Food Review: Lilly's Hummus

Four flavors of Lilly's Hummus - Roasted Garlic, Roasted

Jalapeno, Smoked Tomato and Basil, Kalamata Olive with

some pita bread (devoured after this photo!)

The good folks over at the Oregon-based Lilly's Hummus contacted me about reviewing some of their hummus and I gleefully accepted (I am a hummus addict)...little did I know that these generous folks would be sending me full tubs of seven varieties of their lip-smackin' hummus!

I received the hummus about a week ago and have been snacking on all the flavors for the past week. If this proves anything, it's that I don't get sick of hummus, like, ever!! I received all their flavors (except the Cracked Black Pepper), which are:

• Plain (Original)
• Smoked Tomato and Basil
• Roasted Garlic
• Roasted Jalapeno
• Kalamata Olive
• Roasted Red Pepper
• Black Bean Hummus

Lilly's Hummus uses fresh, organic, and locally-sourced ingredients to make their delectable hummus. Their hummus has a rustic, homemade quality that you just don't get with mass-produced hummus. Lilly's has more texture and natural flavor than regular store-bought hummus and the quality of ingredients really shines through!

I enjoyed all their flavors, but I did have a few favorites. I fell head-over-heels in love with their Smoked Tomato and Basil Hummus! The smoky tomato flavor combined with the crisp taste of basil had me coming back for more...and more. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I inhaled half the tub before forcing myself to stop!

I also loved the Roasted Garlic, Roasted Jalapeno and Kalamata Olive flavors. I liked that the flavors never felt overpowering or processed, instead they tasted subtle and natural. Lilly's never uses fillers, imitation flavors or hydrogenated oils, and I think that really shows in the final product!

Lilly's Hummus cares about their product and consumers - which is evident from the final, delicious product! I also like that this company uses locally-sourced and organic ingredients whenever possible, doesn't use preservatives or weird ingredients in their hummus, and is an eco-friendly company, recycling and composting at their facility whenever possible.

I would definitely buy Lilly's Hummus and wholeheartedly recommend it! Next time I am out I plan on seeing if my local health food store, Mother's Market, has any in stock.

Lilly's Hummus is sold at select natural/health food stores...for locations of those in your area and for more info on Lilly's, check their website!

Beauty Review: 100% Pure Eucalyptus Seafoam Facial Cleanser

My lovely friend introduced me to 100% Pure Cosmetics, a (mostly) vegan* (see note below) line of beauty products made from the purest ingredients. 100% Pure products do not contain harsh detergents, synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, chemical preservatives, toxins or animal products (except some products contain honey...which I discovered after writing this review; more on this below). Of course I immediately wanted to try all their products, but the Eucalyptus Seafoam Facial Cleanser caught my eye since it is made for oily skin (which unfortunately I have).

I was lucky enough to receive it for my birthday and just couldn't wait to try it. I mean, just take a look at the plant-based ingredient list:

Organic Seaweeds (Kelp, Sea Lettuce, Spirulina), Green Tea (Organic), French Green Sea Clay, Coco Betaine (gentle coconut cleanser), Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Palmitate), Vitamin E (Di Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate), Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil, Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Seed Oil, Extracts of, Pomegranate (Organic), Grapefruit Seed (Organic), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract (Organic), Essential Oil of Organic Tea Tree, Organic Eucalyptus and Organic Peppermint, Extracts of Cinnamon, Thyme, Goldenseal and Oregano

Sounds delightful, does it not?! I tried it for the first time after a long, hard day and immediately found its pepperminty eucalyptus scent invigorating and uplifting. My face tingled (in a good way) when I massaged it into my skin, as if my very skin cells were perking up! After rinsing I noticed it took off all my makeup no problem! My skin felt smooth, soft, refreshed and clean! It really felt like it cleared my pores out and that they could “breathe”.

It also doesn't dry out my skin like most cleansers made for oily skin, but instead leaves it feeling nourished. I didn't even need to put on any moisturizer after washing my face with this cleanser!

I will mention that if you get it near your eyes that they will tingle…it doesn't sting like soap but it is an odd feeling, so I recommend washing your eye makeup off first before using the 100% Pure Eucalyptus Seafoam cleanser.

I love 100% Pure’s philosophy on natural ingredients, commitment to being (mostly) vegan and cruelty-free and using quality ingredients to create wonderful products such as their Eucalyptus Seafoam Facial Cleanser.

Based on how much I love this product I can’t wait to try other 100% Pure items!

*A word of warning: after initially writing this review I discovered that though their products are listed as being "vegan", be aware that some products contain honey. So far I found beeswax in some of their lip products, but it could also pop up in other products. 

The company says they use "cruelty-free" honey, which is a bunch of BS in my opinion. This is pretty shady to call yourself "vegan" but include honey in your products! It makes me NOT want to try any other products from 100% Pure.

Please make sure to check the ingredient lists before purchasing any products! 

Vegan Cuts January 2013 Box Review

January 2013 Vegan Cuts Box

I love monthly subscription boxes! I tried the Lollihop snack box (review) until they shut down, and for the past year I've been receiving Conscious Box. I had a few problem with Conscious Box, like receiving the wrong box (I got their "classic" box instead of their vegan box), missing items in my boxes, and even receiving items in their "vegan" box that weren't vegan. Their customer service was quick to address my concerns, but nonetheless when my subscription was up I opted to cancel and try something new!

I opted for Vegan Cuts because I already adore their vegan coupon service, the price seemed fair and with them I knew all products would be 100% vegan. I signed up and received my first box towards the end of January.

From other people's photos I've seen, not all boxes are the same and there is quite some variety to what products come in your monthly box. Below is a list of what I received in my January 2013 Vegan Cuts Box:

• Beanfields Pico de Gallo chips
• Beanfields Nacho chips
• Surf Sweets Sour Berry Bears
• PUR Wintergreen Gum
• Nutcase Crunch
• Berry Plus Laundry Soap
• Cuppow lid for extra-wide Mason jars
• Simply Straws clear glass straw
• Kelapo Virgin Coconut Oil 
• Organic Freekeh Roasted Green Wheat

I LOVE Beanfields chips, so I was very excited to try these flavors, which I've never had before! I also had never tried Surf Sweets, PUR gum or Freekeh wheat, so I was very pleased to receive these high-quality items. I love Cuppow lids and Simply Straws and glad to add these to my collection. I had previously received Nutcase Crunch, Berry Plus Laundry Soap and Kelapo Coconut Oil in a Conscious Box, so I knew these were good items as well!

I have to be honest - at first I wasn't too impressed with the Vegan Cuts box, especially looking at the different items in other people's boxes...however, after giving it some thought I've changed my opinion and am quite content with the items contained in the January box. 

If you are looking for a box that allows you to try a variety of vegan products and is a good value, I definitely encourage you to check out Vegan Cuts!

If interested in signing up for a Vegan Cuts box, please use my referral link by clicking HERE!

I'm Back with Vacation Photos!

Hi boils and ghouls! I know, I know...long time no post. So much stuff to catch up on! I apologize for my absence...I was on vacation the first week of January (during which I had my birthday...yay!), but when I got back home I came down with the death flu that's going around and was pretty much out of commission for a week and a half. Then I had my belated birthday party to host and lots of work at my jobby-job to catch up on...leaving not much time for blogging!

I'm back now, and will definitely be posting more often in the coming weeks!

For my first post of the new year, I wanted to share some photos with you of my trip up to Northern California. Mister Spooky and I headed up there to visit my family and have a second Christmas. We headed up the 101 Highway early, early one rainy morning and got up to Napa County early afternoon. During our week stay we ate awesome food, hung out with my family, went on hikes, visited tons of old cemeteries and even did a day trip out to Bodega Bay.

Here are a few pics of the trip (if you follow me on Instagram - thespookyvegan - many of these may look familiar)!

Sunrise on the road

The beautiful tree (and presents) at my parent's house! They 

postponed Christmas so we could spend it together :)

 Cutest owl gift tag / wrapping paper from my sister

 Squeeeeeeee....got the Trick or Treat book!

Some more neat books I picked up on the trip.

 Creepy angel in a mausoleum - Tulocay Cemetery, Napa, CA

 Sunset in the cemetery - Tulocay Cemetery, Napa, CA

Gorgeous monument at Tulocay Cemetery in Napa, CA 

Tulocay Cemetery, Napa, CA

Annnnnnd this is how I spent NYE...wearing my old dinosaur

costume from when I was a kid! RAWR!

 We went to the Petrified Forest near Calistoga, CA (I had lived in the 

area for years and had never been) and it was pretty cool!

This area had been excavated to uncover the massive petrified tree

to the left in the photo.

Awesome found graffiti at the Petrified Forest - Go Vegan!

 1800s Pioneer Cemetery at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

 1800s Pioneer Cemetery at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

On the trail at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

In honor of my birthday, I share with you this pic of me on my 2nd bday :)

 Finally made it to Ike's Place (Santa Rosa location)! Got their 

Vegan Ugly Owl sammie and OMG it was soooooooo delicious!

 Also tried this at Ike's...it was like drinking a peppermint stick! NOM!

Old abandoned Haunted House (or what's left of it) - somewhere

on the road to Bodega Bay

Old cemetery we found on the way to Bodega Bay

Had an amazing four-course fancy dinner at Jole in Calistoga, CA.

Jole isn't a vegan restaurant, but their chef created a custom vegan

four-course menu for me! It was so delicious!

 The view from this place was unreal! I could see all of the valley!

Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena, CA

 Old Pioneer Cemetery in Calistoga, CA 

I had never been to this cemetery, so I was excited I finally went! 

Lots of old, old tombstones that you could barely read anymore.

 Oh hi there! Me in the Old Pioneer Cemetery in Calistoga, CA

 Still my favorite grave...."Darling" in St. Helena Cemetery - 

St. Helena, CA

It was a much needed getaway for both me and Mister Spooky and I'm so glad I was able to see my family and just relax!

My Top 10 Horror Movies of 2012

Hiya fiends! You know, ever since I retired from reviewing horror movies (in case you didn't know, I used to run the horror site Fatally-Yours, though it has long since been taken down - you can still check out archives of my reviews here) it seems I've watched the genre of horror less and less. Perhaps it is because I don’t have access to as many low-budget independent flicks anymore and I always felt that you could find some real diamonds in the rough from those no- to low-budget horror films. Also, I've been watching what I want, which doesn't include a lot of the new releases since I usually wait for things to come around on Netflix before watching them nowadays. So please forgive me since my list isn't by all means all-inclusive of every single 2012 horror release.

However, there were a bunch of horror releases that I did enjoy and wanted to share those with you here, whether you agree or not. These may not be “the best” horror films, but in my opinion they are the favorites that I saw this year. So, without further ado, here are my top 10 horror movies of 2012:

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1. Cabin in the Woods – This was by far the most fun I've had had with a horror movie all year (read my review)! I know a lot of people either loved or hated it, but I am one that absolutely adored it! I went in with no real expectations but was blown away by the twists and turns and how it turns into something I never would have imagined! I really, really loved this movie, especially all the winks and nudges it made to the horror genre. Repeated viewings just made me love it all the more!

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2. [REC] 3: Genesis – I loved both Rec and Rec 2, but I was a bit iffy on this third installment where all the mayhem takes place during a wedding. Well, I shouldn't have been so hesitant to check this out because it was awesome! Non-stop action, a lead female character who takes care of business, zombies with a twist (do yourself a favor and watch the first two to find out what this twist is), lottsa bloody gore and some really cool action scenes. Oh, hey, plus some romance (‘til death do us part), if you dig that kinda thing.

3. Lovely Molly – This movie was seriously eerie and f*cked up! Is it about a descent into madness, possession or about the repercussions of child abuse? Probably all three, but who cares when a film has the ability to crawl under your skin and burrow in your brain, jolting you with startling imagery and dark things just out of your peripheral vision. Not to mention the subtle but no less frightening noises used throughout the film.

4. The Pact – I avoided this film for a while because it just sounded cliché. Woman’s mom dies, woman goes back to her mom’s house to make arrangements, strange things start to happen. Ok, sounds like a typical ghost story but oh it is so not. This film had the ability to keep me on pins and needles from start to finish and the smallest creak in my house made me freak out while watching this. Good god, just thinking about that mysterious closet, the ominous mood of the film and the silent terror lurking in that place give me the heebie jeebies!

5. Kill List – This film about two hitmen started off pretty slow and didn't feel like it was really going anywhere…that is until the last third of the film! Creepy satanic worshipers that wear elaborate tree masks screeching like monsters outta Silent Hill? Yes please!

6. The Woman in Black – I really dug this remake of the 1986 TV film based on the wonderful book of the same name by Susan Hill. The dreary English countryside, the oppressive feel of Eel Marsh House, the frightening experiences that Arthur Kipps has…all were recreated perfectly in this film! I am not sure what turned some horror fans off about this film, but they are missing out!

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7. The Divide – Ok,  this film’s initial release was 2011, but didn't hit US shores ‘til 2012 so I am including it here. This movie was absolutely devastating. I probably wouldn't watch it again, but it was an amazing study of how people’s survival instincts kick in during an extreme situation, and not in a good way. A dark, traumatizing movie that chilled me to the core.

8. The Loved Ones – Like the movie above, this technically wasn't a 2012 release (it came out several years ago in its native Australia), but it hit the US this year so I am going to include it. I really loved this crazy psycho/revenge flick, but I have to be honest…I was kinda rooting for the self-proclaimed prom queen towards the end. Still a great, cringe-worthy revenge flick, though!

9. Sinister – This was a really solid effort and though I didn't absolutely love it, I did enjoy it and thought it was very well done. I was expecting more scares, but Sinister played it a bit more subtle, though there are several nifty wet-your-pants scares (lawnmower scene, anyone?).

10. V/H/S – I've heard a lot of mixed reactions to this film, but I actually enjoyed it! Some of the segments were a bit iffy, but overall I dug it. I especially enjoyed the wrap-around story (“Tape 56”) as well as “The Sick Thing That Happened to Emily When She Was Younger” and “10/31/98”. The only one I really didn't like was “Second Honeymoon”, which was bit slow and its reveal was just mediocre.

Honorable Mention: Paranormal Activity 4 - I know this movie was more of the same from the PA franchise, but I really enjoyed this installment! I thought the neighbor kid was really creepy and it definitely had its startling moments. The only thing that ruined it for me was the abrupt and lame ending. Despite the ending, I enjoyed this one more than the last few PA movies.

What were your favorite horror films of 2012?

Film Review: Vegucated (2010)

I have been wanting to check out the documentary Vegucated for quite some time and lucky for me I was able to catch it streaming on Netflix! Vegucated is a documentary by writer/director/editor/narrator Marisa Miller Wolfson about three people from NYC with varied backgrounds who decide to try the vegan lifestyle for six weeks. You can check out the official synopsis written by Marisa Miller Wolfson below:

Vegucated is a guerrilla-style documentary that follows three meat- and cheese-loving New Yorkers who agree to adopt a vegan diet for six weeks and learn what it's all about. They have no idea that so much more than steak is at stake and that the planet's fate may fall on their plates. Lured by tales of weight lost and health regained, they begin to uncover hidden sides of animal agriculture that make them wonder whether solutions offered in films like Food, Inc. go far enough. Before long, they find themselves risking everything to expose an industry they supported just weeks before. But can their convictions carry them through when times get tough? What about on family vacations fraught with skeptical step-dads, carnivorous cousins, and breakfast buffets? Part sociological experiment and part adventure comedy, Vegucated showcases the rapid and at times comedic evolution of three people who are trying their darnedest to change in a culture that seems dead set against it. 

The reason this documentary intrigued me was that it followed three regular meat-eating, dairy-swilling Americans that were pretty set in their ways and diets. It not only showed their amazing journey to truth, but it also shows how ignorant most people are about where their food comes from, the negative effect meat/dairy/egg consumption has on our bodies and the environment, how awful conditions are for farmed animals and the revelation that we don't need animal products in this day and age. I remember in my pre-vegan days when I was oblivious to the negative implications of my Standard American Diet (it is abbreviated to SAD for a reason) and only found out the horrible truth after proactively doing research myself.

The same happens to the three volunteers in the film...all three of them did not have any idea about the cruel factory farming practices that are standard for all animals raised for slaughter. The participants also learned about the detrimental effects factory farming of animals has on the environment as well as the positive effects a plant-based diet has on our health. Though more and more people are finally discovering the truth about SAD diets and adopting more plant-based diets, it still shocks me that most people are oblivious to the many problems of SAD diets. It's crazy how the meat and dairy industries have fed the public outright lies for so long!

The three volunteers started on their journey with a visit to Dr. Joel Fuhrman where their blood work, cholesterol and vital signs were checked. He also explained how a plant-based diet fulfills your body's nutritional needs better than a SAD diet. They were then introduced to vegan cuisine and went grocery shopping for vegan and "accidentally vegan" products. They were educated on factory farming (though no "hardcore" footage is seen, the images used in the film still made me cry), visited an animal sanctuary and a smaller farm and even attended a vegetarian conference where they learned more about a plant-based diet and listened to speakers like T. Colin Campbell (professor emeritus of nutritional biochemistry at Cornell University and co-author of The China Study) and Howard Lyman (ex-cattle rancher, director of the book and documentary Mad Cowboy and the book No More Bull).

Though they quickly took to veganism with ease, they also had to deal with hardships like cravings for animal products, eating vegan on vacation, family and friends that didn't understand their decision to go vegan as well as having to explain why eating/using animal products is not ethical or sustainable. I really felt for them while they went through these challenges, because those are all things that vegans do go through! For me, I really empathized with the college-aged girl named Tesla whose family and friends didn't understand her switch to veganism. I still have friends and family who just cannot fathom why I choose to eat compassionately and their inability to see my point of view gets me frustrated! I thought Tesla handled her family and friends really well and did a great job explaining veganism. I loved that she stuck to her guns even when a visiting cousin spouted off "what if..." scenarios to Tesla! No honey, hunting is not ethical either.

I loved seeing the process of the three volunteers and how just some simple education could get them to change their world view! I really think that if people would just listen and let themselves be educated about veganism that many would go vegan cold-turkey (like I did after learning about the horrible cruelties of factory farming). At the end of the study, all participant expressed their desire to continue living compassionately and it seems that most stuck to at least being "mostly" vegan. Huzzah!

I liked the different aspect of the documentary and how it focused on three regular people who accepted the "challenge" of going vegan. In the end, I think Vegucated proves how easy and how important it is for anyone and everyone to adopt a plant-based diet rather than a SAD diet.

Highly recommended for both vegans, the veg-curious and anyone that gives a sh*t about their health, compassion towards animals, the environment, the future of the earth and so on!

For more info, visit www.GetVegucated.com.

Sunday Funday: Christmas Edition

Happy Christmas Eve Eve! I cannot believe it is nearly Christmas...this month has flown by, which is a pity because I really love this season! Everyone assumes that since Halloween is "my" holiday that I don't enjoy any other holidays...but that couldn't be farther from the truth!

After Halloween, Christmas is probably my favorite holiday. I love the lights, the chilly weather, the decorations, the food, and, yes, even the music! Not to mention that the season also contains the start of the winter season (happy belated winter solstice), and even though I don't get any snow where I live, I love photos of dreamy snowscapes and wintery woods. I also love pics of Christmas things that have a gothic or creepy twist to them (hello Creepmas) as well as just plain joyful Christmas photos!

For this edition of Sunday Funday, I wanted to share some fun photos of the season (apologies to anyone that follows me on Pinterest or Tumblr, as these photos may look familiar) to spread some comfort and joy!

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 Disneyland Christmas balloons

Have a Scary Little Christmas, kiddies!

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I live for autumn, but I love winter, too! 

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Wishing you and yours a very holly, jolly Christmas!