Episode 143: Elevating what we create and what we buy with Sally Malanga of Boon for All

Click the image to listen to the episode here on my website

Going against the culture, busting beauty myths, power of plants and more In the latest episode of Did You Bring the Hummus? Podcast.

In this latest episode, I got to chat with Sally Malanga, the visionary founder of EcoBella and Boon for All. Sally is a true pioneer in cruelty-free beauty and nutrition and this episode is equal parts educational, grounding, and refreshing.

Whether you’re fully vegan, plant-curious, or just tired of being sold expensive wellness trends that don’t deliver, there is so much in this episode for you.

Here are what I think are some great takeaways from this episode.

1. The real challenge isn't the food, it's the culture

These days, the physical act of being vegan is remarkably simple. We have options everywhere we turn, from secret restaurant menus to plant-based staples in every grocery aisle.

The piece where many people struggle Is In navigating the social and emotional friction of doing something different.

Our society is built to reward people who stay quiet and stick to the status quo. Choosing to live and eat differently forces people around us to look at their own choices, and that can trigger pushback. Sally shared a perspective during our chat that really resonated with me:

"It takes personal strength to go against the culture. Because humans are a self-deceptive species... seeing animals being harmed would cause us to suffer. And that's why this is taking so long to stop, because the people who don't want to suffer don't want to know about it either."

If you’ve ever felt awkward at a dinner table or struggled to explain your choices to family, Sally’s insights will give you the grounded confidence you need to stand firm. And if you ever feel completely stuck on what to eat in a non-vegan setting, Sally has some solid advice there too:

"If you don't know what to do, eat potatoes."

2. What's with the animal collagen & bone broth hype?

As the founder of EccoBella and Boon for All, Sally knows skincare and product marketing.

She shares her Insight on a wellness trend that seems to be everywhere (especially those trad wives videos and gym-bro posts!) bone broth and animal collagen.

Most people buy bone broth believing it’s packed with minerals and magic. But Sally pointed out research going all the way back to a 1933 King's College London study proving that boiling animal bones in water yields virtually no mineral content—just incomplete protein and gelatin.

What about animal collagen? It’s largely a slaughterhouse byproduct repackaged as an expensive beauty cure-all.

So how do we actually protect our skin and nourish our bodies? Sally reminded us to look to nature instead of marketing hype:

"When you don't know what to do, look around, see what Mother Nature is doing."

Instead of consuming animal waste products, Sally explains how real skin protection comes from carotenoids, powerful antioxidants like astaxanthin, lycopene, and lutein found in sea algae, tomatoes, and bright plants, and rich ocean minerals like seaweed. That science is what led her to create Boon Broth and Boon Collagen Reviver.

Which leads to our next topic of conversation, how can we ethically sell products and how can we ethically buy them?

3. Elevating what we create and how we spend our money

We live in a world where big industries view us as walking wallets. From food conglomerates to big pharma, we’re constantly being nudged toward quick fixes that harm our health, the environment, and animals.

Sally and I talked about the power we hold as consumers. We might live in a commercial society where we buy things every day, but we get to choose where that money goes.

"We buy stuff from each other, but let's at least elevate what we buy."

When you choose to support ethical, small businesses that put people, animals, and the planet first, you aren't just buying a product, you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want to live in.

Before I spoil the full episode, check It out on YouTube, my website, or wherever you get your pods. The podcast on YouTube Is audio-only so you can still listen while doing the dishes.

Okay, here are a few more topics we cover: Sally’s story of reading Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle as a teenager (that first vegan seed planted), her memories of living "BVC" (Before Vegan Cheese), and how Boon Broth gives you a fantastic 10-minute nourishing soup that's great for busy weeknights.

Be sure to check out the show notes for links to learn more about Sally, explore Boon for All, and connect with her across social media.

Have you ever felt social pushback when making choices that go against the norm? How did you handle it? Tell me In the comments!

"Elevating what we create"

---

Hey, I'm Kimberly.

As a Vegan Educator and the creator behind this space, I spend my time covering all things vegan. My goal is to help you live your best vegan life.

• Tune In: Check out my podcast, Did You Bring the Hummus?, where you'll meet a different vegan and/or learn something new every Monday. Stay in the Loop: Don't miss a beet! (haha, see what I did there?...Vegan jokes...) Join the mailing list for weekly (for the most part) vegan topics and more.

• Subscribe to the Newsletter //  Listen to the Podcast