Book Review | Moxie Reviews™

Interview with Author of Living Cruelty Free: Jennifer Thomson

June 28, 2012 By moxiereviews 8 Comments

As I previously reviewed the book, I wanted to follow-up with some interview questions with the author of Living Cruelty Free, Jennifer Thomson. Jennifer is currently residing in the UK, hence some of the spelling, for those US readers.

First, for those who may not have read Living Cruelty Free yet, I’ll list the chapters:

What’s Cruelty Free?

Things that Can Never be Cruelty Free

Going free-range & cage-free

Going Vegetarian or Vegan

Cruelty Free Cosmetics

Shop Kind

19 Ways to Create a More Compassionate World

Useful Websites

Book List

Jennifer, it was a great book, but very difficult for me to read. How long did it take you to write the book, and how were you able to write about such a difficult topic?

Thanks, Moxie. It was so difficult to write and took me six months to write and research, but I think a book like this is so important because even people like me who’ve been living a cruelty free life for 26 years may not know about things like dead bugs being in confectionary and desserts. When I was writing about some horrendous things like cosmetics testing on animals, I would take breaks and read a good book or watch a funny TV show to take my mind off what I’d read or written.

Most difficult chapter to write?

The research for the chapter on Cruelty Free Cosmetics still gives me nightmares. Generally, I think that even people who are not vegetarian think that cosmetics shouldn’t be tested on animals, and most people believe that they are not, because of misleading labelling and statements from companies on their websites. The worst thing of all was that all of the suffering was pointless because in most cases testers knew exactly what the result would be because the experiments had been done countless times before. Yet they still do ridiculous tests like LD50, which stands for lethal dose 50. This means they find out how much of a substance or chemical it takes to kill 50 per cent of the animals experimented on. What’s the point of that?

Please tell my readers about including human rights, in what is mainly an animal rights book.

I did this because I think it’s important to show that compassion doesn’t need to be exclusive to animals or humans. Compassion is inexhaustible and should extend to all living things.

(photo from Living Cruelty Free Facebook Page)

Was there a defining moment in your life that made you decide to become a vegetarian?

When I was 13 years-old I watched a programme on factory farming. That’s when I had my Eureka moment and thought ‘what am I doing eating these poor animals?’ I stopped eating meat that day. I’ve never looked back and going vegetarian is the thing that makes me most proud.

I realize that this is in your book, however, would you please explain the difference between being a vegetarian and being a vegan?

Vegetarians don’t eat any animals at all and that includes fish. You wouldn’t believe the amount of people who don’t consider a fish to be an animal. Vegetarians tend to have milk and eggs in their diet (I say tend, because some vegetarians don’t have dairy, but they do have eggs and vice versa and some vegetarians like me don’t have either) and they tend not to wear leather. Vegetarians also shy away from any ingredient in products that were made from killing an animal, like cochineal – little bugs that are killed and used as a colorant in everything from candles to candies. They also don’t tend to buy cosmetics that are tested on animals.

Vegans have no animal products at all in their diets and that includes things like milk, eggs, honey and beeswax. Vegans don’t wear leather or wool either. To a vegan, anything that is derived from an animal is not cruelty free, so they don’t eat it/wear it/own it. For the past year, I have been vegan.

Please explain why Living Cruelty Free is not just for Vegetarians.

The book is aimed at anyone who wants to make the world a better place, and no they don’t need to be vegetarian to do that. In fact, even having one day where you don’t eat meat can make a difference. There are other small changes everyone can make to create a better world that are mentioned throughout the book that non-vegetarians can do. Things like not wearing fur and avoiding some of the cruellest foods on the planet like Foie gras (made from the livers of ducks and geese who are force-fed until their livers go to many times their normal size) and lobster (they’re thrown alive into boiling water and there’s scientific evidence that they do feel pain). If you buy Fair Trade goods, you are also making a real difference to people’s lives.

Is it ever awkward or difficult to dine with people who eat food that you wouldn’t?

Barbecues are the most difficult events, but I find that people are very accommodating of me and my beliefs. I’m lucky in that many of my friends are vegetarians and so is my partner. Instead of turning up at someone’s house and expecting them to know I’m vegetarian, I always tell them beforehand.

How would you advise people to deal with friends/acquaintances who do not share your beliefs in living a cruelty free lifestyle? Be it in their choice of clothing or what they eat, etc.?

Rather than criticising people, I like to encourage them. I’ll tell them about the range of vegetarian food available and talk about the health benefits and if they’re wearing Ugg boots or fur, I’ll tell them about the cruelty that’s involved in each pair and mention celebrities like Pamela Anderson and Paul McCartney and their cruelty free views.

One thing I don’t do is dictate to people and say ‘you should do this and eat that.’ You catch more people with honey than vinegar.

It’s also important that you don’t let your beliefs define you. By that I mean you need to have a thick skin and a sense of humor. Don’t get offended every time someone questions your beliefs, go on a charm offensive.

Do you write full-time?

I’m a freelance writer by day and have had 6 books published so far, including this one. I specialise in how to beat bullying and dog care. I’ve also signed a contract to have my first novel published and have publisher interest in the novel I’m currently writing. It’s as far removed as Living Cruelty Free as you can get – it’s about zombies!

I have read that black dogs are more difficult for shelters to adopt out. Is that why/how you chose your adopted dog, Benjy?

Wow, I didn’t know that. It wasn’t a deliberate choice to get a black dog. Our lovely dog Vic, who had epilepsy, sadly past away at the age of 13 and a half. We were devastated and felt that we could give another dog a great home, so we visited the Dogs Trust shelter in Glasgow in Scotland. We didn’t want to go past rows of kennels to pick a dog, so we let them choose a dog for us. We were so lucky to get Benjy who was 17 months-old at the time as he had an ear infection and generally, unless a dog is 100 percent healthy they don’t adopt them out.

Anything you discovered in the course of your research that was positive?

I was delighted to discover how Fair Trade was helping so many people to earn a fair wage for the goods they produce. There are also so many amazing charities out there that help people and animals that I was unaware of.

The prevalence of cruelty free companies was also very pleasing. They are definitely signs that producing cruelty free, ethical products boosts sales and that can only be a good thing.

It was also heartening to find out that there are so many celebrities out there standing up for animal and human rights. People like Paul McCartney, Pamela Anderson, Forest Whittaker and Joaquin Phoenix. Thanks to them vegetarianism has a very positive image.

Connect with Jennifer: Blog Facebook Twitter

Living Cruelty Free is available on Kindle both in the USA and UK. The paperback is available in the USA, Canada, UK and many other countries via Amazon, and The Book Depository. Note – there’s a ‘Look Inside’ function for the book.

Disclosure: I received Living Cruelty Free in an ebook form. All links are for your convenience only; I do not profit from any clicks or purchases.

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Moxie Reviews™ 2012. Content copyright. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author/owner, Moxie, is strictly prohibited.

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Filed Under: Book Review, celebrity interview, Living Cruelty Free, vegan, vegetarian Tagged With: book review, cruelty free, interview, vegan, Vegetarian

Living Cruelty Free: Book Review

June 25, 2012 By moxiereviews 6 Comments

Want to live a more compassionate lifestyle?

Want to avoid things that involve the harming or killing of animals for meat or cosmetics?

Want to be a more ethical shopper?

Living Cruelty Free, by Jennifer Thomson, (first published in March 2012), will provide you with facts so you can make decisions about what you purchase, be it food, cosmetics or clothing.

Remember…we can all make the world a kinder place to live.” Jennifer Thomson

Connect with Jennifer: Blog and Facebook

The book is not easy to read in that the facts, are the facts! Kidding oneself about what is really happening will not help. Reading and finding out what you can do differently will.

I like that Jennifer has suggestions on small ways to make a difference. Here’s an example with sheepskin.

The sheep have to be killed first and Jennifer writes that, “it’s the equivalent of wearing fur because the wool is still attached to the skin when it’s taken off. Hence the word sheepskin.”

Therefore, anyone have Ugg boots?

Jennifer points out that faux sheepskin can provide just as much warmth, and at a much lower cost than real sheepskin.

Sheepskin can also be in furniture (sofas, chairs, cushions) and bedding, handbags and clothing. Read labels and be aware!

In my opinion, that’s a small change (faux sheepskin) and will benefit the sheep!

As Jennifer points out on her Facebook Page: “Even having one vegetarian meal a week can make a difference. Not just to animals, but also to your health.” (photo from Jennifer’s FB Page)

Here’s a great quote used in the book, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” Tolstoy

Despite the topic, there are no gruesome, graphic photos. Words alone convey the horror. The only photos are, in fact, “happy” ones. Photos of Sir Paul McCartney, and his quote:

“If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian.” Sir Paul McCartney

Really. Sir Paul’s quote is all I need to write about the section, “How animals are killed for food” as it presents what happens in both the UK and the US. It’s awful and heartbreaking. Don’t be afraid to expose yourself to the truth, though. Just because you aren’t a Vegan or Vegetarian, it doesn’t mean that you can’t learn how to make choices that could at least improve the quality of life for those animals that are used for food.

Here’s a photo of the dog that Jennifer adopted:

As Living Cruelty Free stresses to adopt, I love that Jennifer shared a photo of her adopted dog, Benjy. You can click on the photo to enlarge!

Remember, Don’t Shop, Adopt! Save a Life!

I encourage you to read the book and make changes in your life to show compassion for the animals.

“It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little. Do what you can.” Sydney Smith, clergyman

Disclosure: I received Living Cruelty Free in an ebook form. All links are for your convenience only; I do not profit from any clicks or purchases.

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Moxie Reviews™ 2012. Content copyright. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author/owner, Moxie, is strictly prohibited.

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A book review & interview about natural skin care

April 23, 2012 By moxiereviews 4 Comments

Do you care about your skin? Are you health, beauty and environmentally conscious? If you want to start a natural skin care routine that is easy to follow and is healthy for you and the planet, then this e-book is for you. Published in 2012, More Than a Pretty Face: Planet-Friendly Holistic Skin Care is highly recommended. Not only will you benefit, but at the link to purchase the e-book, you will read about Caroline Cain, the author, donating to charities. http://www.carolinecain.dk/ebook/more-than-a-pretty-face/

I, Moxie, do not profit from any clicks, links, purchases, etc.!

Starting with the Foreword, by Elliza Ceci, I was already excited to read! “…As time marches on so do the amount of chemicals and toxins in our beauty products. It is bad enough we have to worry about chemicals in our food but now our beauty products, too! It is getting down right scary out there….”

Know why you should treat yourself to a face mask? “Because It’s Fun To Have Food On Your Face.” Yes, Caroline wrote that. Seriously, though, Caroline makes everything enjoyable with her writing style, and the face mask has the most recipes because of the “endless possibilities.” All of the over fifty recipes are written very clearly, and with only ingredients that can be found in local markets or health food stores. Ms. Cain is smart! She mentions the fact that she doesn’t want any excuses that you didn’t know where to find ingredients or that there were complicated recipes.

Here’s a photo of the author, Caroline Cain

Ways to Connect with Caroline:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/carolinecainholistichealth

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CaroCain

To purchase Caroline’s e-book:

http://www.carolinecain.dk/ebook/more-than-a-pretty-face/

Interview with Caroline:

Caroline, I love the quotes that you include in the book and your advice, “It’s time for each and every one of us to surround ourselves with people and situations that make us shine, that make us feel beautiful, confident and happy just the way we are.”

How long did it take you to feel that way about yourself? I have to admit, for me, ”it’s easier said than done.”

I totally agree with you here. We hear it so often ‘be yourself, you are enough just the way you are’ but it is very hard to actually take that on board and live it. To be honest, it isn’t something that I suddenly decided one day and woke up able to do. It was a process for me, an ongoing journey that I have reached a very happy state on. Making small but consistent changes in my life through healthier eating, lifestyle choices, living in as toxin-free, green environment as possible (I live in the city – there is still so much that we can do!) and incorporating self-care as a major part of my life have all led to massive shifts and although I am still ‘me’, I am a much happier, healthier, beautiful, vibrant version of me. A version of me that I can honestly say I love every day, a version of me who does not look in the mirror or shop windows with hate anymore. That is a massive shift for someone who used to feel fat, not pretty enough, not cool enough etc.

You are a Naturopathic Nutritionist, cleansing specialist and Reflexologist. How did you get all that training, and how do you help people with those specialties?

It took a few years! I studied reflexology part-time whilst working a full time office job. After a year or so I set up full time. The Naturopathic Nutrition and cleansing (which is part of that training) came a couple of years later as I realised (realized for US readers) that I could really help my clients to make lasting changes if I could educate them into making real lifestyle changes through healthy eating and living choices. Depending on the person, their particular case and desired outcome I either work with a combination of reflexology and nutrition, just reflexology (although snippets of nutritional advice invariably come into it, food really is fundamental to our health) or just nutrition – both in person and online. Technology really is a precious tool, allowing me to work with people all over the world over Skype and email.

You wrote this book so that self-care rookies and veterans would benefit. Congratulations, Caroline, you most certainly succeeded! How long did it take you to write this book?

You know, Moxie, this is a question that I have asked myself too…funnily enough I hardly remember writing it! I guess this is what is meant by totally being in the flow of what you enjoy. I was so into it that it literally just flowed out of me. To put a time scale on it, from start to finish including formatting etc. must have taken about 6 months of busy evenings and weekends towards the end (it might have taken a smidgen longer but I don’t think so). It was never a formal decision for me to write a book. I set out to write a short reference for my clients as I sincerely wanted to inform and guide them to increased health and reducing their toxic load…and it turned into a book. Ta da!

Given your educational background? How did you develop such an avid interest in natural skin care?

Although skin care may seem a frivolous interest, especially when placed within my professional training (natural health practitioner-nutritionist/reflexologist), but actually it really does go hand in hand with it. Illness is caused, among other things, from a build up of toxicity. It is a fact of modern living that we are bombarded with synthetic chemicals from all sides – from what we put IN our bodies, ON our bodies and what we BREATHE in from the air around us. Although we cannot control every aspect of this exposure, one thing we can control is what we choose to put on our bodies – every single day, lotions and potions which are absorbed directly into our blood stream within 20 minutes and taken around to feed all our cells. We can choose to apply chemicals to our skin or natural, nutritious ingredients that will nourish us from the inside out.

On a personal level, my health took a dramatic turn when I upgraded my diet and general lifestyle, including my skin care products. I’m passionate about living as naturally and green as possible, within the city, and just knowing this makes a huge difference to my mindset and my relationship with my body. Awareness of ourselves, the world around us and the way in which we create the world we want to live in through our every decision is massively empowering and a key to living the life you want. I truly walk my talk. I teach, guide and motivate through my own personal and professional experience and truly believe that upgrading something as simple as our skin care goes a long way to contributing to optimal health.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the e-book to review. I do not profit from any purchases, links, etc. in this post.

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Moxie Reviews™ 2012. Content copyright. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author/owner, Moxie, is strictly prohibited.

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Filed Under: Book Review, Caroline Cain, Interview, skincare Tagged With: Beauty, cleansing specialist, cruelty free, holistic, natural, Naturopathic Nutritionist, Reflexologist, skincare

Be Beautiful Every Girl’s Guide to Hair, Skin & Make-Up Book Review

January 26, 2012 By moxiereviews 4 Comments

You know what happened when I started to read: Be Beautiful Every Girl’s Guide to Hair, Skin & Make-Up? One of my children (now a teenager!) noticed that I was reading the hot pink-covered book, and asked if it was a, “good” book. I told her that it was, and asked if she would like to read it; she could then help me to write a review.

Therefore, it’s very appropriate that what follows is a co-authored review with my daughter, because Be Beautiful is a book that Mom, Alice Hart-Davis, co-authored with her daughter, Molly Hindhaugh, then 14.

Be Beautiful Every Girl’s Guide to Hair, Skin & Make-Up a great book for sensible advice to teens regarding skin care, hair care, make-up, hair removal, pedicures and manicures.There is also a section called, Get ethical,” where Alice and Molly write about purchasing products that are cruelty free! There are great pictures throughout to demonstrate exactly what the terms mean. For example, photos showing different types of acne, and how to “get the look,” show various styles of makeup, i.e. “How to do a natural-but-better-face.” There is series of photos on how to pluck your eyebrows, and even examples of make-up housekeeping.”

One of our favorite sections was Make-Up, specifically, the pictures showing nine eyeliner looks to try. Here are two ways as demonstrated on Molly’s eyes:

Natural and The Sixties Flick

My daughter and I thought that Molly and Alice’s book was very thorough!

Alice Hart-Davis is an award-winning beauty journalist; she wrote the book because she knows, “Beauty is more than skin deep and hopes that this book will help teenagers feel good about themselves.”

Information and Ways to Connect:

Be Beautiful: Every Girl’s Guide to Hair, Skin and Make-Up, by Alice Hart-Davis and Molly Hindhaugh, published by Walker Books, 2009.

Facebook Page for Be Beautiful

Stay Tuned! Tomorrow’s post is an interview with the authors: Alice Hart-Davis and her daughter, Molly Hindhaugh!

Moxie Reviews™ on Twitter and Facebook

Disclosure: I purchased Be Beautiful: Every Girl’s Guide to Hair, Skin and Make-Up. All links are for your convenience only.

Filed Under: Be Beautiful Every Girl’s Guide to Hair, Book Review, grooming, Skin & Make-up, skincare Tagged With: book review

Spa Wars: The Ugly Truth about The Beauty Industry Review & Interview!

November 4, 2011 By moxiereviews 2 Comments

Lora Condon, AKA The Beauty Buster, has written her first book, Spa Wars: The Ugly Truth about the Beauty Industry. A little background about Lora before I write about her book. Since 1998 she has been a licensed Esthetician.

Lora is a beauty consumer advocate, a motivational speaker and a consumer advocate.

Lora’s websites give you details about the many services she offers:

Makeupwithme and

Thelashdr

Lora’s book is truly one of those laugh-out-loud, cringe-worthy reads. She writes the book as if she was really having a conversation with you, her best friend. All the stories she shares are true, which is where the cringe-worthy description comes into play for me. Want to know what really goes on in the treatment rooms? Lora will not only tell you the good, but she’ll also tell you her “horror stories” and “all the negatives.” This book will certainly open your eyes to the spa industry, and how she actually ended up there.

Telling her story about giving her first bikini wax to a client results in typical funny comments from Lora about her highly recommending “getting referrals from friends, co-workers, and family, before you trust someone with your privates!”

The question: “What we’re thinking about while we’re waxing someone’s bikini?” Read the book! There is quite a lot of information on…“grooming standards,” that Lora advises readers about. Trust me. She does not hold back on her descriptions!

The stories are funny and all the more so because, as Lora points out, “I can’t say I’ve gone about this career the most secure way, but it definitely has been the most adventurous.”

Chapters include, “Beauty Bullshit,” Yes, you read that correctly. “Common Complaints about Skin and How to Correct Them,” and “Common Complaints about Makeup and How to Correct Them.”

Lora, the book was published this year (2011,) but do you have enough Beauty and Spa horror stories collected from readers that you’re ready to write a sequel to the Book?

I’m working on that right now. I’m collecting stories from other beauty industry workers as well as clients. I think it’s only fair they rat us out as well!

Over the course of reading your funny book, I kept wondering if you made any enemies? Anyone write and threaten to sue? (Even though you’re telling the truth?)

No one has threatened to sue! Would they really want to admit it was them?!

Ha! You’re right…good point. I guess if someone gets called out for being written about in your book, they can claim you’re talking about someone else!

Lora, you wisely point out to readers that “All Natural isn’t always all natural, good or more effective.” Why do you think people continue to be, in your words, “fooled by the pretty advertising pictures and tales?”

Because people want to believe the fairy tale! People want to feel good about what they’re using and want to think their purchase is helping someone in a 3rd world country. On the contrary, they probably don’t know all their neighbors names! People still think tanning beds are safe and fast food isn’t that bad. Go figure!

You write, “Please stop with the free gift or gift with purchase gimmick…Are you that desperate for shit you don’t need?”

Well, Lora, so funny, so true. I guess people are…including, sometimes myself. What more do you want to say to straighten me out?

Well if it’s something you’re really going to use, then go ahead and buy it. Go into your closet and see how many cosmetic bags you have and how many mini lipsticks or sample creams you’ll never use. Maybe if you want to feel good give that gift to someone at a battered women’s shelter or Dress For Success charity.

You talk about the point of the Book being to be a “beauty consumer advocate.” Talk some about that term, please.

It’s irritating and insulting to me that companies KNOW they can put out any CRAP that doesn’t work and put it in a pretty box or bottle, make it smell good and women will buy it. It reminds me of the Hope In A Jar product. I know they were sitting around the conference table laughing and saying, “I bet if we take a basic cream and market it showing women how ignorant they are it will sell millions.” And it has! I was hoping that I could use a little humor to drive the point home that consumers have rights and if we don’t buy inferior products, they’ll stop making them.

Remember the collagen cream? When that first came out they told everyone that the cream would replace your collagen, darn well knowing that it was impossible. They made millions before the government finally had to step in and make it illegal to say that. The same goes for mascara ads that have fake lashes. Women really believe that their lashes will look like the ad. The power of a magazine ad, especially with a celebrity attached to it, will convince customers that the product is perfect and works. I really want people to wake up and take a little responsibility for what they spend their money on.

Well, no one will accuse you of holding back for this interview, Lora! In addition to your many talents, you’re a very funny lady!

Although the book can be crazy, funny and gross, there is a lot of serious information and I hope it helps people navigate through a lot of confusing information put forth by advertisers, companies and salespeople. I also hope people buy the products I recommended in the book since I have personally tested and used most of them for years on many different people.

Spa Wars: The Ugly Truth About the Beauty Industry, is available now in both paperback, and hardcover, at Amazon.

“Like” Spa Wars: The Ugly Truth About the Beauty Industry Facebook Page!

Disclosure: I purchased Lora’s book. There is an affiliate link for Amazon to purchase your own copy. All the other links in this post are for your convenience only.

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Moxie Reviews™ 2011. Content copyright. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author/owner, Moxie, is strictly prohibited.