Last night I attempted to do a shout out for the Green Holiday Festival…epic fail…at this month’s Vegan Drinks. I kind of got tripped up on the question, “What do they get for $20?” Honestly, I didn’t really know what to say. Once I saw the Green Holiday Festival, and that it was being organized by the ladies behind the 1st NYC Vegetarian Food Festival, I was like, ‘Where do I sign up to help?’ I had such an amazing time last April…even with the 3+ hour wait.

Essentially that’s what the $20 is for: to weed out the line so those who really want to be there get in. (Free admission for kids under 10yrs.) It’s basically going to be the same concept as NYCVFF, but with a focus on eco-conscious and environmentally positive lifestyle choices.

NYCVFF was pretty much food and animal and dietary organizations centered. Eating vegan is green, literally. It not only saves animals but cuts down on pollution. Animal derived materials are used for more than just food, though. The GHF will give attendees a chance to see past their plates, to animal-free alternatives to clothing and more, as well as sustainably made products.

And it’s perfect timing! Since you’ll be buying gifts for the upcoming holidays, why not browse the amazing companies at the festival and buy a good gift that’s good for the environment.

I misspoke last night and said that Vaute Couture would be at the festival. That was my wishful thinking. However, a dozen+ amazing businesses and organizations are already confirmed to participate in the event from 10am-5pm on Dec 11th.

The current participants include:

Angell Bar
Big Skinny Wallets
Black Sheep Heap
Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Common Ground Center
Compassion Couture
Dolphin Organics™
Earth Presents
Edward & Sons Trading Co
For The Animals Sanctuary
Gneiss Spice
Green Mountain Energy
Gristle Tattoo
Healthy School Food
Kombucha Brooklyn
KurSuperfoods
Little Green Tees
Mercy For Animals
Moso Natural
PALO
Raw Ice Cream Company
Regal Vegan Inc.
Rescue Chocolate
Runa
Sacha Vida
Science of Spirituality
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Sivatree
Sweet Cheeks Vegan Bakery
Sweet. by jana
T. Colin Campbell Foundation
The Roving House
The Tea of Life Health
Two Shes Productions
U.S. Veg Corp

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And don’t forget the EVENTS!

11:00-11:45    —-     Jared Koch
12:00-12:30   —-    Roberto Negrin
12:45-1:45      —-    Steve Meyerowitz
2:00-3:00      —-    Victoria Moran
3:15-4:00       —-    Chloe Jo Davis

Last Friday, I trekked over to Blossom Du Jour at ? Amsterdam Avenue, a mile walk from my work. I was enticed by Dairy-Free Fridays. Part of the Blossom series of restaurants around NYC, BDJ is always vegan, but on Fridays the shrewd fast-food eatery offers 10% off one item when you mention the promotion.

Specific day discounts are not uncommon at restaurants. However, it’s not just a “spoil yourself and TGIF” type discount. It associates vegan eating with reward. Honestly, 10% on one item is kind of a joke, but it got me in there on a day I wouldn’t typically have even bothered to leave the office.

Coming home on the train Monday night, I saw a young women with a Meatless Monday sticker on her purse. Again, this is aimed at decreasing meat consumption, if only on the surface. The advertised value for those who participate is improved health. Cutting back one day should help decrease their risks of certain types of ailments, like cancer…let’s just hope they don’t “make it up” later in the week. And that’s actually the core of their campaign: get the week off to a good start and it might stick.