The Chicago Journal

The Chicago Journal
The Chicago Journal

Environmental Advocate: How Amanda Lavery is making the world sustainable with her brand CoCaBee

The Chicago Journal Staff on December 20, 2022

The beauty product industry is a skyrocketing market that has been through explosive growth over the past decade. Across the globe, investors funnel in millions of dollars worth of investment to fund skincare businesses and research. These practices include, most controversially, the use of animals in safety tests. Prototypes such as lipstick and foundation formula are tested on rabbits and monkeys inside facilities where these animals are kept in unsafe, subpar conditions. For various reasons, large makeup and skincare labels reach out to these unethical businesses in order to test their products. What’s left behind is a cycle of abuse and cruelty that disrupts the lives of innocent animals and takes advantage of the lax law enforcement within the third-world country these businesses are typically found in.

The world has had enough. It is cruel what we do to animals and the lengths we go to test cosmetics on them before we can try them on our skins. Thankfully, the world is changing and does not need cosmetics that risk the lives of animals when tried on them. 

The new era is all about eco-friendly products that are both cruelty-free and sustainable. The fact is that there is always room for improvement. Saying goodbye to cosmetics that may upgrade your looks but do harm to your skin in the long run has now become possible. 

Amanda Lavery steps up as an environmental advocate by introducing her skincare products that help make the world more sustainable. CoCaBee is a brand that offers a beauty line created with delicacy and compassion using ingredients that are entirely safe to use. And the best part, there is no animal testing involved while manufacturing beauty products. 

Growing up at a military base in Petawawa, Ontario, Amanda Lavery was just 16 when she was discovered for a modeling convention in Toronto, Canada. From there, she went on to build a career as a model. She continued working as a model away from home till she turned 28. It was then that Amanda decided she wanted to be her own boss. 

She set her heart on being an entrepreneur, leading her to take an online entrepreneurship course while working as a full-time bartender. As she continued to attain her certification in entrepreneurship, she developed an interest in yoga and meditation. It was then that she started discovering skincare products and the ingredients used to create them.

That was a turning point in her life. She made up her mind to produce her own products. Making lip balms in her kitchen using natural products, Amanda Lavery introduced them to her friends and colleagues. She completed her course, and upon receiving the certification in entrepreneurship, she came up with a corporate business idea we now know as CoCaBee. 

You must be wondering how Amanda’s beauty products are different. Well, for all the reasons you could think of! This dynamic young lady has advocated for the environment, taking an oath to introduce to the world skincare products that are not only safe for humans to use but also for the atmosphere.

She began formulating lip balms in her kitchen using some of the most natural ingredients that help nourish the skin. Most of the products that are manufactured using chemicals are tested on animals before they can be tried on human skin. We are all aware that using such products on animals is an act of cruelty, as they are at risk of irreversible damage. However, Amanda’s products do not require to be tested on animals. Besides being cruelty-free, her products are certified as safe to use. 

As far as CoCaBee products are concerned, Amanda shared that it all started with lip balms made organically. She created them with a love for nature using her own hands and natural ingredients. She was determined to show the world that there are ways in which skincare products and cosmetics could be produced without causing any harm to the environment and especially to animals. CoCaBee is where she began developing more skincare products using biodegradable ingredients.

Her cosmetics line comprises lip balms and waterproof liquid lipsticks that are organically hand-made. Apart from products that enable your lips to sustain their natural hue, Amanda offers her moisturizing, anti-bacterial hand cream, 24K golden rose serum, and a wide range of lip care products.

Though it was not an easy job to be a model in such a cutthroat industry, with determination and self-confidence, she not only carved a niche for herself but also changed the world of cosmetics.

Amanda Lavery is a true example of an environmental advocate. She loves animals and aims to protect them by all means. She sets a standard for the companies that deal in cosmetics and beauty products so that such products can be produced without causing any harm to the environment and, most importantly, animals. 

Chef and Influencer Joey Maggiore is revolutionizing Italian Food

The Chicago Journal Staff on December 20, 2022

Travel enthusiasts are always on the lookout for several things when exploring new cities and countries. The beautiful monuments, sightseeing places, culture, but most importantly, the food. Every country has its distinct cuisine and taste palette. Travelers and foodies love to explore what different countries have to offer. For instance, Asia is all about spices and keeping it hot, while European countries are quite subtle in their food choices and focus more on flavors. Many people have said that America has a bland food culture, but all it takes is a walk through the city to find some of the most delicious places to eat. There are some amazing, inexpensive restaurants in Chicago that offer just as much flavor and authenticity as you would expect from a restaurant in New York or Paris. With many options to choose from, visitors can indulge in any type of cuisine they like.

There are, however, some cuisines that are enjoyed widely all over the world. For instance, Indian, Italian and Chinese. Italian is the simplest of cuisines where only a few ingredients can work wonders if fused well. Joey Maggiore is one chef who has mastered various cuisines and is now revolutionizing Italian cuisine. 

Joey Maggiore is the executive chef, concept king, and entrepreneur behind ‘The Maggiore Group’ – an Italian American family-owned company. He originally learned and developed his talent in the kitchen alongside his father, culinary legend Tomaso Maggiore. 

Tomaso’s Italian restaurant was established in 1977 in Phoenix, Arizona. It was during this time that Joey developed an interest in the culinary career and eventually led the growth of his family business after his father’s death. Tomaso was a larger-than-life chef, making him Joey’s biggest inspiration. All he wants is to keep his passion for food and Italian heritage alive. Joey is often found traveling, learning to bring fantastic food and culture to his brands. 

Chef Joey works with his wife, Cristina Maggiore, and together, they have conceptualized many successful brands in Phoenix – from fine Italian dining to creative brunch options. Their notable concepts are Hash Kitchen, The Sicilian Butcher, The Sicilian Baker, and The Mexicano. Hash Kitchen delivers chef-driven, re-imagined brunch for the social media-savvy generation with their lives revolving around hashtags. The Sicilian Butcher is a nationally recognized craft meatball and charcuterie bar that takes dining to the next level. The Sicilian Baker is an Italian-inspired Pasticceria and market with a made-to-order cannoli bar, gelato, and savory and sweet pastries, among other fresh Italian confectionaries. 

While their newest addition, The Mexicano, has experiential food, including a 3-foot quesadilla, and a colorful atmosphere, including a Latin DJ. Chef Joey’s creative touch on these concepts balances his father’s authentic Italian cuisine with innovative takes on all-time favorite dishes.

Early in his career, Joey thought he knew it all. Since he had been trained under a master chef, he believed he was the best and didn’t need to learn anything. However, soon, he realized that was a mistake. The process of learning never stops for any business, especially when it is culinary, because people want to try something new after a while. According to him, if you stop the process of learning, you can never become the best. 

Joey Maggiore has taken Italian food to the next level by constantly experimenting with recipes. Be it pizzas or pasta; everything is made in-house with lots of love, passion and creativity. With hand-rolled meatballs cooked daily, made-from-scratch spaghetti, and Sicilian-style charcuterie platters, the presentation is top-notch, and the taste is impeccable. Four things that have helped Joey’s business grow include; social media, exceptional quality food, creativity, and Italian hospitality. 

Joey is known as “the concept guy” in the food world, opening over 40 restaurants, making several TV appearances, and gaining national acclaim. His concepts have been featured and awarded in many publications, including Phoenix Magazine, Thrillist, USA Today, and Forbes. Joey’s TV features include Food Network, Travel Channel, FOX 10 News, ABC 15 News, NBC’s 12News, 3TV/Arizona’s Family, as well as his own show on Food Network: Family Style. He has even won a number of awards and accolades with Best Italian Restaurants in Phoenix, The Best Pasta Dishes of the US, Most Signature Dishes of Phoenix, and Buzzfeed’s Bring Me, amongst others, in the year 2022 only. 

With a successful business enterprise, Joey plans to open two new concepts in the near future; The Italiano, which will be Italian fine dining, and The Rosticceria, where guests can look forward to wood-fired meats with an Italian touch. If you are looking for authentic Italian cuisine, head straight to one of Joey Maggiore’s restaurants and experience fine Italian dining in a comfortable yet chic ambiance. 

How to increase creative imagination? TAU reveals his secret

The Chicago Journal Staff on December 20, 2022

History is a witness to the crucial role art has played in evolving the perception of people. Not only has it inspired people, but it was often even used to spark revolutions. Even in today’s time, different mediums of art are used to strike passion in our hearts. One such artist who is a role model for all is Tau. 

The self-taught artist who paints in oil colors creates pieces of art that are a combination of cubism, abstract, as well as impressionism. He also believes that everything he paints has the potential to inspire others since that is the sort of energy he puts into his work. Tau’s creative nature is obvious from the stage name he picked to represent his work – a name that is based on the blue star found in the Scorpio constellation. And yes, the star called Tau has a luminosity 1350 times that of the sun.

Though there are hundreds of great upcoming artists, Tau stands out from the rest, as he believes in experimentation and does not limit his ideas. Like other people, he too has experienced ups and downs in life. But instead of focusing on the negative, he uses his canvas to portray everything positive he has derived from his life experiences.

“Energetically, my paintings are meant to inspire others,” Tau reveals. “I am not a tormented artist, the pain does not control me, I am simply aware of myself, aware of my motives, aware of my personal experiences. I studied myself and learned how to channel every experience into inner strength.”

According to Tau, to become an artist, all you need is passion since your skills can be polished as long as you are willing to put in the hard work. “I believe the combination of practice and self-belief is the secret to ‘talent’,” he shares. “Everyone is born with talent, abilities, and life wisdom. As soon as you believe in yourself and your talent, you bring light to the process and invite more tools from the universe to improve the creative process,” Tau adds. This perception towards art and talent is a mark of someone who has seen it all.

Tau also believes that the concept of ‘talented people’ is an invention of humanity, and everyone can be what they want to be regardless of what society thinks of them. Hence, it is critical to change the culture instead, so the community loses the power to dictate anyone’s dreams. “When you stop listening to society, you end up practicing and improving your skills,” the cubism-abstract artist shares. “The secret to my talent is self-belief.” 

Apart from remaining positive and believing in oneself, Tau believes creativity and imagination are also essential to bring something new to the table as an artist. Unfortunately, when people underestimate the importance of creativity, they simply end up being part of the herd and focus more on imitation, rather than innovation. “The competitive nature of the art industry is grounded in this idea that there is only ‘one true way’ to make an impact with your work, which is to imitate and copy someone else’s success,” said Tau. “But this doesn’t allow for any room for creativity, imagination, or new ideas.” Tau believes artists are constantly shifting from copying what has been done before to challenging themselves with different ways of making their art. The more we are able to see the multifaceted and constantly shifting nature of art, the closer we are to appreciating the vivid abstractions that connect our personal experiences with art and artistic expressions.

Are you looking to improve your imaginative side? Well, Tau has a solution to your problems. He claims you can easily improve your imagination by reading books, watching movies, and stepping out of your comfort zone. Experiencing new cultures can also do wonders. “Visit museums and art exhibitions; once the brain sees art all the time, it generates more ideas,” Tau states. “You should also perform self-exercises in imagination. For example, I close my eyes and imagine a landscape picture and then change the background color. These practices of changing colors with eyes closed are very helpful in developing the imagination.”

He also recommends artists to change the way they experience life by choosing one day of the week to be the day when the “no” becomes a “yes” and the “yes” becomes a “no”. As soon as you turn the opportunities around, a new world will open up for you.

Last but not least, give classical music a chance. “People underestimate the importance of classical music. It calms the mind, activates the brain, and improves imagination,” he advises. “Sometimes when I have a creative block, I play familiar symphonies by Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart, and I immediately feel this small sense of peace.”

Feeling inspired already? Give Tau’s tips a shot and see your life evolve in front of you in days.