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.

Snack Bars and Botanical Water

The Date: Tuesday, March 1

The Delivery: A box of The Simply Snack from Wellness Foods, Inc. and botanical water in assorted flavors from Bolthouse Farms

Staff Pick: The grapefruit sage botanical water

The DL: Oh my gosh, seriously. Between today's delicious pizza lunch, a huge shipment of Sjaak's vegan candy bars to the VegNews Store (Want to score a few? Enter This Week's Giveaway!), and majorly sweet leftovers from Friday's haul, we are in need for a little bit of a cleanse. Enter: grapefruit sage botanical water. Just saying those four words whisks us away to a beach-front spa where we can lounge around in cushy bathrobes and doze during lavender facials. Not bad for a bottle of liquid. Cheers, and we'll see you in Massage Room B.

Sjaak's Stock

The Date: Monday, December 13

The Delivery: Sjaak's Organic Peanut Butter Bites
Staff Pick: Delicious peanut butter bites!

The DL: Did you know we sell these insanely delicious Sjaak's bites in the VegNews Store? If you still need to buy some gifts for the holidays, head on over to the VN Store. Holiday cards, peppermint-scented candles, the VegNews Holiday eCookbook, Go Vegan 2011 calendars and more await for all your gifting needs!

Halloween Treats

The Date: Monday, October 25

The Delivery: Halloween Chocolate Bites from Sjaak's

Staff Pick: Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites

The DL: What's better than peanut butter and chocolate? Peanut butter and chocolate that arrives on a Monday, from our BFFs at Sjaak's. Oh, and look at that, it's in the form of adorable bite-sized Halloween treats, black and orange, with grinning Jack-O-Lanterns on the package. We'll take chocolate anytime, but no one can deny that All Hallows' is one of our favorite holidays. Check out our guide to cute handmade Halloween crafts, and for more sweet treats, our indispensable guide to vegan candy.

Sjaak's Bites

The Date: Friday, September 10
The Delivery: Chocolate Bites
Staff Pick: Sjaak's Hazelnut Butter Bites

The DL: We may or may not have mauled the postman as he delivered a huge box that we immediately identified as being from Sjaak's, purveyors of fine vegan chocolates. Fortunately, in addition to a big shipment of vegan organic peanut butter cups to sell in our VegNews Store, Sjaak's included a sample of their "Milk" Hazelnut Bites for us to sample. Consider our heavy Friday afternoon workload significantly lifted!

Sweets from Sjaak's

The Date: Thursday, July 22
The Delivery: Yes to Blueberries skin-care collection, Sjaak's chocolate-covered hazelnuts and almonds, and Sjaak's English Toffee
Staff Pick: Sjaak's chocolate-covered hazelnuts

The DL: Everyone has had chocolate-covered cherries, peanuts, and strawberries—but how often do you get vegan, organic, Fair-Trade-certified chocolate-covered hazelnuts delivered right to your door? We can't wait to try these delicious looking treats.

Super Sticky Treats

The Date: Wednesday, April 28
The Delivery: Ice cream from Blue Mountain Cashew Creamery, mail-order treats from Sticky Fingers Bakery, several copies of American Vegan Kitchen (future giveaway to come), and some incredible hazelnut butter bites from Sjaak's
Staff Pick: Nothing can beat the Sticky Fingers Cowvin Cookie

The DL: Take it from us, Sticky Fingers is probably the best thing about Washington, DC—at least food-wise. And now it has brand-new mail-order packaging! If you haven't tried this delicious cookie, hurry to the website now and order a bunch. You won't regret it!

Cookie Coup

Date: Wednesday, January 27
The Delivery: Raspberry bites from Sjaak's, a ton of cookies, and The Perfect Formula Diet by Janice Stanger, Ph.D.
Staff Pick: The chocolate chip cookies from Lucy's

The DL: Vegans who like their Starbucks can now rejoice! These cookies, which are both vegan and gluten-free, are now being sold in half of the chain's locations nationwide, as reported on VegNews.com. It's not coffee cake, but it's a great start!

We Heart Truffles

Date: Monday, January 11
The Delivery: Some vegan chocolates and the new Michael Pollan book, Food Rules
Staff Pick: The new gourmet vegan truffles from Sjaak's Chocolates

The DL: This adorable, heart-shaped box is almost too cute to break in to—if there weren't such truffles inside as Dark Pistachio and Milk Cappuccino. Yeah, we take delicious over cute any day!

Want some Sjaak's of your own? Check out the VegNews store for 10 and 25-packs of their chocolate peanut butter bites.

Sea the Beauty

Date: Wednesday, December 17

The Delivery: All-natural, zero-calorie sweetener, a couple boxes of festive chocolates, fresh-scented body products, healthier soda-pop, and a book

Staff Pick: Smell good without all the cruelty with One With Nature sea mineral body products

The DL: The One With Nature skincare line employs a give-and-take philosophy when it comes to its products. Salt and mud from the Dead Sea are the products' main ingredients, and part of the company's profits go toward Dead Sea preservation efforts.

Just Bag It!

Date: Wednesday, December 10

The Delivery: Loads of seasonal chocolate, good-for-you dark-chocolate bars, reusable bags, and some hemp products

Staff Pick: There's no more having to worry about paper or plastic with ChicoBag's pocket-size reusable bags

The DL: It feels wonderful to say, "No bag please," in the store check-out line, but it can definitely be a hassle to lug all your recyclable bags around. This is where the Vita bag comes to the rescue. It's plenty big and can hold up to 40 pounds, but can also fold up into a tiny ball that fits right into your pocket. Now that's what we call thrifty!

Choco' Full of Goodies

Date: Thursday, November 20

The Delivery: Jumbo-size bags of tea, some botanical beverages, water in a bag, two books, and some bite-size chocolates

Staff Pick: No matter what season it is, Sjaak's Organic Chocolates has you covered

The DL: The GreenFest sure brought in a load of new products, but we're not complaining, especially when it means more chocolate. If you're trumped on stocking-stuffer ideas, these chocolate candies are sure to please.

Tricks and Treats

Date: Thursday, September 11

The Delivery: Eco books and ghoulishly gourmet chocolates

Staff Pick: Halloweeny peanut butter bites from Sjaak's Organic Chocolates

The DL: It's hard to believe All Hallows Eve is already fast-approaching! Gourmet ghouls all over will want to bring these organic, fair trade, vegan Halloween chocolates along for when they get the monster munchies.