Hey guys!

If you’re scratching your head for ideas for a vegan Easter feast, here’s what I’m making (each bullet is linked):

• Pesto Manifesto Vegan Lasagna
• Mini Cornbread Muffins (I love these and just want them on the table even if they don’t go with anything else!
• Vegan Sugar Cookies (for my niece’s Easter basket)

My mom is making a honey ham, mashed potatoes, and aspargus with roasted almonds; other family members will be bringing rolls, chocolate pies, fruit salad and veggies and dip. Can you say food orgy? Yea, seriously.

If you’d care for some other vegan or vegetarian options, here ya go! Sorry if they aren’t very “Easter”-y; I don’t really subscribe to those conventional limits (each bullet is linked):

• Black Bean and Sweet Potato Enchiladas (Vegan)
• Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese (Vegetarian)
• Quinoa Salad with Roasted Asparagus and White Beans (Vegan)
• Shepherd’s Pie (Vegan)
• Spiced Sweet Potatoes and Chickpeas (Vegan if vegan butter is used)
• Spinach and Potato Frittata (Vegetarian)
• Spring Vegetable Risotto (Vegetarian)
• Sweet Potato Enchiladas (Vegetarian)
• Warm Asparagus and Citrus Salad (Vegetarian; Vegan if Omit Parmesan Cheese)
• Whole Wheat Pasta Salad (Vegan)

I also thought I’d pass along some cool tips to make it a green Easter:

Green Easter Tips

• Instead of buying a bunny, rescue one from here: www.bunnybunch.org (via Native Foods)
• Instead of buying a chick, see some real chicks in action by watching The Natural History of the Chicken(Via Native Foods); or celebrate the metaphorical chick in your life (ME!) with some vegan chocolate! Hehe! ;)
• If you’re going to color eggs, use natural color dyes (see description here) ; and use eggs that say “organically fed” & “USDA certified organic” & “free range” on the carton.
• Use a second-hand Easter basket or one you make yourself. My favorite second-hand stores are always loaded with gorgeous baskets. If 2nd-hand is not your thing, you can make your own (see instructions here) or use something that’s going to reused year after year, like a sand pail for your kids.
• Find an alternative to basket “grass.” The plastic grass stuff we use sits in landfills foreva-eva. I didn’t think about this until I started researching for this post (*gasp*), so I’m actually going to return the green plastic I bought from Target and shred the gorgeous paper scraps I have left over from scrapbook projects. You could also use a pretty piece of clothing, a scarf, a little blanket or an Easter-themed dish towel as the lining. It’s like wrapping a gift in another gift!
• If you’re going to give candy, search for the Fair Trade & Organic labels or go for local chocolate. Instead of buying candy for my niece, I’m making her the cookies listed above and am considering making an even healthier option to balance them out with. Any ideas, lemme know!

What are you guys planning for Easter?

Tags: Easter