Vegan Fudge and Books

The Delivery: In Her Power by Helene Lerner, non-vegan cookbook Welcome to Claire's by Claire Criscuolo, and homemade fudge from VN friend Katie Paul
Staff Pick: The fudge

The DL: Surprise! The holidays are not over! This legendary fudge (really—staff members new to VN in 2011 have heard about it since their first days of work) reminds us of the recently departed holidays while making us completely forget about our very recent eat-healthier resolutions. Everything in moderation, right? It's something like that. If you haven't fallen off the healthy resolution wagon, check out our top detox foods and fitness tips to keep you on track!

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.

Dry Shampoo and a Diet Book

The Delivery: Non-veg book The Ultimate Volumetrics Diet by Barbara Rolls and Sevi Maranta dry shampoo
Staff Pick: The shampoo

The DL: This shampoo looks like a great save for those seemingly endless travel delays around the holidays. You never know when you might need to crash in an airport chair, sans shower facilities, during long layovers or flight cancellations. Speaking of winter getaways, we’ve got the scoop on five fabulous veg-friendly ski chalets around the world for some seasonal fun. Staying stateside? Check out the beautiful Catskill Mountains in Upstate NY for a change of pace—think adorable rescued animals, scrumptious veg food, and kitschy hotels. With so much to do, there’s no reason to let the cold weather keep you in hibernation this winter.

Cookbooks and Wayfare Products

The Delivery: Non-veg cookbook Kitchen on Fire by Olivier Said and Chef Mike C., The Sexy Vegan Cookbook by Brian L. Patton, and an assortment of Wayfare cheeses, puddings, and non-dairy products
Staff Pick: The Sexy Vegan Cookbook

The DL: This cookbook looks like a great way to start the new year (and who doesn’t want to feel sexy while they’re cooking?). Speaking of cookbooks, VegNews publisher Joseph Connelly has just posted his list of the Ten Must-Have Vegan Cookbooks of 2011, so check it out if you’re still looking for the perfect gift for the resident foodie in your family. As for everyone else, there’s no better place to turn than Etsy, and we’ve got the perfect guide for you! Think chocolate marzipan caramels, ninja soap, and gorgeous jewelry. Amazing!

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.

Stress-Free Drink and Books

The Delivery: C3* For Stress calming drink mix, Food And The City by Jennifer Cockrall-King, and non-vegan cookbook Herbivoracious by Michael Natkin
Staff Pick: The stress-free beverage

The DL: While the holidays are a favorite time of year for many, it can also be one of the most stress-inducing seasons. This drink may help calm a heated moment, but it’s important to develop long-term tactics to help you feel your best this December. Check out 10 Ways to Fight Holiday Stress for some ideas that may work for you. One last tip—beat the long lines and crowded malls, while supporting local craftspeople, by shopping at handmade e-marketplace Etsy. We’ve got just the guide to help you find the perfect cruelty-free presents!

Skincare Products and a Kids' Book

The Delivery: Fred Eats a Pea by Paula Weiner and Renew Botanicals' moisturizer, exfoliant, and eye cream
Staff Pick: The children’s book

The DL: Just in time for the holidays, this cute book arrives at our office and looks like a great gift for any young vegan or animal-lover. Engaging books and tempting foods are just some of the reasons that this time of the year is one of our favorites. Speaking of temptations, have you baked your first batch of holiday cookies yet? More than 50 cookie lovers have already perfected their recipes and submitted them to our Holiday Cookie Contest. Submit yours by Saturday for a chance to win an amazing KitchenAid mixer, a vegan cupcake kit, or cookies from Allison’s Gourmet.

Vega Sport Bars

The Delivery: Vega Sport energy bars

Staff Pick: The bars

The DL: These bars are the perfect food to energize whoever wins this week’s VegNews Holiday Giveaway—one lucky winner will receive a $100 shopping spree to Alternative Outfitters, just for leaving a comment on the giveaway page revealing his or her dream winter getaway spot (New York, anyone?). Even if you don’t win, check out our Holiday Store for some other great cruelty-free gift ideas—we have something for everyone!

This Just In: Giveaways!

The Delivery: The Tipsy Vegan by John Schlimm, Nava Atlas’ Vegan Holiday Kitchen, and Main Street Vegan by Victoria Moran

Staff Pick: The Tipsy Vegan

The DL: This holiday season, VegNews is all about giving back to our readers. In addition to this week’s vegan feast giveaway (only three words need be said: Native Foods' Wellington), we’ve just announced our first ever holiday cookie contest! We’ve already received some tasty-sounding recipes, so submit yours soon for a chance to win a KitchenAid mixer! Pretty much every VegNews staffer has their eyes on this fabulous prize, but only readers are allowed to win. We’re also running a special giveaway exclusively for readers of This Just In—leave a comment below telling us which product we’ve featured on This Just In that you’re most excited for and you could win a copy of The Tipsy Vegan! We'll pick a random winner at noon on Tuesday, November 22, so enter today! Don’t you love the holidays?

The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Bread

The Delivery: The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Bread by Laurie Sadowski

Staff Pick: The book

The DL: It’s officially November and it’s time to get ready for one of the best holidays of the year! With recipes like Garlicky Pull-Apart Rolls and Sweet Corn and Basil Spoon Bread, this book has our minds in Thanksgiving dinners' bread bowls. Luckily, the holidays start early here at VegNews, and you can reap the benefits—We’re celebrating with eight incredible giveaways, and this week, you can win a Tofurky Feast! Just leave a comment with what dish you’re most looking forward to this Thanksgiving and we’ll announce the winner next Monday. Best of luck and happy World Vegan Day!

Holiday Marshmallows

The Date: Friday, December 18

The Delivery: An incredible gift basket from Sweet & Sara

Staff Pick: The whole basket is amazing, but these adorable reindeer marshmallows have our hearts.

The DL: Happy Holidays to us! The darling Sara Sohn from Sweet & Sara sent the office this huge basket of goodies including rocky road bark, three favors of biscotti, and our favorite reindeer marshmallows. Happy kick-off-to-the weekend, indeed. We're going to go out on a limb and assume that a great deal of you will be attending or hosting some sort of holiday party this weekend, so be sure to check out VegNews.com for full coverage on holiday parties, such as Vegan Holiday Drinks, Easy Party Eats, and Handmade Holiday Decorating.

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!

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!

Appetite for Reduction and Vegan Etsy

The Date: Thursday, December 8
The Delivery: Appetite for Reduction, and a vegan craft sample bag from Vegan Etsy
Staff Pick: Appetite for Reduction

The DL: Today's shipment had as oohing and aahing with delight, as adorable handmade creations from Vegan Etsy (looking for holiday gifts? Vegan Etsy and the VegNews Store have you covered!) shared real estate with a fresh-off-the-press copy of PPK superstar Isa Chandra Moskowitz' new cookbook, packed with recipes that promise to not do as much damage on your waistline as the normal holiday standards. Today's This Just In might as well just be your ultimate holiday shopping guide. You're welcome!

Bold Native and Waterfall Dance

The Date: Monday, December 6

The Delivery: Bold Native DVD, and Waterfall Dance by Andrew Quinn

Staff Pick: Bold Native

The DL: We received another copy of the Bold Native DVD today, and the few of us who have not yet seen a screening are more than excited to take it in. While Bold Native might not be the coziest of films to curl up in bed to watch, it's certainly an inspiring portrait of animal-rights activism. Looking for a lighter solution to Holiday woes? VN Editorial Assistant Brooke Still has your back with her 10 Holiday stress-busting tips.

It's the Holiday Season!

The Date: Thursday, December 2

The Delivery: Gorgeous poinsettias!

Staff Pick: Our new office decorations of the red and festive kind.

The DL: Do you know what transforms us from "It's too early and cold"-scrooge to "Oh my goodness, the holidays are here"-happy? Coming into the VNHQ on a cold San Francisco morning and finding each of our desks adorned with very pretty poinsettias, courtesy of VegNews Publisher, Joseph Connelly. Do you know what makes that day even better? When Office Manager Lyndsay Orwig shares her VegNews Macaroni & Cheese for lunch, and then we have Frankie's delicious chocolate-covered nuts and dates for dessert.

VegNews Holiday eCookbook!

The Date: Friday, November 12

The Delivery: A stellar collection of vegan holiday recipes

Staff Pick: The VegNews Holiday eCookbook, of course!

The DL: We are so excited about our newly released Holiday eCookbook, celebrating its one-week anniversary, that we can barely contain ourselves. Inside these virtual pages, you'll find 35 delicious recipes that are literally to-die-for, created by amazing chefs including Tal Ronnen, Robin Robertson, Allison Rivers Samson, and more! Recipes include a Festive Holiday Tart, Classic Cranberry Sauce, White Gingerbread Loaf, and Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake—can we say mouthwatering? Be sure to get your digital copy today!