Vegan Christmas

A selection of homemade food colors / Source

FAQ / Food colors / Shopping guide / Recipes / Spirits / Gifts

Because artificial colors are everywhere.

I am not a fan of artificial food colors.

These toxic chemicals masquerading as food are only possible through the wonder of chemistry and the oil drilling industry. Studies have shown various adverse health effects from ingesting them. And did you know that artificial food colors undergo animal testing to ensure their safety as a food additive?

It’s true.

Every time a holiday approaches, artificial colors go on sale. Magazines, blogs, and videos feature impossibly cute and creative treats made with various unnatural colors achieved through the magic of artificial colors.

There’s a better way; to make bright, vivid colors at home.

Look at those colors! Yellow, red, purple, green, blue, and even black. These colors are easy to make from everyday ingredients in your fridge or pantry.

Trust me; it’s not complicated or expensive.

Click here for the full step-by-step homemade food coloring tutorial.

Shopping buggys / Source

FAQ / Food colors / Shopping guide / Recipes / Spirits / Gifts

A guide to all the plant-based and vegan options for holiday tables everywhere.

We live in the golden age of vegan products; no matter which foods are part of your family traditions, they can be recreated using plant-based alternatives.

Look for these vegan options in refrigerated sections of natural foods markets, well-stocked grocers, and in big box stores like Target and Walmart. If you don't spot them in the cold sections, check the freezer section; sometimes, the roasts come to the stores frozen.

You’ll spot vegan eggnog brands in two places: alongside their dairy-based counterparts in the refrigerated section of grocery stores and aseptic packaging with other shelf-stable milk.

• Almond Breeze
  Nog (Almond Milk)

• Califia Farms
  Holiday Nog (Almond Milk)

• Good Karma
  Holiday Nog (Flax Milk)

• Malk
  Pecan Malk Nog (Pecan Milk)

• Sammi’s Best
  Sammi’s Best Soy Nog (Soy Milk)

• Silk
  Nog (Soy Milk)

• So Delicious
  Holiday Nog (Coconut Milk)

If you're like me and love whipped cream, I've got good news for you. There are plenty of delicious dairy-free options perfect for topping pies, cakes, and mugs of hot chocolate.

Here are fully prepared vegan whipped cream options.

• Reddi Wip
  Non-Dairy Coconut

• So Delicious Cocowhip

• TruWhip Vegan

• Whole Foods Market 365
  Plant-based Whipped Topping

If you have a hand mixer, it takes minutes to prepare fluffy whipped cream using these vegan products.

• Silk
  Heavy Whipping Cream Alternative

• Nature’s Charm
  Coconut Whipping Cream

Gelatin is gross.

Here are some vegan options.

• Bakol Jel Dessert

• Simply Delish Jel Desserts

• Lieber’s Unflavored Jel

FAQ / Food colors / Shopping guide / Recipes / Spirits / Gifts

Get ready to get cooking and baking! Here are vegan Christmas recipes for inspiration.

Holiday drinks / Source

FAQ / Food colors / Shopping guide / Recipes / Spirits / Gifts

Find something fresh and festive to drink.

Some beer and wine go through a clarifying process that uses animal products such as isinglass (fish bladders), egg whites, or gelatin. And because alcohol is commonly exempt from labeling requirements other food products have, these ingredients are rarely listed on the packaging.

Luckily, there’s an easy-to-use website for that. Without a doubt, Barnivore is the go-to website to check the vegan status of most beer and wines.

Thankfully, you can find vegan-friendly beer, wine, and liquor at almost any store.

Here are a few popular brands that are suitable for vegan imbibers.

• Blue Moon
• Budweiser (except the Clamato Chelada)
• Coors & Coors Light
• Corona
• Heineken
• Miller Lite, High-Life & Genuine Draft
• Pabst Blue Ribbon
• Sam Adams Ale (except Cherry Wheat, Honey Porter, or Latitude 48)
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
• Stella Artois
• Yuengling

A lot of craft beers are also vegan. Just ask your bartender or check Barnivore before ordering.

• Frey Vineyards (all varieties)
• Orleans Hill (all varieties)
• Sutter Home (Riesling, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, and Chenin Blanc)
• Yellowtail (red wines only; not the white or the rosé)

It isn’t always apparent which wines are vegan or vegan-friendly by the label. Unless its vegan status is listed on the label, I strongly recommend checking Barnivore before purchasing.

Hard liquors like tequila, bourbon, whiskey, vodka, gin, and rum are vegan, as are nearly all distilled spirits except those with a cream base or honey.

Here are a few familiar brands:

• Absolut Vodka
• Grey Goose Vodka
• Skyy Vodka
• Appleton Estate Rum
• Bacardi Rum
• Malibu Rum
• Tanqueray Gin
• Beefeater Gin
• Cazadores Tequila
• Hornitos Tequila
• Patron Tequila
• Black Velvet Whiskey
• Jim Beam Whiskey
• Jameson Irish Whiskey

These vegan cocktails have a fun, festive vibe perfect for the holidays.

Festive holiday gifts being wrapped / Source

FAQ / Food colors / Shopping guide / Recipes / Spirits / Gifts

Because sometimes you need a little inspiration.

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

Whether you’re just starting on your vegan journey or 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 that fit your ethics.

Find lots of great vegan products by selecting the guide below.

• The Outdoor Vegan

• The Vegan Kitchen

• Vegan Coffee & Tea Enthusiasts

• Vegan Subscription Boxes

Books also make great gifts; head to Vegan Books to check out hundreds of titles. There's something for everyone, from cookbooks to non-fiction titles to children's books. Inspiration is just a click away.