My Vegan Holiday Menu

I get asked this question every year. What do you even eat on Thanksgiving? And thanks to my super accommodating family, I can actually say that I eat nearly the same dinner as you. Hold the turkey and gravy, nearly every other traditional dish is vegetarian and easily made vegan. Below are some go-to’s in our family.

If you’re cooking for a vegan or vegetarian, you can also check out my recent blog post on How to Cook for a Vegan During the Holidays which includes easy substitutions to veganize meals and tips on how to approach the holiday.

My 2020 Vegan Thanksgiving Spread

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My 2020 Vegan Holiday Menu

A Misfits Market Produce Haul

Roasted Root Vegetables. Think carrots, beets, potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips etc. roasted with spices like rosemary and thyme, lightly coated with olive oil, salt and pepper. I usually add a few garlic cloves and some red onion as well.

Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts. I made this last week with a simple glaze of balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and a touch of salt and it was out of this world. You could add some walnuts, dried cranberries or fresh pomegranate seeds to dress it up a bit more.

Vegan Kale Caesar Salad. Oh She Glows makes my favorite one.

Rice Pilaf. Just make sure there is no chicken stock or flavoring used.

Rolls or Ciabatta Bread with Olive Oil or a Garlic Dip. So simple and delicious. And, you can make a cashew garlic dip that is to die for by simply blending cashews, olive oil, garlic cloves, nutritional yeast, salt and pepper. Thin with water if needed.

Apple Crumble. Just sub in vegan butter and you are literally golden. Top with Ben & Jerry’s or FoMu Vegan ice cream if you’re feeling it.

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Runner Up Menu Options

Roasted Potatoes

Rainbow Swiss Chard with Cannellini Beans and Garlic. Sauté everything in olive oil including the chard stems. I like them chopped into skinny pieces, almost like celery. I make this one all the time, not just during the holidays.

String Beans Sautéed with Almonds. I love this with a light peanut sauce.

Mashed Potatoes or Mashed Sweet Potatoes. This one is not normally vegan but can easily be made vegan with Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks and Soy Milk or Cream.

Vegan Stuffing. I have been wanting to try this Vegan Stuffing recipe by Minimalist Baker. I’ve also seen it done with a mushroom base but I am personally not a huge mushroom fan.

Vegan Mac and Cheese. My favorite recipe is in Ellen Fisher’s ebook.

Roasted Potatoes or a Baked Potato. Roasted potatoes crisp up best if they are presoaked in cold water. I season them with garlic powder, smoked paprika and rosemary with a light olive oil and salt coating.

Apple Pie. Amazingly, this is naturally vegan. Obviously, double check your ingredients but most recipes and even store bought versions are typically vegan.

Pumpkin Pie. Using silken tofu, you can make a pretty convincing vegan pumpkin pie.

Ginger Molasses or Chocolate Chip Cookies. I veganize these with plant based butter and flax eggs. Yummm.

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The Most Important Part

My number one.

I absolutely love holiday dinners with my family. I love catching up with my cousins and enjoying all of their life updates. The food is great, for sure. I am lucky. But it’s really not about the food. It’s about spending time together and appreciating each other and expressing gratitude for all that we have and love. Cheesy as it sounds, my sister often gets going a “what are you most proud of this year?” or “what are you grateful for?” and I really love listening to everyone’s responses.

Don’t get me wrong, it can be really hard to be vegan or vegetarian during the holidays or for big group meals. I have eaten packaged granola bars or a handful of nuts when there isn’t anything else offered that doesn’t contradict my beliefs. But I have learned tips on how to figure out the food part, and I focus on what is most important. It’s never the food.

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Recipe Bloggers and YouTubers That I Love

If you are looking to veganize a certain dish or for more specific recipes, I highly recommend these resources.

Minimalist Baker - This is my go to for blog recipes. She is actually not all vegan but has an extensive vegan section.

Oh She Glows - Great vegan blog.

Pick Up Limes - I love Sadia’s YouTube videos because not only are they full of amazing vegan recipes, she is also one of the most calming and encouraging bloggers that I follow. Huge fan. I am so ready for a cookbook or restaurant from her.

Avant Garde Vegan - If you are craving some fancy vegan meals, Gaz Oakley is the one to follow. I love his YouTube channel for more complex vegan meals. He definitely tries to make the meat equivalents too so if that’s your thing, check him out.

Cookie and Kate - This blog is vegetarian but she offers easy ways to veganize and has a whole vegan section.

Ellen Fisher and Hannah McNeely - These vegan YouTubers are activists and sisters. They offer a ton of content including home schooling and lifestyle videos. I am including them here because they both have vegan ebooks and post recipes often on their channels.

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Additional Resources

1. If you’d like more vegan holiday menu ideas, you can always look up menus from your favorite restaurants for inspiration. Almost all restaurants post their menus online and you can google for copycat recipes.

2. Whole Foods Market offers a takeout style vegan holiday meal for two, along with many sides serving 4-6 people. So if you don’t feel like cooking, this might be a great option. Or, just read the menu for inspiration. This year I am seeing a few items that catch my eye like Spinach Artichoke Puffs, Miso Creamed Greens, Coconut Sweet Potato Casserole, Pumpkin Curry Soup, Abe’s Vegan Cornbread Loaf (Love this brand!), Olive Oil Smashed Cauliflower and more.

3. Purple Carrot (Based in Needham, MA!) is offering a holiday box. I was a Purple Carrot subscriber for several years while transitioning to plant based and highly recommend this service.

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I hope that you find these menu items and resources helpful.

If you are struggling with the holidays or with shared group meals, I am here for you. Let me know your questions and concerns and we will find a solution together.

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A Note on Indigenous People

I am raising my hand to say, I am learning.

Is anyone else completely upset that what we were taught in school is complete bull? I am livid. And I am learning. When I talk about Thanksgiving, please know this, I do not celebrate mass genocide. It is absolutely appalling. Disgusting. Disturbing. Upsetting to say the least.

My first step is to unlearn what I was taught and then to learn the truth. I am in this phase. I will also ensure that my son is taught the truth.

For now, as we are all given time off of work and school and routines, I do get together with my family (albeit via zoom this year) to spread love and kindness, to catch up. If you have ideas on how to include the unlearning, the new learning and the appropriate way to teach our children about our history’s past and the Indigenous People in our society, I am all ears.

With love and respect to you this November.

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Cooking for a Vegan During the Holidays - Easy Swaps and Considerate Tips

With the holidays coming up, I thought I’d share a few quick tips and tricks in case you find yourself cooking for a vegan, unsure where to start. My goal is to make it easy for you so please comment below or reach out if you have more specific questions. I’m here for you.

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Key substitutions - transition a mostly plant-based meal to a fully vegan meal

My three year old took this photo of me, enjoying a homemade vegan donut muffin creation.

Chicken Stock / Beef Bullion - Consider using vegetable stock or your own mix of seasonings.

Butter - Consider cooking with oil - olive oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, etc. or plant based butter or margarine.

I like Miyoko’s European Style Cultured Vegan Butter for spreading on toast and Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks for baking.

Milk - Consider using a plant based milk - almond, soy, oat, cashew, flax, hemp, coconut, rice. Bonus, you can buy these shelf stable to save room in the fridge. Although you must refrigerate after opening.

Plain, unsweetened almond milk is my go-to. I haven’t noticed much difference in brands but usually get Almond Breeze or Whole Food’s 365 brand. In coffee, or for extra creamy dishes, I prefer soy milk, unsweetened original.

Cream - Consider using canned coconut milk. If you’re having fun experimenting with these substitutions, soaked and then blended cashews work really well, especially in sauces and dips.

Again, I am pretty brand agnostic here. Just make sure you grab full fat canned coconut milk. It can often be found in the Asian cooking section. For cashews, I buy them unsalted, in bulk at Costco, because once you try using them in this way, you’re going to want a lot!

Eggs - In baking, a “flax egg” (1 T ground flax mixed with 2.5 T water, stir, let sit 5 minutes) has worked perfectly for me every time. There are also a lot of egg replacers out there that I have not tried.

For flax seeds, you can also buy them whole and grind them yourself as needed in a spice grinder, coffee grinder, food processor, or high speed blender. I use them up fairly quickly, so I buy them pre-ground for convenience. I keep mine in the fridge.

Cheese - Nothing really replaces cheese. Depending on a recipe, vegan cheese can be used or nutritional yeast can create a cheesy flavor, but really, I’d avoid these unless you’re trying to make a fully vegan meal. Most cheese eaters will likely not be fooled. In something like a cheese board, you could add a faux cheese to the board.

In a cheese board, the Treeline Soft French-Style Nut Cheeses are really delicious with crackers or toast. They are a little pricey but a real treat. The Kite Hill Ricotta is also really delicious. I personally avoid most shredded and sliced faux cheeses but Chao Original is absolutely delicious. I’m not sure where this could be used for holiday cooking but it is the only sliced vegan cheese I can eat plain and it makes really great grilled cheeses.

Yogurt and Mayo - Consider using a plant based yogurt - cashew, coconut, soy - and a vegan mayo.

My favorite is Forager Cashew Based Vegan Yogurt. I’d recommend using plain, unsweetened, and adding flavor separately. I am not a fan of mayo, vegan or otherwise, but know that this product does exist. For a dip, I highly recommend the Buffalo or Chipotle Flavored Bitchin Sauce. It’s great with veggie sticks, chips, or even a sandwich spread for left-overs day.

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Thoughtful Offerings

Homemade vegan apple pie

Honest Communication - The most thoughtful thing, in my experience, is honest communication. This can be as simple as saying that it is too much work for the host and could you please bring your own food this year. We get it. If you are planning to cook some vegan meals, you can also…

Send a Text or Email or Call - Let the person know the menu and what meals are safe for them to eat ahead of time. That way, day of, you don’t even need to make a thing of it and the person can decide if that will be enough food or if they would like to compliment it with something additional of their own.

Labels - You can put a simple index card or cute decorative card next to dishes to label them. This can include all of the ingredients or just the name of the dish with vegan / vegetarian or non-vegan / non-vegetarian written next to the name.

Save a Little to the Side Before Dressing Up - This one has been huge in my experience. If you are set on cooking your veggies with butter, using a non-vegan salad dressing, or adding cheese on top of a dish, for example, simply saving a little to the side before adding the non-vegan item is hugely appreciated. Trust me, we don’t mind things plain, especially versus nothing at all, and we don’t need a huge portion.

Request a Dish - Pot luck style -reach out and ask the person to bring a main or side dish that is safe for them to eat.

Request a Recipe - If you’re open to a new recipe, you can ask if they have a favorite side, main or dessert recipe for you to try.

Use Separate Serving Dishes and Spoons - Once you ladle your gravy, please don’t put that same serving utensil in the vegan mashed potatoes.

Don’t Overthink It - So many things are naturally vegan. Apple pie, for example, is often vegan. I believe Costco’s apple pie is and could serve an army it’s so big. Having fruit out with dessert is also great. Salads often are vegan before add-ons. Almost all side dishes can be vegan pretty easily with minimal thought.

Buy a Dish or Meal - Whole Foods Market offers a pre-made two person take home vegan dinner for $40. If you know that every dish will not be vegan and don’t want to try these substitutions, know that that is fine. You may prefer this option. The vegan in your life will likely be hugely appreciative that you thought of them.

Dinner Topics - I absolutely love talking about veganism with anyone who’s interested. Going vegan has changed my life in the best way possible. That said, talking about compassion for animals, the positive impact on the environment and on my health is not something I’d like to talk about at a dinner table or prep kitchen while others are cooking or eating their turkey and stuffing. I reserve no judgement for people who do not chose to live a vegan lifestyle. Veganism is all about compassion for all. But, it’s totally awkward to talk about mid-meal. If you’re interested, definitely do reach out. Just please save it for another time. Also, please don’t apologize for eating meat or dairy. It also makes us feel awkward and it’s not needed.

Protein - Please do not concern yourself with the person’s protein intake. I assure you, they are fine. This question is the nails on a chalkboard topic for most vegans.

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Helpful Definitions

Vegetarian - A person who does not consume meat or fish. They typically still eat eggs and dairy like milk, butter, yogurt, sour cream, and cheese.

When I was vegetarian, I used to say, if it had a face, I didn’t eat it. I came up with this in middle school but it was actually a pretty helpful guide for others.

Pescatarian - A person who does not consume meat but does consume fish, and typically eggs and dairy.

Plant-Based - A person who does not consume meat or fish products. A person who eats plant-based will not consume animals or fish or anything that comes from them so things like eggs, dairy and honey are off the table in addition to the meat and fish itself.

Whole Foods Plant-Based - A person who eats plant-based and avoids processed foods.

Vegan - A person who does not consume meat or fish or their products in all aspects of their lives from food to clothes, for example. A vegan would not buy a leather couch or wool dryer balls. Clothing comes up a lot in this conversation because there are so many leather and suede shoes, handbags, accessories, fur, wool and cashmere sweaters and socks, etc. But it actually extends further than this as many products from makeup and bath products to household cleaners are tested on animals. So, think of vegan, as much more than what they consume at a meal and more so what they consume in their lives. For food, it’s the same as plant-based.

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Simply by reading this post, you are already showing consideration for the vegan in your life. Know that they appreciate all efforts, big and small, that you make to make them feel loved and heard.

Remember, in the end, the point of the holidays is to spend time with the people we love. It’s the gathering at the table, or zoom this year, that matters.

Together, let’s all put to rest the idea that the tofurkey was ever a good idea.

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Faux Cheeses - Highly Requested

This one is highly requested so I’m going to jump right into it. Here is my list of current faux cheese favorites and other faux dairy brands below. Enjoy!

Let me know what you love so I can give it a try and shout out some more amazing brands!

And one quick caveat. Nothing replaces the flavor and texture of cheese but with these products, you aren’t harming animals, the environment or your body the way dairy cheese and products would, so I’d say that’s a win.

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Plant Based Faux Cheese

Treeline Soft French-Style Cashew Cheeses - Best cheese and cracker cheese. Veganize your charcuterie board with this one.

UPDATE CHAO - Best sliced cheese. It’s the only one I enjoy cold. Great in sandwiches and grilled cheese.

Oh my Heart Vegan Smoked Gouda - Also good for grilled cheese cheese. Melts considerably well. Doesn’t taste like smoked gouda so set those expectations but it’s good. My son snacks on this one but I personally don’t like it cold.

Kite Hill Ricotta - Best for lasagnas, pasta, sandwich spreads.

DIY Parmesan - I use the recipe from Oh She Glows Crowd Pleasing Cesar Salad - It takes about 2 minutes in the Vitamix.

Violife has also been recommended to me but I haven’t had a chance to try it.

Nutritional Yeast - This is basically a vegan goddess food. It’s so high in B12, I get my daily dose here. I add it to roasted veggies, vegan mac and cheese sauces, pasta, really anything that you’d like to make savory, nutty, delicious. It’s not cheese. Set your expectation. But it is wonderful. Some add it to popcorn, but I have yet to try that.

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Plant Based “CHEESY” Snacks

Late July Jalepeno Lime Chips - These are as close to cool ranch as they come. And the kicker is that they are even better! Warning: These are super addictive.

Hippies Organic Chickpea Vegan White Cheddar Puffs - Like cheesy poofs that are semi-healthy.

Forager Cheesy Greens Chips - These are on my list to try! Have you had them? Are they good? I love this brand so let me know!

(I am not a huge fan of the Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Squares. They just taste kind of greasy and fake to me. I’ve tried them. My son loves them. But they aren’t my favorite so don’t let them convince you that plant based snacks don’t rock.)

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Plant Based Faux Yogurt

Forager Cashew Yogurt, Plain - It’s hands down my favorite plant based yogurt. I add it to smoothies so that Mateo and I get our daily dose of probiotics.

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Plant Based Faux Butter

Miyokos European Style Cultured Vegan Butter - Vegan butter that’s not made from palm oil! Finally!

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Plant Based Faux Milk

365 Brand and Blue Diamond Almond and Soy Milks - I prefer the refrigerated ones versus shelf stable but we keep a ton of both in the house. This is our smoothie base so we go through a lot. Kids don’t need cow’s milk at any point in their development despite what the dairy industry wants us to think.

DIY Cashew Milk - I have a whole blog post - Cashews are Magic - so take a look for that and other recipes there.

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Plant Based Ice Cream

Ben and Jerry’s Non Dairy PB and Cookie - Thank you, thank you, thank you.

FoMu - This one you may only find locally in MA but man oh man, if you haven’t had it, especially right from their store, you are missing out! All birthday ice cream cakes of mine come from here, too.

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Veganized Dinners

These are a repeat from my Whole Foods Market Vegan Virtual Haul post but they are worth repeating.

Kite Hill Plant Based Ravioli and Tortellini - I nearly cried when I saw this at Whole Foods in early 2020. Wow. Just wow. I love ravioli and tortellini and never thought I’d have it again because even the pumpkin and butternut squash varieties that I’d seen before all contained egg. Not this one.

Gotham Greens Vegan Pesto - Goes great with the Kite Hill pastas above. So delicious. I make my own in the summer when I have a ton of basil but wow this is great when I don’t have basil on hand.

Sweet Earth, Vegan Veggie Lover’s Frozen Pizza - This is my current favorite frozen vegan pizza. For me, pizza was my vegetarian to vegan deal breaker for a long time. When I finally found my motivator (compassion for animals) I said goodbye and to be honest, it was hard. But, I have had some faux brands that I like and mostly, I make my own that I think are so delicious.

Annie’s Mac and Cheese - It tastes just like what I remember boxed mac and cheese to taste like, which is to say, delicious. I make my own faux mac and cheese regularly now thanks to Ellen Fisher’s ebook recipe but I got this to try for a quick fix and I am definitely adding this into our pantry back up’s!

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Whole Foods Market Highlight - Virtual Vegan Shopping Haul

Today, I’m sharing my favorite plant based finds from Whole Foods Market. Mateo and I eat as much actual whole foods (produce, grains, nuts, seeds, beans etc) as possible and semi-limit processed foods but we do love them as a treat.

I obviously buy a ton of produce but that’s not all that exciting to see in a haul, so here are the packaged goodies you’ll love.

Plant Based Faux Dairy

Oh my Heart Vegan Smoked Gouda - This one is awesome for grilled cheese and my son likes it just as is as a snack. I can’t say that it tastes like what I remember smoked Gouda (or even cheese) to taste like but it is delicious and creamy and melts considerably well.

Forager Cashew Yogurt - It’s hands down my favorite plant based yogurt. I like plain but am about to try vanilla bean, pictured above as they were out of plain last time. I usually add berries, banana and granola. I also add it to smoothies so that Mateo and I get our daily dose of probiotics. I started putting some on top of oatmeal, a little happy accident from when I wanted both at the Kripalu breakfast bar but only had one bowl.

Miyokos Vegan Butter - Vegan butter that’s not made from palm oil! Finally! I usually get the “European Style Cultured Vegan Butter” but tried out oat milk based one this haul. I prefer the original.

Kite Hill Ricotta - Yep. It exists. Vegan Ricotta. And it’s amazing in lasagnas and pastas, and even makes for a nice sandwich spread.

365 Brand and Blue Diamond Almond Milks - I prefer the refrigerated ones versus shelf stable but we keep a ton of both in the house. This is our smoothie base so we go through a lot. Kids don’t need cow’s milk at any point in their development despite what the dairy industry wants us to tihnk. They don’t need a dairy free substitute either. But, it’s nice to have something other than water and Mateo really enjoys drinking it so this is what we use.

Veganized Dinners

Kite Hill Plant Based Ravioli and Tortellini - I nearly cried when I saw this at Whole Foods in early 2020. Wow. Just wow. I love ravioli and tortellini and never thought I’d have it again because even the pumpkin and butternut squash varieties that I’d seen before all contained egg. Not this one.

Vegetable Pot Stickers - It’s tricky because many dumplings and pot stickers have egg either in the filling or dough but these are vegan and really yummy.

Sushi and Fresh Rolls with Peanut Sauce - The prepared meals section usually has a sushi bar and the ones wrapped in green rubber bands are vegan. I love the brown rice avocado-cucumber-carrot sushi and the fresh rolls with peanut dipping sauce. The price mirrors take out but they’re good!

Hilary’s Veggie Burgers - I love the whole line.

Sweet Earth, Vegan Veggie Lover’s Frozen Pizza - This is my current favorite frozen vegan pizza. For me, pizza was my vegetarian to vegan deal breaker for a long time. When I finally found my motivator (compassion for animals) I said goodbye and to be honest, ti was hard. But, I have had some faux brands that I like and mostly, I make my own that I think are so delicious.

Amy’s Roasted Vegetable Frozen Pizza - This one is a runner up that I’ve had a handful of times. It does not taste like traditional pizza at all but it is really delicious. They apparently now have a vegan pesto and roasted artichoke one so sign me up for that!

Pizza Dough - As you can see, I love pizza and making my own has been my favorite way to enjoy it. I usually top with a little tomato sauce (homemade or jarred), black olives and artichokes and then fresh arugula and basil after it’s finished cooking. Yum.

Annie’s Mac and Cheese - It tastes just like what I remember boxed mac and cheese to taste like, which is to say, delicious. I make my own faux mac and cheese regularly now thanks to Ellen Fisher’s ebook recipe but I got this to try for a quick fix and I am definitely adding this into our pantry back up’s!

Sauces

Gotham Greens Vegan Pesto - Goes great with the Kite Hill pastas above. So delicious. I make my own in the summer when I have a ton of basil but wow this is great when I don’t have basil on hand.

365 and Siete Enchilada Sauces - You have to make the enchiladas but both of these sauces are delicious.

Tessemae’s Vegan Zesty Ranch - The best light salad dressing with the ranch flavor. It’s just so good.

Breakfasts

Kashi 7 Grain Waffles - Believe it or not, most frozen waffles are not vegan. But these are, woo hoo!

Annie’s Cinnamon Rolls - Betcha didn’t know these guys are vegan.

Abe’s Blueberry Muffins - Yum. We usually make our own but these are really tasty.

Desserts

Rubicon Vanilla Cupcakes - Hands down, the best vegan cupcake out there. They even have a dollop of frosting in the center. Yum. The top frosting to cake ratio is a bit high for me so frosting lovers, get on this one.

WFM Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies - A totally non-vegan friend of mine got me hooked on these.

Chocolate Covered Cocomel Bites - I found these originally on Thrive Market but I know that WFM carries them too. Super yum.

Ben & Jerry’s Vegan Ice Creams - Have you had them? This nice cream is amazing! My favorite is PB Cookie. Mint Cookie is a runner up.

Everything Else

And then there are so many obvious ones that I don’t think I really need to mention them. We buy peanut butter, almond butter, apple sauce, dried fruit, pasta, tea, snacks, etc. along with our produce.

Coffee

They have the best cold brew at the coffee bar. Even the decaf gives me a kick in the pants. And I am loving the prepackaged cold brew options. I haven’t disliked any of the brands they carry. It’s a nice alternative to going out to get coffee if you’re trying to save a bit of money on that. Obviously, brewing your own is much cheaper but these are a nice treat!

What I don’t buy at Whole Foods

I hear often that folks think that Whole Foods is expensive. I actually don’t agree. I just think you have to shop smart. I don’t buy things like Maple Syrup for example because I can get a large jug of it at Costco for half the price. But their produce, and packaged vegan products are on par with any other grocery store except perhaps Trader Joe’s. If you think you’re saving money at Stop and Shop though, I’d like to compare receipts.

I don’t love their vegan donuts. Let’s shout out that they should veganize their apple cider donuts because I bet those would be amazing!

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In my opinion, Whole Foods Market is good for…

• Foodies

• Those looking for specialty items that traditional grocery stores may not carry

• Those looking to avoid a lot of the junk found in traditional grocery stores. One thing that used to bother me so much was the trash magazines and candy in line at other stores. I love that the Whole Foods lines have beautiful magazines featuring beautiful food and yoga photography and limited junk food.

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Do you have a Whole Foods near you? Do you love it? I’d love to know your thoughts. Leave a note in the comments below or join the conversation on Instagram.

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Costco Highlight - Virtual Vegan Shopping Haul

Costco

Are you a Costco member? I’ve had a pretty strong love affair with this store for several years now and am pretty frequently asked about the products I buy there. They seem to be overlooked by most and then coveted. So, I thought I’d put this virtual haul together to share which plant-based products I buy at Costco.

I have not been to a Costco store since February. We are staying home, quarantined, and I hope you are doing the same. But, if you use instacart, you just may snag some of these goodies.

I’m often asked if I think Costco makes sense for my small family and actually, I do. I buy smart. I stock up. I use their gas station for cheap gas and even have their credit card for great rewards. There are certain items I would never need to buy because the quantity is so large but I think that would be the case for any family.

In my opinion, Costco is good for…

• Cost savers - I get a thrill from a good deal

• Bulk buyers

• People who don’t mind shopping at more than one store for their groceries

• People who like to hunt and find amazing deals

• People who live near a Costco gas station because the savings are amazing

The types of products I buy most are…

• Inexpensive, organic bulk produce

• Frozen fruit

• Bulk nuts and seeds

• Canned goods

• Pasta

Without further ado, here is my Costco virtual vegan shopping haul. I included links to those items I could find on their website.

Fridge Items

• Fresh Fruit - Raspberries, Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Watermelon, Peaches, Pineapple, Cotton Candy Grapes

• Fresh Vegetables - Broccoli, Spinach, Romaine, Cucumber, Celery, Bell Peppers, Green Beans

• Asian Cashew Chopped Salad

• Chunky Guacamole

• Sprouted Extra Firm Tofu

• Salsa - Organic Jack’s Cantina

• Ciabatta Rolls

  Freezer Items

• Frozen Fruit - Pineapple, Blueberries, Strawberries

• Vegetable Pot Stickers - Bibigo

• UPDATE: I just learned that the Morning Star Chipotle Black Bean Burgers are going VEGAN! I LOVED these with a passion when I was a vegetarian. They had milk and eggs in them though so I stopped eating them when I transitioned from vegetarian to vegan. Holy cow! I am so excited.

Pantry Items

Maple Syrup

• Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Kirkland Signature

• Rolled Oats - Quaker

• Cheerios

• Cashews - Kirkland Signature, Unsalted

• Mixed Nuts - Kirkland Signature, Unsalted

• Maple Syrup - Kirkland Signature

• Quinoa - Kirkland Signature

• Hemp Seeds - Manitoba

• Chia Seeds

• Canned Black Olives

• Canned Chickpeas

• Medjool Dates

• Millet and Brown Rice Ramen

• White and Whole Wheat Pasta

• Pasta Sauce

• Jarred Artichoke Hearts

• Jarred Hearts of Palm

• Vanilla Extract

Snacks

Lentil Crackers

• RW Garcia Lentil Turmeric Crackers - The best snack in the world

• Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars

• Autumn’s Gold Granola Bars

• E & C Heavenly Hunks

• Harvest Snacks Green Pea Snack Crips

• Off the Eaten Path Veggie Crisps

• Veggie Straws

• Skinny Pop Popcorn and Boom Chicka Pop Popcorn - Sometimes this size is actually too large for me and they bottom spoils before I finish it so I really only get this if I’m in a super popcorn mood. I don’t let my 2.5 year old eat it because of the threat with it going into the lungs.

• Hippeas Vegan White Cheddar Puffs

• Tortilla Chips

• Stacy’s Pita Chips

• Pouches - At least at my Costco, the brands have rotated. We love Mama Chia, GoGo Squeez Organic Apple Sauce, Kirkland Signature Apple Sauce, Kirkland Signature Organic Fruit and Vegetable

• Pure Organic Fruit Bars

Beverages

• Espresso Coffee Pods - Starbucks

• POM Pomegranate Juice

• IZZE Glass Bottles - My favorite for a backyard BBQ

• Seltzer - But then I got a soda stream

• Suja Organic Cold Pressed Juice

Cooking / Kitchen Items

Vitamix, Photo from Costco.com

• Vitamix! - Hands down, my favorite kitchen appliance

• Food Processor - I have a Cuisinart

• Small ceramic bowls - Awesome for kids but also beautiful and not plastic

• Pyrex Food Storage Containers - I only use glass now. I don’t have the snap top personally but they’re probably more secure than the ones I have.

  Household Items

Soap in the most beautiful amber bottles

• Trash Bags - Kirkland Signature

• Hand Soap - Home and Body - These amber bottles are just beautiful. Although, I originally got them in a 4 pack.

• Hand Soap Refill - Softsoap brand

• Baking Soda - Arm and Hammer - Yes, I am aware of how huge this is. I use it for cleaning.

• Dishwasher Pods - Cascade - This may be the only item where I do not like the Costco brand. I just find the powder still on the dishes at the end of the cycle and had to do a lot of rinsing afterwards. Wait for a name brand sale.

• Baby Wipes - Kirkland Signature

• Laundry Detergent

• Epsom Salt

• Eye Glasses Wipes

• Lawn Bags

• Eneloop Reusable Batteries

• Light bulbs

Other Departments To Mention

(Not really a haul but I love them for having so many great non-food items)

• Contacts & Glasses

• Gasoline

• Photos in a pinch - The quality is okay for quick things like a birthday party photo banner and things you need the same or next day. My professional career is as a photographer and I cannot stress enough using a professional print house for your large prints. Trust me, there’s a difference. And this isn’t a slight to Costco. They do a great quickie job. I like them more than other megamarts and pharmacies.

• Rugs - I have two large high pile rugs that every single person comments on because they are just so soft. They do shed a bit and like any high pile rug, it takes a bit of muscle to vacuum them, but I’d buy them again for sure.

• Sunglasses - I have both prescription and non-prescription sunglasses from Costco. They were both super inexpensive but great looking.

• Clothing - I have made a bunch of adult and children’s clothing purchases here. I have an awesome white athletic jacket that everyone comments on, yoga pants, a rain coat, decent rain boots, puma socks, and even my favorite undies. They also have good deals for children’s Carter’s PJs and sets. You have to dig. But I usually just loop through the area and see if anything catches my eye.

Items I Want to Try

• Birthday Cake Granola - I have heard it’s amazing! Has anyone tried it?

• Cauliflower Bites

• Coconut Sticky Rice

• CHAO vegan cheese

• Good Planet Shredded Mozzarella

• Chipotle Bitchin Sauce

• Vegan Ranch Dressing - Primal Kitchen

• Chocolate Fudge Crunch Bars - Daiya

Vegetarian Honorable Mention

Before we switched to plant based, I loved these items for myself and my son.

Morning Star

• Vegetarian (not vegan) Chipotle Black Bean Burgers by Morning Star - These were a fan favorite at BBQs the last few summers - See update above that they are GOING VEGAN!!!

• Vegetarian (not vegan) Tasty Bite Madras Lentils

• Vegetarian (not vegan) Aussie Bites

Items I don’t buy there

• Avocados and Bananas - They are just usually not ripe at the right time for me.

• Apples - They are usually way over priced per pound.

• Almond Milk - I have yet to find an unsweetened original that I like.

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Are you a Costco member? What are your favorite buys? Do you love it? Not use it? Have you tried any of the products on my want to try list above? I’d love to know your thoughts! Leave a note in the comments below or join the conversation on Instagram.

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A note on referrals: This post is not sponsored and the product links are not affiliate links. I just really like this company. Maybe they’ll sponsor me one day in the future!

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