Holiday gifts, recipes, traditions, charities, etc
When we became plant-based in 2013 there weren’t a lot of vegan options, particularly vegan Easter candy. Fast forward to 2021, and plant-based products are on the rise! This includes a broader offering of vegan Easter candy. So, after an awesome Easter dinner, treat yourself to a few of these vegan sweet treats! Our …
Spring is here, and so is Easter! With so many great plant-based recipes out there these days, there’s absolutely no reason any vegan or vegetarian should feel deprived during the holidays. If you’re looking for something delicious to whip up for that vegan or vegetarian Easter dinner, here are a few ideas to get you …
8 Delicious Vegan and Vegetarian Easter Dinner Ideas Read More »
Before we share our 7 tips for a successful Veganuary, let’s talk about what Veganuary is in case you’re new to it. What is Veganuary? Veganuary is a month-long challenge that has taken place every January since 2014. The goal of the challenge is to encourage people to eat a plant-based diet. In 2020, …
It’s tradition down here in the southern U.S. (where we live) to get the new year started off right with a big bowl of black-eyed peas. These yummy legumes are believed to bring you good luck for the coming year. Whether you believe that black-eyed peas are lucky or not, one thing’s for certain: they …
7 Vegan Black-Eyed Peas Recipes For A Prosperous New Year! Read More »
The holiday season is my absolute FAVORITE time of year! For me, it’s always meant family, friends, and good food–and good food is what this article is all about. Here are ten vegan and vegetarian Christmas dinner ideas that will satisfy vegetarians, vegans, and even your omnivore family members. 10 Vegan and Vegetarian Christmas …
10 Delicious Vegan and Vegetarian Christmas Dinner Ideas Read More »
Be my Veggie-Valentine! Despite its theme of love, Valentine’s Day can be a high-pressure holiday. What to give your spouse of 30 years “who has everything”? You’ve only been on two dates with someone—do you give them a gift? Should you declare your undying love for your secret crush?? (probably not!) Being a cruelty-free, eco-conscious …
6 Ways to Celebrate a Cruelty-Free & Environmentally Friendly Valentine’s Day (VZ 295) Read More »
It’s That Time of Year Again! Yes, the holiday season is officially upon us! So many holiday traditions are based around amazing food, and being meat-free doesn’t mean that you need to miss out. In fact, there are so many meatless alternatives to the traditional “holiday roast” and meat-based sides these days that you might …
8 Simple Vegan Turkey Substitutes That Don’t Suck (VZ 282) Read More »
Don’t Let the Holidays Sneak Up On You! In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’ll share some tips for getting a jump on holiday entertaining, whether you’re hosting, attending parties hosted by others, or making the rounds of work, school, and community potlucks. Please note that some of the links on this …
VZ 229: Prepare Now for Holiday Cooking and Entertaining Read More »
Vegan Fashion Is Becoming, Well…Fashionable! The holidays are upon us! If you’re a vegan, receiving non-vegan clothing or accessories from well-meaning gift-givers can become an uncomfortable situation. Many people don’t realize that vegans typically do not use products made from animals (leather bags, belts, or wallets, suede clothing, jewelry made from ivory, etc). Also, it …
All About Vegan Fashion – Just in Time for Holiday Shopping (VZ 180) Read More »
Happy Thanksgiving! For those of us in the US, Thanksgiving is nearly here. It’s a time for feasting and family and football and, well…feasting. For vegetarians and vegans, Thanksgiving and other food-centric holidays can be a challenge. In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’ll share some tips from our wonderful friends in the …
Why Adopt a Turkey? Every year, animal sanctuaries rescue as many turkeys as they can from that ugly fate, for which vegetarians and vegans everywhere are truly thankful. However, these sanctuaries are then responsible for the expenses associated with saving lives…the medical costs of rehabilitating injured or otherwise traumatized birds, and the costs of feeding …
3 Amazing Places to Adopt a Turkey This Holiday Season Read More »
Happy Vegetarian Awareness Month! October is Vegetarian Awareness Month, so in this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we share 5 ways you can celebrate! Please note that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links and, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you decide …
5 Ways to Celebrate Vegetarian Awareness Month (VZ 174) Read More »
In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast we’ll be sharing some tips for making the best veggie burgers ever! For our American listeners, Fourth of July is next week, and you know what that means…cookouts! And for unprepared vegetarians…a big plate of potato salad and coleslaw. Let us help you round out that plate …
In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast we take a look back at 2015, both personally and in the world of vegetarian, vegan, and animal news. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast! If you find value in our podcast and listen on iTunes, please consider leaving …
Cookies! There’s really nothing more to say about this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast except…cookies!! We talk about our favorite holiday cookies, share some resources for vegan, gluten-free, and diabetic-friendly cookie recipes, and some tips for veganizing cookie recipes. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast! If …
Are you ready for some football??? September is upon us. There’s a tinge of Fall in the air here in South Texas, which to me always means football! Texans love their football and I am no exception. I grew up a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan, watching football games with my Pop on Sunday afternoons. …
How to Grill Like a Vegetarian MVP This Football Season Read More »
In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we’re getting ready for a Fourth of July vegetarian cookout. We’ll talk about all the great foods you can grill BESIDES meat, as well as some strategies for going to cookouts away from home. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Vegetarian Zen …
Vegetarian Cookout with Vickie and Larissa (VZ 106) Read More »
Was there life before pecans? Many Southerners might argue against it! Although Native populations had been eating and trading pecans for centuries, Europeans did not learn about them until Spanish explorer Cabeza da Vaca described them in the early 16th century. There was no Spanish word for this tasty discovery, so he used the word Nueces …
10 Ways to Enjoy Pecans on National Pecan Day (or ANY Day!) Read More »
Get ready for the ultimate gift guide for all the vegans, animal lovers, and environmentally-conscious people on your list! Need vegan gifts? No more talking…here we go! Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Vegetarian Zen Podcast! If you find value in our podcast and listen on iTunes, please consider leaving us a …
Finding Vegan & Environmentally-Friendly Gifts (VZ 74) Read More »
It may sound too good to be true, but yes…this is an actual day! October 14 is indeed National Dessert Day, and we’ve got 5 scrumptious recipes to help you celebrate. There’s a little of everything here: chocolate, lemon, peanut butter, molasses; crispy, chewy, soft, and silky; even a couple of vegan options. Craving something …
5 Delicious Ways to Celebrate National Dessert Day Read More »
We all want to protect our kids from harm. We teach them to not talk to strangers and to look both ways when crossing the street. We feed them healthy foods and encourage other healthy habits. We want them to be happy and entertained, so we buy them fun and educational things they want to …
When we come together to celebrate the holidays, food is, usually the focal point around which we gather. Further, the centerpiece of most of our holiday meals is meat. Turkey for Thanksgiving. Turkey or goose for Christmas. Ham for New Year’s and Easter. Barbecue for Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July. We …
You don’t have to be a vegan to celebrate World Vegan Day. While veganism is a lifestyle choice that is not for everyone, today is the perfect opportunity to find out a little more about it. Vegan Action, a non-profit group that supports veganism and promotes vegan issues, defines veganism as follows: A vegan (pronounced …
Kids love candy, adults love candy…Halloween is awesome! We all know that candy and other sweet treats are not exactly nutritionally valuable, so in this episode we discuss ways to make Halloween activities a little more healthy for you and your family. From trick-or-treating strategies to healthier candy options for giving (as well as …
