Click here to watch on YouTube.

1. Betty Goes Vegan by Annie and Dan Shannon. The Shannons have spent the past several years veganizing classic recipes from American icon Betty Crocker, removing all animal products while keeping the flavors, textures and style. They call it “The Betty Crocker Project.” Clever, right? Well, this book is a culmination of all their hard work. It’s a comprehensive guide to classic American meals and is an essential handbook that should be a staple in every kitchen. What are you waiting for? Get your paws on this right now!

2. Chloe’s Vegan Desserts by Chloe Coscarelli. 
This book is packed with more than 100 exciting recipes for cookies and pies, tarts and cobblers, cupcakes and cakes, and more! Chloe’s first book, Chloe’s Kitchen, is one of our all-time favorites. So you can imagine how stoked we were when she came out with this all-dessert book. Pssst: Don’t miss our video interview with Chloe or our video featuring Chloe’s spinach-artichoke dip.

3. Great Gluten-Free Vegan Eats by Allyson Kramer.  This book is a must-have for all the gluten-free folks out there! If you thought it was going to be hard to be gluten-free and vegan, think again. This book is packed with 101 fully-photographed recipes that make it easy to cut out gluten and enjoy healthy, allergy-free and cruelty-free fare. From Cherry Vanilla Bean Pancakes to Chocolate Hazelnut Brownie Cheesecake, these wheat-free recipes will keep stocked with recipes that satisfy every craving.

4. Artisan Vegan Cheese by Miyoko Schinner. 
Miyoko Schinner has been making artisan vegan food for decades. Since since went vegetarian at the age of 12, she has been crafting and perfecting her recipes. Her goal? Putting artistry into the vegan lifestyle. In her most recent cookbook, Miyoko shares her secrets for making homemade non-dairy cheeses using nuts, plant-based milks, vegan yogurt, and more. From caprese salad to ricotta to your classic mac ‘n’ cheese–if you love gourmet vegan cheese, this book is for you!

5. Superfood Kitchen by Julie Morris. 
Ready to get healthy by cooking with nature’s most amazing superfoods? This new book is a beautiful compilation of recipes that are plant-based, nutrient-dense, energizing, nourishing and delicious. This book will inspire you with it’s vibrant photographs and empower you with step-by-step instructions for preparing everything from Goldenberry Pancakes to Quinoa Spaghetti with Cashew Cream Sauce. Superfood superstar Julie Morris details everything you need to stock your pantry, catalogs superfood ingredients and covers creative techniques for transforming plant foods into satisfying meals.

6. Happy Herbivore Abroad by Lindsay Nixon.  With a full five-star rating from more than 300 people on Amazon, this book has been throughly tried and tested, and is loved by all. Happy Herbivore blogger Lindsay Nixon has been traveling, exploring and perfecting vegan food around the world for the past 10 years. This is her third cookbook, and many consider it her best yet. Lindsay focuses on healthy low-fat, easy-to-make recipes made from basic ingredients that are easy for anyone to find. Simply put, we love Lindsay and love this book!

7. Vegan Food Gifts by Joni Newman.  
Pinterest is quickly taking over the computer screens of craft-loving vegans. We’ve all seen the onslaught of DIY (do-it-yourself) food, products and gifts. This new book will empower and inspire you to make artistic and personalized gifts for friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, or anyone else you want to surprise with a home-made treat. Say ‘goodbye’ to gift cards, and ‘hello’ to thoughtful, personal, hand-crafted vegan food! 

8. Vegan’s Daily Companion by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.  Last but certainly not least we’ve got the latest from the renown vegan cookbook author, speaker, blogger, and wellness advocate Colleen Patrick-Goudreau. You may known her as the “Compassionate Cook” or from her popular “Food for Thought” podcast. Colleen came out with this daily companion for anyone who is new to veganism or thinking of going vegan. It’s an impeccable, colorful, thorough and fun guide to vegan life.

Hungry for more?  Check out our list of the Top 10 Vegan Cookbooks (of all time)!

You can even use Nacheez to make Mac ‘n’ Cheese! Simply cook pasta, stir in Nacheez, and devour. Delicious!

This is a great way to try out new products from small businesses that you may never discover otherwise. Plus, it’s a fun way to support VeganCuts, which is a vegan owned and operated Groupon-esque site where you can find heavily discounted vegan products.

Click here to watch on YouTube. 

Products featured in this video:

• Beyond Eggs
• Earth Balance White Cheddar Puffs
• Flamous Falafel Chips
• Vbar
• Barre bar
• Cocomo Corn
• NYL rosewater face wash
• Ultima Lemonade Replenisher

Watch video on YouTube.

By the way, anyone who is Jewish and under the age of 26…get on it! Seriously, the trip of a lifetime. And did I mention it’s free?

Bon Voyage!

Click here to watch on YouTube.

xo,
Michelle

This year we’re going to see tons of new vegan products enter the market, as veganism is quickly becoming mainstream (yippee!). In this video I share a few of my most recent favorite things that I think you’ll fall in love with as well. Enjoy!

Click here to watch on YouTube.

xo,
Michelle

The onset of Winter brings the delightful opportunity to splurge on gifts for friends and loved ones. Nothing beats the warm fuzzy feeling of showing a friend how much you appreciate them by sending them a gift.

Thus, I bring to you a list of my Top 10 Vegan Holiday Gift Recommendations of 2012. It’s never been so easy to send gifts that are vegan and cruelty-free, and I hope this guide helps you find the perfect animal-friendly gifts for everyone on your list.

I wish you all the happiest of holidays filled with family, friends, food and festivities!

Much Love,
Michelle

1. Holiday cards. Why send another Hallmark card when you can send beautiful cards designed by Farm Sanctuary, Mercy for Animals or PETA? Many charities have beautiful holiday cards available for purchase at their online stores, and they need your support far more than Hallmark!

2. Vegan Cookbooks. Everybody cooks, right!? Vegan cookbooks make the perfect gift for friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, in-laws and even your mailman. And with literally thousands of vegan cookbooks on the market, you can find one that suits absolutely anyone. The health nut. The baker. The busy mom. The artisan cheese lover. The college student. The gourmet foodie. Everyone. And what’s better? You can never have too many in your collection! Plus, any purchases made on Amazon after clicking through VeganBreak.com links generate proceeds which I donate to Mercy for Animals each month. A win-win!

3. Treats and Sweets. Obviously a must. I have three favorites in this category, and the first is Cinnaholic. The best vegan bakery of all time. You can ship these freshly baked vegan cinnamon rolls with an assorted variety of frostings anywhere in America. Next up? Allison’s Gourmet. She has cookies, truffles, caramels and more, and no words can describe how good her treats are. Finally? Obsessive Confections Disorder. Abandon this page right now and order some of their Caramel Not Corn, “Winter Woof” (peppermint bark), and Vanilla Bean Caramel Sauce. Did I mention they make vegan Twix bars?

                         

4. T-Shirts. For the vegans in your life, you know they’ll always love a new animal rights T-shirt. My two favorite T-shirt companies are Herbivore Clothing Company and Compassion Company. I have met the owners of these companies and have shirts from each, and can assure you that these are the most compassion-minded companies with very high-quality products and incredible designs.

5. Vegan Jewelry. Every vegan chica needs a hand-stamped necklace made by Christy Robinson. She is constantly coming out with new animal-inspired designs that make for an affordable, thoughtful and memorable gift that can last forever.

6. Soaps, Bath Bombs & Bubble Bars. One word: LUSH. First, they have the best smelling store in America. Second, they have an entire “Fight Animal Testing” campaign and are loud and proud in advocating for animal rights. Finally, they have pre-bundled vegan-labeled holiday packages making it easy for you to send bathtime goodies to the friends in your life who need to relax!
 7. Soy Candles. Lately I have been obsessed with candles. A single candle can fill a room with the smell of fresh baked cookies, Christmas pine or cider spices, and can set the mood with the flicker of a match. Check out animal rights superstar Ari Soloman’s vegan candle company, A Scent of Scandal. Out of your price range? Check out other soy candle options on Amazon.

8. Vegan Merchandise. Go immediately to VeganCuts.com and PETACatalog.com and you’ll be overwhelmed by the creative, beautifully designed, and brand-new items that work perfectly as gifts. Animal Rights-themed mason jars? Check. New vegan specialty food products? Check. Message tote bags? Check. You’ll find something for all your animal loving friends at these two shops. Plus, Vegan Cuts always has amazing deals and they have even put together their own holiday gift guide!

9. Gifts cards. Nothing screams “impersonal” like another Starbucks or Target gift card.  If you’re going to give a gift card, give one with meaning and heart. Check out TisBest.org where you can get a gift card that the recipient can redeem for any charity of their choice. You can also often get gift cards to local vegan restaurants, nonprofit merchandise stores (such as Farm Sanctuary), and vegan online merch shops like Herbivore Clothing Company, Food Fight Grocery, MooShoes, Alternative Outfitters and many others.
10. Virtual Gifts and Animal Adoptions. Need a last minute gift? Here’s your answer. Virtual gifts are the hottest charitable gifts to send to friends. Many organizations have virtual gift programs where you can virtually adopt an animal at a sanctuary or even send a toy to a chained backyard dog. You can even schedule the customizable e-cards to arrive in a friend’s inbox on Hanukkah or Christmas morning!

PS. Don’t forget, anything you buy on Amazon.com after clicking through VeganBreak.com links generates referral proceeds which I donate to Mercy for Animals!

This video has been a long time coming. Ever since I tried Chef Chloe Coscarelli‘s spinach-artichoke dip from her vegan cookbook “Chloe’s Kitchen,” I’ve been hooked. The recipe calls for simple, fresh and healthy ingredients, but the finished dish is decadent, flavorful, and truly addictive. With the holidays just around the corner, I had to share this with you so you can make something that will surely beg the question: “how is that vegan?!”

Watch video on YouTube here. 

I encourage you to pick up a copy of Chloe’s cookbook which is available on Amazon.com for just $10. It’s filled with delicious recipes like avocado pesto pasta and has beautiful photos that will make you drool. It’s one of my all-time faves.

Bon appétit!

Watch video on YouTube.

Wishing you the happiest Fall! Take time to sip hot apple cider and snuggle up with a good book by a flickering pumpkin pie scented candle. See you in the next video!