After her husband suffered a stroke in 2019 and lost vision for several months, and following the sudden death of her father from a heart attack, Essig took a deep dive into nutrition. Determined to prevent further health issues, she shifted her family of eight – including six kids – to a plant-based diet.

Today, Essig creates videos to support others on the same journey. Her focus: helping people make long-term, sustainable changes. In a recent video, she tackles one of the biggest questions for plant-based families – how to save money while eating well – and shared her top Costco vegan hacks for buying plant-based staples for your home.

The plant-based items to buy in bulk at Costco

Essig shared a number of vegan food staples that she believes offer good value at Costco. From nut butter to frozen veggies, here are her insider tips:

Almond and peanut butter

Essig always buys nut butter at Costco. “The almond butter is literally the best price,” she says, adding that peanut butter also tends to be significantly cheaper than at her local grocery store.

Better than bouillon

Essig uses Better Than Bouillon as a base for soups and stews and stocks up on it during Costco runs. “That’s when I know it’s time to go back to Costco – when I’m usually out of Better Than Bouillon,” she says.

This soup base adds deep umami flavor to meals and is available in a large container at Costco, offering better value than smaller jars found in typical supermarkets.

Read more: ‘5 Plant-Based Foods My Family Eats Every Week’

Chia, hemp, and flax seeds

Costco offers bulk bags of nutrient-rich seeds that are ideal for smoothies, oatmeal, and baking. “Chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds also tend to be cheaper at Costco,” Essig notes.

These seeds are high in plant-based omega-3s, fiber, and protein, and they support heart and digestive health.

Dairy-free chocolate chips

While not available at every location, some Costco stores stock dairy-free chocolate chips. Essig advises checking local inventory and stocking up when available, as they often sell out.

Coconut water

Essig uses coconut water in green smoothies, calling it her secret to a refreshing blend. “It makes it so good,” she says.

Costco usually sells shelf-stable coconut water in bulk, making it convenient for storage and significantly more affordable per unit.

Frozen fruits and vegetables

Frozen organic vegetables and berries are consistent value items at Costco. “Organic frozen vegetables are so much less expensive at Costco,” she says. She also points out the affordability of regular and organic frozen berries.

Frozen produce offers the same nutrients as fresh and is great for smoothies, stir-fries, and batch cooking.

Hummus and guacamole

Essig purchases both large containers and individually packaged servings of hummus and guacamole. “You cannot find a better deal anywhere else,” she says, especially for the snack-sized packs that are ideal for kids’ lunches.

These dips are good sources of healthy fats and fiber, and they make convenient plant-based snacks.

Legumes (when available)

Some Costco locations carry dried lentils and beans, which Essig recommends stocking up on if available. “If you can find them, it’s a great deal,” she says.

Lentils and beans provide fiber, protein, iron, and a variety of essential nutrients.

Maple syrup

Essig prefers using real maple syrup in her home and buys it exclusively from Costco due to the price. “Maple syrup’s expensive, so at Costco it usually is a pretty decent price,” she says.

This natural sweetener is a common pantry item in plant-based kitchens for oatmeal, baking, and pancakes.

Organic oats

While she finds regular oats cheaper elsewhere, Essig says Costco has the best deal for organic oats. These are ideal for breakfast bowls, baking, and even homemade oat milk.

Oats are high in fiber and linked to heart health and stable blood sugar levels.

Plant-based milks

Costco sells bulk packs of shelf-stable plant milks, including almond and oat milk. “These milks can stay on the shelf so you don’t have to store them in your fridge,” Essig says.

Though her local Costco no longer carries soy milk, she still finds good prices on almond milk. These kinds of milk can be used in cooking, smoothies, and cereal.

Quinoa and brown rice

Essig always stocks up on grains during her Costco trips. “You cannot get a better deal on quinoa,” she says. Brown rice is another pantry staple that also offers great value at Costco.

Whole grains like quinoa and brown rice are high in fiber and key minerals like magnesium and selenium.

Ramen noodles

Costco sells a bulk box of rice ramen that Essig uses for quick, no-fuss meals. “I just add tofu to it,” she says, explaining how she transforms the simple ramen into a tasty meal.

This quick meal base is useful for busy nights and can be boosted with vegetables and plant proteins.

Tofu

Tofu is another top-value item at Costco. “You can’t get a better deal anywhere else,” Essig says. The large packs are ideal for families or batch cooking.

Whole wheat flour

Essig uses Costco’s whole wheat flour in all of her baking. “This is what I use to make cookies and everything else in all my recipes,” she says. It’s not always available at every location, but when it is, she stocks up.

Whole wheat flour adds more fiber and nutrients compared to refined white flour.

Shopping hacks for non-members

Essig also shared tips for shopping at Costco without a membership and still benefiting from these Costco vegan hacks. “Ask someone who has a membership to get you a gift card or a cash card – then you can go shopping at Costco without the membership,” she explains

She recommends shopping on weekday mornings for the best stock and smallest crowds and watching price tags for codes like .97 (markdown) or .49 (manufacturer discount). An asterisk on the sign means the item won’t be restocked.

Costco also honors price adjustments: if an item goes on sale within 30 days of your purchase, you can request a refund for the difference.

Living life as a vegan shouldn’t be expensive. Have a look at this study on how a plant-based diet can save you money at the grocery store.

You can find more plant-based tips on the PlantWhys YouTube channel.

Read more: 5 Nutrient-Packed Foods To Help Power A Plant-Based Pregnancy

This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

Jenné Claiborne, the content creator behind the SweetPotatoSoul YouTube channel, recently spent a week on board with her mother and daughter. Though technically working, she hosted cooking classes and a book signing for her latest release Vegan Vibes. Claiborne says the trip left her “relaxed, rejuvenated, clearheaded.”

The video she shares documents what that experience looks like day-to-day: the meals, the stops, the people, and the activities. The cruise visited Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and a private island in the Bahamas, all while hosting fully plant-based meals and wellness events on board.

Here’s what the cruise offered and how Claiborne spent her time on board.

Read more: ‘I Dined At The World’s Only Michelin 3-Star Vegan Restaurant – Here’s What It Was Like’

A dedicated vegan buffet for breakfast

Each morning, guests in the Holistic Holiday group had access to their own vegan buffet. Claiborne describes a mix of sweet and savory offerings: tofu scramble, sautéed mushrooms, vegan sausage, pancakes, and French toast.

“I always got the tofu scramble and mushrooms and usually sausage,” she says, “and of course something sweet.”

Most mornings, they took their meals out onto the ship’s deck to eat in the Caribbean sun.

Exploring a private island in the Bahamas

One stop on the cruise was a private island owned by the cruise company, open only to guests. “This place is stunning,” Claiborne says. The family spent the day swimming, relaxing, and playing in the sand.

She points out the ease of the experience: cruise guests can use their onboard cards at the island’s bars and snack shacks, and there’s no need to return to the ship for meals.

Lunch on land and at sea

On the island, Claiborne and her family visited a general buffet that served the entire cruise, not just the vegan group. Options were more limited here but included fries, bean salad, roasted vegetables, and fruit.

“The vegan options were not great,” she says, “but the convenience of free food right on the island is hard to beat.”

Back on the ship, the Holistic Holiday guests had their own lunch buffet, with rotating options like curry, beans and rice, large salads, and a variety of vegan desserts. “My favorite was the walnut brownies,” she says. “I could eat these every day.”

When docked in Cozumel, Claiborne found a fully vegan Mexican restaurant called Vegan Bario, where she ordered enfrijoladas, cauliflower tacos, and quesadillas. She recommends it for anyone passing through the port, calling the food “amazing” and the staff “so friendly.”

Read more: UK Airports See Soaring Demand For Vegan Food

Take a look at the cruise

Cooking classes and book signings on board

Part of Claiborne’s role on the cruise was to teach cooking. She led three classes, two demos and one hands-on session, using recipes from Vegan Vibes.

Many people who attended the cruise had seen her previous video and joined this year as a result. “It was so much fun to meet so many of the SweetPotatoSoul community,” she says.

She also held a book signing, joined by her daughter, who appears in the new cookbook. “She’s basically a celebrity now,” Claiborne jokes.

Family-friendly relaxation and celebration

Back on the beach, the family spent time swimming, playing in the sand, and enjoying the last hours of sun. Claiborne did what she calls her “obligatory sand scrub,” exfoliating her skin with beach sand and rinsing off in the ocean – a ritual she says makes her feel smooth and refreshed.

Later that night, they rushed to make dinner reservations back on the ship. Every evening, the Holistic Holiday guests dined at a dedicated vegan restaurant with a five-course set menu. Claiborne says the food was healthy, balanced, and always included a dessert – her favorite part.

Nightly shows and a sunset send-off

Most nights ended with a live performance in the ship’s main theater. Her daughter insisted they attended, and Claiborne says she’s glad they did. Each night featured different acts like dancers, singers and acrobats, and the entertainment never repeated.

On the final night, they also caught a sunset from the ship’s deck. “What a beautiful ending to a fantastic journey,” Claiborne says.

You can find more of Jenné Claiborne’s videos and recipes on the Sweet Potato Soul YouTube channel.

Read more: South Korea Launches Nine Day Vegan Food Tour

This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

Veganism is skyrocketing in popularity all over the world. While the lifestyle has often been considered “unmanly” by some, an increasing number of men are discovering the benefits of going animal-free.

If you’re looking for some last minute or late gifts, and if you’re tired of gifting a “Best Dad” mug or beer opener, here are some great (and fully vegan) ideas that are guaranteed to go down well.

Bulldog Skincare

Bulldog has rapidly become one of the biggest skincare brands aimed at men. Many people may be unaware that the company prides itself on sustainability and its cruelty-free and vegan status. 

Whether your dad’s after beard maintenance or just really needs to start using moisturizer – Bulldog has got you covered. Its 2023 Father’s Day bundles include the Ultimate Beard Care Kit Giftset and the Original Ultimate Grooming Kit Giftset.

You can shop Bulldog’s full range here

Order vegan food

Nothing says “I love you” more than your favorite takeaway delivered to your front door. Plenty of vegan eateries offer delivery service depending on where you are in the world. Neat Burger and Slutty Vegan are notable examples.

If your dad has a sweet tooth, you could also treat him to a box from one of the many vegan donut brands in the US and UK, which often offer delivery service.

Votch Vegan watch

Gifts don’t get much more classic than a watch, and there are now a number of brands offering fully-vegan versions.

Watches are typically made with leather, and many popular companies are therefore not vegan-friendly. One brand using a sustainable and fully plant-based alternative is Votch.

Votch watches feature vegan leather made from byproducts from the pineapple and apple juice industries. They are therefore a more eco-friendly and cruelty-free alternative to the animal version.

Shop the Votch collection here

Greener Habits homeware

Greener Habits Co. is a vegan, plastic-free and sustainable store focussing on home essentials – which is ideal for those Dad’s obsessed with kitchen wear and coffee. 

If you’re looking for vintage handkerchiefs to biodegradable lunchboxes – Greener Habits Co. has your back. And if you’re not completely sure on what to get – why not purchase a gift voucher?

You can shop Greener Habits Co. here

Vegan hip flask

This personalized hip flask is made from “high quality” durable stainless steel, and comes wrapped in what’s described as “ethically sourced” premium vegan leather.

It’s available in black and brown, costs £30, and holds 8oz. You can also choose to have it personalized with your dad’s name.

You can shop the hip flask here

Vegan hamper

If you fancy splashing out this year, this Artisan British Vegan Gift Basket could be just the gift you’re looking for.

It features a number of sweet and savory vegan snacks, including dark chocolate, olives, gourmet popcorn, and corn scratchings.

Shop the basket on British Hamper

Eco-friendly Father’s Day card

While it would be pretty tricky to find a non-vegan Father’s Day card, you can go a step further and ensure yours is as environmentally friendly as possible.

Eco Friendly cards stocks a range of “unique” Father’s Day cards that contain seeds and can be planted to grow flowers. They are designed in Greenwich, London, and are 100 percent recyclable.

Shop the collection here

This article was written by Plant Based News on the PBN Website.

She shared her dining out insights on her Poosh wellness platform, with multiple food styles represented.

A total of 28 dishes were revealed as “Kravis” favorites, all from eight restaurants within the LA area. A guide for ordering from their favorite non-vegan sushi restaurants is also included.

The one recurring staple is a matcha latte, which they ordered with almost every meal.

For a romantic vegan night out

Crossroads Kitchen in West Hollywood is named as a go-to spot for a host of sharing plates and a romantic time. Among the recommended dishes are squash blossoms, tempeh piccata, and a chocolate brownie ice cream sundae for dessert. Barker is an active investor in the restaurant.

The two also love Carousel in Hollywood. The Middle Eastern eatery has played host to Kardashian and her family for years and serves her “comfort food.” Pitta and hummus, pickled turnips, and olives are included in her favorite dishes.

Junk food favorites with a vegan twist 

For an authentic vegan chicken sandwich, Monty’s Good Burger on Sunset Boulevard is the only option. Barker is also an investor in this chain, and Kardashian is a full convert. “The vegan food tastes so close to the non-vegan versions,” she writes.

A faux beef hit is regularly sought out at Lucky’s in Malibu and Santa Barbara. The lovebirds order Impossible Burgers with a side of sweet potato fries and a grease-canceling green tea.

Even chicken and waffles make the health-focused duo’s favorite foods list. Vietnamese restaurant Âu Lac in Downtown LA serves their preferred version, alongside wild rice and essential matcha shakes.

Junk food for breakfast comes in the form of stacked vegan burritos, courtesy of JOi Cafe in Westlake Village. 

Satisfying healthy vegan cravings

The only standout health food establishment on the list, Health Nut has three LA locations for the couple to choose from. A high-protein salad with mango iced green tea is the go-to order.

Ma-Kin Vegan Sushi was a hard share. Kardashian writes that it is her favorite secret spot, found in a mall in Agoura Hills. The two regularly visit for sashimi, miso soup, and other traditional treats turned vegan. 

At non-vegan sushi restaurants, including Nobu, the two advise ordering miso soup, edamame, avocado-forward dishes, and cucumber rolls.

Veganism is a major part of the ’Kravis’ lifestyle

Kardashian admits that she is not fully vegan, but is very close. Barker turned vegan in 2008, after surviving a plane crash and reevaluating his lifestyle. 

The Poosh list is not the first time the couple has promoted vegan food.

Earlier this year, following their elopement to Las Vegas, the Barkers took part in an Ellen von Unwerth photoshoot at the Chateau Marmot hotel in West Hollywood. Posing with a range of Daring Foods’ vegan chicken products, the two revealed themselves to be the brand’s latest ambassadors.

The plant-based Kardashians?

The Barkers are not the only family members to experiment with veganism.

Their Daring Foods shoot came shortly after Kim Kardashian was announced as Beyond Meat’s first-ever Chief Taste Consultant. Sticking with the plant-based theme, the social media mogul also ensured her new skincare line SKKN is fully vegan.

Youngest sister Kylie Jenner first launched Kylie Skin, a range of vegan luxury skincare, in 2019. Last year, the beauty influencer transitioned her makeup line to 100 percent vegan formulas as well.

This article was written by Amy Buxton on the PBN Website.

According to plant-based non-profit, Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), ‘the fat and cholesterol found in eggs can harm heart health and lead to prostate cancer, colorectal cancer’ and more.

Are eggs healthy?

In addition, according to the FDA, eggs ‘may contain bacteria called Salmonella that can cause…food poisoning’.

Many people believe eggs are healthy – and that free-range eggs are ethical. The average American consumes about 279 every year, and the average Brit almost 200.

So are eggs healthy? Let’s look at more details.

Cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and eggs

Egg yolks are loaded with cholesterol. A medium-sized egg contains 186 mg of cholesterol, which is 62 percent of the recommended intake.

This increases your risk of cardiovascular disease.

In fact, Nutritionfacts.org says some experts suggest that eating just one a day may exceed the safe upper limit for cholesterol intake in terms of cardiovascular disease risk.

Cancer risk

Can eating dietary cholesterol – which is found in eggs among other animal products – increase cancer risk?

According to nutritionfacts.org: “The largest nationwide population-based case–control study [to date] to assess the association between cholesterol intake and several types of cancer.

“And, they found ‘dietary cholesterol intake was…associated with’ increased risk of cancers of the stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, lung, breast, kidney, bladder and bone marrow—non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.”

Viva! adds: “There’s a strong link between egg consumption and ovarian cancer – one or two eggs a week increase the risk by 70 percent, more than two and it rises to 80 percent.”

In addition, Viva! says, they also contain choline. “They are by far the richest dietary source. Too much choline has been linked to ovarian and prostate cancer and heart disease.”

According to plant-based physician Dr. Greger, men who eat even less than one egg a day appear to have twice the risk of prostate progression compared to men who rarely eat them.

He adds: “And, men who consume two and a half or more eggs per week—basically an egg every three days—may have an 81 percent increased risk of dying from prostate cancer.”

Dr. Greger also cites choline as the potential culprit behind this increased risk factor.

Food poisoning and eggs

Eggs pose the risk of salmonella poisoning. And salmonella bacteria can survive cooking if the eggs are still runny. In fact, the FDA recommends using eggs that have been treated to destroy salmonella through pasteurization if recipes that require undercooking.

But why put yourself at risk?

This bacteria is a leading cause of food poisoning-related hospitalizations and the top cause of food poisoning-related death, says Dr. Greger.

The industry grinds up millions of male chickens alive

And health isn’t the only issue. Many consumers are unaware of the cruelty rife in the industry – including chick culling

The industry kills newly-hatched male chicks for which the hatcheries have no use. Male chicks are redundant to the laying industries because they don’t lay.

This is the case for all industrialized egg production in both the U.S and U.K. This is regardless of whether the eggs are free-range, organic, or battery cage.

The majority of culling methods don’t involve anaesthetic. However, they do include cervical dislocation and asphyxiation by carbon dioxide. And in addition, the American industry’s favorite: maceration using a high speed grinder.

A spokesman for the British Egg Information Service has said the practice of culling male chicks has been in place ‘as long as the industry has been there’.

U.S egg hatcheries grind up as many as 200 million male chicks every year.

Cruelty to chickens

Female chicks survive being minced alive. However, instead, they will have their beaks cut off (or burnt off) without anaesthesia or pain relief. Producers do this to try and prevent hens from injuring themselves or each other while living in such cramped conditions.

Chickens in battery cages live in such small areas that they are unable to spread their wings – ever.

Even in the best-case scenario, a hen spends her life crowded in a space about the size of a file drawer with several others. She will be unable to lift a single wing.

Disease also runs rampant in the cramped sheds – partly because egg-laying hens are forced to urinate and defecate on each other.

After two years of living in these conditions, the birds have suffered from severe bone loss. In addition, as they’re ripped from their cages, tens of millions suffer new broken bones.

After laying, hens’ bodies become exhausted, farmers then ship them off to the slaughterhouse.

“Consumers should be aware that this is what they are paying for when they buy eggs,” says says Animal Aid. “Regardless of whether they are from caged or free-range hens.”

Chickens are intelligent animals

According to research, chickens outperform both dogs and cats on some tests of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral complexity.

Dr. Jane Goodall explains: “Farm animals feel pleasure and sadness, excitement and resentment, depression, fear, and pain. 

“They are far more aware and intelligent than we ever imagined… they are individuals in their own right.”

Research from the University of Bristol has also demostrated how intelligent chickens are.

It says: “Chickens do not just live in the present but can anticipate the future and demonstrate self-control. [This is] something previously attributed only to humans and other primates.”

Chickens and menstruation

Many people are probably not aware that they are eating an animal’s period.

Female chickens have a menstrual cycle, during which a hen’s ovary sends a yolk on its path.

As it moves though the reproductive tract and into the shell gland, then yolk then forms into an ‘egg white’. The shell takes about 20 hours to form.

Free-range eggs

Many people believe that most eggs are free-range, but in fact, around 95 percent of U.S. eggs come from caged hens.

So eggs are demonstrably cruel. Are eggs healthy? Lots of evidence suggests not.

All things considered, you don’t need eggs.

There are many substitutes you can try from grocery stores – like JUST Egg for example.

This article was written by Diana Lupica on the PBN Website.