Vegan product review: Mt Raw Skincare

Those of you who've followed me for a while, here and on Twitter, will know that a few months ago I suffered with a bad allergic reaction to some chemical preservatives in paint that I then discovered were in several of my household products and toiletries as well :( It's called methylisothiazolinone and you can read more about it here.

So I've banned anything containing it and I'm enjoying a range of more natural products now.

But as luck would have it I happened across this new company: 
Mt Raw Skincare and I've been trying some of their products, so thought I would review!

I've tried:

Raw Hemp Body Moisturiser

Raw Jojoba Mild Facial Moisturiser and

Raw Rosehip Wrinkle Repair

The products arrived safely, incredibly well packaged and I love the contemporary design of the boxes.

And could there be a more beautifully simple ingredients list?! Just pure organic oils. Wonderful.



Each has just a delicate fragrance of the natural core ingredient - but not so much as to be too pungent or offputting.







The moisturisers have a pump dispenser which works well and the wrinkle repair has a dropper that's ideal (you only need one drop near each eye!).

They do feel very luxurious to use and although they might seem quite pricey, its clear they will last me a long time, so actually they're very good value. The dark blue glass protects the oils from daylight so the shelf life will be good as well.

all totally organic

But most importantly I've suffered no adverse reaction to these oils at all - my skin seems to drink them in and infact 2 slight dry patches I suffer with have dissappeared and as I use the facial oil last thing at night I wake up with my skin feeling lovely and soft and smooth. I'm pretty sure that my laughter lines (yes, thats what I'll call them at my age) are looking a little less obvious as well ;)

All in all I'm loving these products. They're certified organic (which is even better to know when you're living a vegan lifestyle), registered with BUAV and for peace of mind they're also registered with the Vegan Society Trademark.



You can find out more and buy your own here.

Chantal xx



I was sent these products as free samples to trial. My review remains, as always, impartial, genuine and unbiased.

Talk the walk... why wouldn't you?

Chantal Denny

In a former life I've appeared on TV and radio, been a trainer, a coach and a mentor and I've given talks and presentations to thousands of people. I love it.

So now, I'm using that passion and experience to share with others, my thoughts on contemporary Veganism.

And I say contemporary - because that's my only view and experience of it. I'm living it as it is (and can be) now.

I was non-vegan less than 3 years ago, so I still have an understanding of that way of life.

Perhaps this gives me a different kind of empathy and a fresh perspective?

Come and see me speak and you can decide for yourself.

Appearing at major Vegan festivals and on tour, UK-wide 2014/15. Available for any and all gatherings and events.

Want to start some interesting conversations? Please get in touch to book ;)

Chantal xx

Title:   “It’s Easy to be Vegan!”

This presentation comes from Chantal Denny – Founding Director of an exciting new UK Vegan project, who’s first public campaign 2014/15 “It’s easy to be Vegan!” launched with great success earlier this year.

This campaign was developed in response to her survey on veganism that revealed people’s top (negative) perception of the lifestyle to be ‘it’s difficult and restrictive’. Her talk will prove that living a contemporary Vegan lifestyle is the complete opposite of this and that with a little know-how it’s far easier than people think.

“Living a compassionate lifestyle is fun, hugely rewarding and can be truly liberating in every sense. There are no valid excuses for not living a Vegan lifestyle.” CD

A persuasive and passionate speaker, Chantal offers a positive and thought-provoking approach to all aspects of living this way. She’ll chart the ‘rise and rise’ of veganism over the last few years and showcase a multitude of top tips for getting started or making existing lifestyles even better.

Controversial topics include:

1.       Convenience foods are not the enemy

2.       Why raw food, juicing, and kale might be harmful

3.       Cooking isn't necessary and cost is just an excuse

4.       When wearing leather, wool and silk is OK

5.       How non-vegan lifestyles are cruel and unnecessary

6.       Why you should trust her on the above five topics ;)

This presentation will leave people inspired to live differently.

They will also know that it’s entirely possible for them, even as just one individual, to save lives and help protect our beautiful home planet.

Most importantly, it will give them the confidence and tools to do so, immediately.

Chantal shows that the possibilities are endless and that the future really could (and should) be Vegan.

“It’s so easy to be Vegan these days, that you’ll leave thinking – why wouldn’t you be?” CD

Quote: ‘It’s often said that those who think veganism is easy are focused on the animals, those who think it’s difficult are focused on themselves…’

Note: This presentation can be adapted to any length, from a short pre-dinner version (just 15 minutes) to an (entertaining!) full 60 minutes. Chantal is an experienced and enthusiastic public speaker. She favours an interactive presentation style, engaging audience participation and using multi-media visuals for best effect. Back-up resources for the presentation will be available online to help people after the event.

Recipe: Vegan macaroni cheese

Baked Macaroni Cheese with Broccoli and Cauliflower [4-6]

Yes! I've finally veganised this classic comfort dish and it's pretty damn fine, if I say so myself ;) Settle down in your PJs infront of the telly on a rainy day and enjoy...

Chantal xx

 

classic favourite comfort food made cruelty-free

Gather:

230g macaroni

150g cauliflower florets

100g broccoli florets

Sauce:

225g firm tofu

375ml plant based milk (I used oat)

325ml veg stock (I used water + 1 tsp swiss veg boullion)

40g nutritional yeast flakes

5 tsp corn flour

Juice of half a lemon (approx 2 tbsp)

1 tsp yellow mustard

1 tsp garlic granules

1 tsp onion granules

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp turmeric

¼ tsp white pepper

50g panko crumbs

Create:

Boil the kettle, weigh out your pasta and prep your veg. Boil the pasta in a large pan for 2 minutes then add the cauliflower and boil for another 2 minutes, then the broccoli and boil for 1 minute.

Drain the pasta and vegetables and leave to one side.

Add all of the sauce ingredients to a blender and blitz for at least 2 minutes and until perfectly smooth. Taste and season if required.

Add the pasta, veg and sauce to a very large bowl and mix to combine – then pour into a large baking dish. [It may seem like too much liquid, but the pasta will absorb some and it will thicken up while baking.]

Sprinkle the panko crumbs evenly over the top.

Bake in the oven at 170C [fan] for approx 30 minutes or until golden brown on top. You can further brown under the grill if required.

serves 6, or 4 if you're ravenous!

Enjoy:

Great served with a home-made coleslaw or some fresh tomatoes.

Recipe: Vegan Double Chocolate Cherry Browies [gluten-free option]

It always makes me smile when I hear people's perception of the Vegan lifestyle - in that it must be very restrictive,boring, bland and basically about deprivation....
Because, as Vegans know - nothing could be further from the truth! And these little beauties are a guaranteed way to start that conversation ;)

Try some this weekend on some people who have that perception and then smile when they ask you.

Much love & chocolate gooeyness...
Chantal xx

eat me...

gather                                                                                                            

200g (1 ½ cups) gluten-free flour (can use regular plain flour too)

180g (just under 1 cup) unrefined granulated sugar

120g (1 cup) cocoa powder

¾ tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

100g (1/2 cup) Vegan chocolate chips/chunks

100g glace cherries - chopped

200ml oat milk [+ extra if needed]

125ml (1/2 cup) rapeseed oil

125ml (1/2 cup) maple syrup

2 tsp vanilla extract

150g (1/2 cup) sweet potato – cubed & boiled

Oven: 170C [fan]  /  Gas 3  /  aga medium

Time: 30mins

 


create                                                                                                                             

Prepare the sweet potato and while it’s cooling sift all of the dry ingredients into a large bowl, add the chocolate chips and HALF of the cherries and mix with a fork to combine.

Line and grease a large bake-tray approx 20cms x 30cms [12” x 8”] (spray oils are handy for this).

Add all of the wet ingredients to a jug, mash the potato thoroughly with a fork, add to the wet ingredients and whisk to combine. 

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a large spoon to combine.

The mixture needs to be of a pouring consistency – add a little more plant milk if it needs it.

Pour into the prepared tray and top randomly with the remaining cherry pieces.

Bake for approx 30 minutes – or until the cake springs back when lightly pressed with your finger. Do not apply the clean skewer test to check this bake as ideally it should not come out clean but still be sticky inside.

enjoy                                                                                                                                          

Obviously these are best served warm with Vegan vanilla icecream, Vegan cream, lashings of warm chocolate sauce and extra cherries, chocolate drops and maybe some nuts [ you know, just to blow the whole deprivation myth ;) ]

go on...