Cruelty-free Lipsticks from ‘Lotus Herbals’, All India

For more vegan/cruelty-free cosmetics reviewed in this blog, you can click here.

Lotus Herbals’ lipsticks are cruelty-free and here’s how

1. No animal testing: Lotus Herbals does not test its lipsticks or any of its cosmetic products on animals. The Company’s position on animal testing can be read here.

2. No animal ingredients: Lotus Herbals' lipsticks are 100% animal ingredient free, which includes being free of animal fats. Did you know that any standard lipstick contains the following ingredients: oil, wax, fragrance, preservatives, antioxidants, and pigment—with oil and wax being the primary ingredient (source)? We corresponded with the R&D department of Lotus Herbals and received confirmation that the wax used in the lipstick is from vegetable sources (jojoba) only (as opposed to beeswax). For reviews of Lotus Herbals' lipsticks, you can click here.

Availability of Lotus Herbals lipsticks

These lipsticks are available all over the country in select cosmetic and beauty outlets. If you are unable to locate one in your city, you may want to drop a mail at care@lotusherbals.com and ask for the required information.

We have a list of the outlets in Bangalore where these lipsticks are available: BG Road (Dabur New 'U'), Commercial Street (Empire Store and Hairizon), Garuda Mall (Health & Glow), Kormangala (More), Lido Mall (Big Bazaar), and Old Madras Road (Big Bazaar).

While you are at it, you can also look around for a host of other beauty and make-up products by Lotus Herbals, all of which are claimed to be 100% animal ingredient free. The Lotus Herbals website is a good starting point to explore their line of beauty products.


Top four reasons why your cosmetic should be cruelty-free

1. Animal testing is unethical: Testing products on animals causes irreversible damage to the body parts of the sentient beings making them go blind, lose mobility, suffer complete loss of senses, or spend days in a cage in fear and agony or shrieking for mercy until the time they are silenced forever, that is, when the “testing” is over. Learn more about the atrocious practice of animal testing from this link on the web page of the International Association Against Painful Experiments on Animals.

2. Animal testing is ineffective: The absurdity of animal testing lies in the fact that a so called “successful” test on an animal does not in any way guarantee that the cosmetic product, the lipstick in this case, will not have an undesirable impact on the human lip in the long-term. Humans are programmed by Nature to outlive the natural life span of the animals used in experiments, so how can the test result, for example from a rabbit, be extrapolated to humans? Here is an article from AboutMyPlanet that cites six reasons why animal testing does not work.

3. Availability of humane methods of testing: There are numerous humane and reliable alternatives to animal testing. Here is an article from PETA, titled Alternatives: Testing Without Torture that documents the alternatives to animal testing.

4. Animal ingredients are outcomes of cruel industrial practices that violate the ethical and spiritual codes of living in harmony with Nature: Ingredients of animal origin are unnecessary in cosmetic products. They can easily be done away with and replaced by plant-based ingredients. Some prominent non-vegan ingredients used in cosmetics may be the following: animal fats/animal-derived glycerin or glycerol (obtained from slaughterhouses), beeswax, carmine (extracted by boiling alive pigmented beetles), eggs, goat milk, honey (obtained by driving the bees out of their hives [their homes] and then robbing them of their food); lanolin (fatty substance obtained from wool-bearing animals), lipase (enzyme extracted from the stomach and tongue of calves and lambs), musk (obtained from the genitals of male Musk Deer, skimmed milk powder (SMP), and yoghurt. Here is a comprehensive PETA-compiled list of the animal ingredients to watch out for in various products.


Trends

• The European Union has already passed a ban on animal testing effective, 2009 and a complete sales ban on products tested on animals effective, 2013 (source). There is an agitation brewing against animal testing in the Indian horizon (source) as well.

• The other bit of good news is that we are seeing a rise in cosmetic companies that believe in using plant-based ingredients in their products as opposed to animal ingredients, chemicals, and other toxic substances. There is little or no need for testing of any sort on plant-based ingredients. This is a pointer for us—as consumers, we must seek out companies that use environment-friendly, plant-derived ingredients in their cosmetics. In addition to such companies likely not to test their products on animals, such products will, beyond doubt, be friendly for our own bodies as well. 

“Cruelty to animals is as if man did not love God… there is something so dreadful, so satanic, in tormenting those who have never harmed us, and who cannot defend themselves, who are utterly in our power.” ~Cardinal John Henry Newman~

‘Namdhari’s Fresh’ Vegan-friendly Store, Bangalore

For more vegan-friendly stores in Bangalore reviewed in this blog, you can click here.

The “All Veg. Always” Namdhari’s Fresh is a chain of very successful all-vegetarian stores in Bangalore set up under the aegis of Shri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji, the spiritual Guru of the Namdharis, a sect of Sikhism. Translated, "Namdhari" means "one who beholds God's name." Vegetarianism, righteousness in character, and a quest to free society from social evils are some among the prominent teachings of the Namdhari Gurus. You can read in detail about their vegetarian position by clicking this link on the Namdhari Sikh Foundation website.

Namdhari’s Fresh stores are the public face of its parent company, Namdhari Seeds Pvt. Ltd.

Products available at Namdhari’s Fresh

You can find many organic and vegan products at Namdhari’s Fresh. These are the following.

• Organically grown: Grains, pulses, jaggery, pickles, spices, snacks, dry fruits, sweets, and other edibles from organic food producers such as 24 Letter Mantra, Navadarshanam, ProNature, The Organic Lifestyle, and some from Namdhari Seeds themselves.

• Fruits and vegetables: Desi and western fruits and vegetables from the Namdhari farms at Bidadi near Bangalore. Besides the commonly found Indian fruits and vegetables, the exclusive greens include the following: baby cucumbers, lettuce, asparagus, kiwi, baby corn, parsley, zucchini, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, red cabbage, leeks, colored capsicum, parsley, sage, oregano, rosemary, thyme, lemon grass, basil, dill, physalis, passion fruit, brussels sprout, and so on. All of these are grown in the farmlands of our own country and therefore they return more value for your money when you compare them with the imported ones. Please note that while some of these fruits and vegetables are organically grown, all are not. You may want to consult the support staff for more information.

• Processed vegan edibles: Vegan chocolates from Choco Bon Bon, Bournville, and Cacao; delicious plant-based frozen foods from Fry’s Vegetarian; vegan breakfast cereals from Good Earth, Pristine Organics, and Bagrry’s; vegan muffins, cakes, and breads from Bagels and Bakes, fruit bars from Naturo; vegan biscuits from Parle (Hide & Seek and Bourbon); soy milk from Staeta; coconut milk from Dabur; Crumpy Belgian Hazelnut Cocoa Spread; green teas; and so on.

Namdhari’s Fresh outlets in Bangalore

1. Banashankari – Address: Banagiri Nagar, Kathriguppe Main Road, Banashankari 3rd Stage, Bangalore – 560070; Landmark: Near Devegowda Petrol Pump; Telephone: 080-26794033

2. Brigade Metropolis – Address: The Arcade, No. 113/G01 & G02, Mahadevapura Village, Krishnarajapura (Hobli), Bangalore South Taluk, Banglaore – 110036; Telephone: 080-22650444

3. Brigade Millenium – Address: Brigade Millenium Campus, JP Nagar 7th Phase, Bangalore – 560078; Telephone: 080-41650428

4. BTM Layout – Address: 774, 7th Cross, 16th Main Road, BTM 2nd Stage, Bangalore – 560070; Landmark: Opposite Swadisth Hotel; Telephone: 080-41572605

5. Frazer Town – Address: 133, MM Road, Frazer Town, Bangalore – 560005; Landmark: Near Richie Rich Restaurant; Telephone: 080-41487135

6. Indiranagar (1) – Address: 134, 60ft Domlur Road, Indiranagar, Bangalore – 100038; Landmark: Near Nandini Hotel: Telephone: 080-41152909

7. Indiranagar (2) – Address: 789, 12th A Main, HAL 2nd Stage, Bangalore – 560038; Landmark: Near Sony Service Centre; Telephone: 080-43442105

8. Jayanagar – Address: 529, 36th Cross, 10th Main, Jayanagar 5th Block, Bangalore – 560011; Landmark: Opposite Shanthi Nursing Home; Telephone: 080-41502443

9. Koramangala – Address: 611, 8th Block, 80ft Road, Koramangala, Bangalore; Telephone: 080-41103778

10. Langford Town Road – Address: 14/1, Langford Road, Bangalore – 560025; Landmark: Beside State Bank of Mysore; Telephone: 080-40953424

11. Mantri Elegance – Address: Basement Mantri Elegance Apartments, Next to Shopper’s Stop, Banneraghatta Road, Bangalore; Telephone: 080-41105139

12. RR Nagar – Address: No. 110, 12th Cross, Ideal Homes Township, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore – 560098; Telephone: 080-28608125

13. RT Nagar – Address: 573, 2nd Main, 2nd Block, RT Nagar, Bangalore – 560032; Landmark: Near FM Silks; Telephone: 080-41524782

14. Sadashiv Nagar – Address: 13/1, Shree Complex, 2nd Main, Vyalikaval, Bangalore – 560003; Landmark: Near Canara Bank; Telephone: 080-41236134/35

15. Sahakar Nagar – Address: 849/7, A-Block, Sahakara Nagar, Bangalore – 560092; Landmark: Near Canara Bank; Telephone: 080-41735363

16. Sarjapur – Address: 17/2, Sarjapur Ring Road, Bangalore – 560034; Landmark: Near ICICI Bank; Telephone: 080-41688568

17. Whitefield (Kundanahalli) – Address: 1, Arvind Avenue, Whitefield Main Road, Bangalore – 560050; Landmark: Near Silver Line Bakery; Telephone: 080-41641285

18. Whitefield (Main Road) – Address: Anmol Carlson Court, New No. 613 (Old No. 1), Whitefield Main Road, Whitefield, Bangalore – 560065; Telephone: 080-41260519

“Vegetarianism now has a future ahead. On [a] vegetarian diet, five to six times the number of people living on [the] Earth can be fed. A time might come when all human beings will have to depend, by compulsion, upon vegetarianism to subsist… God has created the man as pioneer of all living beings. It is immoral, unethical and sinful on his part to kill and eat them. It pollutes the body, mind and soul.” ~Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji at the 33rd World Vegetarian Congress~

Vegan-friendly ‘Sagar Ratna’ Restaurant (Delhi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, & Noida)

Idlis

Dosa

Uttappam

The Sagar Ratna chain of vegetarian restaurants is the preferred choice of many Delhites when it comes to having authentic South Indian vegetarian and vegan food. The food is always fresh and the service is excellent. The Defense Colony branch of Sagar Ratna in Delhi especially, is a favorite haunt for people of all ages and from all sections of the society. At any time of the day you can find people sitting in the restaurant relishing the soft idlis, flavorful dosas, juicy uttappams, special South Indian rice items, and thalis (meal platters) to name a few. Sagar Ratna’s coconut milk dip served with some dishes is awesome. Food is primarily cooked in oil, unless specifically mentioned in the menu card that ghee (clarified butter) will been used. You can also put in a word to the staff while placing your order to ensure that your food is free of cow’s milk and its derivatives. Finding high quality South Indian food in Delhi is a blessing!

North Indian vegetarian and vegan food is also available at Sagar Ratna.

Sagar Ratna menu: You can click here for a glimpse into the Sagar Ratna menu.

Branches and address: Sagar Ratna has many branches spread out in the National Capital Region. You can get the address of each branch by clicking this link in the Delhi Helpline website.

Cost factor: Very reasonable

“So, what is my prescription for good health? In short, it is about the multiple health benefits of consuming plant-based foods, and the largely unappreciated health dangers of consuming animal-based foods, including all types of meat, dairy and eggs.” ~Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry at Cornell University in ‘The China Study’~

Vegan-friendly ‘Sattvik’ Restaurant, Delhi

‘Sattvik’ is a word in Sanskrit that means ‘pure’. In the context of food, ‘sattvik’ refers to a vegetarian diet.

The stylish ‘Sattvik’ restaurant located on the second floor at Select City Walk mall in Delhi lives up to its name. Not only does it offer a pure vegetarian North Indian fare, it is vegan-friendly as well. The staff understands what ‘vegan’ implies; the menu even has one dish that calls out it is vegan: the Vegan Dragon Roll. This dish consists of succulent steamed rolls stuffed with exotic vegetables. The staff helps you veganize your dishes with appreciable patience.

However, be cautious if you are ordering any of the fruit drinks. Most of them are made from preserved fruits. The only juice that is made from fresh ingredients is Om Fizz, a refreshing concoction of crushed cucumber and lime. Another aspect on the flip side is that there are no vegan desserts on the menu. However, if you yearn for a vegan dessert after a meal at Sattvik, you can stroll across to the Gelato Italiano stall round the corner on the same floor for vegan sorbets. These sorbets are available in two flavors: mango and lime. 

Sattvik menu: You can click here for the online link to the menu.

Address: Select City Walk Mall, S-5 2nd Floor, A-3 District Centre, Saket, New Delhi - 110017

Telephone: 011-40599911-13

Timings: Between 12noon to 4:15pm for lunch and 7pm to 11:15pm for dinner

Cost factor: A meal for two costs anywhere from Rs.600/- upwards.

“I don't understand why asking people to eat a well-balanced vegetarian diet is considered drastic, while it is medically conservative to cut people open and put them on cholesterol-lowering drugs for the rest of their lives.” ~Dr. Dean Ornish, M.D., Author of ‘Eat More, Weigh Less’~

Organic-Vegan Fruit Jams from ‘24 Letter Mantra’ (Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Kolkata, & Mumbai)

All jams in the market carry the ‘green’ vegetarian symbol; however, the question we may ask is, are these jams healthy? If you check the ingredients list, you will find they contain a host of food additives such as artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Many contain processed white sugar as well. These jams do not claim to use organically grown fruits either. Under such circumstances, the question really is (repeat), are these jams healthy?

In an earlier post, we had reported about the organic-vegan fruit jams from Plantrich; the good news is that here’s another range of fruit jams to add to the list of healthy organic-vegan jams. These are the jams from the well-known organic food brand, 24 Letter Mantra.

Flavors and ingredients

The organic-vegan jams from 24 Letter Mantra are available in three flavors: mango, mixed fruit, and strawberry. The primary ingredient in the jams—the fruits—are 100% organically grown, i.e. cultivated without the use of pesticides, artificial fertilizers, and chemicals. Additionally, the jams come with the assurance of not containing artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives either.

Availability of 24 Letter Mantra jams

Here is a brief on where you can purchase jams from 24 Letter Mantra in the following cities.

Bangalore: @ Spencer’s and Mother Earth stores.
Chennai: @ Heritage, Nilgiris, Spencer’s, Brown Tree, and TESCO stores.
Delhi: @ Anand Stores, Khan Market; Star Bazzar, Kailash Colony; and Malik Brothers, Defense Colony.
Gurgaon: @ Spencer’s; Easy Day (Walmart); Garg Dastak, Sector 31; DT Mall near Sikandarpur Metro Station; and Kitu Health.
Hyderabad: @ the 24 Letter Mantra flagship store where you can call at 040-23300404 and get the address.
Kolkata: @ all big Spencer’s stores.
Mumbai: @ Big Bazzar, Hyper City, More, and Nature Basket stores.

For more information, you can contact the brand’s headquarters at 040-27893028/729.

Note: 24 Letter Mantra offers a host of other organic-vegan products as well. To learn more about the different products, you can click here.

“Many organic practices simply make sense, regardless of what overall agricultural system is used. Far from being a quaint throwback to an earlier time, organic agriculture is proving to be a serious contender in modern farming and a more environmentally sustainable system over the long term.” ~David Suzuki, Environmentalist~