Green Shopping Bags and Gift Wrap

As the holiday shopping season gains momentum, I am reminded to shop green. For me, that means using reusable shopping bags at every store, every time. I keep a folded bag in my purse all the time, so even if I forget to bring one with me, I always have that one as a backup. If you end up with a plastic bag, it is so easy to recycle them now. All of the grocery stores I go to plus WalMart and others have bins at the front of the store for recycling empty plastic bags. So simple to do and so important!

Gift wrap is proving to be more of a challenge. I made a commitment this year to buy only recycled paper products. So paper wrapping will be from a recycled source, either online or at the store. Another idea is to wrap a gift with a fabric gift, such as a baby blanket, throw or scarf, etc. This might work for my teenage daughters, as one loves fleece throws and the other often wears a scarf with her outfit or coat. My husband and son will require more creativity. Tuck a small gift inside a glove, stocking hat or sock, perhaps? I am really committed to not wasting paper. Please share your ideas!

Why Vegan?

While I have been vegetarian for almost 20 years, I have been vegan for only 5. The short answer to why vegetarian, for me, is to live a compassionate lifestyle that avoids the use of animals as food. But I was motivated to become vegan, avoiding the use of any animal product, after reading "The Pig Who Sang to the Moon," by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson. This book focuses on the lives of farm animals as unique, sentient, individual beings. It is beautifully written and is fantastic inspiration for anyone considering a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Read it and pass it on!

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Let's be honest here. I am not a whiz in the kitchen. If I'm going to bake cookies, they need to be fast and simple. One of the easiest things I've found to do is "veganize" traditional cookie recipes. It doesn't always work, but this is a good one for chocolate chip cookies.

Ingredients:
* 2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup organic granulated cane sugar
* 3/4 cup packed organic light brown sugar
* 1 cup softened vegan butter alternative (I use Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread.)
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* Vegan egg substitute to equal 2 large eggs (I mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 4 tablespoons of water until dissolved.)
* 2 cups vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the butter, sugars and vanilla extract until creamy. Then mix in the egg substitute. Combine the wet and dry ingredients. If the dough is too dry, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to the desired consistency. Finally, add the chocolate chips. Spoon by rounded tablespoon or similarly-sized ice cream scoop onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake for approximately 10 minutes. Cool on cookie sheets for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

My 16-year-old daughter often bakes these for our family. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Vegan Holiday Meal

Whether you are considering vegetarian options or are a vegan pro, the holidays can pose real food challenges. My family is enjoying leftovers from a traditional Thanksgiving meal prepared vegan style. It consisted of Tofurky and the accompanying vegan gravy, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes made with soy milk and vegan butter alternative, green bean casserole using mushroom broth and cornstarch instead of cream of mushroom soup, vegan rolls, and a purchased vegan pumpkin pie. As you can see, this meal was accomplished very easily with a minimum of cooking skills. In other words, if I can do it, anyone can. And everything was truly delicious!