare English & Co.'s rad lip balms in many Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, and Rexall stores across Canada.

Have you tried any of these lip balms? Let us know what you think of them by commenting on this post or by tweeting us at @PickyBitchez.

*Bare English & Co. products were sent to me to review