Cruelty-Free Cosmetics and The Inspired Vegan

 

The Delivery: Cruelty-Free Cosmetics eyeshadow and a galley of The Inspired Vegan by Bryant Terry

Staff Pick: The Inspired Vegan

The DL: It’s Halloween and our staff was pretty inspired this year—currently at the VNHQ are a flapper, a Scottish warrior, a green dinosaur, a cat, and Jem Hologram. Take one last look at our Halloween-themed website (with Chef Chloe Coscarelli’s tricks to throw a killer Halloween party), because tomorrow we’re unveiling our new cover page. Get ready for gold sparkles and a touch of class, just in time for the holidays. Hope you like it!

 

Bacon Chocolate and Sunflower Beverage

The Delivery: Rescue Chocolate Fakin’ Bacon Bar and Sunrich Naturals Sol Sunflower Beverage

Staff Pick: Fakin’ Bacon Bars

The DL: In addition to creating unique flavors, Rescue Chocolate gives 100 percent of its proceeds to animal-rescue organizations, making it a super sweet treat. Speaking of super sweet, it's Halloween weekend! Still haven’t found a costume? Our weekly web round-up Traffic Jam has just what you need. And if you’re curious about which candy is safe to pass out to vegan trick-or-treaters, look no further than The Official Guide to Vegan Halloween Candy. No matter the holiday, VegNews has you covered, so be sure to check back this November for all of your Thanksgiving needs. 

Wallet and Book

The Delivery: Mojito travel wallet by Malcolm Frontier and The Vegetarian Imperative by Anand M. Saxena

Staff Pick: The wallet

The DL: This teensy wallet from Malcolm Frontier is perfect to take on trips across the world, and with its handy bucket list card, we can cross things off the VegNews 99 Things You Must Do list in no time! In fact, the November+December issue of VN includes info on amazing places to explore, like Veggie Award-winning New York City. Or, you could just join us on the Yoga Retreat to Mexico, coming up next month. Tickets are selling fast, so secure your spot before it’s too late! Adios!

5-Hour Energy, Soup Bowls, Wine, & Seaweed Snacks

The Delivery: Annie Chun’s soup bowls and seaweed snacks, CalNaturale wine, and 5-Hour Energy drinks

 Staff Pick: Seaweed snacks

The DL: One thing that most of the VegNews staff can universally agree on is our love of miso soup and wine (though not necessarily together). As the weather has been getting cooler lately here in San Francisco, soup is starting to take center stage during lunchtime. Speaking of things cooling down, mark your calendars because this Thursday is the last San Francisco Vegan Drinks event of 2011. We’ll be there, gearing up for Halloween and sipping the Trick-or-Treat Martini, made with Stoli’s chocolate-raspberry flavored vodka. Hope you can make it!

Turtle Mountain Treats

The Delivery: Turtle Mountain non-dairy ice cream and holiday beverages

Staff Pick: Mint Chocolate Coconut Milk

The DL: Filmmaker Marisa Miller Wolfson has taken her award-winning documentary Vegucated on the road and tonight she’s in San Francisco to screen the film at the Victoria Theatre at 7:00. If you’re interested in sampling these ice creams, check out the film and then come hang out at the reception, hosted right here at the VNHQ. Tickets are still available and it’s definitely the most fun Tuesday night event in the Bay Area this week! 

 

Vitamins, Marshmallows, and Raw & Beyond

The Delivery: Spooky ghost and bat marshmallows from Sweet & Sara, myCeuticals vitamins, and Raw & Beyond by Victoria Boutenko, Elaina Love, and Chad Sarno

Staff Pick: Spooky marshmallows

  

The DL: Wow, perfect timing for Halloween—these vitamins will definitely help counteract the amount of sweet junk food that has been everywhere lately. Friday was the VegNews Book Bash, which had a Cinnaholic cinnamon roll bar. Yesterday, the VegNews staff had a potluck brunch, filled with super-sweet breakfast foods like Cappuccino Muffins and Banana Split Waffles from Hearty Vegan Meals for Monster Appetites by Joni Marie Newman. And today we’re sampling puffy marshmallows in cute ghost and bat shapes. We’ve even put together an all-inclusive Halloween candy guide in honor of this sweet holiday. Some may say "sugar overload," but we say there’s no such thing.

Korean Sauce

The Delivery: Hot Pepper Paste, Seasoned Soybean Paste, Hot & Spicy Barbecue Sauce, Pineapple Barbecue Sauce from Bibigo Korean Food

Staff Pick: Pineapple BBQ sauce

The DL: These Korean sauces look like they’ll be the perfect way to spice up any meal. Speaking of spicing things up, the VegNews Book Bash is coming up in a matter of hours! We’re busy finishing up this week’s assignments while getting the office into tip-top partying shape. Soon enough, more than 100 guests will be drinking Champagne, eating amazing catered food, and living it up with the oh-so-adorable Spork Foods sisters at the VNHQ. We look forward to seeing everyone tonight!

Bananagrams Galore!

The Delivery: The complete line of Bananagrams games—Pairs in Pears, Appletters, Zip-It, Fruitominoes, a magnetic monkey, a balloon, Bananagrams bracelets, and the original Bananagrams

Staff Pick: We’ve got to go with the classic—Bananagrams

The DL: Thank you, Bananagrams—we are thrilled with the box of games! These games combined with a tasty brunch from Dharma’s restaurant this morning mean today will have minimal productivity, but maximum enjoyability! That’s usually the relationship between work and fun, right? In all seriousness, we’ve got a magazine to produce here, so our love affair with the entire line of Bananagrams games will have to bud during word game-fuelled, lunch break-only competitions. We just started working on the design for our January+February issue, so if you want it delivered right to your mailbox, hot off the press, sign up for a subscription soon. 

 

Sleepover Party

The Delivery: What The Animals Taught Me by Stephanie Marohn, Warmables eco-friendly heat packs made of cherry pits, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics nail polish, eyeshadow, and lip gloss, and My Delight lipstick and gloss.

Staff Pick: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics nail polish

The Goods: Fun fact—VegNews is staffed almost entirely by women. This recent delivery has us calling for a girly sleepover party at the VNHQ, filled with makeovers and manicures, gossiping about celebs, and scoping the latest issues of our favorite magazines (Note: this may be code for scheming to take over the world, but we'll never tell). Have we mentioned that the November+December issue of VegNews has just arrived? It has our take on the best peanut butter cups in the world, so we know exactly what to eat during our party. And what sleepover would be complete without brunch? Not this one—that’s why we’ll have to make the issue’s recipe for savory waffles with beet compote for brunch. Perfect girls’ night in.

 

Nut-Based Gelato, coconut sugar, and Vegan Pie in The Sky

The Delivery: Vegan Pie in The Sky by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero, Madhava organic coconut sugar, and Genuto nut-based gelato in chocolate cardamom, chai latte, simply pistachio, crystallized ginger, double espresso, and Madagascar vanilla varieties

Staff Pick: Chocolate cardamom Genuto

The DL: If there’s one type of food that will please everyone at the VNHQ, it’s sweets. This recent delivery will keep us satisfied for a while—well, at least for today. Fortunately, by the time these goodies run out, Halloween week will have arrived. Check out the VegNews Halloween newsletter for the all-inclusive guide to the best vegan candy, the hottest haunted happenings across the US, and the most sinfully delicious recipes for the perfect festive feast. Spooky eyeball mini cupcakes, anyone? 

Vegan Skincare

The Delivery: Hydrating body wash and lotion from 100% Pure
Staff Pick: The body wash

The DL: It is 80+ degrees here at the VNHQ, leaving most of the staff thinking about air conditioning and popsicles. This body wash, which smells just like a slice of key lime pie on a summer day, makes us want to stop everything, go home, and hang out by the pool (that none of us actually have). Perhaps a slice of chilled key lime pie will magically appear post-pool party? A magazine staff can dream. We're also dreaming about tomorrow night's Twitter Chat with Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero, where we'll talk pie (key lime included!) as we explore the duo's new book, Vegan Pie in the Sky. Join us tomorrow at 6pm PT!

The November+December Issue!

The Delivery: Non-vegan cookbooks Vegetarian Food for Kids by Laura Washburn and Easy Vegetarian One-Pot by Ryland, Peters, & Small, Cico Books' fall catalog, and the November+December 2011 issue of VegNews Magazine
Staff Pick: The November+December issue!!

The DL: We think the cover really says it all: This issue contains 114 beautifully designed pages jam-packed with the best 2011 has to offer! We stopped everything (and we mean everything) when the mailman brought this issue in. We couldn't wait to see The 2011 Veggie Awards, our food feature filled with seven candy recipes perfect for holiday bashes, two-cheese lasagna, and so, so much more. The issue shipped to subscribers earlier this week, and advance copies are available for purchase in the VegNews Store. Get one today! You won't regret it.

Two Degrees Bars

The Delivery: Two Degrees Bars

Staff Pick: The bars!

The DL: Don’t you just love companies that give back? For every vegan bar purchased from Two Degrees, the company gives a nutrition pack to a hungry child. Talk about a guilt-free snack. You know who else is giving back? Ecorazzi. While most people receive presents for their birthdays, Ecorazzi has teamed up with restaurants to give special discounts to readers for the blog’s fifth birthday. Check out our state-by-state guide of participating vegan eateries to celebrate at this weekend.

Chocolate and Veggiyana

The Delivery: Assorted NewTree chocolate bars and Veggiyana: The Dharma of Cooking by Sandra Garson

Staff Pick: Veggiyana

The DL: If there’s any fail-proof way of acquiring good karma, it’s cooking good food for others, so perhaps this book will help. After all, how could someone not want to make the recipe for Buddha’s Delight—a stir-fry with gingko nuts, snow peas, bamboo shoots, lotus root, and more. For another book that’s sure to make friends and family drool with its incredible recipes, check out Spork-Fed. Authors Jenny Engel and Heather Goldberg will be celebrating its launch here at the VegNews Book Bash next Friday, October 21. Bonus—the VIP tickets come with a complimentary copy of Spork-Fed­, so you can make recipes like French Onion Soup, Crunchy Peanut Butter Bonbons, and Twice-Baked Potatoes With a Broccoli and Cheese Filling. Be sure to score your ticket before they’re all gone!

 

Rice Medleys

The Delivery: A variety of frozen whole grain meals from Village Harvest

Staff Pick: Whole Grain Creations with wild rice, brown rice, corn, and black beans

The DL: Ah, rice—an important staple food for many across the world, including those in this office. But you know what else is a staple around this office in October? Halloween candy. From salted chocolate caramels to Champagne-cherry lollipops, the VegNews staff seems to be on a constant sugar high from amazing vegan sweets. If candy is the best part of October for you, check out the Official Guide to Vegan Halloween Candy. Let us know if we’re missing your favorites so that we can work to compile the most stellar guide to Halloween candy in the galaxy. Fair warning—if you send us too many good ideas, you can probably expect a bunch of sugar-ravenous editors at the door, trick-or-treating for the best stuff. 

 

Thai Treats

The Delivery: Cashew apple juice, miso paste, coconut taffy, tom-yum-coated cashews, certificates of adoption from the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project Phuket, Thai language flashcards, 7-Eleven plastic bag celebrating vegetarianism, vegetarian festival fan, May Kaidee’s Thai Vegtarian and Vegan Cookbook by May Kaidee and Jo Thavon, Vegetarian Food, Free From Diseases and Retribution guide from the Vegetarian Centre of Thailand, Biography of a Pet Dog: The Story of Tongdaeng by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej 

Staff Pick: Coconut Taffy

The DL: A big “welcome back” to all the participants of the VegNews’ Food Lover’s Tour of Thailand! We’re celebrating the return of Publisher Joseph Connelly and Associate Publisher Colleen Holland by sampling all of the Thai goodies they stuffed in their suitcases. During our weekly Monday morning meeting, Colleen filled us in on the highlights of the past few weeks abroad, including vegan Thai cooking classes, the adoption of four adorable gibbons, and an enlightening visit to an all-veg village. If you’re interested in seeing the world through a veg lens, check out our other vacations. There are just a few more spots on the next trip, a yoga retreat to Mexico, so get your spot today!

 

Masala Dosa

The Delivery: Tandoori Chef Masala Dosa

Staff Pick: Tandoori Chef Masala Dosa

The DL: Sometimes, you just don’t have time to cook, which is why frozen meals like this can be a lifesaver. One of those times, for the VegNews staff, will likely be the night of the VegNews Book Bash with Spork Foods. Starting at 6pm on October 21, we’ll be celebrating the release of Spork-Fed, by Heather Goldberg and Jenny Engel, at our first-ever party at the new VNHQ. And guess what? You can join us. Tickets will include Champagne, a cinnamon bun bar from Cinnaholic, a copy of the book, and a trivia game. Hope to see you there!

Strawberry-Lemonade Cookie

The Delivery: Strawberry-Lemonade cookie from the Alternative Baking Company, Inc.

Staff Pick: The cookie!

The DL: On days like today, we generally sip hot tea and feast on any sort of stew, curry, or soup, as do 74 percent of people who voted on our rainy day staple survey. Despite the constant rain and chilly breeze, the flavors of this cookie remind us of long-lost summer sunshine. Since fall has officially arrived, we’re digging all of the pumpkin-flavored foods pretty much everywhere—pumpkin ale, pie, coffee, doughnuts, everything! Check out Pumpkin Five Ways on VegNews.com to really get filled with the pumpkin spirit. Enjoy.

Earl Grey and Emergen-C

The Delivery: Emergen-C vitamin drink mix and Bigelow Earl Grey Tea, courtesy of Managing Editor Elizabeth Castoria

Staff Pick: Emergen-C

The DL: Sayonara, Indian Summer, and not-so-welcome salutations to you, rainy season. Yes, winter is steadily making its way into San Francisco, as temperatures seem to be dropping a few degrees each day and clouds have turned our once blue sky a dismal grey. But we’re prepared to bear the cold, damp atmosphere with beloved Earl Grey tea and a boost of vitamin-C with Emergen-C. If we still can’t warm up, we’ll probably cook up some Sambar Lentil Stew, order some spicy hot cocoa mix with homemade marshmallows from Etsy, and daydream about tropical vacations (Mexico, anyone?). If you need us, you can probably find us hibernating under our desks.

 

Tree-Free VegNews

The Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The Delivery: Tree-Free edition of November+December VegNews

Staff Pick: The digital magazine!

The DL: The Tree-Free edition of the November+December VegNews has just arrived, and we are so excited! While we can tell you that we’re in love with its holiday-themed designs (shiny gold borders, anyone?), we’re keeping the rest on the DL until subscribers receive it. It’s the much-anticipated Veggie Awards, after all! But seriously, get ready for one of the most mind-blowing, eye-catching issues of the year. In case you want to get a jump on the festivities, come to the VegNews Book Bash on Friday, Oct 21. As one of the hottest parties of the year, this event is guaranteed to sell out, so get your ticket soon.

Vegan Chocolates

The Date: Monday, October 3
The Delivery: A gift of Sjaak's organic chocolates from Compassion Over Killing's Erica Meier
Staff Pick: Chocolate!

The DL: It was such a treat to get to hang out with Erica Meier at this weekend's World Vegetarian Festival here in San Francisco, and this delectable gift is really just a cherry on top of the delicious vegan sundae that was this weekend. While we had perfect fall weather Saturday and Sunday, today we're seeing nothing but rainclouds and chilly temps. Need something besides a sweater to keep you warm? This week's What's Cooking has you covered—the Sambar Lentil Stew is a spicy, savory way to embrace fall weather.