Knowledge is power. Power Up.

Humans use animals in millions of ways; some of them are more obvious than others. Removing these animal products from your life isn’t impossible, but it does take some knowledge and practice.

This extensive collection of vegan guides covers a wide variety of topics.

The food and drink guides contain tips, tricks, shopping guides, and tons of vegan recipes to try at home. Since veganism is more than what we put on our plates, the living and lifestyle guides will help you navigate our sizeable non-vegan world.

There are also holiday survival guides, perfect for creating a festive vegan holiday, and gift guides to help you find the ideal gift. Lastly, Sanctuary Spotlight shows you what our advocacy has made possible.

If there’s something you want to know about veganism, you’ve come to the right place.

WHAT'S IN THIS COLLECTION?

1. Food & Drink Guides

Here’s what you need to know before you head to the store.

For ease of use, this section contains three sections for browsing; vegan dairy, plant proteins, and vegan baking.

Dairy-Free Milk

Vegan dairy case in a grocery store / Source

Vegan Dairy

Vegan dairy products have been quietly eating up more and more space at grocery stores lately. From milk to yogurts to mayonnaise, there's a vegan version of almost anything you can imagine.

In fact, new vegans could be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choices on the shelves and in refrigerated sections.

Enter: These vegan dairy guides.

They'll help you navigate the difference between brands and types of products, as well as give you some tips and tricks on how to use them. Plus, they're packed with recipes for you to try at home.

They're everything you need to know to make informed choices.

Vegan Dairy Guides

A collage of three pictures. The first one is a woman holding a burger. The second is a holiday roast with vegetables. The third is a plate of grilled sausage sandwiches.

Vegan burger, vegan holiday roast, and vegan sausage rolls / Source

Plant Protein

Protein: It’s at the heart of every conversation anytime someone finds out that you’re a vegan.

Thanks to the prolific corporate advertising campaigns on behalf of the meat and dairy industries, people everywhere believe the only way to get protein is from eating animals.

Not so, however. 

It’s incredibly easy to meet protein requirements eating a vegan diet.

In fact, you don’t need as much protein as you probably think.

Here are a few guides to point you in the right direction. Like all YDV guides, they're filled with tips, tricks, helpful information, shopping guides, and packed with vegan recipes to try at home.

Plant Proteins Guides

Stand mixer on a counter with baking supplies / Source

Vegan Baking

I love cakes and I've never met a cookie I didn't like. One of the first things I learned as a new vegan cook was how to replace all the non-vegan ingredients in baked goods.

It's not tricky when you know what to look for. 

These guides will show you how.

Vegan Baking Guides

2. Lifestyle Guides

Making vegan living easy.

Male sneakers on the asphalt road with yellow line.

 Feet staring at the Future / Source

Vegan Living

Are you looking to become vegan but don’t know where to start?

You’re possibly a new vegan who isn’t sure if you should take supplements (you definitely should) or how to put together a healthy and nourishing meal.

Perhaps you need some advice on fine-tuning veganism so that it’s less complicated and, more importantly, more doable for the long-haul.

Or, maybe you are exploring vegan issues and want information that is well-sourced and evidence-based.

You’re not alone. I’ve been in these situations too.

Over the past 15 years, I’ve become an expert at the vegan lifestyle. I’ve had to; I live in a small midwestern town where there isn’t a single all-vegan anything.

Navigating our largely non-vegan world is my superpower.

Each in-depth guide answers commonly asked questions and explores how veganism and our world connect.

They are step-by-step guides to plant life. Let’s dig in.

Vegan Lifestyle Guides

Overhead picture of balls of yarn with the colors arranged in a rainbow pattern.

 Colorful balls of yarn / Source

Vegan Fashion

Veganism extends beyond our plates; it also includes the items in the closet or dresser drawers.

Some material is easily identified as an animal-based material, like fur, for example. Other times, deciphering clothing labels can be confusing and indeterminable. 

Before you go shopping, find out how to spot animal-based materials and read clothing tags. Learn where to shop for those hard-to-find vegan items.

Let's talk about it.

Vegan Fashion Guides
Festive-looking holiday cocktails

A festive holiday drink / Source

Vegan for the Holidays

Holidays usually are a time of joy and cheer; however, whether you are a new vegan or an experienced one, the holidays can have challenges.

From holiday festivities with curious friends and family to non-vegan dinners or gifts, there’s a lot to navigate.

These holiday guides have everything you’ll need to plan, create, and enjoy the perfect vegan holiday.

Vegan Holiday Guides
  • Hanukkah (coming soon)

A gift wrapped in brown paper and decorated with pine cones and hemp string / Source

Vegan Gifts

Let’s face it, shopping for vegan products can be a little confusing and a whole lot frustrating.

Whether you’re just starting out on your vegan journey, or you’re a seasoned vegan looking for something unique, these gift guides will provide you with valuable information to help you choose products that people will love and fit your ethics.

Vegan Gift Guides
  • Vegan Bath & Body (coming soon)

  • Vegan Fashionista (coming soon)

  • Veganic Gardener (coming soon)

Truth in advertising

I am committed to providing accurate information to the vegan community. Meticulously researched, the topic explored in this guide contains the information available at the time of publishing.

I don’t just say it; I source it too.

Please contact me if you find incorrect data.

Photo Credits

Recipe photos via recipe creators and used with permission.