Today, today...

Veganism is going pretty good. Went to a Nepalese restaurant with my friend Tia today and all was good and vegan. And cheap. I especially love the last part. It's kind of weird passing by bakeries, cheese, and ice creams shops saying to myself, "Hmm.. Nope, can't have that... or that either..." but it's just a matter of finding the vegan equivalent, really (You'd be surprised at the stuff they make these days.) While Michi and I live in Mitte, the Upper West Side of Berlin (ie, less funky/trendy, much more residential and family-oriented), Tia lives in one of the funkier- and cheaper- neighborhoods, known as Kreuzberg, which is similar to the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Walking down her street today, my jaw nearly dropped at the variety and uniqueness of all the shops and cafes and markets, all filled to the brim with people of all types, which I love. Talk about a happenin' hood.

Anyway, my newest obsession is replacing my current cosmetics and toiletries with all-natural products. Actually, lemme rephrase that-- I'm just going to phase them out when they're done and then replace them with all-natural products. I was reading up on food additives and cosmetic/toiletry additives and it kind of freaked me out... For example, additives in tons of popular cosmetics/toiletries:

• Sodium laurel, lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) - Is a white powder used in thousands of cosmetic products and non-cosmetic products. SLS is a strong degreaser that dries the skin and hair. It can also cause hair loss. Used in many products that are called natural as a result these products are not natural. This product is found in shampoos, toothpastes, lotions, and creams. It is also found in many car washes, engine degreasers, and garage floor cleaners. When combined Triethanolamine (TEA) it can become a nitrosamine, which is a potent class of carcinogen.

• Mineral Oil, Paraffin, and Petrolatum - Are hydrocarbons which come from petroleum products. On the skin, it is heavy and greasy and clogs pores. It is toxic and leads to skin issues. It disrupts natural skin grown causing skin aging. It is also suspected cause of cancer and disrupts hormonal activity. If take internally, it prevents the absorption of nutrient into the blood in the small intestines.

• Phenol carbolic acid, Phenolic compounds - Are used as a preservative and found in many lotions and skin creams. They are toxic and can cause paralysis, convulsions, coma and even death from respiratory failure.

• Benzoic Acid, sodium benzoate - is used as a preservative in cosmetics and foods. Often combined with sodium bisulfites, which are banned in some countries. This is a dangerous additive, since in low amounts it has been associated with brain damage, neurological disorders, and cancer.

The worst part was when I looked at my shampoos and facial cleansers. They had ALL these chemicals. I know, I know, I may be going overboard but it just sort of makes sense to me to not trust all these chemicals in the stuff we use/eat every day. The vegan shops I've researched all have alternative/natural cosmetics and whatnot (even natural laundry detergent!) But it is definitely more expensive, of course (around 5-6 euros for a very small bottle of shampoo! 150ml! Time to used quarter-sized drops I guess..)

On that note (sort of a tangent, but whatever), they say that, in order to lead a healthy life, no single ingredient you consume should have more than 5 ingredients in it. (Ie, it's okay to combine lots and lots of ingredients as long as each individual ingredient contains less then 5 ingredients in it...Got that?)

I know, I'm turning into a total hippie. Hah!

Oh, and Micha is trying to tell me that I have a bald spot on the crown of my head (where my part ends.) Of course, there's no way I can actually see if I indeed do (although I'm vehemently disagreeing wit him on the topic, I have a ton of hair, damnit!) unless he takes a picture with our digital camera. But I totally refuse to do that or let him do it either. He only pays attention to it because at my height, the top of my head fits neatly under his chin, so it's like a constant presence for him I guess.

He's making vegan pancakes for me with soy milk and a vegan egg substitute...so sweet and considerate. :)

Oh and another thing: The Dalai Lama is coming to Berlin (or perhaps he's already here?) and there's going to be a massive gathering/peaceful demonstration at the Brandenburg Gate for Tibetan Solidarity. We'll be there!