While it is hard to wave goodbye to summer (or for me, hard to wave goodbye to the days of doing absolutely nothing over the summer), fall is fast approaching, and this usually means thicker clothing, toasty beverages and feeling the fall spirit with amazing comfort food. As a vegan who is always on the lookout for ways to be as ethical and kindhearted to not only the animals but the planet, I have seriously changed the way I think about these last several months of the year and how I get into the fall/eventual holiday spirit. With that being said, here are just a few steps that anyone can take as well to greatly help both the planet and the animals during these last two seasons of the year.

1. Veganize your favorite fall recipes.

Autumn usually means the welcoming of pumpkin-flavored everything for most people (I unfortunately cannot get on this train because pumpkin = bleh for my tastebuds), and there are countless of recipes to consult (the best ones being on Pinterest) to satisfy those cravings for comfort food. Whether it be pumpkin pie or pumpkin spice beverages, anything can be made vegan this season.

2. Say no to Bath & Body Works.

Anybody who has ever been to a mall that has a Bath & Body Works is all too familiar with the fall scents emitted from the store during this time of the year. As much as I used to also enjoy them, I have started saying no to Bath & Body Works due to the fact that their parent company, L Brands (who also owns Victoria’s Secret, for those who enjoy their beauty products), still does cruel animal testing that is not only unnecessary but also completely heartless. Not only are there cruelty-free/vegan fall products out there, they are also much cheaper and smell just as good as their Bath & Body Works counterparts. Be sure to check places like Marshall’s, Ross and Target for fall scented items, and if you are out hunting for candles, always make sure the candles are made of plant-based wax.

3. Don't buy brand new fall decorations.

During this time of the year, places like Walmart and Target are already bringing in decorations that welcome the end of the year; however, places that also have these decorations in stock are thrift stores like Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Buying decorations from these places not only keeps more items from filling our landfills and creating more waste, it also helps the community when one chooses to support these stores. This general rule can be applied beyond decorations to fall/winter clothes as well. One might be surprised how many treasures are waiting in places like Goodwill.

While short and sweet, taking these few steps will go a long way to prevent animal cruelty and to help the environment as well as one’s local community. Just like producers have a responsibility (although unfortunately most do not acknowledge it) to deliver ethical products to their consumers, the consumer has the power to say ‘no’ to anything that brings harm to animals, their health, and the environment. It’s time to step up and change the way in which we welcome in the fall season.