Vegan Ben & Jerry's comes to Canada!

By Giselle Wedemire

Big news, Canadian vegans: as of Feb. 27, pints of Ben & Jerry’s dairy-free ice cream have hit store shelves across the country. But before you throw on some decent pants and run to your nearest grocer, pump your brakes and drive slow, homie, because there’s a possibility that your neighbourhood store might not stock these niche items yet.

In Calgary, I’ve heard that only select Walmart locations are currently carrying the new dairy-free B&J flavours – and even then, the flavour selection might be limited. Surprisingly, my neighbourhood Shoppers Drug Mart had jumped on the dairy-free band wagon. However, that store only carried the P.B. & Cookies flavour, and it wasn’t included in the BOGO deal they were running on all other B&J pints, which induced major sad faces in me and Mr. Picky Bitch.

Six-ingredient vegan marshmallow fluff = heaven

By Giselle Wedemire
 
You know when you have a crazy craving for something, and it just won't go away, no matter how hard you try to repress it? That was me about three months ago when I wanted nothing more than to make vegan s'mores with some graham crackers, some dark chocolate, and a big ol' scoop of that marshmallow fluff in a jar that's usually reserved for ice cream sundaes.

Yes, I could have opted for some vegan marshmallows instead -- and, in fact, I did do that in the end -- but I wanted that fluff no matter what! The fly in the ointment, though, was two-fold: 1) it was incredibly difficult to find in any grocery store, and 2) when I did find it in Superstore -- in the chewing gum aisle, of all places! -- it contained egg whites. Womp womp.

Cut to: me storming away from the store like an overtired toddler, while Mr. Picky Bitch tried to console me. It seemed like my craving for marshmallow fluff would never be fulfilled, and I was devastated. I was crushed. In a word, I was overreacting.

But after receiving a standing mixer for Christmas, and doing hella research on the magic of aquafaba, I was inspired to try my hand at turning chickpea water into gooey, comforting marshmallow fluff. 

And let me tell you, it was a huge success.

Without further ado, I now present to you: homemade vegan marshmallow fluff!

Sanctuaries: the compassionate choice for animals

By Giselle Wedemire

I know I usually share news about vegan events, products, tips and tricks on this blog, but I figured I'd shake things up by discussing something I've been passionate about for most of my life: animal welfare. More specifically, let's talk about how uncool zoos are.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but despite the cute marketing and the utopian image presented by countless ad campaigns for local zoos, zoos aren't so great for the animals who live there. If you're looking for a fun way to learn about animals and are concerned about their welfare, you might want to rethink your usual day trip to the Calgary Zoo. With documentaries like Black Fish and Earthlings, we've learned that it is without a doubt inhumane to confine wild animals to unnaturally small spaces and to exploit their livelihoods.

And while zoos and aquariums provide the opportunity to teach the general public about the exotic animals they share this planet with, the basic vegan tenet of avoiding and boycotting the harm and exploitation of sentient beings should ring loud and clear when considering visiting the zoo.

How cute is this guy? If this face isn't enough to get you to boycott zoos and support animal sanctuaries, I dunno what will.
Creative Commons photo via Ontario SPCA

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.

Warming Mexican hot chocolate bark

By Giselle Wedemire

I received a copy of The New Chicago Diner Cookbook this past Christmas and it is a joy to behold! There are so many recipes I want to make from it that my copy is practically stuffed to the brim with bookmarks.

One of the recipes that first caught my eye (other than the pasta carbonara, and the chocolate mousse cake, and the ginger coconut tofu bites, and the maple whipped cream and and and...) was the Mexican hot chocolate bark. I love spicy and sweet flavour combos and Mexican hot chocolate anything is my JAM, so I was stoked to get started on this recipe. 

I waited until it was the perfect night for concocting a chocolatey treat that's spiked with hits of heat, and finally it came. On an extremely chilly and wintry Tuesday night, Mr. Picky Bitch was out with friends and I was left to indulge in some creature comforts. Snuggled up in an oversized hoodie with a kitty on my lap and a few episodes of Black-ish to catch up on, I was all set. It was time to get cracking on some sweet and spicy chocolate bark to help punch winter in the face.

Picky Bitchez-style Mexican hot chocolate bark is fully equipped with the heat and spices
some feel are required to punch Old Man Winter in the face. 

Cruelty-free curls that are smooth like BuhTah

By Giselle Wedemire

About two years ago, I made the decision to go au naturale with my hair. It took a few stops and starts -- and a whole lot of soul-searching and self-acceptance -- to completely kick my flat iron habit to the curb and embrace my naturally curly hair.

But I can now say with complete confidence that I regret nothing and I am 100 per cent in love with the curls I once fought so hard to hide from the world.

On my natural hair journey, I've learned that my curl pattern is 3b, which means I have defined ringlets that are prone to frizz if left to dry without any product in them. It also means that if humidity gets anywhere near my hair, it turns into a fantastic ball of fluff. So, naturally, anti-humectants are my best friends because they help to block humidity's brutal effects from ratcheting up my hair. 

I've been looking high and low for a great all-natural, vegan, and cruelty-free miracle product that'll allow my hair to dry faster, and transform it into well-defined, healthy-looking, frizz-free spirals. After all this time, I think I've finally found that product.

BuhTah All Natural Shea Mix is a miracle-working product created by an independent startup company based in Georgia, USA. Made of all-natural shea butter, and jojoba, coconut, castor, and avocado oils, Buhtah is a sealant rather than a moisturizer -- which means it'll keep any and all frizz at bay. In short, it's a curly girl's dream come true.

How cute is that packaging, though? Love it!

Homemade beauty remedies for the lazy vegan

By Giselle Wedemire

The new Neal's Yard Remedies store in Southcentre Mall will be opening its doors today. It's a very exciting time for both the NYR team and Calgary's NYR fan base, and to celebrate this new store, the good folks at NYR are running a contest for shoppers to win prizes.

While we discussed the rules for the contest here yesterday, it's worth repeating: starting today, NYR will post a weekly remedy on their Instagram and followers are encouraged to share their own favourite at-home remedies (and the hashtag #MyNYR) to the company's Instagram for a chance to win an exclusive prize.

I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring for this prize because I love all things free, and also because I love spreading the gospel of homemade beauty products. So, without further ado, here are my favourite at-home remedies:

Disregard the terrible lighting in this picture and focus instead on these everyday
pantry items that make some of the best (and easiest) DIY beauty products.

New NYR store means Calgary just got a little more beautiful

By Giselle Wedemire

Neal’s Yard Remedies, the British purveyor of all-natural, organic beauty products, is expanding its reach in Calgary. 

On Oct. 28, it was announced via press release that the chain will branch out of the trendy Mission neighbourhood (where its first Canadian store is located) by opening its second shop in Calgary in Southcentre Mall, thus marking the second phase of CEO Lisa Costello’s plan to expand the brand and open 10 new locations of NYR across Canada over the next five years.

Screen shot via Neal's Yard Remedies' Instagram account

 

The new store will open its doors on Oct. 30 and, while it won’t have spa treatment rooms like its sister store in Mission, it will be stocked with its usual, full selection of natural and organic essential oils, skincare, cosmetics, etc. (much of which is vegan and gluten-free, HOLLA!). 

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!

Sweet treats for a sweet cause: another vegan bake sale hits YYC

By Giselle Wedemire

In case you missed the Sixth Annual Calgary Vegan Bake Sale in May (or if you just couldn't get your fill of cruelty-free sweets the first time around), fear not! Another vegan bake sale is coming to town this weekend.

Event poster via Facebook

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.

Top five goodies perfect for a vegan bake sale

By Giselle Wedemire

For the past three months, we at Picky Bitchez have been on hiatus.The reason for that has mostly been because of time constraints, but also because I made an impromptu decision to step away from the blog until I had had enough time to properly test out some products I'd been sent by some great vegan and gluten-free companies. (Hint: reviews are on the way!)

However, time waits for no picky bitch, and it's about time I get back in the blogging game!

With the Sixth Annual Calgary Vegan Bake Sale just a week away, the vegan community here in Calgary is abuzz and I'll be reprising my role from last year as a volunteer baker. But I'm kind of freaking out because with just a week to go, I still haven't decided on what I should make for the event. Ugh, indecisiveness is the worst!

Event poster via Facebook

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

Day 6: For the DIY fan

By Giselle Wedemire

Few things beat the feeling you get when you make something with your own two hands. For fans of DIY, that feeling is probably pretty common, though no less rewarding, than it is for the rest of us. However, if you're shopping for a DIY fan (or a lover of organic, handmade skincare products), look no further than our pick for Day 6 of our 12 Days of Christmas (Shopping).

Neal's Yard Remedy, the English purveyor of luxurious, organic skincare and cosmetics, has found a home in Calgary, which is one of only two Canadian retail outlets for the upscale British brand. Established in 1981 and known for its potent and scrumptious blends of organic essential oil, Neal's Yard Remedy (NYR) products are jam-packed with natural ingredients to help soothe and pamper you from head to toe.

• 'Create Your Own' event ($30)

Photo via NealsYardRemedies.ca

Day 5: For the natural beauty, SNL fan, amateur cook, and crazy cat lady

By Giselle Wedemire

If the Room of Requirement in Harry Potter ever had a tchotchke-filled sister, it would be Kricket's. This quaint store has practically everything you could ever want or need, as far as little giftables go, and can be a great one-stop shop for almost everyone on your list. (Just don't get one of their hilariously crude or off-colour Christmas cards for your grandma.)

With so many options in this tiny store, it was definitely hard to narrow down our top picks for Day 5 of our 12 Days of Christmas (Shopping), but we hope you can appreciate the few items we've picked out for some of the weirdos eclectic people on your shopping list.

For the SNL fan: Stefon glass ($14.95) or mug ($15.95)

Photo via Kricket's (Facebook)

Day 1: For the foodie with a big heart

By Giselle Wedemire

Our first pick for the Picky Bitchez's 12 Days of Christmas (Shopping) is a destination -- or an event -- rather than an actual store. We know we're breaking our own rules here, but with an all-vegan holiday bake sale in town, we really couldn't resist.

On Dec. 13, Calgary will be hosting its very first vegan holiday bake sale, and it promises to be just as amazing as the annual vegan bake sale held in the city every May. We are so excited about this event, and we think that with all the sweet (and savoury) vegan treats up for grabs, they'd make for a fantastic gift.*

Photo via Calgary Vegan Bake Sale Team/Facebook

The 12 Days of Christmas (Shopping): A Picky Gift Guide

By Giselle Wedemire

Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas (Shopping)! As of today, there are just 12 shopping days separating us from the gift giving bonanza that is Christmas Day. (We're not even thinking of including Dec. 24 in this count because in our minds, Christmas Eve is a day for lounging in your PJs while drinking hot chocolate and watching holiday movies.)

If you haven't completed (or even started) your Christmas shopping, then I'd say that that tight feeling you're currently experiencing in your chest is probably the beginning of an anxiety attack. But fear not!

Photo via ChristmasStockImages.com

Baby your skin with Live Clean (baby) Calming Bedtime products

By Giselle Wedemire

In my opinion, babies are like beards: they're pretty cool, but I don't ever want to have one of my own. However, babies have kind of cornered the market on smelling good and having super soft skin, which are both pretty cool things that I wouldn't mind having for myself.

So, when I received (baby) Calming Bedtime,* Live Clean's latest line of baby bath products, I jumped at the chance to baby my skin. Packed with skin-soothing safflower and coconut oils and relaxing essential oils like vanilla, lavender, chamomile, and jasmine, the bubble bath and lotion in Live Clean (baby)'s Calming Bedtime collection sound like a recipe for stress relief for anyone, young or old. 

After a full day at work and an invigorating evening of living room yoga, I set myself up for a more grown-up version of a baby's nighttime bubble bath. Armed with a glass of vegan wine, a great book to read during my relaxing soak, and a tub teeming with bubbles, I got down to business and tested out how effective these products can be on an adult who sets her own bedtime, thankyouverymuch. 

Here's what I think of Live Clean (baby)'s Calming Bedtime collection: