Vegan Utopia

Date: Monday, August 31
The Delivery: A vegan dessert cookbook
Staff Pick: Sweet Utopia by Sharon Valencik

The DL: The cover of this book makes our mouths water, and the rest of the book is full of color photos just like it. If the recipes taste just as good as they look, then we want to get to cooking!

Macaroon Madness

Date: Thursday, August 27
The Delivery: Granola and macaroons from The Greenwood Kitchen
Staff Pick: The Mint Chip Macaroons

The DL: Some VN staffers—not to name any names—have a thing for the color green, hence the staff pick. Not to mention that mint-chocolate-chip is one of the best flavors in the world, which is why we can't wait to give these naturally colored macaroons a try!

If you're in the San Francisco Bay area tonight, come out to SF Vegan Drinks. You don't want to miss it!

Blue-Plate Special: Classic Meatloaf

Date: Wednesday, August 26
The Delivery: Several rolls of Taza Chocolate and a couple new products from Field Roast
Staff Pick: The Classic Meatloaf

The DL: This is not your average meatloaf—being made with grains and vegetables—and we say bring it on! Now if you'll excuse us, we'll be in the kitchen making some gravy and mashed potatoes for the side.

Today's your third chance to win a Go Vegan! 2010 Calendar. Don't miss out!

Double Yum

Date: Tuesday, August 25
The Delivery: A yummy cookbook and Guardians of Being by Eckhart Tolle and Patrick McDonnell
Staff Pick: Lauren Ulm's Vegan Yum Yum

The DL: Ulm was both a Veg Bloggy and Veggie Award winner for her gorgeous food blog, which goes by the same name as this book, her first. Like what you see? Keep a look out for a great future giveaway, just like the one that's going on now!

Parma to the Rescue

Date: Monday, August 24
The Delivery: The best condiment on earth
Staff Pick: Parma!

The DL: We have been in a desperate situation at the VNHQ—our Parma had run out! Yes, some of the staff have been reduced to tears and there was even talk of closing down shop until more arrived. Thankfully, our cries have been answered, and we can now go on with our restocked supply of our beloved Parma.

Since the office is open, we are giving away five of Sarah Kramer's Go Vegan! 2010 Calendars this week over at Café VegNews!

Going Coconuts!

Date: Friday, August 21
The Delivery: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall and an insane amount of coconut-milk products from Turtle Mountain
Staff Pick: The So Delicious Strawberry Coconut Milk Kefir

The DL: Yes, that is vegan kefir you see below, and a strawberry-flavored one at that. Turtle Mountain has been busting out coconut-milk products left and right, which we think is totally awesome! Now if you'll excuse us, we're going to dive into this coconutty goodness.

Soup Matters

Date: Thursday, August 20
The Delivery: A bottle of water and a non-vegan cookbook chock-full of soups
Staff Pick: Hawaiian Springs water

The DL: As you can see we didn't have much to choose from today, so feast your eyes on this bottle of fresh water. Though it may be a pretty bottle, we definitely feel that reusable water bottles are the way to go. Bottoms up!

Box Full of Goodness

Date: Wednesday, August 19
The Delivery: Five Go Vegan! 2010 Calendars featuring Sarah Kramer (look for a giveaway soon!), and an entire box of scrumptious-looking baked goods
Staff Pick: The Classic Tollhouse Cookie from Pattycake Bakery

The DL: It was very hard to decide which delicious treat to feature today! And with Classic Whoopie Pies and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Heaven cookies to choose from, how could you blame us?

Conscious Cooking

Date: Tuesday, August 18
The Delivery: A cookbook, some vegan cat kibble, two dairy-free cheeses from Life Free From, The Allergen-Free Baker's Handbook by Cybele Pascal, and some throat-soothing tea
Staff Pick: The Conscious Cook by Tal Ronnen

The DL: This stunning book is one that you can give to even the most passionate carnivore! By the look of the gorgeous photography inside the book, Ronnen literally makes art when he cooks.

Dress to Impress Monday

Date: Monday, August 17
The Delivery: Some fine-looking tea from Republic of Tea, a couple belts and wallets from The Vegan Collection, and some classy makeup
Staff Pick: The Deluxe Eyeshadow from Urban Decay

The DL: There's a good possibility that you'll buy this shadow just for the cool case, and it looks like each shade has an individual design. And did we mention that it's cruelty-free?

Craving Cookies

Date: Friday, August 14
The Delivery: Gluten-free crust from Clean Cravings, and a cookie addict's dream cookbook
Staff Pick: Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero

The DL: They've done it once again! From cupcakes to cookies, this team sure knows their baked goods, and we are super excited to try out these recipes. Yes, we will be stocking up on cookie jars and almond milk.

Mega-Delivery Day

Date: Thursday, August 13
The Delivery: A couple 2010 calendars, some Laxmi's Delights flaxseed spread, some eyelash-care products from DermaQuest, a book, a pair of sustainable shoes, some new body products from LUSH, a wowgreen sample kit, and some Skin By Monica products
Staff Pick: The Gumshoe by Simple sold by Vegan Chic

The DL: The products just poured in today, leaving us with a great variety to peruse. These comfortable-looking shoes definitely caught our eye. If only we had bigger feet!

Dying for Daiya

Date: Wednesday, August 12
The Delivery: The September+October issue hot off the press, some vegan body-care products from Sevi, a non-vegan book, and a very special cheese alternative
Staff Pick: There's no need to ever say that you'll miss cheese again with Daiya Cheese

The DL: This soy-free cheese is a deal breaker! It melts and stretches like we always wanted vegan cheese to do. Yes, we will be making Daiya-infused meals for the next couple of weeks, and we can't wait!

Blissful Bars

Date: Tuesday, August 11
The Delivery: Some awesome-looking dessert bars
Staff Pick: The dark chocolate Coconut Bliss bars

The DL: Um, need we say anything about these bars? The beautifully designed packaging and the tasty treats inside have made our day. Simple as that!

Crafty Calendar

Date: Monday, August 10
The Delivery: A non-vegan book, several Clif Bars, and a cool calendar
Staff Pick: The Go Vegan! 2010 Calendar with recipes by Sarah Kramer

The DL: We heard a little something about this calendar at the awesome Vegan à Go Go! Book Bash with Sarah Kramer, and now we're happy to see it in the flesh. With cute, retro pictures and vegan recipes inside, who wouldn't want this calendar hanging on their wall?

A Chip Off Your Shoulder

Date: Friday, August 7
The Delivery: A book, some tea supplies from Mighty Leaf Tea, and gluten-free chips
Staff Pick: The Rice & Adzuki snack chips from Boulder Canyon Natural Foods

The DL: Gluten-free products are definitely a hot commodity this year, and these new chips look like a great addition. Don't get us wrong, we at the VNHQ love our gluten, but this unique snack definitely looks like it could hit the spot. Happy weekend, everyone!

An Elephant Tale

Date: Thursday, August 6
The Delivery: Three books, a West Paw Design dog toy, and a new DVD by Mercy for Animals
Staff Pick: Elephant Girl, by Coco Hall

The DL: This graphic novel tells the tale of a girl and her elephant, and highlights the parallels between human and animal slavery. Sad, but pertinent with the Ringling Bros. circus being on tour and Peta's recent investigation into how circus elephants are treated.

Cheesecake Madness

Date: Wednesday, August 5
The Delivery: Five yummy flavors of cheesecake from Earth Café
Staff Pick: The Rockin' Raspberry cheesecake really rocked our socks off

The DL: This cheesecake is raw, vegan, and very delicious! No, we couldn't help ourselves from tearing into a couple of these already. As you can see, they are very tempting.

A Dandy Day

Date: Tuesday, August 4
The Delivery: A heaping pile of marshmallows—vegan, of course!
Staff Pick: Chicago Soydairy's Dandies

The DL: With this enormous delivery, it looks like the VNHQ could cook up about a hundred bajillion s'mores. We'll be gathered around the campfire if you need us. Kumbaya, indeed!

Mind the Music

Date: Monday, August 3
The Delivery: A few books, a Japanese dietary supplement, and a CD
Staff Pick: Rosebud Ireland's compassionate album, Bite by Bite

The DL: With the release of her new CD, Ireland is trying to share awareness of animal and human-rights issues. The album includes such song titles as "Peaceable Heart" and "Is It Vegan (To Swallow)?" It just goes to show that there are many different avenues of advocacy.