Beauty is Skin Deep

     VeGALs (Vegan Girl AthLetes) get down and dirty no matter the sport!  It's all about the grit!  Unless your clothes are completely soaked, hair dripping wet, shoes water-logged or feet dangerously slippery, arm pits stinky from sweat then you haven't really worked out, right?  We are hard core, through and through!  But what about when it's time to clean our hard cores as well as all those other parts attached?  Let's face it, we don't basically kill ourselves every single day to make our bodies rock hard simply just to chill out!  Oh hell no!  We want to put on those tight jeans or slip on that cute little party dress for a night on the town to show off the goods!  After all, we work hard then we play hard.  So when it comes time to wash away all the build up from the day's tough training to get ourselves "gussied up" lol, what we choose to clean our bodies with is equally as important as how we fuel our precious temples!  Would it make any sense for VeGALs to use chemical-laden, potentially dangerous conventional bath/shower gels which are massed produced and most likely tested on animals???  Of course not!  That is why it is essential to read the labels on your fave bath products to ensure they are safe.  What you put on your skin will then be absorbed into the skin and ultimately broken down and utilized within our system.  This process can then contribute to hormonal imbalances which all women in general are susceptible to.
     Most mainstream products contain various types of parabens that can mimic estrogen in the body.  As it is, VeGALs tend to run low on progesterone due to our intense training as well as our reduced body fat.  Many plant foods contain phytoestrogens which, consumed in large quantities, can wreak havoc on the endocrine system, creating estrogen dominance and thus giving way to various diseases. Couple that with the aforementioned parabens in beauty products and you have a recipe for disaster!!!  Fortunately for VeGALs (and all the other females who will eventually catch on and join our elite subculture) safer products are now basically at our fingertips, free of all parabens, sulfates, phthalates and even gluten! Naturally, they are cruelty free! Don't be swayed by those companies who claim they are "all natural" and don't be lured by ingredients like cucumber, pomegranate or lavender unless you read the label and familiarize yourself with what is both safe and acceptable! 
     It's true that the makers of many popular brands are getting smart to what intelligent consumers demand.  In addition, popular supermarkets are now starting to carry healthier versions of the familiar as well as the more boutique brands.  But to ensure you will have many high-quality products to choose from, visit your local health food store  either in person or online like Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Earth Fare or Tunies.  I was thrilled to discover that the big beauty chain Ulta sells a variety of their namesake products that smell delicious and are rich and emollient made with lots of different  "girly" ingredients loved by VeGALs! 
     So carry on, as you were, your chosen discipline, digging deep within to pull out and displace all that grime meant to cleanse your soul!  Then pamper yourself with some natural and fragrant TLC from a bottle. Finally, get your smokin' hot and tight ass ready to be showered with TLC by your honey (and no, I don't mean honey from a bee!  That is gross! It is a byproduct from an animal!!! )
     VeGALs represent class as well as sophistication!  We train with a conscience!  VeGALs are firmly planted!