Hot apple cider, steaming wassail, eggnog, pfefferneusen and gingerbread, panettone and candy canes! There's no doubt that the holidays are filled with seasonal foods that tempt our tastebuds as well as fill our minds with nostalgic memories of holidays past. Here's a few classic Christmas recipes for those on an egg-free or dairy-free diet. Happy holidays!

• Vegan Holiday Fruitcake Recipe I know fruit cake always gets a bad reputation - but I LOVE the stuff and look forward to eating it every Christmas!
• Vegan Eggnog A rich and flavorful dairy-free and egg-free recipe for vegan egg nog (or eggnog) suitable for the kids.
• Roasted Chestnut Soup Nothing says Christmas like warm roasted chesnuts. Turn them into a soothing soup using this five-star reviewed recipe.
• Vegan Gingerbread Cookies A vegan gingerbread cookie recipe the kids will love to decorate. Though I have to confess that I do love to eat gingerbread cookies all year round!
• Spiced Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies This vegan recipe for spiced oatmeal cranberry cookies is thick and chewy, just the way oatmeal cookies should be.
• Vegan Egg Nog Pancakes Made with dairy-free egg nog - either homemade or store bought.
• Vegan Gingerbread Waffles A vegan Christmas breakfast with molasses and plenty of holiday spices.
• Another Vegan Eggnog Recipe A vegan eggnog recipe using tofu to thicken it up - but this one's not for the kids, as it contains a healthy amount of alcohol.
• Crockpot Christmas Wassail (Wassel) About.com's Guide to Busy Cooks says, "This spicy drink is made easily in your slow cooker, and you won't believe the wonderful aromas that will waft through your house while this recipe is cooking."

Wondering what I ate for lunch today? Follow me on Twitter!

Eating Well magazine, (which is not a fully vegetarian magazine, but still often has lots of great healthy vegetarian and vegan recipes and ideas) is offering a coupon on their website for everyone's favorite holiday meal: Tofurky! The coupon is good for either just a Tofurky roast or for a full feast.

Link: Tofurky coupon

Wondering what I ate for lunch today? Follow me on Twitter!

Short on time but need some festive holiday cookies? Pick up a box of any kind of cake mix at the store and whip up some homemade cake-mix cookies! Add a handful of chocolate chips, sprinkles, or dried fruit for a bit of whimsy and flair and stick them in the oven. I made these Christmas cake mix cookies from a box of gingerbread cake mix, but a spice cake mix or pumpkin cake mix would also add a holiday flavor. Add a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon for extra home-cooked flavor and viola! Cookies in the oven in less than five minutes and on the table in less than fifteen. Happy holidays!

Link: How to make cake mix cookies

Wondering what I ate for lunch today? Follow me on Twitter!

Many traditional Hanukkah foods, such as latkes and donuts, are already vegetarian and can easily be made vegan with just a few simple substitutions. If you're hungry for some vegetarian Hannukah recipes, here's a few places to start:

Dairy dishes for Hanukkah

Quick and Easy Homemade Applesauce

Vegetarian Kugel Recipes

Vegan Hannukah Donuts

More vegetarian and vegan Hannukah resources

Wondering what I ate for lunch today? Follow me on Twitter!