Mineral Sunblocks vs. Chemical Sunscreens

Sun-protection products generally fall into two categories: mineral (aka physical) sunblocks and chemical sunscreens. Both are designed to protect your skin from UV damage, but they work in different ways.

Mineral sunblocks work by forming a barrier that blocks UV rays from penetrating the skin. “Mineral sunblocks are made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and these sunblocks sit on top of the skin, reflecting the damaging UV rays from the sun,” explains board-certified dermatologist Jason Solway, DO.

Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat, which is then released by the body. These formulas tend to go on more smoothly and invisibly, but they may cause irritation for people with sensitive skin. Additionally, a 2020 FDA study found that compounds from chemical sunscreens can be absorbed into the bloodstream. “This does not mean that chemical sunscreens are unsafe to use, and as of right now, they are still deemed safe by the FDA,” Solway says. Still, he recommends opting for mineral-only sunblocks. “They offer broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and a much lower risk of allergic reaction.” Mineral sunblocks are also safer for the environment, while chemical sunscreens contain compounds that contribute to coral-reef bleaching and harm marine life in other ways.

Solway generally recommends sticking with mineral-only sunblocks for broad-spectrum protection and a lower risk of irritation. But he emphasizes that the most important thing is finding a product you’ll actually use. “The best sunscreen is the one you’re going to wear,” he says. “Both types work, and both are FDA-approved.” Look for a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, and be sure to re-apply regularly.

Plant-Based Pros’ Favorite Vegan Sunblocks and Sunscreens

Looking for sun protection that’s effective and aligned with your values? These vegan-friendly picks come recommended by plant-based cookbook authors, bloggers, and parents who take skin protection seriously.

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 | $38 at Supergoop!

“My favorite sunscreen is Unseen Sunscreen by Supergoop,” says Toni Okamoto, author of Plant-Based on a Budget: Quick & Easy, founder of the Plant-Based on a Budget blog, and co-host of the podcast Plant-Powered People. “I love how lightweight and invisible it feels on my skin. It goes on smoothly, doesn’t leave a white cast, and doesn’t feel greasy or heavy, even on hot days.” Supergoop also makes a mineral version.

Grown Alchemist Natural Hydrating Sunscreen | $42 at Revolve

Jackie Akerberg, author of The Clean Vegan Cookbook and creator of the blog Jackfruitful, loves Grown Alchemist’s Natural Hydrating Sunscreen (which is actually a mineral-based sunblock). “I love the clean, plant-based ingredients in this formula. It’s creamy but lightweight and easy to rub in, especially for a zinc sunscreen, and it has a sheer finish that doesn’t leave you feeling white and chalky. It also protects against UVA and UVB rays.” Akerberg adds, “In a pinch, I will grab Sun Bum or Coola. They are not as clean, as they’re not 100% mineral-based, but they have better ingredients than many mainstream sunscreen options and are certified reef-safe!”

Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Clear Zinc Sunscreen | $15 at Thinkbaby

Brittany Jaroudi, founder of the Jaroudi Family YouTube channel and blog, recommends this all-mineral sunblock, which is formulated for sensitive skin. “I’ve been using Thinksun’s Thinkbaby products for years [to protect my own skin],” Jaroudi says. Now a new mom, Jaroudi says she loves that she can safely use those same products on her son. “I really enjoy how healthy it is for us and the planet.”

Paula’s Choice Resist Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense Face Sunscreen SPF 30 | $39 at Paula’s Choice

“This tinted sunblock is my ride-or-die. I’ve worn it every single day for years,” says Forks Over Knives Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Turner. “The finish is a little glowy but not greasy, and the tint looks so natural on my fair skin that I rarely bother with foundation. I buy three of these on sale every Black Friday and it gets me through the whole year.” Paula’s Choice also sells it on Amazon.

Green Tea SPF 30 | $34 at 100% PURE

Dusty and Erin Stanczyk, co-authors of The Happy Healthy Plant-Based Cookbook, live in Florida, where they take care to dress themselves and their three young kids in hats and UV-protective long sleeves to limit sun damage. “For the times when we are going to be out for extended periods of time—e.g., in the water or on a long bike ride—we do keep some sun block handy. We look for minimal ingredient mineral sunscreens, such as zinc oxide. Erin especially loves 100% Pure Green Tea SPF 30.” The zinc-based sunblock features aloe and cucumber juice to hydrate thirsty skin while protecting it from damaging rays.

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Yellowbird Sriracha (oil-free)

Organic red jalapeños give this sauce its kick, balanced with organic distilled vinegar and garlic, a touch of salt, and sweetness from organic dates, raisins, and citrus juice concentrates. A 1 -teaspoon serving (a little goes a long way) provides zero calories and just 70 mg of sodium (3% of the Daily Value). Use it to jazz up air-fried tofu served over a bed of massaged kale or collards, brown rice, and avocado. It’s also amazing drizzled on grilled corn on the cob or swirled into hummus.

Noble Made Less-Sugar Original BBQ Sauce (oil-free)

The natural hickory smoke flavor is what makes this BBQ sauce my current go-to. It’s made from a tomato puree base combined with apple cider vinegar, apple juice concentrate, and an array of spices, including garlic, ginger, and cayenne. With just 2 grams of added sugar per 2 tablespoons, it deserves the less-sugar callout in its name. (In contrast, one popular BBQ sauce brand packs a whopping 16 grams of added sugar for the same-sized portion.) Use it to flavor plain beans or tempeh paired with a citrusy slaw and roasted sweet potatoes. It’s also a one-step tactic to transform veggies such as roasted cauliflower and grilled Portobello mushrooms.

Sunny Original Tahini Dip, Sauce & Spread (oil-free)

This top-quality sauce made simply from ground sesame seeds, filtered water, lemon juice, garlic, sea salt, and spices, is incredibly versatile and quite nutritious. A 2-tablespoon potion contains just 1 gram of saturated fat and 112 mg of sodium (5% of the Daily Value), 3 grams of protein, and 6% of the daily target for iron. In addition, sesame products, including tahini, are a source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Enjoy it as a creamy salad dressing, dipping sauce for raw or leftover roasted veggies, or as a baked potato topping. For a quick balanced meal, toss tahini sauce with sautéed cremini mushrooms, a generous handful of greens, and a scoop of cooked chickpea pasta.

Gotham Greens Vegan Pesto (contains oil)

Gotham Greens nixed the cheese in this classic sauce made from a combo of extra-virgin olive oil, basil, pine nuts, lemon juice, garlic, and sea salt. In addition to pasta and pizza, pesto can be used to dress up whole grains, veggies, tofu, and pulses. For a make-ahead chilled grab-and-go lunch, add steamed lentils, cooked quinoa, greens, sliced cherry tomatoes, and a dollop of pesto to a glass food storage container. Close the lid, shake, and refrigerate overnight. (Editor’s note: For a no-oil option, Forks Over Knives recommends this homemade pesto recipe.)

Lucini Organic Rustic Tomato Basil Sauce (contains oil)

I’ve long been a fan of this brand for its high quality, lack of added sugar, and short list of ingredients, which reads like a recipe: fresh tomatoes, organic onions, organic extra virgin olive oil, organic basil, organic carrots, sea salt, and organic black pepper, all sourced from Tuscany. Use it for lentil-stuffed peppers and chickpea shakshuka, or layer it with roasted veggies, quinoa, and crumbled, herbed tofu for a nourishing noodle-less lasagna. (Editor’s Note: For an oil-free option, FOK recommends 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Fat Free Marinara.)

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Whether your mom is a seasoned plant-based pro or just dipping her toes into the world of whole-food, plant-based living, we’ve rounded up some heartfelt, health-conscious ideas to make her feel truly cherished. From cozy homemade brunches and animal sanctuary visits to spa days and movie nights, these vegan-friendly experiences are sure to tug at Mom’s heartstrings. Read on and get inspired to find the perfect gift for your one-of-a-kind mama.

Make her a special brunch.

Whether your mom is a longtime vegan or this is a delicious introduction, show her how much you care about her health, vitality, and taste buds with a nourishing spread of whole plant-based dishes. Start with a bowl of fresh, seasonal fruit as a colorful centerpiece for the table, and choose a few recipes from our roundup of vegan Mother’s Day options. She will feel the TLC when you invite her to sit back, relax, and taste the love.

Do lunch at an animal sanctuary.

Want to melt Mom’s heart? Take her to visit rescued pigs, cows, sheep, and other farmed animals at an animal sanctuary. Pack a tasty plant-based picnic or look for an onsite restaurant, such as The Kitchen at the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York. The restaurant serves vegan meals made with fresh ingredients from local farmers and the sanctuary’s own garden. You can even turn the trip into an overnight stay in one of their cozy tiny houses overlooking the pasture.

Gift her a trip to a vegan resort.

For a next-level Mother’s Day gift, treat Mom to a vegan getaway so that she can live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle at a fabulous destination. When you build her a travel itinerary at an eco-friendly property focused on sustainability and wellness, she will not only eat like a WFPB queen; she can nourish herself inside and out with activities like yoga, meditation or hiking. Vegan travel comes in all price ranges to fit any budget—even under $100 a night. Just don’t forget to offer up the perfect travel companion: You!

Host a movie night and fix her some yummy snacks.

Bypass the local movie theater concession stand’s buttery popcorn and sugary candy. Instead invite your mom to a private screening from the comfort of home where you can kick back with pillows and blankets and your favorite homemade vegan snacks. Need ideas? We’ve gathered plant-based pros’ top picks for movie-night munchies. Trade jumbo fountain sodas for infused water, iced teas, or tropical smoothies. Go ahead and do the kitchen prep work ahead of time so that you can turn down the lights and enjoy the show with your VIP guest.

Book an appointment at a cruelty-free spa or salon.

Pamper your mama with an indulgent self-care day that you both can feel good about. Whether you want to do hair, makeup, nails, a massage or facial, search HappyCow or Aveda to find a local establishment that uses vegan and certified cruelty-free products. You can also look for the Leaping Bunny–certified or PETA-approved designations, or check out hashtags on social media such as #VeganSalon or #CrueltyFreeBeauty. For a stay-at-home spa day, bring Mom a basket filled with vegan beauty products.

Hit the farmers market together in style.

Could there be a lovelier way to spend a weekend morning with your mom than strolling the springtime farmers market stocking up on fresh produce and other vegan treasures? To start, hook her up with some clutch farmers market gear for a stylish, zero-waste shopping experience——think reusable totes, mesh produce bags, and a wide-brimmed hat for sun protection. (We also love this hands-free water bottle, which will help Mom stay hydrated without getting in the way of shopping.) Now you’re ready to let the Mother’s Day festivities begin!

Gift her a plant-based cooking course.

Is Mom getting into the plant-based lifestyle? Give her the tools to nourish herself long after Mother’s Day with the Forks Over Knives Ultimate Cooking Course. Designed for all skill levels, this self-paced online program empowers her to create delicious, wholesome meals with confidence. It’s a thoughtful way to support her health and spark inspiration in the kitchen—no crowded restaurants required. Normally $349, the course is currently on sale for $149.

Featured image courtesy of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

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Editor’s note: FOK may collect a small share of sales from some of the links on this page, though it doesn’t influence our selection.

Folding Shopping Cart | $84 at Amazon

For big market hauls, the steel-frame VersaCart Transit makes heavy bags a nonissue. This 9-pound cart can handle 120 pounds of cargo, features sturdy swivel wheels for easy maneuvering, and folds down for compact storage. The canvas bag comes with a fitted cover for weather protection; both the bag and cover are detachable for easy washing.

Heavy-Duty Tote Bag | $35 at Williams Sonoma

Sturdy bottle-size compartments separate delicate produce from heavier items in Williams Sonoma’s durable cotton canvas tote, which comes in two sizes and three colorways. For an additional $16, add a monogram.

A Good Sun Hat | $45 REI

Shade your eyes and face while you peruse outdoor stalls with this Horizon Breeze Brimmer Hat from The North Face. Made with UPF 40 fabric for extra UV protection, it comes in two sizes and a range of colors. An adjustable chin strap helps keep it on your head even in gusty winds.

Mesh Bags | 6 for $18 at Simple Ecology

Skip the plastic bags at market stalls, and bring along Simple Ecology’s organic cotton and muslin mesh bags to organize your produce purchases. They’re machine-washable, and the breathable design allows ethylene gas to escape, ensuring fruits and veggies don’t ripen too quickly.

Produce Keepers | 4-Piece Set for $23 at Amazon

Store your farmers market finds in BPA-free Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce Saver containers to keep them fresher longer. A built-in FreshVent filter regulates the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide to extend freshness, while the elevated base keeps produce away from mold-causing moisture. These nifty containers stack nicely in the fridge and are dishwasher-safe.

Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Flask | $35 at Amazon

Stay hydrated as you browse the markets without having to spend extra on expensive, sugary drinks. The Rolls Royce of the drink bottle world, Hydroflask keeps drinks cooler (or hotter) longer, no matter the temperature outside. Choose from a range of colors and sizes. These high-quality, durable flasks are an investment you’ll have for years.

Fanny Pack | $39 at Terra Thread

Sleek and surprisingly spacious, the Cadera fanny pack from Terra Thread fits your phone, glasses, wallet, and more—without feeling bulky. Made from certified organic cotton, it can be worn around your waist or slung over your shoulder for hands-free convenience and style.

Double Stroller/Wagon | $250 on sale for $210 at Amazon

Whether you’re shopping with little ones or flying solo, the MRZLB Wagon is a versatile workhorse. It functions as both a stroller and a wagon, with push and pull handles that make it easy to navigate everything from crowded markets to sandy beaches. The detachable sunshade and drop-down sides create a flat deck for hauling bulkier items, while the built-in cup holder and ample storage pockets keep essentials close at hand. At a fraction of the cost of high-end models, it’s a budget-friendly find that doesn’t skimp on features.

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Editor’s note: FOK may collect a small share of sales from some of the links on this page, though it doesn’t influence our selection.

Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease

“Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn’s Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease may very well be the most important health book ever written. It’s the science-backed, detailed guide that Dr. Esslestyn used to remedy heart disease for scores of his patients and now legions of people around the world. The book, which includes 150 mouthwatering recipes from his wife, Ann, is a must read for anyone who wants to render heart disease as nothing more than a ‘paper tiger.’”

—Brian Wendel, founder of Forks Over Knives

Diet for a New America

“John Robbins’ Diet for a New America was the first book that opened my eyes and made me want to remove animal products from my diet. Published in 1987, this book pioneered the plant-based movement and sparked my personal growth and career [path]. Diet for a New America is in its 25th-anniversary edition and is still a valuable read.”

—Dreena Burton, author of Dreena’s Kind Kitchen: 100+ Whole-Foods Vegan Recipes to Enjoy Every Day

PlantYou Scrappy Cooking

“I loved PlantYou Scrappy Cooking, Carleigh Bodrug’s second cookbook, which came out last year. It makes you realize that almost everything you think is waste can actually be used for cooking, in exceptionally creative ways. It’s easy to get into a pattern of throwing away things like zucchini rinds, broccoli bottoms, lemon seeds, and date pits, but Bodrug shows you how to transform them into sauces, jams, ‘coffee,’ and much more.”

—Cyrus Khambatta, Ph.D., co-author of Mastering Diabetes

The Homemade Vegan Pantry

“Miyoko Schinner is a legend in the plant-based movement, and in The Homemade Vegan Pantry, she provides readers with an essential guidebook for creating many plant-based staples at home, such as sausages, pasta, sour cream, and vegetable stock, instead of purchasing highly processed alternatives at the store. A few of my favorite oil-free recipes in the book are Oil-Free Eggless Mayo, Creamy Soy Milk, and Nice Thick Nondairy Yogurt. Some recipes have added sugars, oils, and salt, but you can omit them in many cases.”

—Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN, founder of The Plant-Powered Dietitian

The China Study; The Starch Solution; Food Is Climate; The Pleasure Trap; and Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows

“My all-time top recommendations are always The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., and The Starch Solution by John McDougall, M.D. More recently I’ve recommended Glen Merzer’s Food Is Climate several times. (It’s a short, factual read, with the second half of the book being recipes to help the reader start eating plant-based.) The Pleasure Trap by Doug Lisle, Ph.D, and Alan Goldhamer, D.C., and Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows by Melanie Joy are books I often suggest to those looking to dive a little deeper into the plant-based lifestyle.”

—Rachael J. Brown, author of For Fork’s Sake: A Quick Guide to Healing Yourself and the Planet Through a Plant-Based Diet

The Whole Story

“I highly recommend diving into [Whole Foods co-founder] John Mackey’s latest masterpiece, The Whole Story. With the narrative flow of a captivating novel, Mackey [tells the story of Whole Foods and] intricately weaves in his transition to a vegan, whole-food, plant-based lifestyle, offering profound insights into his personal evolution. Moreover, the book explores his bold decision to [sell] his brainchild to the wealthiest suitor in the world. Trust me: It’s a page-turner!”

—Rip Esselstyn, founder of PLANTSTRONG and author of The Engine 2 Diet

Escape: Breaking Free from a Self-Made Prison

“One book I’d recommend to Forks Over Knives readers is Tim Kaufman’s Escape: Breaking Free from a Self-Made Prison. It’s about Kaufman’s journey from obesity and addiction to health. His story is relatable and inspirational, a testimonial that shows how changing your lifestyle can help you overcome life’s challenges.”

—Darshana Thacker Wendel, author of Forks Over Knives: Flavor!

How Not to Die and Finding Ultra

“How Not to Die by Michael Greger, M.D., is a classic that I love and consistently recommend. Another of my favorites is Finding Ultra, Rich Roll’s book about turning his life around. He went from an overeating, out-of-shape lawyer who couldn’t make it up the stairs to a plant-based ultra athlete completing triathlons on each of Hawaii’s islands in under a week.”

—Katie Simmons, Chicago-based personal chef and founder of Plants-Rule

The post Plant-Based Pros on the Books They Recommend Again and Again appeared first on Forks Over Knives.

Editor’s note: FOK may collect a small share of sales from some of the links on this page, though it doesn’t influence our selection.

Fair Trade Baskets | From $26 at Serrv International

The Easter baskets from SERRV International make pretty keepsakes that are sturdy enough to use year-round and will last for many years to come. What’s more, your purchase helps support SERRV’s mission of working with small-scale artisans to fight global poverty.

U+Me Kids Gardening Set | $28 at Amazon

Skip the Easter basket and give kids this canvas bag filled with gardening tools. (There’s still room for candy, too.) The wood-handled trowel, rake, and spade are sturdy enough for real digging, so all you need are plants and seedlings to get going in the garden.

Cool Chicks (that are also warm + snuggly) | $30 at Warmies

You don’t have to be a kid to get a stuffed animal in an Easter basket. (But kids will love this chick, too.) Warmies makes weighted stuffed animals that can be chilled in the freezer to soothe bumps and bruises or warmed in the microwave for aches, pains, and all-around cuddly comfort.

The Qi Daily Ritual Set | $58 at The Qi

Introduce the flower lover in your life to the calming, holistic beauty of whole flower teas. This starter set from The Qi includes floral infusions for beauty, balance, and calm and a glass tea pot that lets you watch as the flowers infuse and open up into full bloom.

Jake the Milkless Easter Bunny | $10 at No Whey Foods

No Easter basket is complete without a chocolate bunny! This 100% vegan guy is naturally sweetened and made with dairy-free, oil-free chocolate. Check out No Whey Foods’ Milkless Surprise Eggs, as well, if you want to fill out your candy assortment.

Organic Elderflower Super Herb Tea | $15 at Republic Of Tea

Get a delicious taste of the elderflower trend—without all the alcohol of St-Germain liqueur or the sugar in a fizzy soft drink. Republic of Tea blends the dried flowers with green rooibos for a fresh herbal tea that tastes like the flowers of spring.

Cutie the Lamb | $35 at Fair Indigo

Organic cotton and child-safe dyes make this cutie pie the ideal springtime friend for infants and small children. Cutie the Lamb is made by a cooperative of clothing designers committed to producing sustainable apparel and ensuring their workers get living wages.

Smithsonian Handbook of Interesting Bird Nests and Eggs | $20 at the Smithsonian Store

Give the whole Easter egg theme a nature lover spin with this gorgeous Smithsonian book, released in late 2024. Your purchase helps support ​​the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, at a time when national museums need support more than ever.

Sloth Velvet Sleep Mask | $17 at Ten Thousand Villages

Sloths fall into the cute critter category, just like bunnies and chicks! And what better animal to have adorning a sleep mask than the drowsy, adorable creatures that have become an internet sensation? Sourced by Ten Thousand Villages, the home goods store that specializes in ethical, artisan-made items.

Smashminton Badminton Set | $8 at Amazon

Before there was pickleball, there was badminton! The play-anywhere racket game is a great excuse to get out on a sunny spring day. This set has wide rackets and large birdies so all ages can play.

Natural Rubber Flip Flops | $30 at Feelgoodz

Is it flip-flop season yet? Almost. These environmentally friendly natural rubber sandals for men and women come in luscious Easter egg colors and look great in a holiday basket.

Bee Kind Pollinator Flower Mix Seed Packets | $3 at Bentley Seeds

Tuck one of these colorful envelopes in a vegan Easter basket or slip a packet into Easter or Earth Day cards. The customized seed blend is designed to help feed bees and other pollinators. Added bonus: The automatically applied Earth Day code takes 50% off your purchase.

That’s It Organic Dark Chocolate Fig Truffles | $22 at Amazon

The ultimate gourmet truffles for whole-food, plant-based chocolate lovers, these decadent morsels are primarily sweetened with figs. Wrap each one in candy foil and they can even double as eggs for an Easter egg hunt.

Indian Collection Chocolate Truffles | $29 at Delysia Chocolatiers

Spice things up with a box of exquisite handmade chocolates infused with ginger, curry, and garam masala. Delysia Chocolatiers pride themselves on creating chocolates for everyone and every occasion and these creamy oil-free dark chocolate jewels fit the bill.

Bear Snacks Raspberry/Blueberry Fruit Minis | $13 at Walmart

Kids of all ages love these sweet, chewy berry-flavored disks. Try the “bearly” processed 100% fruit snacks as a dye-free, sugar-free alternative to jelly beans.

Crinkle Paper Basket Grass | $10 at Amazon

Crinkle-cut colored paper filler is an eco-friendly alternative to artificial Easter basket grass that’s reusable, recyclable and repurposeable. The vibrant green color would look good in a Christmas gift packet, as well.

Simply Chocolate Date Bars | $23 at Amazon

Round out the Easter candy options with these candy bar lookalikes that are sweetened with dates and made with just three other ingredients: dark chocolate, peanuts, and (a little) salt.

The post The Ultimate Vegan Easter Basket: Delicious Treats and Sustainable Gifts appeared first on Forks Over Knives.

Fine & Raw Brooklyn Bonnie Collection | $59 at Fine & Raw

The artwork on the Fine & Raw Brooklyn Bonnie Collectionis too fun to pass up, encapsulating the NYC-based brand’s mission to “save the world through silliness and chocolate.” The variety sampler—with six 2-oz. chocolate bars, including espresso, ginger, and habanero salt—is the perfect gift for someone special. The bars melt in your mouth, with a creamy blend of 50% raw and 50% roasted cacao sourced directly from cacao farms in Belize and Ecuador.

Nibble Chocolate Nibblelitos | $24 at Nibble Chocolate

Looking to delight the discerning chocolate-lover in your life with a top-shelf treat? Spring for a jar (or two) of Nibble Chocolate’s high-quality chocolate cubes, which are made only with sustainably sourced organic cocoa beans and organic whole unrefined cane sugar. The Nibblelitos come in reusable glass jars with bamboo lids, earning them points for style and eco-friendliness.

Enjoy Life Semi Sweet Chocolate Mini Chips | $6 at Walmart

When you want to stud your trail mix or muffins with vegan chocolaty goodness, look no further than Enjoy Life’s mini semi-sweet chocolate chips. Labelled as one of the best chocolate chip options by Mamavation thanks to their low heavy metal content, they are totally vegan and gluten-free and contain just three simple ingredients: cane sugar, unsweetened chocolate, and cocoa butter.

Alter Eco Total Blackout | $5 at Alter Eco

You’ll only find two ingredients in Alter Eco Total Blackout: organic cocoa beans and organic cocoa butter. The 100% cacao bar contains zero added sugar. Some tasters love the smooth bitter dark chocolate right off the bat; others have to work up to it with the Alter Eco Super Blackout made with 90% cacao or by pairing the 100% version with nut butter or berries. Another feel-good bonus? The packaging is recyclable and compostable so when you’re done, you can keep it out of the landfill.

Navitas Organics Organic Cacao Powder | $11 at Amazon

Some cocoa powders taste sweet and have added sugar, dehydrated dairy, or other ingredients. Other unsweetened varieties may be Dutch processed, which means the cacao beans have been washed with an alkaline solution to reduce bitterness, losing nutrients in the process. (Dutched cocoa can have half the phytonutrients of regular cocoa.) This organic cacao from Nativas skips the alkalization process and retains antioxidants and minerals. And according to recent testing by Consumer Reports, this cacao powder measured the lowest in heavy metal content among readily available cocoa powders, with consistently low levels of lead and cadmium compared with other brands. Pretty sweet!

TCHO Napa Noir | $12 At TCHO

Instead of reaching for a glass of wine after dinner, nibble on the latest collaboration between Berkeley-based vegan chocolatier TCHO and Napa Valley vineyard Clif Family Winery. TCHO guarantees 100% traceability of their cacao beans, and through initiatives with cacao producers, they have been able to increase the number of beans that meet their high quality standards by 300%. This particular bar is a fudgy dark chocolate folded together with Peruvian cacao nibs aged in red wine barrels for eight months and sea salt infused with berry-forward cabernet. Cheers!

Theo Sea Salt Organic Dark Chocolate Bar | $3 at Whole Foods

Since its founding in 2006, Seattle-based cocoa company Theo has been at the leading-edge of organic, fair trade chocolate. They have several vegan bars, but we favor this one, which has a smidge of sea salt to balance out the 70% dark chocolate.

To learn more about a whole-food, plant-based diet, visit our Plant-Based Primer. For meal-planning support, check out Forks Meal Planner, FOK’s easy weekly meal-planning tool to keep you on a healthy plant-based path.

The post The Best Vegan Chocolate for Every Occasion, from Baking to Gifting appeared first on Forks Over Knives.

Editor’s note: FOK may collect a small share of sales from some of the links on this page, though it doesn’t influence our selection.

The Body Deli Blueberry Fusion Resurfacing Facial Cleanser | $46 at The Body Deli

“While I love all of the Body Deli products, I can’t live without Blueberry Fusion Resurfacing Facial Cleanser,” says Chef AJ, culinary instructor, professional speaker, and author of Unprocessed: How to Achieve Vibrant Health and Your Ideal Weight. “I just adore the smell, the purity of the product, and the way it makes my skin look and feel. Every Black Friday you get 25% off of your order, so that’s when I stock up.”

Andalou Naturals Color+Correct CC Cream with SPF 30 | $10 at Amazon

“I’ve been using Andalou’s rose color-correct for a couple of years and absolutely love it,” says Dreena Burton, author of Dreena’s Kind Kitchen: 100+ Whole-Foods Vegan Recipes to Enjoy Every Day. “I don’t want to fuss much with makeup and don’t like the weight of foundation on my skin—especially in my 50s. This cream gives my 50+ skin a dewy, light coverage to even out skin tone, with a subtle natural rose oil aroma. Plus, it includes SPF 30, which makes my skincare routine even easier. A few dabs of this glowy cream, a little blush and mascara, and I’m out the door!”

Lotus Moon Amaranth Gentle Cleanse | $48 at Lotus Moon

“The Lotus Moon amaranth cleanser is so good,” says Jenné Claiborne, founder of Sweet Potato Soul and author of Sweet Potato Soul Vegan Vibes. “They’re a very small brand, so their products are a little pricey, like most small brands. But I’ve been using their cleanser, as well as their vitamin B moisturizer, consistently since 2015.”

Aromatica Tea Tree Balancing Toner | $33 at Aromatica.co

“I like to use Aromatica’s facial toner; it’s alcohol-free and very gentle on the skin,” says Darshana Thacker Wendel, author of Forks Over Knives: Flavor! “I use a good amount on a cotton pad and clean my face and neck, and at night to remove the makeup and build-up. I have tried other toners and felt the sting, but not this one, and it’s still effective in cleaning and toning.”

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer | $49 at Target

“I recently fell in love with Juice Beauty,” says Jackie Akerberg, creator of the popular plant-based blog Jackfruitful and author of The Clean Vegan Cookbook. “I especially love the Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer. It leaves my skin feeling perfectly dewy. It does not have any synthetic fragrances, but instead the natural essences of mandarin oil, ho wood oil, and may chang oil. I make sure I have at least two on hand at all times so I never run out! When I have, and tried to go back to other moisturizers I used in the past, I’ve noticed my skin is not as radiant, and I don’t get nearly as many compliments.”

The Plant Base Time Stop Collagen Ampoule | $25 at Soko Glam

“In the last few years I’ve really gotten into serums because they’re nice and light, and you can layer them with other things,” says Forks Over Knives Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Turner. “The Plant Base Time Stop Collagen Ampoule, a Korean serum, was the first one I tried, and it’s still my favorite. It’s moisturizing and very soothing with centella and aloe vera. It makes my skin noticeably smoother, which might be the 76% mushroom extract in the formula. It’s affordable, and it has zero scent, which is how I like it. They recently changed the bottle, which makes me a little sad because the old version felt very fancy and expensive, like a vegan Clarins. But the formula is the same as it ever was, and you get more serum in the new bottle, so I’ll take it.”

Living Libations Organic Maverick Face Creme | $74 at Amazon

“The Maverick face cream is amazing,” says Robby Barbaro, MPH, co-founder of Mastering Diabetes. “My skin feels moisturized immediately, and it lasts all day. I have been using this product since 2022. I don’t go a day without it! It’s very expensive, but I find that nothing is more important than my health, and that goes beyond just food.”

Vegamour Gro Revitalizing Shampoo and Conditioner | $86 at Vegamour

“I am obsessed with Vegamour hair products,” says Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN, co-founder Food+Planet and author of The Plant-Powered Plan to Beat Diabetes and California Vegan. “I have had issues with ‘natural’ vegan shampoos not really working well—they don’t create a good lather and they strip my hair, which tends to be dry, frizzy, and thin. [Vegamour] products make my hair clean and shiny and add volume. They are vegan and cruelty-free with plant-based ingredients that actually work. They have a very mild aroma that is pleasant but not overly perfumed. I even transfer the [shampoo and conditioner] to small bottles for traveling now, as I don’t want to be without them.”

Sukin Purely Ageless Reviving Eye Cream | $14 at Amazon

“Sukin has been a staple in my skincare routine,” says Toni Okamoto, founder of the Plant-Based on a Budget blog, co-host of the podcast Plant-Powered People, and author of Plant-Based on a Budget: Quick & Easy. “I’m a big fan of their Calming Night Cream (currently out of stock) and Reviving Eye Cream. I live in a dry climate, and these products do an incredible job of keeping my face moisturized and nourished. Their products are gentle yet effective and I’ve noticed that a little bit of product goes a long way, which makes them such a great value. They’re made with clean, cruelty-free ingredients and also super budget-friendly—making them an all-around win for my skincare routine!”

Lume Toasted Coconut Cream Tube Deodorant | $20 at Lume

“I have sensitive skin and found that aluminum-containing deodorants irritated my armpits,” says Forks Over Knives Managing Editor Courtney Davison. “But ‘natural’ deodorants didn’t seem to do much of anything. A few years ago, a friend turned me on to Lume’s cream deodorants, and I’ve been using them ever since. They’re aluminum-free and incredibly effective at keeping BO at bay. (The brand claims that one application will last you 72 hours; for me, it’s more like 36—still impressive!) You apply the cream using your hands, which feels more hygienic than the traditional stick-style deodorant, and one tube lasts me about two months. I don’t like all the scents I’ve tried, but I love the Toasted Coconut.”

The post The Clean Vegan Skincare and Grooming Products Experts Swear By appeared first on Forks Over Knives.

To clear things up once and for all, I spoke with registered dietitian Sharon Palmer about the range of natural sweeteners available to health-minded cooks, and together we’ve ranked and rated them according to their nutritional bona fides and culinary versatility. The result is the following comprehensive guide that’s a must-read for all cooks and food lovers.

Table of Contents

• Date Paste
• Applesauce
• Bananas
• Date Sugar
• Prunes
• Maple Syrup
• Fruit Juice
• Coconut Sugar/Palm Sugar
• Maple Sugar
• Pure Cane Sugar

1. Date Paste

Date paste is made by soaking or simmering whole, pitted dates in liquid then blending them into a thick, sweet puree. It’s easy to make at home and will keep in the fridge for up to a month and the freezer for six months.

Nutrition Score: A

“Because date paste is made from whole dates, you get all of the fiber and many of the nutrients in the original fruit, including potassium, copper, and vitamin B6,” Palmer explains. “It is concentrated in natural sugars, so a little goes a long way.”

Cooking/Baking Score: A

Date paste tops our list of natural sweeteners for its availability, versatility, and concentrated sugar content. Date paste’s thick, smooth texture makes it a go-to sweetener for everything from baked goods to salad dressings. It can even be used as a 1:1 substitute for cane sugar in many conventional recipes. The only downside to date paste is its dark color, which affects the look, but not the taste, of light-hued sauces and desserts.

Our Favorite Ways to Use Date Paste

• Decadent desserts like Chocolate Mousse Pie
• Quick breads like Cranberry Orange Pumpkin Muffins
• Pancakes
• Piquant sauces like Date-Sweetened Mustard Dressing and Easy Date Barbecue Sauce

2. Applesauce

Coming in at a very close second is unsweetened applesauce. Made by cooking apples until they break down into a soft, glistening puree, it’s a vegan baking staple that’s used to replace both eggs and fat called for in conventional recipes.

Nutrition Score: A

Like apples, applesauce is high in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidant compounds that help boost the nutritional profile of recipes.

Cooking/Baking Score: A

Applesauce comes in second behind date paste because it lacks the same sweetening power and 1:1 substitution capacity for sugar. What applesauce does have, however, is thickening, binding, and emulsifying properties that add body and structure to vegan recipes. Applesauce’s light color also makes it a good choice for delicate cakes and quick breads where other elements need to shine.

Our Favorite Ways to Use Applesauce

• Pale cakes like Triple Apple Cake
• Baked fruit desserts with biscuit- or dumpling-style toppings like Vegan Blueberry Cobbler
• Chocolate chip cookies!

3. Bananas

The sweet, fiber-rich tropical fruits can be easily mashed into a sweetening puree.

Nutrition Score: A

“When you sweeten recipes with bananas, you get the benefits of the whole fruit, including fiber, potassium, and vitamins B6 and C,” says Palmer.

Cooking/Baking Score: A

Two words for why bananas are in a natural sweetener category all their own: nice cream. Without bananas’ soluble fiber (pectin), nice cream wouldn’t have its luscious texture or all-natural sweetness. The same goes for smoothies, smoothie bowls, quick breads, and desserts. When swapping bananas for sugar in a recipe, count 2 tablespoons of mashed bananas for every 1 tablespoon of sugar. This substitution will work for up to half of the sugar called for in a recipe. Beyond that, the extra moisture and fiber in bananas (compared to sugar) may alter the taste and texture.

For extra sweetness and flavor, opt for very ripe and over-ripe bananas, which are sweeter, softer, and more flavorful, making them the best options for baked goods and desserts. Tip: As soon as bananas in your fruit bowl start going brown, peel and move them to an airtight container in the freezer so you’ll always have them at the ready.

Our Favorite Ways to Use Bananas

• Banana Bread
• Vegan Banana Pancakes
• Just Bananas Muffins
• On the savory side, try adding 1 to 2 teaspoons banana puree to tomato sauces and tomato-based soups the same way Italian cooks add a pinch of sugar to enhance flavor.

4. Date Sugar

Date sugar is made by grinding dehydrated dates into a fine powder that mimics the consistency of granulated sugar. It is similar to brown sugar and it can be used 1:1 for any type of sugar in a recipe except confectioners’ sugar.

Nutrition Score: A

Date sugar is a whole food that retains many of the nutrients in the original fruit, including fiber. (Two teaspoons of date sugar contain 1 gram of fiber.) Even though it is concentrated in natural sugars, date sugar has a lower glycemic index than granulated sugar, Palmer explains.

Cooking/Baking Score: A-

Why the minus? One reason is the fiber in date sugar, which can alter the texture of baked goods by absorbing more liquid. The tiny date bits don’t dissolve as well into batters or doughs as other natural sweeteners, either. The other reason for the A-minus grade is date sugar’s price. At 75 cents or more per ounce (1 oz. = 2 tablespoons), it’s one of the most expensive natural sugars on the market.

Our Favorite Ways to Use Date Sugar

• In cakes and quick breads like Zecret Vegan Zucchini Bread where its toffeelike flavor can really shine.
• Date sugar is also luscious as an oatmeal topping and a garnishing sugar for baked goods because it won’t dissolve when exposed to heat or moisture.

5. Pureed Prunes (Dried Plums)

Prunes, like dates, are intensely sweet dried plums that can be blended into a thick paste or puree for a sweetener.

Nutrition Score: A

Palmer gives prunes a high rating as a whole-food sweetener. “When you sweeten with prunes, you retain many of their key nutrients such as fiber (3 grams per 1.5-ounce serving!), plus good amounts of vitamins A, C, K, iron, potassium, manganese, copper, and vitamin B6,” she says.

Nutrition Cooking/Baking Score B+

Prune puree is a little less versatile than date paste because of its deep brown color and tangy, fruit-forward flavor notes. It’s also less sweet. The California Prune Board recommends substituting prune purée for up to one-half of the sugar in a recipe, and it also functions as an egg and fat replacer.

Our Favorite Ways to Use Prune Puree

With anything and everything chocolate! Prune puree deepens the flavors of chocolate desserts like our Vegan Chocolate Mousse. Plus, the chocolate masks prunes’ dark color. Try prune puree in place of date paste in Peanut Butter Chocolate Marble Pudding or Easy Date Barbecue Sauce as well.

6. Pure Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is a ready-to-use sweetener made by boiling down sap from sugar maple trees until it becomes thick and sweet. It is graded by color from “Amber” (light and delicate) to “Very Dark” (almost opaque, with a strong maple flavor).

Nutrition score: C

Palmer explains her just-passing grade this way: “While maple syrup comes from plants and has a lower glycemic index than table sugar, it is a concentrated sweetener and impacts blood glucose levels.”

Baking/Cooking Score: A-

Maple syrup is both a sweetener and a flavoring agent that can play either a starring or supporting role in recipes. Its liquid form makes it easy to incorporate into all kinds of recipes, even frozen desserts. King Arthur Flour recommends substituting equal amounts of maple syrup for sugar, even though maple syrup is one-third less sweet, which is an easy way to reduce the total sugar of a conventional recipe.

Our Favorite Ways to Use Maple Syrup

• Sauces, dressings, and marinades
• Maple-flavored pancakes, waffles, and quick breads

7. 100% Fruit Juice

Fruit juice varies in sweetness depending on the fruit—grape juice is among the highest in sugar. It can be used as is or simmered into a concentrated syrup for added sweetness in recipes. Be sure to look for 100% fruit juice, with no added sugar.

Nutrition Score: B

“Although fruit juices contain many of the fruit’s original nutrients, their sugars are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream due to the absence of fiber and their sugar concentration,” cautions Palmer.

Cooking/Baking Score: B

Fruit juice offers an easy way to add sweet, colorful zing to sweet and savory recipes. It’s a major asset to all types of whole-food, plant-based salad dressings, since it can act as a replacement for oil, as well. Concentrated fruit syrups, made by simmering fruit juice until it sweetens and thickens, make great drizzles for sweet and savory dishes.

Our Favorite Ways to Use 100% Fruit Juice

• Tangy slaws
• Leafy green and grain salads
• Caramelized Red Onion Confit, which gets its gorgeous color from pomegranate juice

8. Coconut Sugar/Palm Sugar

Coconut sugar and palm sugar are two types of sugar made by reducing the sap from certain types of palm trees until the natural sugars crystalize.

Nutrition Score: C-

“These natural sweeteners are refined sugars, even though they are less processed than cane sugar,” notes Palmer. “They do have a lower glycemic index than cane sugar, however.”

Baking/Cooking Score: B

Coconut and palm have a rich, toffee-like flavor similar to brown sugar. Because they are refined sugars, they should be used in moderation and paired with healthier natural sweeteners.

Our Favorite Ways to Use Coconut and Palm Sugars

Think of these tasty sweeteners as recipe boosters to be added when a cake needs a fine crumb and a little extra sweetness, such as our Incredible Chocolate Sweet Potato Cake.

9. Maple Sugar

When maple syrup is cooked until its sugars crystallize, you get maple sugar. It’s a favorite among bakers and maple lovers because of its concentrated sweetness and distinctive flavor.

Nutrition Score: C-

Palmer gives maple sugar a lower score than maple syrup on a nutrition scale because of how its concentrated sugars impact blood glucose levels.

Baking/Cooking Score B-

While very tasty, maple sugar just isn’t as all-purpose as the other semi-refined sugars because of its robust maple taste. It’s also pricey, if delicious.

Our Favorite Ways to Use Maple Sugar

• Special occasion cakes and cupcakes like our Double Chocolate Cupcakes
• Maple sugar is also a wonderful finishing sugar for sprinkling over desserts and hot cereals as a garnish.

10. Pure/Raw/Unrefined Cane Sugar

Pure cane sugar is made from cooked sugarcane juice that has been clarified and crystallized. It is coarser and less processed than white or table sugar. “Unrefined” sugar, like sucanat, retains the cane’s molasses but is still technically refined. The same goes for raw sugar, like demerara, turbinado, and evaporated cane juice, which are made from cooked sugarcane juice and then crystallized just once. Pro tip: To ensure that your sugar is 100% vegan, you can choose certified-organic, raw, or “unrefined” varieties. That’s because other varieties may be filtered through bone char (aka natural carbon) to make it white.

Nutrition Rating: D

Palmer gives all these versions of cane sugar the lowest nutritional rating. Pure or unrefined cane sugars are still highly processed. “There are essentially no remaining nutrients left other than sugars,” she says.

Baking/Cooking Score B

Is cane sugar allowed on a whole-food, plant-based diet? That’s a question we get asked a lot at Forks Over Knives. The answer is yes, it is allowed conservatively, and you’ll find recipes here on the website that call for it. “Sometimes it’s worth the ‘spoonful of sugar’ to get the right recipe texture or results,” explains Forks Over Knives Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Turner. Those times include getting yeast to rise for a Vegan Challah Bread, keeping Vegan Strawberry Blondies blond and deliciously tender, and pickling of pickled green beans in a brine that’s tangy and bright.

Our Favorite Ways to Use Pure Cane Sugar

Very conservatively as needed to achieve special textures, ideally in tandem with natural, whole-food sweeteners.

To learn healthy, delicious vegan recipes and master whole-food, plant-based culinary techniques at home, check out Forks Over Knives Cooking Courses!

The post The Healthiest Natural Sweeteners, Ranked, and How Best to Use Them appeared first on Forks Over Knives.

• Gifts under $25
• Gifts under $60
• Gifts under $100
• Gifts under $200
• Gifts over $200

Editor’s note: FOK may collect a small share of sales from some of the links on this page, though it doesn’t influence our product picks.

GIFTS UNDER $25

Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker | $10 at Amazon

Simple and chic, this cute garlic press is a breeze to use and a fun gift for the garlic lover in your life. Just place peeled garlic underneath the holes and press down using a rocking motion for a rocker filled with pressed garlic. It’s easy to wash and doesn’t take up much room in the drawer.

Le Gigogne Tumbler (Set of 6) | $24 at Duralex

Made in France, these stackable glass tumblers have a timeless vibe that suits any kitchen and are sturdy enough to use every day (they’re made with tempered glass). Ultra versatile, they’re perfect for showing off your favorite plant-based parfait, fruit salad, nice cream, oats, dip, or anything else you can think of.

Cooking Without Salt, 2-Jar Spice Set | $22 at Local Spicery

Milled in small batches to ensure freshness, Local Spicery, run by husband-and-wife-duo Nicholas Davoren and Evelyn Wood, is an excellent resource for the plant-based cook looking for tasty, healthy seasonings. This 2-jar gift set features their popular Bada Bing Bouillon Oooh-Mommy Umami Powder and Sel-acious, a tasty salt substitute made from sumac, onion, tomato, mustard, kombu, thyme, and cumin. Both come highly recommended by Chef AJ!

Desk Yoga Card Deck | $20 at Uncommon Goods or $19 at Amazon

Imagine ending your work day feeling loose and invigorated! This inspiring card deck is compact enough for any desk and offers plenty of inspiration to give you a physical and mental boost whenever you need it. The exercises fall into one of four categories, allowing you to pick the area you’d like to focus on: Chair Yoga, Standing Yoga, Pranayamas, Mudras (calming breathwork and hand gestures), and Meditation & Mindfulness.

Di Oro Living Spatula Set | $24.97, Now $19 at Amazon

One of the handiest kitchen tools around, these top-rated silicone spatulas feel great in the hand and are a pleasure to use. The handle has a steel core for rigidity, while the soft food-grade silicone head hugs the shape of the bowl, ensuring you get every last bit out. Heat-resistant up to 600°F, these won’t melt when stirring hot things, and they won’t scratch your favorite pan. They’re 100% BPA-free and come in a variety of colors.

CALM Soaking Salts | $22 at Herbivore

Soak your worries away with this relaxing bath salt blend from the folks at Herbivore, where creating plant-based skincare is their mission. Pink Himalayan sea salt adds soothing magnesium and other minerals to the water, while a fragrant, blend of ylang-ylang and vanilla calms and soothes. With no messy dried herbs to clog the drain, this is a relaxing experience from start to finish. Each bottle is small enough to pack for an overnight getaway and contains enough for four luxury baths.

Stainless Steel Wide Mouth Funnel | $7 at Amazon

This wide-mouth funnel, sometimes called a canning funnel, is a great stocking stuffer for the foodie in your life who has everything! No more messes filling up storage containers or pouring soup into a thermos. Made from stainless steel, it’s easy to wash, and the 5.8-inch wide mouth fits most jars. Once you have one of these, you’ll wonder how you lived without one.

GIFTS UNDER $60

MoMA Wire Mesh Bowl | $50 at MoMA Design Store

The Museum of Modern Art Design Store is a goldmine for home wares that delightfully marry form and function, and this eye-catching fruit basket is a perfect example: Its wire-mesh design allows air to circulate around fruit so that it stays fresh for longer, and it looks so darn cute on your countertop. It comes in four classic yet bold hues—the above-pictured red, as well as a banana-yellow, cobalt blue, and forest green—to add a happy pop of color to your kitchen.

BlendJet 2 Portable Blender | $40, Now $30 at Amazon

The BlendJet is a surprisingly useful little gadget, even if you already have a plug-in single-serve blender. The portable personal blender allows you to whip up smoothies while camping and on road trips. And because it’s convenient and easy to clean (just add soap and water and blend), you may find yourself using it at home, too. It’s not for serious jobs—we’ve not found it to be effective at blending ice, and we usually let frozen fruit thaw for about 10 minutes before blending—but given the low price point and the fact that it takes up as much cabinet space as a reusable water bottle, it’s a worthwhile buy. The BlendJet 2 is BPA-free.

Ramen Bowls (Set of 2) | $44 at Goodies

Goodies is an LA-based brand on a mission to make stylish home goods more affordable. No item in its brick-and-mortar or online stores costs more than $25, yet their products are well-made and feel special enough to give as gifts. We’re particularly fond of their ceramic bowls, which come in a range of styles, from shallow ones that are perfect for smoothie bowls to these deep ramen bowls. With room for ample broth and toppings, these tapered bowls cost $22 a pop and are guaranteed to elevate your homemade ramen experience. The speckled, pleasingly hefty stoneware is heat-safe and dishwasher-safe.

LifeStraw Go Series Bottle | $39 at Amazon

LifeStraw had a 20-year track record of helping transform dirty water into safe drinking water, when it launched its first straw-style device for humanitarian purposes. Now a Climate Neutral Certified B Corp, the company offers a range of water-filtration products for at home and on the go. The LifeStraw Go Series promises to “filter out the nasties” using a two-stage system: a membrane microfilter, which removes 99.99% of bacteria (including E.coli and Salmonella), parasites (including Giardia and Cryptosporidium), microplastics, sand, dirt, and cloudiness; and a carbon filter to reduce chlorine, odors, and organic chemical matter. Its pathogen-removing, taste-enhancing capabilities earned it a stamp of approval from The New York Times Wirecutter. The LifeStraw Go comes in stainless steel or BPA-free plastic (with 10 different color options) and a few different sizes. With daily use, the microfilter lasts for about five years, while the carbon filter will need to be replaced about every two months.

GIFTS UNDER $100

Herb Stripe Place Mats (Set of 4) | $58 at Dusen Dusen

Dusen Dusen specializes in making irresistible, Instagrammable home goods like these personality-packed placemats, which are 100% cotton and machine-washable. The set of four comes with one mat in each colorway (Paprika, Sage, Turmeric, and Thyme); you can also opt for a set of two in one colorway. If you’re not sure what to get the consummate home cook and host in your life, these are a good option—one can never have too many placemats!

Winsome Maple Cutting Board | $80 at Sonder or Amazon

Sonder Los Angeles is a small business that specializes in one thing: cutting boards. Made in the USA using sustainably sourced American maple, the aptly named Winsome board is a beauty that you’ll be proud to whip out for charcuterie. Weighing 8 pounds, it’ll stay put while you slice and dice away, and it features a fun reversible design: on one side, a moat runs along the edges to prevent fruit or veggie juices from leaking onto your counter; the other side has a well to hold chopped ingredients when you’re using it as a cutting board or crackers, grapes, or other items when in charcuterie mode.

Global 7″ Nakiri Vegetable-Chopping Knife | $125, Now $99 at Cutlery and More

Make the plant-based amateur chef in your life feel like a real pro with a high-quality Japanese knife. Nakiri are designed to chop produce cleanly and precisely, and this one features helpful touches like a hollow edge (to prevent veggies from sticking to the blade) and an ergonomic handle weighted with sand inside, to create just the right balance as you’re chopping. Metal handles are easier to keep up than wood, though they can get slippery; for safety, work with dry hands and avoid using the knife for fatty ingredients. Made of exceptionally hard steel, ice-tempered, and hardened to resist corrosion, Global knives are made in Japan and come with a lifetime warranty.

Total Body Glow Trio | $128, Now $98 at Osea Malibu

Since 1996, Osea Malibu has been developing products that harness the power of seaweed—a rich source of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants—for natural yet effective skincare. The Total Glow Body Trio offers a three-step routine for ultra-soft skin. First, use the Plant-Based Body Brush to promote circulation and remove dead cells. Then, hop in the shower or bath and gently massage the Salts of the Earth Body Scrub all over. After toweling off, lather up with some Undaria Algae Body Oil, and mwah—you’ve got kissable, baby-soft skin, even in the deadest, driest days of winter.

Philips GoZero Sparkling Water Maker | $64, Now $50 at Amazon

Help your bubbly-water obsessed loved one save money and reduce their carbon footprint with an at-home sparkling water maker. The Philips GoZero is a budget-friendly option with a sleek design, and it comes with a BPA-free bottle. It’s lightweight and doesn’t use electricity, so it can live anywhere in the house. Note that it doesn’t come with CO2 cylinder, so if you want them to be able to get fizzing right away, be sure to pick one up separately.

Tomato Candle | $69 at Carrière Frères

We didn’t have tomato candles on our 2024 bingo card, but they certainly took the world by storm this year—and once you’ve sniffed one, you understand why. The refreshing, earthy, slightly tangy fragrance transports you to the carefree days of late summer day with just one whiff. While Flamingo Estate’s is probably the buzziest tomato candle on the market, we love this one from Carrière Frères. The French candlemakers have been at it for 140 years, and they make their products to an excellent standard. Handcrafted in Normandy and poured into partly recycled, Italian-made glass, Carrière Frères candles are vegan and use 100% vegetable wax.

GIFTS UNDER $200

Ninja Creami | $230, now $180 at Amazon

2024 was the year FOK got hip to the joys of the Ninja Creami. If you want to level up your nice cream–making game and achieve the shape and texture of traditional scoops instead of soft serve, this is the tool. It takes a little more planning than blender-style nice cream: You’ll make a smoothie-like batter and freeze it for 24 hours before the Creami’s “creamerizer blade” works its magic, milling and aerating your frozen blend into legit ice cream in about 4 minutes.

Forks Cooking Course | $349, Now $149

A collaboration between Forks Over Knives and the Rouxbe Online Cooking School, the Forks Cooking Course is a comprehensive, self-paced curriculum that includes 90 hours of expert-led instruction. Lessons include how to set up a plant-based kitchen, essential knife skills, basic cooking methods (such as oil-free sauteing and roasting), efficient batch-cooking, and meal planning and prepping.

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash & Hand Balm Duet | $131 at Nordstrom

Treat someone you love to the ultra luxe cult-favorite hand soap and moisturizing balm. The scent is a relaxing blend of mandarin orange, rosemary, and cedar, the ingredients are vegan and gentle, and the balm is deeply moisturizing.

Homemade Tortilla Starter Kit | $115 at Masienda

Masienda is our go-to for a sturdy tortilla press, and it comes in six nice colors. This tasty kit pairs the press with two bags of heirloom masa harina and a set of reusable tortilla press liners.

Organic Cotton Tomato Robe | $155 at Blockshop Textiles

In collaboration with cookbook author and Instagram star Dan “Grossy” Pelosi, Blockshop made this 100% organic cotton robe featuring our favorite fruit/vegetable screen printed over blue pajama stripes. Who wouldn’t want to spend lazy weekend mornings lounging around in this cheery robe?

GIFTS OVER $200

Oura Ring | From $349 at Oura

For anyone who really wants to tune in to their health, consider the Oura ring. Wrist-worn trackers like the Apple Watch and Fitbit do a better job tracking physical activity, but the Oura wins out for battery life, comfort, and 24/7 ease of wear. The Oura ring tracks sleep quality, body temperature (tips you off when you’re getting sick), menstrual cycle, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels. The newest generation Oura 4 is slimmer and more comfortable than the generation 3 model, with a longer, eight-day battery life; expanded size options; and more accurate sensors.

Vitamix Ascent Series A2300 | $549 Now $469 at Amazon

Yes, it’s a splurge, and it’s worth every penny. The Vitamix high-speed blender can make cream-style soups in a matter of seconds, blitz nuts into a smooth butter, and transform frozen fruit pieces into a soft-serve “nice cream” treat. We like the Ascent Series A2300 model, which has a shorter, wider pitcher and cutting-edge precision settings that include a digital timer and wireless sensor.

Ooni Koda 16 Gas-Powered Outdoor Pizza Oven | $599, Now $479 at Ooni and Williams Sonoma

For serious pizza lovers, this beginner-friendly, chef-loved outdoor oven works with propane tanks or a natural gas line and comes with cordierite stone baking board. Reaching up to 500°F to cook neapolitan-style pizza with a nice crispy crust in as little as 60 seconds, it doubles as a tandoor oven to bake naan or other breads. The 16-inch diameter leaves enough room to maneuver without getting burned.

Staub Enameled Cast Iron Stackable 4-Piece Set | $500 at Williams Sonoma

This space-saving made-in-France set is the whole package: The black enamel interiors cook and clean up (almost) as well as nonstick pans—without the worry of forever chemicals or stains. The heavy cast iron provides even heat retention. This stackable set includes a 5-quart Dutch oven for soups and stews, a shallow 3½ quart braiser, a ridged grill pan for nice sear marks, and a heavyweight lid that fits all three pans.

Breville the Smart Oven® Air Fryer Pro | $400, Now $300 at Amazon

If you want an air fryer and your toaster has seen better days, this smart convection oven is The New York Times Wirecutter’s top pick among air fryer/toaster combos. It comes with 13 presets, including toast, broil, air-fry, proof, pizza, and dehydrate. It also has two roomy levels, so you can cook two pizzas or two quarter sheet pans of veggies (or cookies) at the same time.

The post 2024 Holiday Gift Guide: Vegan Gifts for Every Budget appeared first on Forks Over Knives.