In Episode 064 of the Vegetarian Zen podcast we discussed what "cruelty free" really means and how to tell if products and their ingredients are truly made without harming animals. We also debunked some myths about cruelty free products. One of those myths is that they are hard to find. With that in mind, in this […]

The post VZ 065: Finding Cruelty Free Products Is Easier Than You Think (We've Got Sources!) appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

In Episode 064 of the Vegetarian Zen podcast we discussed what "cruelty free" really means and how to tell if products and their ingredients are truly made without harming animals. We also debunked some myths about cruelty free products. One of those myths is that they are hard to find.

With that in mind, in this episode we let you know about some good cruelty free products and where to buy them. We also clarify some information about the cruelty free certification programs we discussed in the last episode.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast! If you find value in our podcast and listen on iTunes, please consider leaving us a rating and review.

Please note that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links and, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through to the product using the link we have provided. We never recommend or provide affiliate links to products or services we do not use ourselves, and our ultimate goal is to provide helpful products and advice to you, our readers and listeners.

Here’s what we mention in this episode:

Cruelty Free Certification Standard / Processes

Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals -- CCIC (Leaping Bunny Program)

Leaping Bunny's Cruelty Free Shopping Guide

Je T'Aime By Hotashi -  PETA vs Leaping Bunny: What's the Difference?

Product Websites:

Please note that you can find many of the cruelty free products we ourselves use in our aStore on Amazon.  We belong to the Amazon affiliate program, which means that should you purchase products through our aStore links, we will receive a small commission.

Seventh Generation

Free & Clear Products

Eco-Me

-- Groucho Marx

Tortilla Soup

Thanks for listening!

Peace and Veggies,

The post VZ 065: Finding Cruelty Free Products Is Easier Than You Think (We’ve Got Sources!) appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

Using live animals in experiments is not a modern concept. The ancient Greeks practiced vivisection, the dissection of live animals, in order to understand how living organisms functioned. Historically, animals have been used to test treatments before applying to humans, and this practice continues to this day. This cruel, unnecessary practice. In this episode of […]

The post VZ 064: Cruelty Free 101 – An Animal-Lover's Guide to Finding Products Not Tested on Animals appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

Using live animals in experiments is not a modern concept.  The ancient Greeks practiced vivisection, the dissection of live animals, in order to understand how living organisms functioned.  Historically, animals have been used to test treatments before applying to humans, and this practice continues to this day.  This cruel, unnecessary practice.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast you’ll learn the definition of cruelty free.  You’ll hear four myths about cruelty free products, and learn about the independent certification programs geared toward protecting animals and providing cruelty free products to consumers.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast! If you find value in our podcast and listen on iTunes, please consider leaving us a rating and review.

Please note that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links and, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through to the product using the link we have provided. We never recommend or provide affiliate links to products or services we do not use ourselves, and our ultimate goal is to provide helpful products and advice to you, our readers and listeners.

Here’s what we mention in this episode:

Leaping Bunny

Shopping Guide

 Cruelty Free International

Leaping Bunny Cruelty-Free App -- iPhone | iPad

PETA - Beauty Without Bunnies Program

Shopping Guide

Pledge to Be Cruelty-Free

Bunny Free App - iPhone

-- Mahatma Gandhi

 Lemon Chick'n with Mushrooms & Broccoli

Thanks for listening!

Peace and Veggies,

The post VZ 064: Cruelty Free 101 – An Animal-Lover’s Guide to Finding Products Not Tested on Animals appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

We believe that a plant-based lifestyle should never be an all-or-nothing proposition. When we became vegetarians, we did it all at once and it was a bit of a struggle. Some people may be fine with a quick change, however. Same thing goes for transitioning from a vegetarian to vegan lifestyle. It may be that you're […]

The post VZ 063: Tips to Help You Transition From Vegetarian to Vegan appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

We believe that a plant-based lifestyle should never be an all-or-nothing proposition.  When we became vegetarians, we did it all at once and it was a bit of a struggle.  Some people may be fine with a quick change, however.

Same thing goes for transitioning from a vegetarian to vegan lifestyle.  It may be that you're still eating cheese, eggs, butter, milk or other non-vegan products simply because it's easier, and you wouldn't miss them if you stopped.  Or, maybe you want to move to veganism but you're a serious cheese addict and you need to wean yourself slowly.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we offer up some tips to help you move from vegetarianism to a vegan lifestyle (or, if you're really ready, from omnivore to vegan).  You'll hear several options for making a gradual transition and learn about some internet resources to help you out.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast! If you find value in our podcast and listen on iTunes, please consider leaving us a rating and review.

Please note that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links and, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through to the product using the link we have provided. We never recommend or provide affiliate links to products or services we do not use ourselves, and our ultimate goal is to provide helpful products and advice to you, our readers and listeners.

Here’s what we mention in this episode:

Oh She Glows

Vegan How To: Part 1 (How To Make the Transition)

Happy Cow

VeggieBoards

-- Henry Beston (1888-1968), American naturalist & author

Vegan Zucchini Brownies

Tips to Transitioning to a Healthy Vegan Lifestyle

Thanks for listening!

Peace and Veggies,

The post VZ 063: Tips to Help You Transition From Vegetarian to Vegan appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

In an ideal, natural-food world, ingredient labels on food would be really, really short. A label on vegetable soup might read like this: vegetable broth onions potatoes carrots tomatoes green beans Instead of this: What are "disodium guanylate" and "disodium inosinate"? And don't even get me started on […]

The post VZ 062: How to Read Food Labels – The Bad & Ugly of Processed Foods appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

In an ideal, natural-food world, ingredient labels on food would be really, really short.  A label on vegetable soup might read like this:

vegetable broth

Instead of this:

What are "disodium guanylate" and "disodium inosinate"?  And don't even get me started on "flavoring"!

In this episode you will learn how to read food labels, identify specific chemical additives and look for hidden ingredients.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast! If you find value in our podcast and listen on iTunes, please consider leaving us a rating and review.

Please note that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links and, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through to the product using the link we have provided. We never recommend or provide affiliate links to products or services we do not use ourselves, and our ultimate goal is to provide helpful products and advice to you, our readers and listeners.

Here’s what we mention in this episode:

Jared Easley - Starve the Doubts podcast

VZ 038 - Discussing the Documentary "Super Size Me"

VZ 052- Sugar

Food Babe

Very Vegetarian Nachos from The Kitchen Girl, Traci Antonovich

-- Isaac Asimov

Chili-Lime Tortilla Chips

Taking a Closer Look at Labels

Thanks for listening!

Peace and Veggies,

The post VZ 062: How to Read Food Labels – The Bad & Ugly of Processed Foods appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

I once thought of raw foods as pretty much just wheatgrass shots (thank you, Sex and the City), really big salads, and snacking on carrot sticks. Truth be told, these things are just the tip of the iceberg (lettuce) when considering the realm of raw foods. In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we […]

The post VZ 061: Going Raw – It's More Than Just Wheatgrass Shots and Big Salads appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.

I once thought of raw foods as pretty much just wheatgrass shots (thank you, Sex and the City), really big salads, and snacking on carrot sticks.  Truth be told, these things are just the tip of the iceberg (lettuce) when considering the realm of raw foods.

In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we take a closer look at raw foods: the definition of "raw foodist", possible benefits of adding more raw foods to your diet, the reasoning behind those benefits, the many types of raw foods, and more.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast! If you find value in our podcast and listen on iTunes, please consider leaving us a rating and review.

Please note that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links and, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through to the product using the link we have provided. We never recommend or provide affiliate links to products or services we do not use ourselves, and our ultimate goal is to provide helpful products and advice to you, our readers and listeners.

Here’s what we mention in this episode:

Karen Knowler - The Raw Food Coach

The Raw Food Groups

Matt Frazier - No Meat Athlete

Book: No Meat Athlete: Run on Plants and Discover Your Fittest, Fastest, Happiest Self

Brendan Brazier

Book: Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life

-- Benjamin Franklin

This week we're happy to link to Karen Knowler's recipe page, where you'll find 5 delicious raw recipes to try:

Mango & Spinach Smoothie

Raw Food Life

Thanks for listening!

Peace and Veggies,

The post VZ 061: Going Raw – It’s More Than Just Wheatgrass Shots and Big Salads appeared first on Vegetarian Zen.