Jay and I spent last weekend at The Natural Product Expo West at the Anaheim Convention Center. It was wonderful! The NPEW is where natural companies meet store buyers to get their products on the shelves. It is also open to the public to taste and sample the products. There were approximately four thousands companies represented and ninety thousand people who attended from all over the world. The large majority of the companies there were vegan, ethical, cruelty free, and sustainable. Jay and I spend most of our time rescuing animals from horrific circumstances and staring at the problems of our world, but last weekend was all about hope.

The expo was fromThursday throughSunday and after spending all day long, for four days, walking the floors, we still didn’t see all the products there. We’ve been attending the Expo for many years, and the most exciting part was seeing the increase in Main Street buyers wanting natural products in their stores; CVS pharmacy, Target, Walmart, and all the big grocery chains. In talking with some of the buyers it is now so clear that there is a real decline in products made with chemicals, preservatives, and artificial fillers, and a significant increase in the demand for natural products that harm no-one.

Many people are worried about animals, the environment, and our health, but feel powerless to effect change. People ask us all the time how we stay strong and positive in the face of all we see. The answer is, we are aware of the problems but we also allow ourselves to celebrate the victories and forward movement. Inside every movement throughout history change seems impossible. But when we take a step back we see that change is everywhere. It’s such an exciting time to be alive because we all play such a vital part of that change. When we buy natural, cruelty free, sustainable products we are showing big business what we are willing to tolerate and what we are no longer willing to support. When we purchase Field Roast, Vegan Robs, Dr Brite, Be Tru, Éclair, Sun Chlorella, Puremedy, Repurpose, Pacifica, Hurraw, Sea Snax, Pure Ginga, Braggs, and any natural vegan product, we are supporting kindness to animals, reverence for Mother Earth, and promoting better health and wellness for ourselves. We vote with our dollars and effect change every single day, everywhere we go. And together we are making a huge difference. For the first time, I truly believe that we will see a much gentler, predominantly vegan world in our life time. And it’s because of the part we all play in making it happen! Feel the hope, be the change we want to see in our world, and together let’s keep heading towards a Gentle world!