In with the tulips, out with the frost! We are celebrating the season of new beginnings, brighter days, and blooming flowers with a spring plant-based and cruelty-free “must” list.
Whether you’re looking for sustainable threads, vegan cookbooks, or plant-based snacks, we’ve got you covered. From protein bars created by a mother-daughter duo to cruelty-free nail polish, here are some of our favorite feel-good picks to welcome spring with open, kind-living arms.
Reads for animal-lovers and plant-based eaters
If you’ve been vegan for decades, days, or just want to experiment with some new plant-based recipes, “Vegan Yack Attack” is a must for anyone with a busy schedule.
There are recipes for airport snacks, potluck fare (hello, springtime picnics), and car breakfasts, plus gorgeous photos that will take the guesswork out of wondering what you’re making.
P.S., the no-bake-apricot almond bars would be the ideal treat for a spring backyard party.
Cravings Made Vegan: 50 Plant-Based Recipes for Your Comfort Food Favorites
For vegans who still occasionally (or not so occasionally) crave creamy mac n’ cheese and decadent donuts, “Cravings Made Vegan” is for you. From tips and tricks like the best substitutes for eggs, to vegan recipes of everything from lasagna to corn dogs, this book is a go-to for those days when you want to indulge – while sticking to a vegan lifestyle.
Animal-lovers looking for a spring read, go to your nearest bookstore and checkout, “The Soul of an Octopus.” With every page turn you’ll be reminded of the amazing connection between humans and animals, even the ones with blue blood and three hearts.
How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals
A love letter to animals, “How to Be a Good Creature” by Sy Montgomery is full of heartwarming and powerfully moving stories about a range of creatures from border collies to tarantulas to pigs. The storytelling is lyrical, the illustrations are dreamy and the message is inspiring in a way that will make you want to pet a pup and never use a straw again.
Healthy eating and adventure-seeking documentaries
Your palms will sweat as you watch Alex Honnold inch his fingers to rock crevices thousands of feet high without a rope. But what’s extra awesome is Honnold eats a mostly vegetarian diet proving a veggie-friendly lifestyle is for everyone, including muscular daredevils.
Drones and hidden cameras capture the dark-side of animal agriculture in the documentary “Dominion.” With resemblances to the incredible docs “The Cove” and “Cowspiracy,” “Dominion” is an eye-opening critique of animal exploitation that we can all applaud.
While this documentary came out in 2011, the message of inspiring people to eat more plant-based food and less animal-based food is as relevant as ever. It’s 96 minutes of vegan empowerment that will make you want to whip up a plate of veggies and whole grains.
Top picks for the pantry and fridge
Base Culture Paleo Almond Butter
It takes only one ingredient —almonds — to create Base Culture’s original addictively tasty nut butter. The perfect combination of creamy and crunchy, Base Culture’s almond butter is made with raw ingredients and zero preservatives. Plus, it’s a woman-owned company (hooray for entrepreneurial woman making healthy eating taste delicious!).
From a mother-daughter duo, GoMacro bars are vegan, gluten-free, and delicious. The flavors range from cherry, to peanut butter, to coconut, but our favorite is the Giveback Bar, of which a portion of the proceeds goes to help feed the homeless.
Rebbl Plant-Based Elixirs and Protein Drinks
Not only are Rebbl drinks free of any artificial sweeteners or weird gummy thickeners, but all the ingredients they use are ethically sourced. Say hello to yummy maca and chai. The company also donates a portion of proceeds to Not For Sale, a nonprofit working to eradicate the root causes of human trafficking. But be sure to check the ingredients in the drinks, as some of them are not vegan – like the matcha and turmeric elixirs.
Eco-friendly fashion
By repurposing old tires into shoe soles, Indosoles make incredibly durable and stylish footwear that feels good on your feet and even better in your heart. The breezy slip-on shoes and sandals are especially fitting for the sunnier spring months.
Embrace veganism on your fingers and toes with Deco Miami Nail Lacquer. The vegan-friendly nail polish comes in all sorts of fun springtime colors like light pink, teal, and lime green. And you can rest assured knowing zero animals were harmed in the making of your nail color. Deco Miami doesn’t participate in animal testing and they don’t work with any suppliers that do.
Depending upon where you live, spring can mean it’s time to hit the beach and go poolside. Vitamin A swimwear partners with organizations that help the environment, particularly marine habitats, and manufactures 95 percent of the products locally in California.
Looking to update your spring wardrobe? Shop our spring collection!
For more plant-based and cruelty-free inspiration, check out:
And don’t miss these other ‘must-have’ lists:
Books:
- 7 powerful books for a kind and sustainable life
- 7 inspiring books for conscious living
- 5 books every kind and compassionate reader will love
Movies:
- You really need to binge watch these 3 vegan movies right now
- Movie night in: 3 must-see vegan and planet-friendly films
