A Cookbook, Pizza, and Sticky Fingers

The Date: Thursday, June 9
The Delivery: Eat Vegan on $4 a Day by Ellen Jaffe Jones, vegan frozen pizza from Tofutti, and assorted baked goods from Sticky Fingers Bakery
Staff Pick: The box of baked treats!

The DL: The best gifts are those that keep on giving, especially if those gifts are boxes filled with some of the best vegan sweets money can buy. Birthday lady and VN Managing Editor Elizabeth received this goodie box in the mail today, the contents of which include Cowvin Cookies, Little Devils, and brownies, not to mention chocolate chip, pecan, and oatmeal raisin cookies. Let's just say we usually take the photos for This Just In after lunch, but after this morning's delivery, we made an exception.

 

Vegan Shoes and Marinades

The Date: Tuesday, March 29

The Delivery: Braggberry and Hawaiian dressing/marinade from Bragg Live Foods and wedges from NeuAura Shoes

Staff Pick: The wedges

The DL: These shoes look seriously rad. Not only are they easy on the eyes, but they're also animal- and eco-friendly: 10 percent of all online sales go to the Wildlife Conservation Society and the African Wildlife Foundation, and the factory where the shoes are made is run on hydroelectric power. It's probably safe to say we'll be spending the next hour shopping online. In the meantime, check out this cheap, easy, and delicious recipe for Bachelor Soup courtesy of Managing Editor Elizabeth on Savvy Vegan!

Deodorants Galore

The Date: Tuesday, February 15

The Delivery: All-natural roll-on deodorant, deodorant sticks, and towelettes from Crystal Body Deodorant

Staff Pick: The lavender and white tea towelettes

The DL: If we didn't know that we were going to be getting a generous helping of all-natural deodorants for an upcoming project (did someone say May+June issue?), we would think that the post office was trying to tell us something. Nevertheless, we bet we will be able to smell so fresh and so clean (clean) all day long with these portable, lavender-sentented towelettes. Post-lunch jog, anyone? (Speaking of lunch, check out Managing Editor Elizabeth's tips on how to make a delicious salad on the cheap on VN's Savvy Vegan blog.)

Wholesome Chow and Love Bars

The Date: Thursday, December 17

The Delivery: A lovely gift basket from Wholesome Chow, and a couple of brand-new Love Bar chocolate bars

Staff Pick: How can we resist the adorable gift package?

The DL: Ah, chocolate and baking. Since we officially turned on the holiday background music at VNHQ and we've had poinsettias on our desks for a couple of weeks now, this adorable gift from Wholesome Chow couldn't have come at a better time. The package contains two cake mixes, coffee extract, and the cutest little whisk you've ever seen—pretty much the perfect gift! Are you still looking for gifts but running out of both time and money? Elizabeth Castoria's guest post on Savvy Abby features her top three gift suggestions, on the cheap!

Honest Tea

The Date: Wednesday, October 20

The Delivery: Tea galore!

Staff Pick: New selections from our pals at Honest Tea

The DL: Full disclosure: this all came in on Friday, and we (and by we, I mean the official kombucha connoisseurs of the VNHQ, Gabrielle Pope and Lyndsay Orwig) have been hyped on Honest Tea's new kombucha varieties ever since. Honest Tea's local rep Zac Taylor is our new hero, gifting us with not only two full cases of kombucha, but also other Honest Tea delights such as Limeade and Cranberry Lemonade for those other crazy VegNews staffers who don't care for the 'bucha. One such staffer is Managing Editor Elizabeth Castoria, who redeems herself with a enviable delicious Café VegNews lunch featuring both salad and an Amy's Kitchen pot pie.

Maple Madness

Date: Monday, December 21
The Delivery: Awakening Joy by James Baraz and Shoshana Alexander and some maple-flavored goodies courtesy of YVR.
Staff Pick: The Pure Maple Cream Cookies from Gourmet Canadiana.

The DL: Maybe it's just the withdrawal talking, but these cookies that Elizabeth generously brought back from her weekend trip to Canada remind us too much of the Trader Joe's seasonal version to be ignored.

Elizabeth II

Date: Thursday, October 22
The Delivery: Some sugar and gluten-free baking mixes, goodies from Navitas Naturals, chocolates, and three-bean chili from Kettle Cuisine
Staff Pick: The Perfect Pancake Mix from purely elizabeth.

The DL: No, this is not Managing Editor Elizabeth Castoria's company on the side, but these cutely packaged baking mixes look quite good. We're excited to see if the pancakes are as perfect as they say.

Hot Buns!

Date: Wednesday, June 10
The Delivery: A very special box of sweets from one of our favorite bakeries
Staff Pick: The Sticky Cinnamon Buns from Sticky Fingers Bakery

The DL: Ms. Elizabeth of VegNews has recently been promoted to Managing Editor, and she has literally been showered with gifts—this box of goodies being one of them. Consider these some of the best cinnamon buns known to man! If you haven't tried them, get over to their website and order them—now.