Be a Good One.

I came across something that the celebrity makeup artist, Kandee Johnson said, and I wanted to touch on the topic in today's blog post.

"True beauty doesn't come from the face, it comes from the heart. There is no amount of makeup that you can put on an ugly attitude and an ugly heart that will make it look like that is truly a beautiful person. Beauty is something that you should be able to feel in a room that's totally dark and you cannot see a person. It's something that a heart can feel, not just that the eyes can see. Because I have met a lot of people that look beautiful on the outside, but their attitudes and the way they treat people is very ugly on the inside." -Kandee Johnson

It doesn't matter who you are or what you are, just be a good person. Do the right thing and make decisions that are from a good place and not a bad place. Before you do something, think about all of whom your decision might effect. Will someone be hurt by something you are doing or want to do? Does it feel wrong to be doing it? Is it something that you should hide or cannot be completely honest about? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you are not being a good person. If you have to lie about something, chances are it is not the right thing to do and you shouldn't be doing it. If you have to erase or cover up actions that you are doing, but go about your life thinking you aren't doing anything wrong, then tell me, why cover it up? Live your life in such a way, that you can sleep at night with a clear conscious knowing that your actions have not negatively effected anyone else in any way. Be aware of yourself and your surroundings and most importantly, how you effect the world around you. I believe that if people start being held accountable for the way that they live, we would have a happier world. Be honest with others and be honest with yourself. If you feel a certain way, don't hold those feelings inside. If you are making a decision for a certain reason, own it. Don't be a deceitful person because it only makes you have an ugly heart. You can dress up an ugly heart but in the end, you can't fake it. If you are mean, people can see it, no matter how much you try to deny it or fake it. If you are doing wrong in your life, trust me, you aren't that good at hiding it, no one is. No matter what you do in life, good or bad, it will come back to you. It always does. Do you think you can go around willy-nilly with your actions and there are no cosmic consequences? Oh no, no, no - sorry it does not work that way.

So, the lesson of the day is, stand up for what is right. If you have a beautiful heart, speak up when something is wrong or do not be a part of something that is negative. Karma is a real thing, because I have seen it first hand. That is why I try and live my life a certain way, mainly to be an advocate of goodness and spread those good vibes to those around me, but also I do not want karma bringing me back anything evil that I may have put out into the world first. Good karma is a wonderful thing. I have seen it come back to me and I smile because it is a beautiful feeling to help someone selflessly and then get a wonderful surprise when you least expect it. To be a good person, makes me feel happier. No matter what misfortunes life throws my way, I always look at the blessings. It is best to see things with a positive outlook. As long as I know that I am doing the right thing, I cannot be accountable for other people's crumby behavior. I can just try to influence and change the world for the better. I am proud to raise our family with the belief that, "You always do the right thing no matter what and you always think of how you would feel if something was to be done to you. If you wouldn't be comfortable with it, someone else wouldn't like it either.". Sometimes doing the right thing isn't exactly easy, but it sure is easier to sleep at night, rather than staying up at night feeling guilty about your dishonorable actions. And the worst of all people, are the ones who don't feel guilty about doing awful things. So try and be a good one. Think about others and think about yourself. When you cheat others, you are only cheating yourself. When you hurt others, you are the one that is hurting inside.

"Be a fountain, not a drain." -Rex Hudler

And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off. I hope you have a day full of good fortune and I'm sending lots of positive vibes your way. Pay it forward; you'll be amazed on how great it makes you feel.

Boogers Have Never Been So Cool!

So, I am super excited to show you guys this awesome product line called Boogie Wipes! I hadn't heard about these until expecting, and I can tell you right now that I plan to use these throughout all of my child's stages of life. Yes, I will be that crazy person running after my teenager telling her not to forget her Boogie Wipes. Yes, her Dad will be so proud that I have thoroughly embarrassed her, therefore she will not get a boyfriend. I will just be proud to have a kid with a booger-free nose.

Here is the scoop. Boogie Wipes are a natural saline, vegan-friendly product that are not test on animals. These wipes come in packs that are perfectly portable in your diaper bag or purse, a bigger canister to keep in the nursery or in your home, and "On The Run" boxes that contain individuals. These ingenious wipes are made of all-natural, gentle saline. Instead of spraying saline up your child's nose, Boogie Wipes are an easier solution.

Like everything else, I am testing these products out on myself before Baby arrives. If it is not good enough for me, how could it possibly be good enough for my precious child, right? I decided to try the Fresh Scent first. I take out the Boogie Wipe, and it smells pleasant. The texture is also very nice; sturdy yet super soft. These wipes are not heavily saturated like some baby wipes, which made this easy to wipe my nose with. It wasn't cold, and it cleared my nose up quite magically. It was quick and I kind of felt like continuing to use it. So i just patted my nose with it and took in the light and happy scent. I also did the same with the other scents and they were really refreshing. These handy wipes come in Grape, Menthol, and Unscented.

I wouldn't leave home without my diaper bag stocked with Boogie Wipes!

I found that these wipes really helped my allergies too. My nose felt nice and clean after using these wipes. I think my baby will be pleased with such a cool way to clean her nose. Your nose feels pampered afterwards and these wipes moisturize the area. Boogie Wipes are a lifesaver for moms who need to clean runny, booger crusted, or sick baby noses. I can totally see how these wipes can soothe a red, irritated nose. These are also a fun way to keep your kids' fingers out of there! Having something fun that smells great will be a motivator for kids not to go digging for boogers! I can totally see the Grape scent being a huge hit with the toddler crowd as well. These sweet smelling wipes can be found at stores like Target, Babies-R-Us (and Toys-R-Us), Walgreens, Rite-Aid, and Walmart and also online on their website or other online retailers like Amazon, Diapers.com, and Drugstore.com.

What a wonderful and exciting product! I am thrilled to have found Boogie Wipes and they certainly get my seal of approval. What are you using to clean out those boogie-filled noses? If this is your first time hearing about this product, what do you think?

Quick 29g Protein Quesadilla Lunch

This recipe is for a quick to prepare and make, baked quesadilla that is yummy and packed with protein. Between the tortillas and the quesadilla toppings, this meal totals about 29g of protein. And some say us vegan-folk don't get enough protein. Also, this was quick to make; use the toaster oven to make it even faster and cut down on oven preheating time. So let's get started!

Try My Drool-Worthy 'Not-chicken, Cheese, and Spinach Quesadilla with Sweet Mustard' Recipe

• 2 Whole wheat tortillas
• 2 tbsp dijom mustard
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• Handful of baby spinach
• 1/4 cup sliced Daiya cheese wedge in Havarti flavor
• About 5 or 6 Gardein Crispy Tenders

Set toaster oven to 350 degree "Bake" setting. Combine dijon mustard and maple syrup. Place a tortilla in a pan and spread half of the sweet mustard mixture on it.

Layer spinach, Gardein, Daiya, and drizzle the remaining sweet mustard on top.

Place the other tortilla on top. Smash down with your hand to flatten a little bit. Bake in toaster oven for 10- 15 minutes or until quesadilla is crispy and golden.

Cut into four wedges and enjoy!

Fabulous Eco-Chic Jewelry Made From Re-purposed Materials!

We all know that there are serious environmental benefits to buying re-purposed goods versus ones that are made from brand new materials. Plus, having something cool that had a story before, is really neat and interesting. Re-purposed items are usually one of a kind or there are not many of them out there since they are not mass-produced. Whatever the item may be, it is sure to be a conversation starter. With that being said, I wanted to share my cool new statement piece ring with you.

This gorgeous and one-of-a-kind ring was made from a very talented artist, Lisa DiSciascio. Lisa is the creator and wood-gatherer behind Starlight Woods. Starlight Woods is a delightful jewelry store offering eco-friendly tree branch turned to jewelry creations and you can find these beautiful works of art on Etsy.

Love this ring!

Want to know what is so neat? The jewelry and accessories at Starlight Woods are born from storm damaged trees and fallen branches gathered by the artist during hikes with her family. What a wonderful thing!

If you are planning on giving one of these fabulous pieces as a gift, rest assured knowing that every purchase is automatically gift-ready in a gift box and wrapped with twine.

How gorgeous is this ring?! I adore it!

I absolutely love eco-chic accessories because you can feel good about them. You know exactly what they are, where they came from, and it is comforting to know that the item and it's materials were sourced responsibly. I don't know about you, but it makes me ill to think that some small child in another country is working in a factory to make the cheap accessories that you find in those superstores. Furthermore, they aren't great quality at all and they are something that everyone else is wearing. That's what I love about this Starlight Woods aqua cocktail ring; it was thoughtfully sourced and created, its a stunning fashion piece, great quality, and didn't harm anyone or anything in the making.

As you can see, this ring is super sparkly and girly. I love the aqua-turquoise color, which can match any outfit. All of the items in the Starlight Woods Etsy store are such lovely designs that you can wear them every day with any outfit, dressed up or dressed down. This ring is made from re-purposed wood and so light on my finger. I love a big statement ring that doesn't feel like it is weighing me down. This is a gorgeous ring that is so feathery that you don't even notice you're wearing it...until when of course you receive a ton of compliments on it or when the sunlight hits those attractive sparkles.

This ring, and many of the others from Starlight Woods, have a brass base that is adjustable to fit any size finger. The adjustable band is also great for when you want to switch and wear it on another finger.

This ring is absolutely fantastic and so are the other creations from Starlight Woods. In their Etsy store you can find beautiful pendants, earrings, rings, bracelets, cuff links and also sentiment jewelry that has sayings or quotes on them. There are also pieces that can be customized or personalized. Perfect for gift-giving and giving gifts to yourself as well! I think the "Best DAD Ever" tie clip is such a cool and modern gift for Father's Day, especially for new dads. I had my husband in mind when I saw that and think it would be a cool gift for me to get him for his first Father's Day. If you check out the website you will notice pages and pages of the coolest jewelry and accessories, so check it out for yourself.

Love the sparkle in this ring!

So if you are looking for a fashionable new piece or want to check out really pretty eco-friendly jewelry, find Starlight Woods on Etsy, Facebook, and Twitter!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/starlightwoods

https://www.facebook.com/starlightwoods

https://twitter.com/Starlightwoods

Top 10 Fun Things To Do When You Are Pregnant

1. Get a 3D Ultrasound

Our baby has my nose, but pretty much looks like a little mini version of my husband!

2. Have a Recording of Your Baby's Heartbeat Put Into a Keepsake Teddy Bear

We just press the frog whenever we want to hear our baby's heartbeat!

3. Journal Your Pregnancy

I've been journaling each week and put keepsakes in here too, like ultrasound pictures, our holiday card, and the baby shower invite!

4. Take a Prenatal Yoga Class

I love taking prenatal yoga class, it is a great way to bond with baby and connect with other pregnant moms-to-be!

5. Do a Plaster Belly Casting

This was a really nice activity for hubby and I. We were both so impressed on how the casting turned out and we can see exactly where the baby was positioned! He did a great job with this, I just had to stand there. Hubby is a great artist!

6. Pamper Yourself

Mani, pedis, and other pregnancy-safe spa treatments are a must; your body is hard at work! When I called my doctor to ask her if I am allowed to get a mani-pedi, she said, "ABSOLUTELY!".

7. Go to a Baby Expo

These are great and you get samples, freebies, coupons, raffle tickets, and info from each booth! Hubby was one of the only guys there. Having your hubby by your side is a nice way to share the experience, plus who else will grab you all LaraBar and pita chip samples he can get his hands on?

8. Go to a Baby Brunch/ Seminar

We went to a baby brunch in Boston and learned useful baby tips, saw baby products, and I won a gift certificate in the raffle and the goody bag was spectacular!

9. Go to a Vegan Buffet

Loving buffets like the one at the Grasshopper and at Rasoi!

10. Walk Around the Baby Stores as Much as You'd Like

Chances are you won't get sick of the baby stores and you will always find something that the baby "absolutely needs". Whether you are with your partner or make a trip by yourself just to browse around, it really becomes a favorite hobby.

And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off. I hope your day smells baby sweet!

Window Cord Safety in the Nursery and Throughout the Home

I started thinking about window safety, now that we are expecting our first baby. I was going through many safety issues and checklists for the nursery. There are a lot of things to consider when baby-proofing your home. I was going through crib safety when I started considering the window cord safety thing.

Obviously you want your crib to be up to the most current safety standards, such as secure screws and bolts, checking that it has not been recalled, having slats that are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, and ensuring a tight fit with a firm mattress that you cannot fit two fingers between the mattress and crib on all sides. Your crib should be new. You never know what recalls happened, if you have all of the correct parts, if it contains lead paint, or if a hand-me-down/ used crib is up to the most recent safety codes. I've seen cribs on the cheap (seriously $99 at Ikea), but if you still cannot afford a new crib, find a way to afford a new crib. Also, your crib should contain nothing besides your mattress protector pad with a tight fitting, fitted sheet over it. Everything must fit properly and securely, another must-have new item - your fitted crib sheets. The elastic will wear after washes and uses, plus you never know what size, plushness, or protector pad size someone else used on their mattress and how much that may have stretched the fitted sheet, therefore another item to seriously avoid getting used.

Your crib should not be so close to a window that treatment cords pose a strangulation hazard. Which is what brought me to think of cord safety, a baby-proofing item that many people do not realize must be paid close attention to.

Your baby will come in contact with windows. Be sure to keep them secure. I've heard stories where babies have fell through window screens. Babies will climb and explore, so keep your eye on your baby always. The cord of your window blinds and other window treatments can pose a danger. Therefore, window guards and cordless window coverings exist. There is also a great service provided by the Window Covering Safety Council, in which they will provide you with free repair kits that will baby-proof your existing window treatments. I ordered two kits that will take care of my 8 blinded windows. The kit includes information and the website is a wealth of knowledge on cord and window safety. The website will tell you how many windows each kit will safeguard.

There are so many baby-safety topics. This is only touching on one because of this wonderful free service, and slightly covering some crib safety. This is not even close to all that you should know about child safety, so be diligent and do your research on every topic imaginable. There are so many useful websites out there where you can get all the information that you need in order to ensure that your nursery is as safe as can be. Also, use any free resources that are available to you. You can always ask the hospital or your doctor for information, advice, and brochures. If you are getting information from books and other literature, be sure that it is current and up-to-date. So if you need a free window repair kit to ensure the safety of your baby or child of any age, definitely utilize the service provided by the Window Covering Safety Council. They ship free kits to United States and Canadian addresses. Keep those babies safe, happy, and healthy, Everyone!

Vegan & Pregnant: How to Get Your DHA

You are vegan and pregnant and want to get your DHA on? No problem, here are some great sources of omega 3's and tips on how I do it.

Some sources of vegan omega 3 fatty acids are: flax seeds and flax oil, blue algae, walnuts, canola oil, soybean, wheat germ, and chia seeds. Most plant-based sources of omega 3's are ALA. The ALA sources are turned into EPA and subsequently DHA, by your body. Basically, your body will do what is right for your body and your baby. Our bodies are pretty smart. Impressive right?

Here are some sneaky foods that slip in omega 3's. You probably eat a lot of omegas without even realizing it...

Vegan Smart Balance products such as their Light spread and Peanut Butters are good sources of omega 3's.

Nature's Path makes it easy to get your omegas. Just slather on some vegan buttery spread and pure maple syrup to their Chia Plus Waffles and you are loading up on DHA in a delicious way!

If you don't eat enough of the food sources that contain omega fatty acids or simply don't like those foods, you may also choose to pop a vegan omega 3 DHA supplement. DEVA brand makes one.

As you can see, it is easy to include omega 3's in any meal. If your lunch includes a salad, make your dressing with flax seed oil or sprinkle on some walnuts or chia seeds. Add some Smart Balance Peanut Butter to apple slices or celery sticks. Or if you were wondering about the blue algae, have some spirulina in your smoothie or add it into foods you eat. Chlorella and spirulina are what the fishes eat, and non-vegans say, "get your DHA by eating fish", but why do that when you can just get your DHA by eating exactly what the fishes eat. I know I'd rather not eat my friends, and fish are certainly my friends.

Odwalla's Superfood Smoothie contains 1500 mg of spirulina!

What are some of the ways that you include omegas into your diet? Have any tips or recipes that you'd like to share?