There’s something nostalgic about a box of baking mix. For most of us, these boxes were the gateway into our love for baking. We learned how to crack an egg, measure oil, and check with the infallible toothpick test. We also associate boxed mixes with early memories of childhood, spending time with family, acquiring our taste for raw cookie dough, and the pure joy of licking the spoon. Although we may have advanced our in culinary skills to preparing baked goods from scratch, there is still a place for the occasional boxed mix, especially during the rush of the holidays. We tested a plethora of options to find the best, veganizable boxed baking mixes for when you are short on time or craving some good old fashioned nostalgia.

6 Best Vegan Baking Mixes

1. Bob’s Red Mill

On Christmas morning, spend more time around the tree and less time in the kitchen with Bob’s Paleo Pancake Mix. This no-fuss, gluten-free mix creates thick and fluffy pancakes with minimal, whole food ingredients. No preservatives, no stabilizers, just homemade pantry staples. Of course, Bob has perfected the ratio of these ingredients for you. All you have to do is add eggs (we subbed a vegan egg replacer), water, and coconut oil (saffron or canola will work in a pinch). The hardest part? Mastering the perfect pancake flip!

2. FoodStirs

Can’t decide between a cookie and a brownie? Get the best of both worlds with Foodstirs Organic Snickerdoodle Blondie Mix. The finished product tastes like a snickerdoodle cookie, thanks to the cinnamon sugar packet we generously sprinkled on top, and has the mouthfeel of a thick, chewy blondie, reminiscent of the coveted corner piece. Note, the batter will look more like a crumbly cookie dough opposed to a thinner brownie batter. Don’t worry, just pat into your baking pan. We also found we could get away with using one less tablespoon of butter to avoid slightly oily edges. Although delicious straight of the pan, we highly recommend using these as a vessel for some vegan vanilla ice cream, candied pecans, and toffee or caramel sauce.

3. Cherry Brook Kitchen

Those with a gluten sensitivity know how difficult it can be to create edible baked goods. Even with the perfect recipe, the combination of multiple, often hard-to-find flours can be time-consuming and expensive. Thankfully, Cherry Brook Kitchen has created a gluten-free and vegan boxed cake mix that rivals Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines. Of all the gluten-free mixes we tested, this yellow cake had the best texture by far. It was light, moist, and devoid of that gritty mouthfeel. Slather on some chocolate frosting (Cherry Brook has mixes for this, too) and indulge!

4. Madhava

Craving rich, decadent brownies? Reach for Madhava’s Ooey-Gooey Chocolate Brownie Mix to get your fix. We love that the dry mix is completely organic and only includes familiar ingredients, like organic coconut sugar and spelt flour. Per the website’s instructions, we swapped the egg with applesauce to make our vegan treats. The result was a thick, gooey batter (as the name implies) and a rich, chocolatey brownie. Spoon-lickers, this is the batter of your dreams. If you save enough batter to actually bake, we suggest mixing in some vegan chocolate chips for some extra indulgence. You can also top these with peppermint frosting and crushed peppermint candies for a festive holiday sweet.

5. Miss Jones Baking Co

Nothing says childhood nostalgia like a funfetti cake with funfetti frosting. In fact, sprinkles have become popular in gourmet bakeries thanks to the unicorn trend. For those with a love of color and a severe sweet tooth, Miss Jones has you covered. This organic company has a Confetti Party Pop Box, complete with two vanilla cake mixes, two tubs of confetti pop vegan frosting, candles, a spatula, and recipe cards for inspiration to customize your four layer cake. All mixes and frostings are vegan as is, and although the instructions call for eggs, milk, and butter, the website includes an easy, vegan-friendly prep option. These products are on the sweeter side, but they also transport us back to a simpler time of neighborhood parties and frosting-laden sheet cakes. Nostalgia tastes so good.

6. It’s Wholesome

Yet another allergy-friendly option, It’s Wholesome offers a wide variety of baking mixes made with clean, organic ingredients safe for almost every food sensitivity. From scones, pancakes, brownies, cakes, and frostings, this company ensures that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat without spending hours in the kitchen. We were drawn to their unique flavors of cake mixes, such as the Lavender, Chocolate Lavender, and Chai Spice. The texture was rather light, considering its gluten-free base, and the flavor was on point. A chocolate lavender cake may not take you back to childhood, but even without the nostalgia, this is cake is crazy good.

Tanya Flink is a vegan, foodie, and certified Master Personal Trainer based in Orange County, CA. She is also the host of the podcast, “The Vegan Potluck.”

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Discretely nestled in the foothills of Hollywood, just beyond the urban chaos of Hollywood Boulevard, lies Wattles Farm. This organic community garden has offered a natural respite for Angelinos since 1975, and on October 25th, 2017, it served as the venue of choice for the roaming farm-to-table dining concept, Outstanding in the Field. Nearly ninety guests gathered for the organization’s first completely plant-based supper among the lush garden plots of Wattles for a truly unique dining experience.

The five-hour event was both rustic and refined, meticulously curated yet extremely relaxed and comfortable. Women in breezy sundresses adorned with large-brimmed hats and men in smart tailored shirts and sunglasses paired their chic attire with practical boots and sneakers, prepared to “rough it” in the soft dirt of the garden. The day was hot – over 100 degrees – but the ample trees, giant misting fan, and chilled high-alcohol kombucha kept guests tolerably cool. Upon arrival, a chipper, sandy-haired Outstanding team member greeted each individual and instructed them to place their plate at the communal table (it is a tradition to bring your own plate). Guests were then free to enjoy a leisurely ninety minute reception and optional garden tour.

As attendees became acquainted with each other, they were treated to boozy refreshments supplied by local beverage companies and intricately prepared passed hors d’oeuvres. 101 Cider House impressed guests with brightly colored alcoholic probiotic drinks, filling wine glasses with the lavender hues of “Purple Monkey” and vibrant green “Bonfire Betty.” The host chefs of the evening, Donna Jean’s esteemed Roy Elam and up-and-coming S+M Vegan’s duo Marie Chia and Shane Stanbridge, delighted with an array of petite bites before the sit down supper. The standout was the cultured cashew cream cheese-stuffed date wrapped in marinated eggplant – a vegan take on the trending bacon-wrapped date.

Just prior to settling in for dinner, Outstanding in the Field Founder, artist Jim Denevan, gave a short speech to educate the crowd on the history and mission of the organization. It began in the summer of 1999, and has since flourished into the robust roaming restaurant it is today. In 2017 they will serve close to ninety outdoor dinners in twenty-seven states, in addition to four Canadian provinces and even Burgundy, France. The goal is to introduce people to the source of their food and the local chefs that create it. They turn farm-to-table on its head, literally bringing the table to the farm.

Wattles Farm president, Toby Leaman, concluded the presentation with a final warm-hearted welcome. Guests were then asked to take their seats at the tree-lined communal dining table. The multi-course meal was served family style, one dish for every eight diners, each thoughtfully paired with a beer or wine. Freshly made baguettes and sage focaccia accompanied a crudite platter of olives, picked carrots, tomato-onion jam, shiitake pate, and creamy vegan butter. The pate was decimated in minutes, the obvious favorite. The second course featured roasted magic myrna potatoes drizzled with a preserved plant-based lemon yogurt. This was followed by a lighter course of an arugula lentil salad, tossed with tomatoes, pistachio-milk curd, and smoked beets, dressed in a lemon-tamari vinaigrette. Both were exquisite, but the chefs demonstrated their true talents with their two main courses. Eyes popped wide as the gigantic bowl of green risotto was placed on the table alongside the elegantly plated winter squash ravioli with sauteed kale. The multiple textures of the risotto, such as the popped sorghum and roasted brussels sprouts, added an addictive contrast to the creamy herb pesto base. Diners helped themselves to second and even third scoops. After some time to digest and savor the rich meal, the evening concluded with a stellar pear cobbler, topped with homemade vegan “nutella” and cashew cream. Mere crumbs remained.

Contentedly full guests left the event just after sunset with a new appreciation for local produce and perhaps a new friend or two. The five hours of mingling, tasting, and learning was more than just a pleasant picnic on the farm, it is the beginning of a new approach to eating and entertainment. Outstanding in the Field educates people about the importance of eating and buying local through the entertaining culinary events, highlighting local chefs and producers while familiarizing diners with the source of their food. The team encourages everyone to “follow the bus” to see where the next meal will be held, but in the meantime, you can host your own Outstanding dinner. Prepare a meal using produce from the farmers market and local purveyors. You don’t need to be a trained chef to create a fantastic, locally-grown meal. The produce does the work for you!

Find Tanya on Instagram and The Vegan Potluck Podcast.

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A growing number of farmers are opting out of the USDA organic certification, and the reasons why are eye-opening.

The USDA isn’t managing the label the way it should

The USDA organic label doesn’t look much like what people who lobbied for it in the ’80s and ’90s were hoping for.

“Organic was a very small industry – we called it a movement, back then,” says Mark Kastel, co-founder of the Cornucopia Institute, an organic watchdog group. But the movement gained more traction, and soon, the Organic Foods Production Act was developed. When it was passed in 1990, the Act authorized a National Organic Program, which was to be administered by the USDA.

“I like to remind people of the exquisite irony, that when Congress held hearings on the passage of OFPA, the USDA actually testified against it,” says Kastel. “They said, ‘We don’t want anything to do with organics; we don’t want to regulate it.’”

The USDA wasn’t the only group with reservations concerning the plan: within the organic community, there was worry over “handing over [the] precious word organic,” according to Kastel.

“People said, ‘If you do that, it’ll become corrupted,” he continues. “And maybe they were right.”

Today, Kastel says, the label is “tainted for sure.”

“The people who are really in charge at the USDA are the agribusiness lobbyists,” he says, and most large organic brands are owned by an even larger food corporation. Take Annie’s and Cascadian Farm, for example. Both are owned by General Mills, a parent company that also owns Cheerios, which were found in 2016 to be tainted with Monsanto’s glyphosate, and ultra-processed Hamburger Helper, featuring MSG and artificial colors, two of the top seven most dangerous ingredients in processed food according to Mercola.

“Now that the corporations are involved, if we brought up legislation, it would be much friendlier to industrial farming interests and corporate food companies,” says Kastel.

This is compounded by the fact that much cutting-edge plant science is funded by agrochemical companies.

“Who’s going to fund all these studies that say that growing naturally or without pesticides is better?” says Don Smith, co-founder of Kiss the Ground, a non-profit devoted to soil health. “There’s no money to be made on it, so who’s going to fund it?”

It’s a far cry from the original organic movement made up of what farmer Eliot Coleman calls, “a bunch of old hippies following their dreams.”

“He predicted this, and he’s all pissed off,” says Kastel of Coleman, who purposefully has not sought out the certification.

“The same people who ruin most everything have been working hard to ruin this,” he says, citing the oft-misquoted statement usually attributed to Eric Hoffer, which is nonetheless applicable in this case: “Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket.”

“I’ve been in this game for 50 years, and I know exactly how it should be done and why it should be done and the quality of food that comes out of doing it correctly,” says Coleman. “And it just breaks my heart to see that the USDA has no integrity at all.”

Cost-prohibitive for small farmers

While the big-picture questions of integrity are certainly reason enough, cost may be an even bigger deterrent.

The USDA notes that organic certification can cost anywhere from “a few hundred to several thousand dollars,” but The Balance says that more often than not, the certification costs around $700 for farmers and $1,200 for processors, and that’s not counting the increased expense of actually running an organic farm for the three year transitional period, during which farmers must pay the price of organic feeds, composts, and weedkillers, but cannot charge organic prices. A transitional label, developed by the Organic Trade Association earlier this year to ease some of this financial burden, is currently stalled due to vacancies at the USDA, notably the lack of an administrator for USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.

And while big organizations can often swing it with or without a certified transitional label, smaller farms have a tougher time, especially when they’re biodiverse.

“Each crop requires reporting,” explains Smith. “It’s not that the certification is that expensive; it’s the time and documentation that is just burdensome for a smaller farmer.”

Davon Goodwin, the farmer behind 60-acre Off the Land Farms in North Carolina, says that cost is definitely “the biggest thing” keeping him from seeking out the USDA organic certification.

It doesn’t do enough for the humane treatment of animals

While the organic certification has some stipulations about the treatment of animals, most experts agree that they don’t go nearly far enough.

In January, for example, a rule passed forcing certified organic farmers to provide at least one square foot of outdoor space for each 2.25 pounds of poultry in their flock. As a point of comparison, the Certified Humane pastured label requires 108 square feet per bird.

Some farms don’t even fulfill the basic requirements outlined by the USDA organic program, such as Aurora Organic Dairy, which made headlines this summer when a Washington Post exposé found that it was keeping all of its 15,000 cows in pens instead of in pasture; organic farming requires that dairy cows graze at least four months out of the year and have mandatory outdoor access yearround.

These lax regulations have led some sustainably-minded companies to opt out of the organic certification in favor of others that better target animal welfare. EPIC Provisions meat-based protein bars, for example, are certified with Global Animal Partnership rather than USDA organic.

“[USDA organic] is really good at regulating what animals are fed, but it’s not good at regulating how those animals are raised,” EPIC co-founder Taylor Collins told Organic Authority.

“It provides an extremely limited and misguided vantage point from which to assess product and process quality,” explains Katie Forrest, EPIC’s other co-founder. “For example, cows can be confined and eat a diet of ‘organic corn and soy’ — which they’re not biologically intended to consume — and still be labeled as ‘organic’ and commended by the labeling system at hand. The current concept of ‘organic’ in no way addresses animal welfare, animal health, land management, and long-term impact on our planet.”

It doesn’t do enough for the soil

The USDA organic label was created with soil regeneration in mind, but in its current iteration, it doesn’t do nearly enough to protect this rapidly depleting natural resource.

Healthy, biodiverse soil is home to a host of bugs, bacteria, and fungi. But pesticides, herbicides, and antibiotics create imbalances in the soil, and monocultures seep nutrients from it and give nothing back. While USDA organic does prohibit antibiotics and synthetic weedkillers like glyphosate, the program doesn’t do much to encourage farmers to build healthy soil.

“We were after a soil fertility that was self-maintaining and wasn’t wearing out the planet,” says Coleman, noting that this is a far cry from the reality.

“They’re trying to allow hydroponics, and that’s just ridiculous,” he says. “That has nothing to do with what organic farming has always meant.”

“There is a dilution,” explains Ryland Engelhart, co-founder of the soil-focused non-profit Kiss the Ground, “Based on more and more people’s interests and how to monetize organic, scale it really big, and make it mechanical and not ecological. The organic standard has turned more into just a list of what you can’t use, as opposed to practices and philosophies to use to make a resilient environmental, ecological soil health system.”

Not having a certification encourages people to ask questions

Many of the folks opting out of USDA organic are doing so because they think that there’s something better out there: not a label, per se, but a return to a more old-fashioned way of knowing about the quality of your food.

“The old saying was that the only way to be sure was to know the first name of the farmer,” says Coleman.

Janelle Maiocco, founder of Barn2Door, a vertical SaaS platform connecting farmers to chefs, agrees. She says that while she’s glad for the “baseline standards of organic practices,” there are “hundreds of thousands of farms that employ farming practices well above and beyond the baseline requirements of organic certification.”

“At Barn2Door we work with countless ‘non-organic certified’ farms who apply sustainable, regenerative farming practices, value heirloom seeds and heritage breeds, actively work to increase biodiversity, employ high-welfare living conditions for animals, and strive to make their farm ecosystem as healthy as possible,” she says.

Smith notes that small farmers like these often find that once they’ve established reputations and rapport with local farmers markets or CSAs, “they just opt out of certification, because they’re going to keep farming this way, but it’s just not worth the cost and the time and the paperwork, and all the hoops you have to jump through to say that it’s organic.”

He notes that many such farmers have open-door policies to allow people to come explore their farms.

“A lot of these smaller farmers, in order to build their client base, are bragging about their practices. ‘Come look at our soil! Check out our compost!’” he says. “And you can ‘t do that if you’re out there spraying chemicals that are known to be toxic.”

Goodwin invites people to come pick their own grapes on his farm, which he has dubbed “kind of past organic.” He welcomes questions about his practices and seeks to use his lack of certification as a sounding board to educate people about what USDA organic means and, more importantly, what it doesn’t: he notes that many people don’t realize that the USDA organic label allows farmers to spray certain herbicides, for example.

“People are just misled by labels,” he says. “I tell people, ‘You can come to the farm; you can see what we do.’”

Despite this movement away from the label, however, one thing is clear: there’s no doubt in the minds of any of our experts that USDA organic is the way to go, for now.

“Organic farming is the intelligent way to raise crops,” says Coleman. “But at the moment, it is being scammed because the USDA was the wrong organization to put in charge.”

Smith agrees. “With all the flaws with our national organics program, it’s still better than anything else out there,” he says.

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There’s been quite a bit of debate about what organic really means, of late. The biggest issue: can an ethical farmer grow hydroponically or in pots and realistically sport the USDA organic label? The simple answer is – and must always be – no… for the very simple reason that these operations do not protect one of our most limited and valuable agricultural resources: our soil.

The phrase “dirt cheap” is quickly becoming a contradiction in terms: dirt – at least if it’s good dirt – is becoming rarer and rarer. Only 25 percent of the earth’s surface is made up of soil; of that, only 10 percent can be used to grow food, and much of that is currently in distress.

Soil, at its best, is made up of a complex ecosystem of bugs, bacteria, and fungi, all of which work in symbiosis: healthy soil creates a safe living environment for these organisms which, in turn, make the soil richer and stronger, with nutrients that plants can soak up, therefore becoming healthier themselves.

But in recent years, our soil has become inundated with chemicals like insecticides and herbicides that can create imbalances. Add to that our modern farming love for monocultures that seep nutrients from the soil and give nothing back. Adding nutrients back to the soil with compost is a good solution, but only if this compost comes from healthy sources, which is usually not the case.

Perhaps the most surprising thing of all: these issues are not just stemming from big, bad, Big Ag, but also from USDA organic operations.

The History of the USDA Organic Label and Soil

There was a time when the organic label focused on soil. There is even language in the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990 (section 6513 b-1) – requiring organic farmers to foster soil fertility, “primarily through the management of the organic content of the soil through proper tillage, crop rotation, and manuring.”

But while the National Organic Standards Board, which advises the USDA on organic rules and regulations, has no qualms about outlawing dangerous pesticides like glyphosate or harmful additives like carrageenan, it seems that the Board has a bit of a blind spot when it comes to soil – not just by refusing to enforce these soil-building measures, but by considering the possibility that hydroponics and container growing systems could be considered organic.

“There is a dilution,” explains Ryland Engelhart, founder of the soil-focused non-profit Kiss the Ground, “Based on more and more people’s interests and how to monetize organic, scale it really big, and make it mechanical and not ecological. The organic standard has turned more into just a list of what you can’t use, as opposed to practices and philosophies to use to make a resilient environmental, ecological soil health system.”

“They make the argument that they want to grow organics, and at any cost,” says Linley Dixon, PhD, Food and Farm Policy Analyst at the organic watchdog group the Cornucopia Institute, of some current members of the NOSB. “And in order to do that, they’re saying that the law is mainly about inputs.”

While large-scale organic farms, for the most part, follow rules about these “inputs” – which pesticides they can and cannot use, what they can and cannot feed animals – they also tend to produce monocultures or focus only on raising livestock, thus divorcing the farm from the land: livestock farmers are left with more manure than they know what to do with, and crop farmers need to till far too much and outsource manure from other operations to build rapidly depleting soil.

“We end up with 25 Band-Aids stacked on top of each other,” says Engelhart of this approach. “Not a healthy nature, not a healthy farm, not a healthy soil.”

How to Grow Soil Health and Organics

Some experts claim that the best way to resolve this issue is to create a whole new label. “Regenerative agriculture” is a term that’s being bandied about in some circles, highlighting farms that, for example, may spray with an herbicide a few times a year, but are building soil resources at epic speeds through no-till methods.

“The pure and organic folks are like, no, we can’t allow that in, because that will just allow the whole conventional industry to co-opt the whole thing,” says Engelhart.

It seems an impasse has been reached: while it would be a shame to turn our backs on farmers growing soil health, even if they are occasionally adding unapproved chemicals to their land, so too would it be a shame to focus time, energy, and resources on creating a new label, when the USDA organic label finally has so much integrity and meaning to consumers.

“To just move on to something else is a tragedy, and we’ll basically lose ground – literally and figuratively,” explains Engelhart. “Regenerative agriculture will just turn into the new natural or the new sustainable, which means nothing.”

The answer, then, is to help the USDA organic label and the regenerative mindset find one another.

In Engelhart’s mind, this would require the NOSB to take note of existing provisions for soil health, with mandates requiring no or low tilling, no bare soil, no hydroponics, and no monocultures. Even farms devoted to producing only one crop can and should use multi-species cover-cropping methods to avoid the erosion caused by bare ground and to reinforce the health of the soil.

Of course, for any of these things to happen, there has to be soil, first and foremost. As the debate over hydroponics continues, a clear answer – and a clear first step towards rebuilding soil health – has emerged.

“Soilless systems are not organic systems, because they are removed from the regenerative organic practices that capture carbon and nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil,” the Cornucopia Institute wrote to the NOSB on this subject. “Soilless, hydroponic/container growing is not necessarily ‘bad,’ it simply isn’t organic by law.”

In the meantime, consumers would do well to stay conscious of where their food comes from. Choose small, diverse farmers using best practices for crop rotation and no to low tilling… and continue to demand more from the USDA organic label.

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Picking out a bottle of wine should be easy, but when you’re vegan, it’s no easy feat. But it’s about to get a whole lot easier with this guide to choosing vegan wine.

From an organic biodynamic winery to an up-and-comer whose pinot noir is flying off shelves, these are the vegan wine brands you need to try.

How To Tell If Wine Is Vegan

When I first went vegan, I was shocked to learn what is used to process many wines. Fish bladders, egg whites, gelatin, casein?! Count me out. Even many of my non-vegan friends were disgusted to learn what may be lurking in their glass of vino.

These animal byproducts are used to clarify wines during the fining process. But it’s totally unnecessary.

Vegan wine uses bentonite clay (the most popular option), carbon, limestone, kaolin clay, plant casein, silica gel, or vegetable plaques instead. These earth-sourced agents are just as effective at producing delicious wine.

The best source for researching if your wine is vegan is Barnivore. You type in the brand of wine and then if Barnivore has knowledge, it’ll come up with a “Vegan Friendly” or “Not Vegan Friendly” indication.

Unfortunately, not all the info is up to date and a lot of brands are missing. Barnivore is definitely a great resource but I’ve found it’s best to compile a list of wines that are indeed vegan so you don’t have to repeat this lengthy process.

I’m making it easy for you by sharing 5 brands of wine that are definitely vegan and can be found at most grocery stores.

Vegan Wine Brands

1. Frey Wine

Image via Frey Wine

Frey Wine is organic, biodynamic, and produced in Mendocino County without added sulfites or synthetic preservatives. The clean winery boasts a wide range of varieties including merlot, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, zinfandel, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and even rosé! Frey wines can be found at Sprouts Farmers Markets and Whole Foods Markets.

I recommend the sauvignon blanc which has crisp, fruity flavors. Pair a glass of sauvignon blanc with this vegan pesto and a plate of vegetable crudités and crackers.

2. Meiomi

Image via Meiomi

Meiomi wine is one of the hottest brands at the moment despite its relative newness to the market. Meiomi wines are produced along the coast of California in Sonoma, Monterey, and Santa Barbara. Currently, the winery offers two varieties; pinot noir and chardonnay, which can be found at a variety of grocery stores and wine shops.

While I have tried and loved both, the pinot noir is a must. It’s perfect for those who are new to red wines since it’s not overly bitter and is somewhat sweet. But even wine connoisseurs can’t resist this pinot noir’s exceptional flavor. Pair it with a vegan lasagna for a hearty Italian meal.

3. La Crema

Image via La Crema

La Crema, a Sonoma-based winery, is not only vegan but also employs sustainable practices. Its vineyards are CCSW-Certified (Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing.) It offers a variety of wines available at most grocery stores and wine.

I recommend the chardonnay which is smooth and almost buttery in taste. It pairs perfectly with this beet and turnip gratin.

4. Wilson Creek Winery

Image via Wilson Creek Winery

Temecula-based Wilson Creek Winery started in 1996 and has gone on to produce a number of uniquely flavored sparkling wines. You can find Wilson Creek Winery’s wines at many stores including Sprouts Farmers Market, Total Wine, and Cost Plus World Market.

My personal favorite is the best-seller, Almond Sparkling Champagne. The sweet wine pairs wonderfully with these vegan crepes for a delicious dessert.

5. Girasole Vineyards

Image via Girasole Vineyards

Girasole Vineyards produces organic vegan wines out of Mendocino, Calif. The wines proudly display “vegan-friendly” on the back of every bottle so no research is even needed. Girasole Vineyards’ wines can be found at Whole Foods Markets.

I have tried the chardonnay and really enjoy the light flavors and mild fruity aromas. Pair any one of their wines with an array of vegan cheese for a delicious happy hour.

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Color us (not at all) surprised – the biggest group of organic food buyers are Millennial parents, according to a new survey by the Organic Trade Association.

The survey of 1,800 households across the nation found that more than half of parents who are buying organic food regularly are between the ages of 18 and 34, as compared to a little more than a third of Gen-Xers and 14 percent of Baby Boomers. And as more and more members of this generation become parents, the face of the food industry is changing to reflect their shopping habits.

“The Millennial shopper puts a high premium on the healthiness and quality of the food they choose for their families,” says Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association.

A large part of the Millennial desire to buy organic food likely has to do with this generation’s shift away from trust in advertising to trust in fellow shoppers. A generation that grew up with Facebook likes, YouTube comments, and Yelp reviews, Millennials, more than any other generation, look to their social circles – be they local or web – to find out what they should be buying. In other words, the more Millennials like organic food, the more Millennials will like organic food.

In fact, Kantar Retail predicts that in the next ten years, up to 50 percent of retailer innovation will be focused on fresh, local, organic, natural or healthy products, to reflect this growing trend.

Millennials don’t just like organic food — they also know a lot about it. Seventy-seven percent of Millennials surveyed reported that they were either well informed or knew quite a bit about organic food. And with that knowledge comes trust – 54 percent say that they have confidence in the label’s integrity, and nearly 60 percent say that they have a strong connection with the label.

We can’t be too surprised about this trend. After all, Millennials have grown up hearing about how healthy organic food is, and when it comes time to feed their families, Millennials, like anyone, want only the best.

“This generation has grown up eating organic, and seeing that organic label,” says Batcha. “It’s not surprising that they have a greater knowledge of what it means to be organic, and consequently a greater trust of the organic label.”

The survey also showed that forty percent of Millennials believe that choosing organic is an integral part of living green, as opposed to 32 percent of Gen Xers and 28 percent of Baby Boomers. Eco living is of increased importance to Millennials according to a 2015 Nielsen study, which showed that three out of every four Millennials deemed sustainable shopping important.

“(Millennials) are deeply committed to supporting a food system that sustains and nurtures the environment,” says Batcha.

When all of these factors come together, it’s no surprise that the newest generation of children are being nourished with an increased proportion of organic food; we can only assume that they’ll be passing the trend on.

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If buying clothing with compassion is your preferred way to shop, then you’re going to love the collaboration between Bloomingdale’s and UNIFORM.

You may have missed the launch party, but you’re just in time to shop the collection with compassion. Designed with men and women in mind, UNIFORM has stylish separates for both sexes, with many gender-neutral pieces that could be worn by anyone. What’s equally as awesome is what and who these clothes stand for. But before we get to the aesthetics, let’s talk about the heart of the business.

Founded by entrepreneur and serial do-gooder, Chid Liberty, UNIFORM’s clothing line has deep roots in Africa. According to the Wall Street Journal, Liberty was born in Liberia. He would leave as a toddler, not to return until 2009. Although many years had passed, his objective was clear: create jobs for women who were out of work due to the ebola outbreak, and do something about the low school enrollment rates in Liberia.

Prior to his 2009 excursion, Liberty worked in Silicon Valley, but what he really wanted was to make a difference. Liberty went on to co-found the business, Liberty & Justice, which is known as “Africa’s first Fair Trade certified apparel manufacturer, with a factory in Liberia and partnerships with others in Morocco, Kenya, and Ghana.” Once established, Liberty set out to solve other problems in the community. He noticed that many children were missing school in Liberia, having one of “the lowest school enrollment rates in Africa,” and that many women had suffered job losses due to the ebola outbreak.

His next venture, UNIFORM, was ultimately spurred by these two factors, morphing into a clothing company with compassion. It is Liberian-produced, the materials, like the organic Benin cotton, are locally sourced, and it makes sure to integrate the community into its day-to-day operations. Plus, for every article of clothing sold, the business will donate a free uniform to a Liberian child.

Furthermore, this company now boasts a 90 percent female workforce, a five-star GIIRS rating (read more about that here), and won the 2011 SVN Social Innovation Award. Liberty told the Wall Street Journal, “Through our factory, I’ve seen women open their first bank accounts, build houses, even leave terrible marriages. Witnessing that impact has been powerful.”     

Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Bloomingdale’s department store and UNIFORM celebrated their collaboration by holding a launch party. But don’t worry, you still have time to sign up for the web exclusive (www.shopuniform.com) that’s been extended to October 14th, so you’d better hurry! The retailer hosted the co-founder, Chid Liberty, as well as a big name from the music industry, Young Paris, who performed live at the event.  

The clothing line is being sold at Bloomingdale’s and features “elevated essentials” for men and women, like reversible bomber jackets, African organic cotton tees, shirt dresses, sweatshirts, joggers, and banded collar button downs. The best part, aside from all the good this company is doing, is that every piece retails for under $100!

We have a little sneak peak of the menswear, which looks ridiculously good, and has a price point to match. And with rumors circulating that this is the softest t-shirt anyone has ever tried, or the one they’ve been looking for all their lives, then it’s safe to say that we’d really like to get our hands on one…or ten. Which, remember, also means ten uniforms donated to children in need!

Ok, ladies, whether you get this for the man in your life or not, this bomber jacket is not only great for him, but a great piece to snag for yourself! Sporty, utilitarian, and chic, this jacket, currently retailing for $85, would look awesome with distressed jeans, sneakers, and your favorite baseball cap.

Don’t know about you, but I love a good sweatshirt, and this heather gray colorblocked version is right up my alley. Retailing for $60, I would absolutely wear this, whether labeled “mens” or not. Great with jeans, leggings, athleisure, and more, this would be a fall/winter staple for sure.

And last but not least, is the organic cotton #worldsoftesttee. For a mere $35, you better believe I’ll be giving this t-shirt a go in my wardrobe. The crewneck top is perfect for fall layering, regardless of gender. Pair it with a flannel, distressed jeans, and combat boots for a trendy and edgy look for fall.

Clothing with compassion is where it’s at for us. What did you think of the Bloomingdale’s X UNIFORM launch? Are you eager to see the women’s line? Would you wear that bomber jacket? Share your thoughts with us on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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Image of T-Shirts via UNIFORM

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With new organic materials being discovered and used, how long will it take see an improvement in pollution caused by big fashion?

Alternet calls it “the second dirtiest thing in the world,” and, yes, unless living in nudist colonies is your thing, then you are wearing it. No shirt, no shoes, no service – like it or not, clothes are an essential aspect of conducting normal lives, but according to recent findings, we’re helping to contribute to an industry with a pollution status of epidemic proportions, because the only industry that contaminates more than big fashion is big oil.

As Alternet so aptly pointed out, there are obvious areas of pollution, such as cotton farming pesticides, toxic chemical dyes, and waste created by the nearly 11 million tons of clothing discarded by Americans every year, but there are other lesser known unsavory practices that take place behind the scenes. “The extravagant amount of natural resources used in extraction, farming, harvesting, processing, manufacturing and shipping” are also cause for concern.

Changing an industry’s practices that is so large and so well established, while possible, would require cooperation, compliance, and possibly a lifetime to turn around. However, this doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. In fact, there are new textiles on the horizon that could help combat some of these issues, including the resulting biodegradable properties of your clothing, therefore increasing the recyclability, as well as the use of organic materials in order to create new fabrics and textiles.  

1. Muskin

Created from organic materials, Muskin is a textile breakthrough that’s making positive waves in the vegan community. GradoZero Espace, a textile manufacturer based in Italy, has presented the public with a “leather” that is cruelty-free because it’s crafted from mushrooms caps. The total absence of chemicals, even in the tanning process, makes this one hundred percent non-toxic, biodegradable, and perfect for close contact with the skin. With an appearance similar to suede, but much softer, GradoZero Espace claims MuSkin is antibacterial and has the ability to both absorb and release moisture, making it ideal for insoles and watch straps.

2. Naoron

Soft Naoron is a paper developed by SIWA from wood pulp and polyolefin utilizing the washi-suki paper manufacturing method. This textile is used to create bags that are flexible, highly water-resistant, and do not tear easily. When burned, Naron does not emit noxious fumes. According to the website, the company is located in Ichikawamisato, Yamanashi, which boasts a 1000 year history of papermaking, where the Japanese paper (washi) maker ONAO and industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa have teamed together to create the SIWA series.

3. Kapok

This silky cotton-like fiber from GradoZero Espace is a tiny cellulose tube with air sealed inside. It’s lauded for its buoyancy and was once the primary stuffing of life preservers and water safety equipment in the mid 1900s. Apparently it’s making a comeback as filler for some garments in an Italian fashion line, and serves a great insulator for winter coats, sleeping bags, and even mattresses. What’s great is that kapok is biodegradable, reusable, and the Ceiba trees from which kapok comes are said to be grown without widespread cultivation.

4. CRAiLAR

Made from bast fibers from flax and industrial hemp, Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc., of Canada, proudly manufacturers biodegradable and sustainable CRAiLAR fabrics. The unique process is the star here, thanks to an enzymatic treatment that “removes pectins that stiffen the fibers, yielding a fiber similar to cotton in softness and durability.” Self-appointed as “the friendliest fibers on the planet,” CRAiLAR has set the bar for itself very high, but does claim that it’s process “dramatically reduces chemical and water usage,” which would help combat some of the issues with fashion today.

5. Ingeo

Dextrose derived from “field corn already grown for many industrial & functional end-uses” is Ingeo’s primary ingredient. And although the sugar source, not the corn, is the real necessity, “cellulosic raw materials, agricultural wastes and non-food plants” are potentials for the future. Brought to you by Nature Works, LLC., apparel made from Ingeo has the ability to correct some of the bad fashion manufacturing habits and pitfalls we discussed earlier.

Since Ingeo is comprised of plant material, as opposed to oil, creating this clothing “uses 50 percent less non-renewable energy and results in 75 percent less greenhouse gases.” With so many positives to choosing Ingeo, it would be difficult to name them all, but the notion that replacing the PET in 100,000 plastic food containers with Ingeo can save greenhouse gas emissions equal to driving a car 16,000 miles and non-renewable energy equal to 775 gallons of gasoline is definitely worth mentioning.

Hopefully we will be seeing an influx of these new fabrics in stores, as opposed to just reading about them, in order to bring change to the current state of big fashion. Until then, it’s important to support businesses such as these and continue to urge them out into the mainstream through sales and word of mouth. How do you think pollution from fashion can be reduced or eradicated? Share your thoughts with us on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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Androgynous, gender-fluid, gender-neutral, and gender bending are just a few of the ways the latest menswear fashion trends are being described. And whether it’s a way of life for you, or you’re simply experimenting with a new style, these designers have made it their mission to create something for everyone, regardless of gender or identity.

My own foray into menswear actually started way back in middle school – I preferred baggy khakis and vintage oversized men’s button downs riddled with abstract patterns to the curve-hugging feminine wares that I opted for just a couple of years later. And for reasons unknown, I escaped ridicule for my clothing choices, or was oblivious to such ammunition at the time, and was able to experiment generally judgement-free. Needless to say, the pendulum swung both ways, and has since landed somewhere very comfortable on the spectrum.

Unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky as I was to have had the opportunity to experiment without the bullying and shaming that often accompanies anything outside of what society deems “normal.” But with the emergent positive media coverage of transgender people, gender fluidity, and androgynous fashions, these small victories are shaping the future for a less hostile world. Fortunately, there are a few great designers already at the helm of such gender-neutral fashions and they’re specializing in menswear – some that’s even fabricated to fit the female body proportionately – so let’s take a look at a couple of these trendy trailblazers.

Kirrin Finch

After deciding to “join the movement that rejects traditional stereotypes and gives people the freedom to be their true selves,” Kirrin Finch was realized. As the brainchild of two women who share the desire to bring menswear designed to fit the female form, coupled with clothing that is also ethically-produced using materials like organic cotton and recycled plastic bottles, this team is making their mark in the LGBT community and beyond.

The fledgling company, established in 2015, already appears to be off to a great start, both in terms of intention and design. Laura Moffat and Kelly Sanders Moffat, the owner-operators, were tired of the either too baggy or too tight appearance of the button downs available on the market, not to mention the hyper-feminine look of most pieces, which they were trying to avoid. And stemming from that obvious need, the Kirrin Finch shirt was honed into what it is today. With attention to increasing the bust and removing the girly details like darting, the shirts are designed to fit like a glove.

Make these button down tops work for summer by rolling up your sleeves and pairing them with Bermuda length shorts and boat shoes or sandals. If it’s really warm, then wear it unbuttoned layered over a thin tee or tank. These would also work great paired with khakis in a business casual setting, for a brunch date, or as a wedding guest.

Brave GentleMan

Brave GentleMan’s latest collection is showing the versatility of the company’s menswear by using women as the muses in a recent photo shoot for the seasonal campaign. This, however, is completely the norm when it comes to this business’s budding clientele. The owner, Joshua Katcher, informed Ecouterre that it is not uncommon for the company to receive requests from women for the menswear to come in ladies sizes. And with the acceptance of androgyny expanding, it only makes sense for Brave GentleMan to include customers from all walks of life. Specializing primarily in tailored designs that would be perfect for the office, cocktail, or evening out, these blazers, trousers, shoes, tops, and more, will have you looking dapper no matter the occasion. What’s equally as impressive, though, is the company’s serious dedication to sustainability and the inclusion of unique vegan materials.

With the idea that “ethical fashion is not an aesthetic,” but rather a “methodology,” Brave GentleMan does not believe animals should be used in fashion production, and therefore opts to use materials such as vegan “future-wool,” made from recycled cotton and polyester, “future-silk,” made from recycled water bottles, and “future-leather,” a high-tech microfiber that is EU-Ecolabel Certified. The gender-bending biz even goes so far as to have buttons made from corozo (tagua nut) and uses low-impact dyes. The company’s employees receive fair living wages and while also taking care to remember adjacent ecosystems during manufacturing.

Make these separates work for summer by layering for the office – wear a shell under your blazer for easy removal to and from the office or meeting. If you’re heading out on the town, team a set of trousers with a sexy fitted tucked-in tank and a pair of heels for a menswear-inspired outfit that still features feminine flair.

Have you ever faced and/or overcome adversity because of your fashion or lifestyle choices? Share your stories with us on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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The time to show Mom your appreciation is just around the corner, so we’ve compiled this special Mother’s Day gift guide to help you finalize the perfect present for the parent who has played such an important role in your life.

Surprise her with something that’s thoughtful, personal, and sustainable without sacrificing style. You know your mom (or that special mother figure) in ways that no one else does, which is why it’s important to take a little time to show your gratitude for all that she’s done. Have a look at our suggestions below – and remember that even if you can’t get these to her before Sunday, they will at least provide some gift giving inspiration that can be recreated by visiting your local co-op, health food, or specialty store.

1. The Earthy Momma

If you’re going to get Mom a card that’s not handmade – which, by the way, you’re never too old to participate in – then opt for a recycled greeting card instead. Boutique style gift shops typically carry these, but you may also get lucky at a big box store if you don’t have another alternative. Recycled Paper Greetings has a handy zip code search for retailers near you and your eco conscious mom will appreciate the extra thought.

2. The Chocolate Lover

Peanut butter cups, peppermint crème patties, truffles, salted caramels…are you drooling yet? Mom definitely will be when you give her the gift of delicious, organic, fair trade chocolates from one of three gourmet chocolatiers we’ve handpicked for you. For the vegan mom, we recommend Allison’s Gourmet, the traditional mommy will appreciate the heart shaped goodies from Mama-Ganache, and the hip momma will adore the trendy confections from Theo Chocolate.

3. The Green Thumb

Rather than flowers that will only last a few days, give her a gift that will flourish for weeks and months to come. Not only will it give mom a reason to smile, but she’ll think of you every time she tends to her plants. Succulents are still popular among botanical lovers and this little living wall planter kit from Uncommon Goods may be just the thing for Mother’s Day.

4. The Techy

Ok, so maybe tech savvy is a stretch for the mom that recently learned to (sort of) send text messages, but she would probably appreciate pimping out her cell with one of the pretty and biodegradable phone covers from Pela. Made from Flaxstic, these cases utilize the often overlooked flax plant combined with plant based bio-plastic in order to create a durable, functional, and beautiful product. They come in multiple colors, but we especially like the lavender.

5. The Zen Mom

For the meditating momma who loves to relax with a good fragrance, we recommend Neom Organics for her aromatic gifts. Whether she regularly channels her inner Zen, or just prefers to smell something wonderful while she burns the midnight oil, choose a candle that contains a whopping 30 to 4o milliliters of pure essential oils, combined with a complex blend of pure, natural vegetable wax.

6. The Caffeine Craver

Whether it’s a strong cup of joe or an afternoon break for tea she craves, give your mom what she wants this year by ordering some of the best organic and fair trade gourmet coffees and teas from Equal Exchange. The beans are grown by small farmers and sourced from co-ops that produce the best product from each harvest, and the teas are from small farms in India, Sri Lanka, and South Africa as opposed to plantations.

7. The Glamour Gal

There are plenty of beautiful fair trade options for the fashion lover in your life, and One World Fair Trade has numerous choices for Mom no matter her personal style. From jewelry to clothing to handbags and more, there is something for every mom from this online retailer. We especially like the aesthetic (and the price) of the unique and elegant Capiz Shell Leaf Earrings found on the site.

8. The Hostess

Viva Terra is the spot for helping your mom stockpile her kitchen with some of the best serving ware for her next gathering. From beautiful serving utensils to recycled glass dishes and bowls, you’ll be sure to find something that fits her personality perfectly. We are especially fond of the Teak Wood Riser and Tray Collection, as well as the Aurora Recycled Glass Serving Bowl.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our Mother’s Day gift guide to sustainable, organic, and eco-friendly ideas that have something for every mom, young or old. Now you can not only show your love and appreciation for the mom or mother figure in your life, but you can also share your passion for making the world a better place – she should be proud for raising such a thoughtful and compassionate child! Do you have any special Mother’s Day gift giving tradition? What do you think of our list? Share your thoughts on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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