A Merry, Dairy-Free Christmas
Issue 123, featuring Cynthia Kaui
Welcome back to The Girl’s Guide! I hope you are enjoying this joyous Advent season. If you missed the most recent newsletter, find it here.
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A Dairy-Free Christmas
A dairy-free Christmas doesn’t sound very merry, does it? I couldn’t eat dairy last Christmas, so I am excited to enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, and fudge once again this year! (My daughter, Margot, has a pretty serious dairy allergy, so I couldn’t eat any dairy while I was breastfeeding her.)
I’ve been talking to friends this Christmas season, and it seems like many of them are in the same boat I was in last year. I know lots of moms have to quit dairy while breastfeeding because their babies are sensitive to it, and I have lots of friends who have quit or cut back on dairy due to their own sensitivities or health issues. For that reason, I’m sharing all of my tips and tricks for making yummy dairy-free treats for yourself as well as your family and friends!
Tip #1: Shop at your local Aldi.
My condolences if you don’t have an Aldi grocery store near you! But for those of you who do, Aldi has tons of vegan and dairy-free options at pretty good prices. I’ve never bought products like dairy-free cheese or yogurt, but there are many other products that are winners in my book. Aldi’s vegan Nacho flavored cauliflower tortilla chips are actually pretty tasty. Aldi’s almond milk ice cream is not bad, especially when it’s used as a topping or as a replacement in this cold brew milkshake recipe. And I think I prefer Aldi’s coconut whipped topping to Reddi-wip — it’s just that good!
That coconut whipped cream is the perfect companion to Half-Baked Harvest’s Creamy Coconut Hot Chocolate (recipe here), which Margot and I both enjoy. The recipe calls for using unsweetened coconut milk, but I use this sweetened coconut milk from Aldi and add less maple syrup. The consistency is stellar.
Tip #2: Coconut oil is handy for breakfast and dessert.
I always have Carrington Farms liquid coconut cooking oil in my pantry. It comes in handy for breakfast and desserts. You can substitute coconut oil for vegetable oil in practically any recipe with great results. Margot and I both love these Morning Glory Muffins with carrot and apple from Sally’s Baking Addiction (recipe here). I also find that dairy-free pancakes can be just as delicious as “regular” ones. I use this recipe for plain pancakes and this recipe for banana pancakes.
When it comes to dessert, everyone loves no-bake cookies — you know the ones made with oats, chocolate and peanut butter. Unfortunately, many of those recipes require milk and butter, so I use this recipe for vegan chocolate no-bake cookies. This recipe is very, very sweet, so I usually reduce the sugar to about 1 1/4 cups.
Tip #3: You can still enjoy holiday classics like mashed potatoes.
I couldn’t believe it when my friend told me this! Chicken broth and mayonnaise can give mashed potatoes just as creamy a texture as, well, cream. I’m sure there are many variations out there, but I use this one. As a Southerner, of course I use classic Duke’s mayo with the yellow lid — but you could use avocado oil mayo to be healthier, or even make your own. I have always loved mashed potatoes — go heavy with the garlic and garnish with some chives, and you have a side dish worthy of your Christmas table!
Tip #4: Don’t be afraid of sourdough.
I’ve always been afraid of dough. It just seems so finicky! What about all that wasted flour when I inevitably mess up? I’m here to tell you I’m very glad I started on my sourdough journey because it has provided lots of dairy-free nourishment for my toddler (and me). Farmhouse on Boone is my go-to sourdough resource. She has a website and a YouTube channel — watch her video on beginner no-knead sourdough here (h/t
). Farmhouse on Boone also has tons of sourdough discard recipe lists, including this list of Christmas cookie recipes. Not all sourdough discard recipes are dairy-free, but there are many more than I would have expected.Of course, to start your sourdough journey, you need starter. There are many ways to obtain starter for free (although I do have friends who purchased theirs from Ballerina Farm and are happy with it). You can post in your local Buy Nothing Facebook group asking for starter (I’ve given lots of starter away this way!) or, if there’s one near you, ask a sourdough bread bakery for some. Don’t worry, you won’t have to feed your starter every day — it can live happily in the fridge for days or even weeks when you don’t need it.
Interview with Cynthia Kaui
Today’s interview is Cynthia Kaui, a Cali girl who wears many hats, including as the president of the San Diego Young Republicans! Follow Cynthia on X and Instagram.
What does your life look like right now?
My life is full of joy and adventure. I constantly find myself balancing between my "slow girl" era and my "maximize everything God has given me" era. Being a major introvert, I enjoy both moments of reflection and staying active in my professional and personal pursuits. I'm excited for the future, especially with the possibilities that await after the November 2024 election.
What's your advice to a young person who wants to get involved with local or state politics?
First, identify your values and find the political party that aligns with them most closely. Don’t take things personally — elected officials, candidates, pundits, and activists serve a purpose, but they’re not necessarily role models. Your job is to discern the "good apples" from the "bad apples." Once you start volunteering or working in politics, it can quickly become all-consuming, so remember to set boundaries and prioritize your health.
What are your favorite sources for news and political analysis?
I scroll through X daily and stay plugged into the California political scene, getting my news and analysis from Rob Pyers, California Politico, CalMatters, and various California reporters.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned in your twenties?
As I approach my 30th birthday on December 8th, I can see that my twenties were full of incredible blessings. Sometimes, life doesn't turn out as you originally envisioned, but that shouldn't stop you from pursuing God's purpose for you. I think often about the lessons I've learned and how they’ll be valuable for my future daughters and sons.
If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go and what would you do?
Maldives! The idea of escaping the U.S. and relaxing in a net above the ocean, with my own hut over the water, is my dream destination. I've never traveled overseas, so I want the Maldives to be my first international adventure!
The Haps
Georgetown Reverses Course After Unfair Treatment of Pregnant 2L
Georgetown University Law Center really stepped in it after pressuring a pregnant 2L to either withdraw from a course or take an exam in-person shortly after giving birth — even though her professor supported giving her more options. Ever heard of Title IX and reasonable accommodations, guys? I wrote about the details of the kerfuffle for The American Conservative (read it here). I also did a Twitter thread about the medical freedom implications of Georgetown’s initial stance (link here).
interviewed the student at the heart of the controversy for The Pillar (read it here).Your Guide to Christmas Gift Guides
Thank you to The Federalist for republishing my 2024 Christmas gift guides! I added lots of extra picks for The Federalist readers (that means YOU — there’s no paywall!), so be sure to check them out. I’ve got my book lovers’ gift guide (link here), my Made in America gift guide with help from
(link here), and I also enjoyed editor Elle Purnell’s curated gift guide (link here).And The Color Of The Year Goes To…
The 2025 Color of the Year (according to Pantone, that is) is a light brown called Mocha Mousse. It’s definitely a big change from 2024’s color, a warm orange called Peach Fuzz. I’m not saying I predicted 2025’s color… but I did just buy a bunch of brown tops at Goodwill the other day. It’s like Pantone picked Mocha Mousse just for me, a girl who has never done her color analysis but has firmly decided she is an Autumn anyway. Read USA Today’s writeup about 2025’s Color of the Year here.
Here are more links to what I’m reading lately:
How to Throw a Cocktail Party (): A very practical guide to adding a little glamor into your life (and the lives of your friends!).
Embracing Candlelight in Darker Days (Theology of Home): Patricia Patnode inspires us to light a candle and unite with our Christian forebears.
The Unofficial Christmas Party Circuit Survival Guide (nine-seventeen): Sarah Selip with 12 rules to live by during Christmas party season.
The Best Butter (Wirecutter): Kerrygold fans, rejoice.
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