Spending Money Wisely

I like to feel good about how I spend my money. Anyone that knows me well has heard me  say it a million times. I'd rather pay a mom-and-pop a little extra than pay a big chain. I'll spend the extra for organic free range chicken over chicken that was raised inhumanely and pumped with antibiotics and steroids. I work hard for my money so I spend it wisely. For me it's simple: I have to WANT to pay you, either because I agree with your business ethics, the way you make your products, the ingredients that go into your products, the things you do for your community... I put a lot of thought into it. I'm going to spend money on food, products and clothing anyway so why not spend it on things that are good for my community, my body, and my world? Sure I can buy the knock-off Thin Mint cookies at Walmart (a company I do not particularly like) but I'd MUCH rather bring a smile to my cousin Lia's face and buy 4 boxes of the authentic kind from her. So this is what I do and boy does it feel good.

This is not my cousin, by the way

Naturally, this means I will refuse to spend my money in certain places, like McDonald's for example. Hate is a very strong word, but I feel I can use it whole-heartedly here. McDonald's food is crap. There's a reason why you'll almost die if you eat it 3 times a day everyday (if you haven't seen Super Size Me I highly recommend it). With hardly any nutritional value there's very little attractiveness to their menu. But to make matters worse McDonald's is one of the few fast food chains that refuses to adopt a more humane way of slaughtering their chickens. I won't get into the gruesome details but I can tell you that their refusal of the more humane and cost effective method has successfully solidified my boycott. I won't even buy a soda there (I don't drink soda anyway, but you get my point). You can read more about it here: www.McCruelty.com

But enough about the companies I don't like. I think you get my point. That's why I am so excited I found a company I do like: Arbonne. Arbonne is a company that sells health and wellness products that are organic and vegan. They don't test on animals or use any animal products. The products are botanically based and incredibly healthy. Where you'll usually find harsh chemicals in over the counter products you will not find with Arbonne. Their products are better for you, your family and our world. Sounds incredible, right?

"I'm so happy about being healthy!!! It makes me want to jump!"
This photo IS me, by the way, thanks to Walter Barrera Photography

I just bought a bunch of stuff and am eager to give it a try. I'm most excited about their acne line. The last year has been a struggle for me with my skin. I think it's a combination of my hormones and just sweating more (yea-I workout). I tried Pro Active for about 2 months and it didn't clear up. I've also tried Neutrogena Skin ID, Clean and Clear, and countless others. I've heard great things about the Arbonne acne line and can't wait to try it.

I'm also going to start using their body products, shampoo and makeup. I've already used their protein powder (a wonderful gift from my sister-in-law) and am very excited to try their all natural energy supplements before my workouts.

I plan to review all of these products once I've had the opportunity to use them. I ordered them yesterday so I should be able to write on them by this time next week. When I was completing my order online yesterday I was happy to be giving my money to a company with the same values as me. Like I said, it feels good.

If you're interested in trying any of the products please let me know. I can get discounts for you or let you try some of my samples first. To browse their online catalogue just visit their website. You'll need some info from me before purchasing so please don't hesitate to reach out.

Cruelty-Free is the Way to Be

Sooo most people love animals. Most people. Those that don't basically suck, and I'm okay with saying that. The problem is that even most animal lovers are either unaware how badly animals are abused and exploited or simply refuse to recognize it. Most people think animal testing is acceptable when being done fore medical purposes, like finding a cure for cancer or medicines for rare diseases. What many don't know (or care to recognize) is that more than 2/3 of animal testing has nothing to due to medical advances. Most testing is done for consumer products or sheer curiosity.

Why would anyone intentionally ignore it you may ask? Well, because ignorance really is bliss. Just ask any meat eater that refuses to visit a slaughter house to meet the pig whose flesh they'll consume in a week. Most people would rather be blind to the suffering that goes into their products and food. Most humans don't want to have to sacrifice something they're accustomed to having, like meat or that specific shampoo they like so much, for the sake of compassion. If I'm aware that a bunny had painful injections in his eyes, had his fur burned of and nails ripped out for the sake of my eyeliner I wouldn't want to buy it (if I had a conscience, that is). This knowledge would make shopping for clothing, cosmetics, beauty products and food challenging.

I'm writing to let you know that it's not as hard as it seems. Cruelty free products are popping up everywhere, making products made without harming animals much more accessible AND affordable. YAY!!



Funny Pictures

To encourage consumers to seek out these cruelty-free options we need to give them the motivation to do so. Just understanding what animal testing is about will motivate anyone with a heart.

The most common form of animal testing is called the Draize Test. This is when a product, like shampoo or toothpaste, is put directly into the animal’s eyes to determine a lethal amount. This practice is cruel and ineffective because mice, rats, cats, and bunnies are very different from humans. Even if tests are being done for medical reasons the results are mostly irrelevant to humans.

"The Food & Drug Administration recently reported that of all drugs that test safe and effective in animal tests, 92 Percent are found to be either unsafe or ineffective in humans."

So why do we continue to subject animals to this unnecessary and cruel testing? They endure severe pain during these tests, abuse and neglect while being caged and immense amounts of stress for no end result. WHY?




Did you also know that some of the animals that wind up in laboratories have been stolen off the streets, adopted from shelters and obtained from "free to a good home" ads? The chances that your cat that "ran away" when you were 11 ended up being tortured in a lab are pretty good.

Watch the video. Anyone with a soul can't argue that this isn't wrong.



Furthermore, testing on animals doesn't tell us how humans will react to products. I argue that the best way to find out how a product or medicine effects humans is to test on humans. Here's a thought, with all the unemployed people out there why not pay HUMANS to endure these tests. I know people that I volunteered for this type of work. Or, better yet, why not test on humans serving prison sentences for violent crimes. We might as well make them work for our tax dollars that feed and house them.

The bottom line is that the only way we can encourage companies to stop animal testing and using animal products is to STOP BUYING THIER PRODUCTS. By not participating in the cruelty you can make a difference. You can also write the companies and let them know you've decided to stop using their products because they continue to use cruel and ineffective testing methods on animals.

Here are some links for how to find cruelty-free products. If you're not willing to speak up for these animals I at least urge you to not participate. Would you want your family dog, cat, bird or bunny to suffer this way?


Click Here to Access a Database of Companies that Do and DO NOT Test on Animals

For those of you who dislike PETA, Click Here for Another Way to Find out Companies that Do and DO NOT Test on Animals


Clothing, Shoes, Cosmetics, Hygiene Products, Cleaning Products, Laundry Detergent, Perfumes... they are all included in these lists. Please take the time to know what you are buying (and therefore supporting).