Vegan Quorn Burger

The Delivery: Quorn’s new vegan burger
Staff Pick: The burger!

The DL: When we first heard that Quorn came out with a vegan burger, we couldn’t wait to try it—but after a huge South Indian lunch and taste-testing cookies from the Holiday Cookie Contest, we’re stuffed. We can’t wait to reveal the mouth-watering winning recipes next week, so keep your eyes on VegNews.com, stock your shelves with baking ingredients, and dig out those holiday cookie cutters. You’re in for a treat!

Decking the Halls

The Delivery: Pretty red poinsettias and a festive mini tree
Staff Pick: The flowers

The DL: When we walked into the office and found our desks decked with poinsettias, we knew the holidays had officially arrived. We’re currently in the midst of the VegNews Holiday Cookie Contest and judgement day is tomorrow. Check back next week for our picks for the best seasonal recipes. As for tonight, tune in to our Twitter chat starting at 6PT for some last-minute holiday baking tips. Special guests Allison Rivers Samson, Hannah Kaminsky, and Beverly Lynn Bennett will be on standby for your cookie-related questions.

Vegan Soaps and Cleansing Wipes

The Delivery: Nature’s Beauty(works) all purpose cleansing wipes and soap from Moksa
Staff Pick: Seattle Chai-scented soap

The DL: Chai is a beloved winter-warmer among the VN staff. Nothing beats the swirling scent of earthy cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger—that’s why Editorial Assistant Hilary Pollack wrote the definitive guide to DIY Chai. Speaking of all things sweet and delicious, have you entered our cookie contest yet? You have until 5pm on Saturday to send us your most creative, decadent, mind-blowing holiday cookie recipes for a chance to win won of three great prizes. We can’t think of a better way to kick off the holiday season.

Vegan Products and a Fresh Giveaway

The Delivery: Vega sport bar pack, GoPicnic sunbutter and crackers, Iron Man by Tony Iommi, The Rescue of Belle & Sundance by Birgit Stutz and Lawrence Scanlan, and Zenify stress-free drinks
Staff Pick: Vega bars

The DL: Guess what? We’re going to be giving away this Vega sport pack to one lucky This Just In reader! To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post telling us what has been your favorite way to stay in shape in 2011 by Monday, December 12 at noon PT. If you’re looking to win other great prizes courtesy of VN, check out our Holiday Cookie Contest. Send us your recipe by Saturday at noon for a chance to win a KitchenAid mixer or another great prize!

Beauty Products

The Delivery: Lotion, bath salt, and nail polish from SpaRitual

Staff Pick: Organic moisturizing lotion made with Chinese jasmine

The DL: Cold weather tends to cause many people to suffer from dry skin, but using lotion like this will help you brave the outdoors and enjoy the serenity blanketing most of the country, especially the northeast, this time of year. In fact, now is the absolute perfect time to visit Upstate NY—the peaks of the Catskill Mountains are likely white with snow, rescued animals await visitors in their cozy sanctuary barns, and the delicious vegan food will surely warm you inside and out. Check out this handy guide for all of the perfect places to go in Saugerties and Woodstock. If you can’t get away for a weekend retreat, stay inside and work on your favorite cookie recipe for the VegNews Holiday Cookie Contest, instead—the top prize is a KitchenAid mixer! 

 

Vegan Food Box

The Delivery: Lollihop’s vegan food box with Food Should Taste Good brand chips, Pop Corners corn chips, Kind fruit and nut bar, Glutino gluten-free pretzels, Two Moms in the Raw blueberry nut bar, Larabar cashew cookie bar, Runa guayusa, Bumble Bar chunky cherry bar, and dried bing cherries from BellaViva Orchards

Staff Pick: Sweet potato chips

The DL: Snacks like these make vegan traveling so much easier, which is crucial at this time of year—just throw a granola bar and a bag of chips in your carry-on and you’ll be able to endure the inevitable delays and lines with a yummy snack in hand. Even if you do get stuck in an airport, you'll have time to dream up the perfect cookie recipe for the VegNews Holiday Cookie Contest! We’re looking for the most creative and scrumptious cookie recipes for a chance to win a KitchenAid mixer, Divvies vegan cupcake kit, or cookies from Allison’s Gourmet. We can’t wait to try your recipes!