text: We can't hide our love for Ginnifer Goodwin, amazing vegan weddings, the best online bakeries, and so much more!
  With the requisite Memorial Day cookout behind us, we're fully celebrating summer here at the VNHQ. It's hard to believe it's already June, but we couldn't be happier. Aside from all the amazing things happening now, from summer festivals and conferences to brand-new blogs, may we remind you of a little something called our 10th anniversary? This milestone is just a mere month away, and we can't wait to share our largest issue ever with you! If you aren't already a subscriber, you can still pre-order a copy and get in on the celebration. In the meantime, here's the latest veg happenings to distract you from the overwhelming excitement.
  Chloe Coscarelli, a Los Angeles-based vegan baker and chef, already has one food competition win under her 22-year-old belt. Coscarelli created the winning panini in a contest hosted by local restaurant Coral Tree Cafe in January, and now has her sights set slightly higher: Coscarelli is a competitor on Cupcake Wars, which will air mid-June on the Food Network.
  After Mercy For Animals (MFA) released shocking video of dairy cows being horrifically abused by workers at Conklin Dairy Farms in Ohio, the worker shown on video has been arrested and charged with 12 counts of animal cruelty. MFA's video has been picked up by major news networks such as CNN, The Los Angeles Times, CBS, and others.
  The environmental nightmare that continues to unfold in the Gulf of Mexico due to leaking oil from a BP drilling operation is costing hundreds of animals their lives. Birds, jellyfish, turtles, shrimp, and other sea life have become coated in oil and died. So far, there have been nearly 400 birds reported dead from the oil spill, a number that is thought to be only a small percentage of the total.
  1. Snazzy Supper Clubs Go underground with your next gourmet meal for a unique—and affordable—dining experience.
  2. John Robbins Author and activist John Robbins shares an inside look at his latest book, The New Good Life: Living Better Than Ever in an Age of Less.
  3. Spicy Snickerdoodles Enjoy these sweet, cinnamon-spiked treats with a tall glass of your favorite non-dairy milk.
  Be a part of Toronto's first annual Veggie Pride Parade this Saturday, June 5. Join the city's veg community for a festive parade, and don't forget to sport your creative, veg-inspired costume! Expect fun prizes, live entertainment, and a day full of activism.
  Portland, Ore., hosts its first professional vegan cooking competition on Sunday, June 6. The sold-out Vegan Iron Chef event will feature a live kitchen challenge between three well-known Portland chefs, and will be streamed live for those unable to attend. In addition to the exciting cooking competition, guests can enjoy vegan celebrity hosts, live music, exhibitors, and more.
  Join fellow animal advocates at this year's Their Lives, Our Voices conference in Minneapolis, Minn. Spend the weekend of June 11–13 listening to inspiring presentations, featuring speakers such as Carol J. Adams, Nathan Runkle, and Erica Meier. Enjoy complimentary vegan meals, explore the Twin Cities, and network with activists from across the US.
  Get up close and personal with the residents of Animal Acres sanctuary at its Country Hoe Down on June 12, including quality time with rescued pigs, cows, and chickens. Informative presentations and inspirational speakers will follow the tour, giving visitors all the info they need to make a difference for farmed animals. Of course, no hoe down would be complete without a delicious country cookout!
  Don't miss this year's Let Live Conference, an exciting gathering of animal advocates in Portland, Ore., from June 25 to 27. The conference brings together activists from across the country, focusing on creative activism and honing skills needed to make a difference. Enjoy inspiring speakers, including Gene Baur, Isa Chandra Moskowitz, and Josh Hooten, as well as catch a screening on the new animal rights-focused film, Bold Native.
  There is power in numbers, and the impressive collection of more than 100 diverse, delicious recipes in Easy Vegan: Simple Recipes for Healthy Eating proves that. Authored by not one, but 19 different chefs, this compact, colorful volume places the power of a plant-based diet in the hands of even the most kitchen-shy readers. Simple instructions and whole-foods ingredients make the dishes accessible, and full-color photos are sure to fire up appetites faster than you can choose your next culinary conquest. Whip up mouthwatering appetizers such as Mini Spring Rolls with Chile Dipping Sauce, or relax in the warm-weather summer days with a bevy of fresh salads. Soups, main dishes, and desserts follow, providing healthy fare with influences from around the world. Just as the title suggests, it's easy being vegan—especially with this book on your shelf.
  Test out this tasty potato salad rendition from Easy Vegan, dressed up with warm spices and fresh lime juice for a decidedly delicious twist on a summer stand-by. If you're not a fan of cilantro, parsley can be substituted for a colorful garnish.
  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat 1/4 cup oil. Add mustard and cumin seeds, cinnamon, chile, and cardamom. Stir-fry until aromatic, then stir in turmeric. Add potatoes, salt, and pepper, and stir-fry for about 2 minutes. Add water and bring to a boil. Cook until liquid has evaporated and potatoes are tender, adding more water if necessary.
  2. Sprinkle half the chopped red onion over the top of the potatoes. In a skillet over medium heat, add remaining 1/4 cup oil, onion, and garlic, and fry until golden brown.
  3. Pour contents of the skillet over potatoes and toss to coat. Top with cilantro, fresh lime juice, and serve.
  When it comes to organic, hand-crafted bath care, the adorable yet luxurious Lavender & Black Pepper Soap from Skinnyskinny has stolen our hearts. Besides its eye-catching recycled wrapping, the unique combination of calming lavender with spicy black pepper essential oil produces a balancing scent that complements the rich, skin-soothing ingredients. All of the key players are present, including organic olive, coconut, and avocado oils, as well as fair-trade shea butter. In addition to making super-moisturizing soaps, Skinnyskinny is incredibly eco-friendly, maintaining a 100-percent carbon neutral facility.
  Dust off your library cards: VegNews is launching its first-ever book club! We will be reading and discussing both fiction and non-fiction works, hosting discussions, and chatting with superstar authors. We'll read one book per month with a new discussion each week, and build your knowledge of the lifestyle we all know and love! Our first three titles are Mad Cowboy, Skinny Bitch, and The Jungle, so get ready to start discussing come July 5! Can't wait? Take a sneak peek now and say hello to Lyndsay, our fantastic book club hostess.
  We can barely contain our excitement at the VNHQ—the release of our amazing, inspiring, and oh-so-celebratory 10th anniversary issue is very close. Not a subscriber yet? Pre-order your copy now! With a special-edition cover designed by renowned artist Peter Max, our Hot List of 10 must-know vegans, more recipes than ever before, the best veg cities in the country, and fun lists galore, you won't want to miss it.
  When it comes to the best veg goods, we know a thing or two. At the VN store you'll find not only our favorite vegan gear, from must-have lip balms to the best vegan candy bars, but also stellar gift packs, limited edition issues, and top veg books. Don't miss our stellar tee sale right now—you can score a coveted VN tee for the low price of $12, shipping included! They're selling fast, so grab yours while you can.