Hello! How has your holiday season been going so far? Per usual, the days are flying by quicker than ever. (Which is terrifying, but also supposedly normal?) Yet another reason why it's been so long since there's been a new LunaVida post. But I'm back with a 100% vegan and cruelty-free gift guide! (If you'd like to see past gift guides for even more ideas, you can check those out here.)

I wanted to post this with a bit of a disclaimer though. You may have noticed over the past few years that, while I've never been one to not re-wear the same articles of clothing (for literally years and years), this blog has really transformed over the years. That's because I really don't want to contribute to unnecessary consumerism. Our planet just can't handle our ongoing wastefulness. It simply can't. That being said, you know what would be better than any of these presents listed here? Donating to a cause that is close to your loved one's heart. Cooking a plant-based holiday meal for a neighbor in need. Spending our most valuable resource (our time) to volunteer at an animal shelter or picking up litter. Isn't that what the holiday season should be about anyway? Not Dudley Dursley-level numbers of toys that kids will break in a few hours or yet another gray sweater. (Don't get me wrong. I love a good grey sweater on Black Friday sale too, but once I learned about the environmental impact fast fashion is having on our planet, I can't in good conscious keep buying whenever a whim strikes or simply because something is a good deal.)

Trust me. I enjoy stuff as much as the next person. And I still have a long way to go in lessening my unnecessary waste and fast fashion. (Truly ethical brands are so expensive! 😓 But really, if you know of a good one that someone on a nonprofit salary can afford, please share.). But over the past couple of years, I've been trying to make a conscious effort to resist the rampant consumerism that is alive and well in our society—especially when December hits each year. If we're going to be making those holiday purchases though, let's collectively agree to at least do so as mindfully as possible, yeah? That's why today's gift guide has vegan, cruelty-free, and affordable ideas for all sorts of people in your life! (And please know that this is not me shaming anyone! I am just as guilty as the next person and can do so much better. And hey, if you have been needing something, hell yes take advantage of all the sales going on this time of year! Save that hard-earned money, honey. But many of us can certainly be more cognizant of our "spending just to spend" habits.)
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Stocking stuffers

Handheld plant milk frother I admit that I bought this with no real need for it, other than that I was trying to cut back on our weekend morning trips to the coffee shop down the street from our house. That being said, Matt and I LOVE ours. And yes, best of all, it has drastically reduced the number of coffee shop oat milk lattes we buy. We make our weekend AM cups of coffee at home so much more now!
Reusable K-Cups I am SO bummed that K-Cups are still even a thing. They are so heartbreakingly wasteful. We do have a Keurig, but we've never bought K-Cups. Instead, we buy bulk size coffee grounds of our favorite flavors and use these reusable coffee pods instead. It literally takes under 10 seconds to fill them up, so it's still super convenient and quick like a Keurig's purpose is supposed to be!
Pacifica products There are so many to choose from, but you can't go wrong with this 100% vegan and cruelty-free brand! They're a go-to for me for allllllll types of beauty products. These sheet masks or this skincare set would be fun (and actually desirable) for White Elephant.
Tarte Cosmetics Collection The mascara included in this set is by far the best I've ever used! It's so good that it's the only kind the I use. My mom and sisters are hooked too! I also love the other Tarte makeup I've used, so this seems like a solid option.
Herb garden This is such a cute idea for anyone who may not have outdoor space but wishes they could grow their own food. Plus, who doesn't love beautiful greenery in their home?
CANDY Enough said.

Gifts under $30—and that make donations on your behalf!

Dog tee - 20% of profits are donated to animal shelters!  I personally have this shirt (seen here and here) so I can vouch that it'd make an amazing present for the animal lover in your life.  (I also have this Extra Dog Mom sweatshirt and this Home With My Cat t-shirt from the same shop. Highly recommend those too!)
100% Human tank - $5 from each product in this collection sold goes to the American Civil Liberties Union. This brand is known for its transparency. They partner with only the best factories and ensure employees are paid a fair wage and work reasonable hours in a safe environment.

Socks - For each clothing item purchased, a "specially-designed donation clothing item of the same kind is donated to someone in need."  My mom told me about this company. She loves their no show socks. They are pretty pricey and, let's be honest, not everyone wants socks for a gift... but I love how they give back and had to include them!
Ethically responsible subscription box - They partner with orgs that empower disadvantaged communities and create jobs. My sister got me this for Christmas last year and then again for my 30th birthday. It's that good! The value is insane—and even better, they source only the highest quality, cruelty-free, and socially responsible brands! I've literally loved every item I've received in those boxes and found new brands I want to support.

Amazing organizations who I'm sure would love a donation from you :D

The Humane League Yes, it may seem that I'm being biased because this is the group I work for. BUT it was my favorite organization long before I was ever employed by them! THL fights to make largescale change for billions for animals on factory farms across the globe every day. I know firsthand that your gift goes on to help great work be done :)
A Well-Fed World You know what doesn't make any sense? Using meat, which uses a disturbing amount of resources, to feed those experiencing hunger. You may be like "WTF are you saying? Why?" Well, for example, more than half of the grain in the United States and nearly 40% of the entire world's grain is being fed to livestock, rather than being eaten directly by people. That is A LOT of wasted food. How about, instead, we cut out the middle part and feed healthier, more sustainable, and less cruelty-centric plants to humans? This NGO lets you donate a meal, similarly to another very famous org that has you purchase a live animal to feed a family; however, rather than killing an innocent creature, you feed an impoverished child healthier and more sustainable plant-based options!
Planned Parenthood Because access to affordable healthcare FOR ALL matters. Plain and simple.
Everytown For Gun Safety This group is helping to bring commonsense gun reform to the United States. There are 100 gun-related deaths every single day in America. That is unacceptable. We can do better. Everytown is working to make a safer world a reality by fighting gun violence.
American Civil Liberties Union This human rights organization's mission is to "defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States."
Groups in your local community Your own neighborhood may need your help! Whether it's spending time with the elderly, meals on wheels, socializing cats at your local shelter, doing a river cleanup, helping to build a barn at a nearby farm animal sanctuary, or any of the other thousands of things that need our aid, you can do so much to help the causes your loved one's care about without ever having to spend a penny. *During this time of year, a lot of these orgs probably have donors who are matching gifts, so your donations can be doubled—even tripled in some cases!*

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It's odd (and kinda hard) for me to create gift guides. That's probably because I'm just not a big "gift person" personally. It's my very last love language (Matt's too, actually), so I'm both not great at giving or receiving gifts. This is not a great trait, I know, but presents just don't cross my mind often. I'd rather someone spend their money on an issue that's dear to them or help someone they know who's actually in need rather than give me something that I don't need. I know that sounds kinda bratty, but we live in a 750 square foot home—I simply don't have the space for anything extra! (Ha, just kidding.)
Oh, one more relevant thing that came to mind for this time of year! My sister recently told me about ThredUp's Clean Out Kit. They send you a bag, you put the clothes you want to donate in it, ship it back for free, and they either sell (and give you money or you can donate it) the clothes OR responsibly recycle them for you. Isn't that amazing?! And since I imagine a lot of us will be purging our closets in the coming weeks, you can sign up right here for a free kit to be mailed to you!
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Happy holidays!

PS: Yesterday was LunaVida's seventh anniversary, which is insane! Thanks for sticking around all these years and through all the changes 🤗
PPS: And yes, I am aware how long it's been since I wrote a post on LunaVida. I apologize. I was not joking about how busy life has become in my 30s. So I'll try to be back here again as soon as I can! And as always, for more timely updates, follow along on Instagram @alliegee319 :)

Gift Guide | Last Minute Vegan Valentine's Day Ideas

Happy almost Valentine's Day!
Did you forget Valentine's is just a matter of days away? Me too, me too... Thankfully though, if you have access to an Amazon Prime account you can have vegan and cruelty-free presents delivered and ready to go in time for your significant other, family member, friend, or any loved one on your list! All of the below gift ideas are via Amazon, and many are eligible for free two-day shipping!

* You can order directly by clicking on the photo of each item. *

🍫 Put together a vegan-friendly candy basket

Pretty cute and festive, eh? Some of my personal favorites are included. (Side note: Putting this together felt like torture to myself since Matt and I are still doing our plant-based Whole30.)

 

🛀 Create a vegan and cruelty-free self-care set

Or you can always purchase a pre-made one. Either way, it's perfect for the homebody love of your life!
  

👕 Try something more traditional

Think along the lines of cozy clothing items, cookbooks to try the recipes out together, etc.

 

🐖 Make a donation in their name to an animal protection nonprofit

This is my personal favorite option, and it's great for those who don't want/need any material goods. Some of the top-rated animal charities are The Humane League, Animal Equality, Animal Place, Mercy For Animals, and Farm Sanctuary. You can also consider making a donation to a favorite animal rescue near their city. (Personally, my favorite local to San Diego sanctuary is Farm Animal Refuge in Campo, California!)
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If you need more ideas, check out past LunaVida cruelty-free and vegan gift guides here. If you are more the type to celebrate by spending quality time rather than exchanging presents (which is 100% Matt and me seeing as gift giving is the last Love Language for both of us), check out some inexpensive and free date ideas here!
Do you celebrate V-Day or do you prefer to skip right over it each year?

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Spring Bucket List

Who's itchin' for spring? I know pretty much all of my family in Ohio certainly is. We've had a "cold" front here in San Diego (which basically just means it's been windy -- and a little less than perfect like we're so accustomed to), but I'm mostly ready for those longer days! I am sick of the short daytime hours. I can't wait for the sun to shine late into the evening - all the more time for spring activities! Which brings me to today's post topic: my Spring 2018 bucket list!

Blue one-piece swimsuit with braided back detail: c/o PinkBlush This is the most comfortable one-piece I've ever put on my body! It's stretchy in the right places and holds... ahem, certain things in where we want them held in. Plus the color is SO pretty in person. Add in the braided detail on the back and you've got a recipe for favorite bathing suit ever!
 Light wash cutoff denim shorts (also seen here, here & here): Old Navy
 Wide-brimmed straw sun hat with black ribbon detail (also seen here, here & here): Target
Perfect black cat with RBF named Luna: One of a kind
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1. Check out springtime fairs

Once those beautiful warm breezes start blowing in, it becomes increasingly difficult for me to not want to spend every waking moment outdoors. What better way to do so than perusing antique, food truck, veggie, etc fairs?

2. Head to the beach for the day

No, I will not actually be venturing into the water. The Pacific Ocean is FRIGID in case you haven't heard. Even in the dead of summer, it's still unpleasantly chilly. Needless to say, I will not be hopping in this spring. But that doesn't mean I can't pack up our umbrella, a picnic, and a blanket and walk down for a day spent in the sand!

3. Go flower picking

With all the blooms popping up everywhere, I'm determined to find a place that allows you to pick your own. (There was a place that had sunflowers that I previously mentioned in a post about affordable spring date ideas, but I think they closed. 😟 Does anyone in San Diego County know of another spot?)

4. See The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch

#3 leads me to #4 - the famous Carlsbad Flower Fields. Matt and I have never been, but just click here and you'll see why it made this list.

5. Hit up a new farmers' market

I love going to local farmers markets year-round, but there is something special about going to them when the first of the spring harvests begin to pop up in the vendors' booths. Plus, this time of year has some of the best seasonal fruits and vegetables. (Fresh strawberries on the cheap, people!)

6. Get back to hiking with the pups

I know, I know. I keep saying I'm going to do this. But then the cold fronts come, and Netflix calls. Once that sun starts shining though I am getting back on the trails with the dogs in tow. We are so lucky in Southern California to have trails along the ocean, canyons, and mountains all within a short drive. It's high time Matt and I went back to taking advantage of it all!

7. Make a trip back to Julian

I've discussed my love of the small town of Julian before. I now hear talk that someone has finally created vegan apple pie and I need to get myself a slice! Thus, another day trip is in our future this springtime. I'm making certain of that.
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What is on your springtime bucket list?

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Vegan Holiday Gift Guide [& Giveaway!]

Hey there, holiday fans! Knowing what to gift your plant-based, cruelty-free living loved ones can seem daunting if it's not a lifestyle that you adhere to personally. What if (s)he hates it? What if I don't even know what "vegan" really means? Is vegan the same as gluten-free? (Answer to the last one: No. No, it is not the same.)
Fear not, kind people who wish to shower their vegan friends with a present or two. To make it easier on you for loving a vegan, I have a created a gift guide that doesn't include wool, silk, leather, feathers, milk, eggs, angora, etc. These items don't even contain trace amounts of animal products so you should be in the clear, sweet soul! (And if you are a vegan reading this, feel free to share this gift guide with a nudge, nudge, wink, wink in your letter to Santa Claus this year.)
And hey, even if you don't know any vegans it never hurts to purchase goods that no animals were harmed in the making of! We all should support the businesses and products that align with our beliefs (and who doesn't adore animals living happy, long lives? 😊)

Stocking Stuffers

"Vegan" Knee-High Socks - I know you're not supposed to buy socks for people, but doesn't that also make it a funny stocking stuffer option? (Or does this make you judge my sense of humor in a negative light? ...) Plus, we vegans tend to wear it on our calves sleeves. And with these high socks you get all the winter coziness one craves minus the wool that so many socks have!

Seattle Chocolates Assorted Vegan Dark Chocolate Truffle Bars - My mom got this bundle of three chocolate bars for me last Christmas and it is now my favorite chocolate brand. All three flavors in the gift set taste amazing (and I totally intend to buy this for myself in 3... 2... 1).

Gifts Under $25

"Thug Kitchen" The Official Cookbook: Eat Like You Give a F*ck - I've mentioned this book previously and here I am talkin' about it again. That's because it really is that good. The whole cookbook series is fantastic - and funny to boot.

Pacifica Roll-On Perfume Trio - I have this fragrance set; therefore I can personally vouch for how downright deeeeeee-licious it smells. All three scents are so good and this brand is entirely vegan and cruelty-free!

Gifts Under $50

Go Customized Personalized Cell Phone Case - Personalized presents are always nice since it means you took the extra time to really think about the person. For this gift, you choose the electronic device you want to get a case for and then design it however you please! Why not put a picture of your vegan pal's beloved pet on a case? Sweet and sentimental! They're sure to love it. (For my iPhone case courtesy of Go Customized, I chose a photo of Matt and Dakota overlooking one of our favorite spots in Del Mar. I've already dropped my phone multiple times -- #accidentprone -- and it hasn't scratched up even the tiniest bit! I am obsessed with it.)

Enter at the end of this post for a chance to win your own personalized phone case from Go Customized!

(Second place winner gets 35% off their purchase.)

Custom Monogram Ring - Monogrammed jewelry is timeless and classic. You just can't go wrong with it. There's a reason so many people love the look, no matter what their style may be.

Thoughtful Gifts That Give Back

"My Favorite Breed is Rescued" Cuff Bracelet - Purchasing a bracelet like this one from LemonBug lets your plant-based pal share their passions via their accessories. It also donates money to the featured animal rescue or charity of your choice. Win-win!

"I Just Want To Hang With My Dog" T-shirt - I can personally vouch for this shirt from The Daily Tay because I own it and it is my favorite ever. What's even better? When you buy it 20% of profits are donated to an animal shelter and you get to support a small business. (I also think this shirt would be a hit with the kitty lovers of the world. It donates money to animals, as well!)

Custom Pet Portrait - Companion animals, art, and a donation made to local shelters all in one purchase? This is a vegan gift goldmine, people.
If material goods aren't your friend's thing then consider asking for a charity they would like you to donate to in their honor. Personally, I'm skipping asking for any gifts this year and I'm asking for people to instead give to The Humane League. (Shameless plug here: if you would like to help farm animals this holiday season you can donate here to a fundraiser I am a part of. Thanks for any support at all. Every dollar counts. Plus through the end of the year, a donor has agreed to match every dollar 2:1 which means your donation would be tripled to help more animals! Psst - if you donate at least $1 it will also count as five entries into the giveaway below!)

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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What's on your winter wish list? Was this vegan gift guide helpful at all? I hope it was because I do realize that navigating veganism can be intimidating if you aren't familiar with it. Really though, I promise it's not scary at all. Whatever you decide to give them I recommend just checking labels for animal byproducts, or make it even simpler by sticking to brands that are labeled as vegan (such as Pacifica) and you'll be good to go. Your plant-based bud(s) will be so appreciative that you took the time and energy to respect their lifestyle. And isn't that the best present of all? 😊 Happy holidays, everyone.

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