A Special Day and DeVita Cosmetics Review

“Love is when the other person’s happiness is more important than your own.”

— H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

In my very humble opinion, that is the truthest of truths when it comes to partnership and guess what? Today is a very special day. Two years ago today, my true love and I were married. Yep, pretty exciting huh? A lot has changed since then, and Todd and I are happier and healthier than ever before.

Happy Anniversary to the light in my life, the cheer in my heart, and the aura of love that keeps my soul afire with an immense depth of blissfulness. 

Thank you for celebrating with us. And now, a special review!

A particularly large overhaul I made since implementing a cruelty-free life was adopting new, vegan beauty products. Indeed, as I could no longer in good conscious ingest the body parts of dead animals, no longer could I put animal products on my face either. Eww, right? Yes, and deeply saddening. Animal testing is now proving utterly unwarranted, especially with the emergence of new technologies and is absolutely horrific when you really read up on it. It's wholly monstrous and the brutality is not just committed against mice and primates, but rabbits are a huge part of testing and even beagles too!  

Did you see this article the New York Times released just today on how China Ends Animal Testing Rule for Some Cosmetics. Awesome! It's a start for China, right? 

I admit, I knew animal testing was implemented in the products I was using, but I looked the other way. It's so prevalent and besides, I had my favorites and I didn't want to seek out cruelty-free brands and alternatives to what I had come to use regularly. Can you imagine in inconvenience!? Oh the humanity!! Um...wrong. I finally opened my eyes to the world of animal testing and was truly heart-broken. It didn't take long to cast aside those brands and take joy in knowing the products I now use don't contain any animal bits and are not tested, most viciously, on my furry friends either. They're so many great alternatives out there that no one needs to buy cruel cosmetics!

One of the great products I stumbled up is DeVita and I've been using their BB cream and blush for several months now. DeVita is a vegan cosmeceutical skin care company that is a certified woman-owned business, by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), which is pretty cool. I take assurance in knowing that the products I use are actually developed and produced by women themselves.

Their products are all-natural, 100% paraben-free, and PETA Certified. I think it's completely fantastic that you can go on their site and read about each ingredient that they put in their products. What other beauty companies are doing that? None I know of. They even have a page on their policy against animal testing. In addition that, DeVita actually states what it means to have 100% vegan products. I seriously cannot find enough good things to say about DeVita. They also use renewed and recycled/recyclable packaging. 

I initially discovered them because I had a BB cream that I, unfortunately, discerned was not cruelty-free. As I researched more, I came to uncover that most of my cosmetics were not cruelty-free and were actually filled with poisons and toxic preservatives to boot! Lovely. Ignorance really is bliss! I clearly needed a new cream and after much scrutinizing, all I could find was rave reviews on DeVita! 

I looove their Moisture Tints Multi-Benefit Beauty Balm (BB Cream). It has SPF 15 which is great to help keep my skin safe from the sun. It's paraben-free, 100% vegan, and there's no controversial ingredients. 

I chose the Light tint and admittedly when I first squeezed a smidgen onto my fingers I thought it might not be a good match for my skin coloring. However, after I smoothed it over my face and allowed it to sit a minute the coverage and color was just perfect. As with all BB creams, they're certainly different from a foundation. This one leaves me with a dewy complexion, but not too wet looking like my previous BB cream. It's also a bit lighter feeling and more natural looking, which I really favor. 

This is my ultimate, everyday all-in-one moisturizer/sunscreen/foundation that leaves my skin looking radiant and flawless! I will absolutely continue to purchase it. 

I've had my NARS Orgasm blush for a long time now. So long, it even broken apart inside and I had to repair it. It's the stuff of legends, that NARS blush, which is why I bought it. Yet NARS, unfortunately, is no longer cruelty-free. I was pretty sure I wouldn't find a blush that I liked as much, but I had come to terms with that.

Incredibly, I was so wrong. This Absolutely Blushed Mineral Blush is such a better fit for me and I like how it's not as shimmery (high-school, anyone?) as the Orgasm. It's not a completely matte blush though, as it has the just-right amount of sheen. I was a bit unsure of the loose form it came in, as I've always only had the pressed blush. Although it may take a little more effort to apply (maybe if you have steady hands it's easier), it's completely worth it. This is such a natural-looking blush, I just adore it. My color is Pink Opal and it matches my naturally flushed cheeks wonderfully. 

I could not believe how shockingly difficult it was to find a natural, cruelty-free blush that didn't contain titanium dioxide, which can be harmful when inhaled...like in a blush powder. Yikes! That's how I found DeVita's blush.

DeVita cosmetics might be a little more costly than your average drugstore beauty products. However, even someone as frugal as myself takes no issue with this due to the knowledge of their products being paraben-free, 100% vegan, cruelty-free, all-natural, and contain controversy-free ingredients. Not to mention they are some of the best cosmetics I've ever used! 

So, if you're looking for new vegan products or just in need of some replacement, all-natural, vegan, and eco-friendly cosmetics that are of incredibly quality, I've done the work for you. I'll definitely be buying from DeVita in the future. In fact, I plan to buy their mascara! 

Please hit me up with any questions you may have. Also, share your favorite vegan beauty products with me! 

If you'd like to educate yourself or your friends/family on animal testing, you can learn more about it here.

Website

http://www.devitaskincare.com/store/

Where to Buy

On their website or their store locator.

*DISCLAIMER*  PRODUCE ON PARADE IS A PERSONAL BLOG WRITTEN AND EDITED BY MYSELF ONLY, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. MY REVIEWS ARE COMPLETELY BASED ON MY OWN OPINION OF THE PRODUCT REVIEWED. I AM NOT PAID TO WRITE POSTS. THESE PRODUCTS WERE SUPPLIED TO ME AS GIFTS FROM THE COMPANY TO TEST AND REVIEW. OTHERWISE, IF I MENTION A COMPANY BY NAME AND THERE IS NO DISCLAIMER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST, I AM MERELY WRITING ABOUT SOMETHING I LIKE, PURCHASE AND/OR USE. THE FACT THAT I DO RECEIVE A PRODUCT AS A GIFT TO TEST AND REVIEW, WILL NEVER POSITIVELY INFLUENCE THE CONTENT MADE IN THIS POST.

Lavender Rhubarb Shrub

“Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”

— Martin Luther King Jr.

Have you ever heard of shrub? Have you ever had it before? Do you like vinegar? Are you an old soul? Is your grandmother your idol? Do you have an absurdly and unnecessary amount of fresh fruit? These are all good questions to ask oneself before engaging in this recipe today.

Shrub, if you don't know, is a drinking vinegar. What's that? Okay, let me be more specific. Shrub is generally equal parts fruit, sugar, and vinegar. The fruit is muddled with the sugar and let to rest for a day or two, then the fruit is removed and the vinegar is added. It's bottled and stored in the fridge for at least one week and up to half a year. The concoction is diluted in water or, if you choose, made into a cocktail.

My grandparents always made a raspberry shrub. They had vast rows upon rows of huge, plump raspberries and one way to use the excess berries was to make shrub. It's the taste of my childhood summers, their raspberry shrub. 

I decided to make my shrub with rhubarb and lavender because, well, I have a ton of the stuff and not so much in the way of raspberries. The rhubarb is delightfully tart in this sugary, sour shrub and the lavender lends a summery, floral essence. This shrub has been sitting in my fridge for two weeks in the flip-top bottles, and is just about perfect. As it sits in the fridge, the vinegar mellows and the flavors really meld together. 

My grandmother always said vinegar "cleans out your insides" and would often give us a shot of raw apple cider vinegar with water to choke down. This is much better.   

Lavender Rhubarb Shrub 

Makes 32 oz. 

Notes: As the shrub sits in the fridge, the vinegar will mellow and the flavors really meld together. Any fruit can be used in place of the rhubarb. Don't throw away the leftover sugared fruit! I bag it and freeze it, then use it in smoothies or a pie. Waste not, want not! 

• 3 cups fresh rhubarb, diced 
• 3 large sprigs of lavender
• 3 cups vegan sugar
• 3 cups apple cider vinegar

Combine the rhubarb, lavender, and sugar in a large bowl. Mix together with your hands, crushing the rhubarb between your fingers and really incorporating the sugar until it's a wet mess. This is important. It will take about 5 minutes. There shouldn't be any dry sugar left. 

Cover the bowl and place in the fridge for 24-48 hours. After a time, the rhubarb should be surrounded by a watery liquid and bubbles should start to form. 

Now, strain the rhubarb pressing into a mesh sieve to extract all the juices. There'll be a lot of sugar leftover in the bowl. Try to keep as much of it as possible. Add back the rhubarb juice and stir into the sugar. Now, stir in the vinegar. 

Transfer to bottles and store in the fridge for at least one week and up to half a year. Dilute to taste in water, or cocktails. And with ice, always with ice. Crushed if possible. I use about a 1 part shrub to 5 parts water. 

German Word of The Day

Vinegar --> Essig (S-ich)

Good Deed of The Day

Neanderthals were "mainly vegetarian." Surprise! Inform yourself and read the rest of the article, here. So go Paleo! Which would be mainly vegetarian. 

Flatbread Pizza with Asparagus & Baby Potatoes

“Kill one animal - Criminal
Kill many animals - Butcher
One turns a blind eye - Negligence
Society turns a blind eye - Normality
One points out another’s wrong doings - Extremist
Many point out another’s wrong doings - Change
Change is coming. You are the answer.”

— Aishwarrya Prakash

Who says pizza is off limit for vegans?

Certainly not me. Look at that gorgeous beauty! Easy, crunchy, crispy herbed garlic flatbread is layered with creamy, vegan goat cheese and topped with tender baby potatoes, fresh asparagus, and tart cherry tomatoes. 

So dig in! Don't let me stop you. This is one of those recipes that may look super complicated and time consuming. Homemade crust, homemade cheese (or not!), boiling and slicing veggie prep....I know, I know. Believe me when I tell you this was an utter breeze to throw together. I think it's because nothing is really too difficult to prep/assemble/make and it all times up perfectly. 

Flatbread Pizza with Asparagus & Baby Potatoes 

Makes two medium pizzas

Notes: Use whatever vegan cheese you like. I used the recipe below and made it a few days in advance. Feel free to cut the vegan cheese recipe in half if only using for these pizzas. Cheese adapted from Spabettie.

Ingredients: 

Dough

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• small handful fresh herbs, minced (I used parsley, rosemary, and oregano)
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup water (additional as needed)

Toppings

• 2 cups baby potatoes, boiled, halved and sliced
• 1/2 bunch of fresh asparagus (about 2 cups), sliced diagonally
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup vegan cheese of your choice (I used the recipe below)

Vegan Goat Cheese (at least 8 hours)

• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked
• 1/2 cup roasted and salted macadamia nuts, soaked
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• pinch of kosher salt
• 2 vegan probiotic capsules

Directions:

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to boil for the potatoes. Once boiling, add the whole potatoes and boil for about 10 minutes, until fork tender. Drain, cool, then halve and slice. Set aside until ready for use. 

For the dough, whisk all the ingredients together except for the water in a large electric mixing bowl. Then, fix on the dough attachment and while on low speed, slowly add the water. The dough should be moist, but not wet. When combined, remove and allow to rest for at least 15 minutes. 

Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 400 F. Slice up the baby potatoes, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes. Set aside until ready for use. 

Roll out the dough balls on a floured surface into two 14 inch pizzas. Transfer one to the pizza stone and bake for 10 minutes at 400 F. Then, top with vegan cheese and half of the prepped veggies. Place back in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Remove, and repeat with second pizza. 

Serve hot, drizzled with olive oil and topped with additional herbs and freshly cracked pepper. 

Making the Cheese:

Soak the nuts for 2-12 hours in fresh water. Drain, rinse, and place in a blender. Add the remaining ingredients, excluding the probiotics. Blend on high until smooth and creamy, a few minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. Transfer to a small dish and stir in the contents of two vegan probiotic capsules, discarding the shells. Cover and allow to rest overnight (8-24 hours) in a warm place. Store in the fridge. Makes about 1 1/2 cups. 

German Word of The Day

Crunchy --> knusprig (canoe-sprych)

Good Deed of The Day

Speak up against animal abuse. Sign the petition calling on the Livestock Marketing Association to protect animals and stop workers who were caught on video viciously beating animals, dragging and lifting them by their ears, tails and hair, and denying them food, water, and proper veterinary care.