Have you finished your holiday shopping? Do you have a special plant-based person in your life who needs a gift? Tonight is probably the last night you can order something online to get it to your friend or loved one. So after you read this, make sure you place your order…or if you are a procrastinator like me, try to find it at a store locally.
One good thing about procrastinating is that you help support your local purveyors 🙂
I purchased a few cookbooks and magazines in October, but haven’t gotten around to reviewing them until now.
I think they would make perfect gifts for the many types of veggie people in your life.
The Vegan Slow Cooker – (For the busy veggie mom with many mouths to feed)
This cookbook is full of simmering soups, hearty stews, healthy and warm breakfasts, and easy desserts. There are tips for both new crock pot with timer and older crockpots. There is nothing like coming home from work to a warm meal that’s ready to eat!
The Vegan Stoner Cookbook – (For stoners someone who wants vegan food fast and uncomplicated)
I laugh when I read this delightful book. The drawings of the veggies and the ingredients are just too cute. All the recipes are easy enough for a child to follow…they will love the pictures. I’ll leave it up to you to describe to your child what a stoner is and what the little hippie mushroom is smokin’. These recipes are not super healthy and use stuff like canned crescent dough, and processed food stuff that can be cooked fast.
The Veggie-Lover’s Sriracha Cookbook – (For that SPICY person who hates bland food…the kind that can’t stand traditional American Thanksgiving dishes. *wink wink, my husband*)
Everything in here has Sriracha in it, from appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts. There is even a recipe to make your own spicy sauce!
Vegan Food Gifts – (For the crafty, DIY vegan friend of yours)
Beyond great recipes, this book contains vegan packaging ideas, instructions for making your own containers, and labels/paper goods you can photocopy and cut out. This book might come in handy right now for you because you could make some awesome things to give in the next couple days. It’s like vegan Pinterest in book form!
For a new Vegan online magazine, check out: Vegan For Life
Here are some of the things I made earlier in the week . I made the stamps myself!
The jar is simmering potpourri. It contains whole spices like cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf, star anise, orange and lemon slices and it is filled with water. All the recipient has to do is put the contents in a small pot on the stove, add 3 more cups of water, and let simmer. It makes the home smell wonderful! They can put the spices back in the jar and into the fridge to use 1 or 2 more times.
The compostable box contains my vegan spelt chocolate chip mint cookies, using DoTerra peppermint essential oil.
If you see this picture and you are interested in my services, leave a comment below and I’ll give you $25 off any cookdate in 2014!
More gift ideas?
Remember, there are healthy things you can give to vegetarians/vegans besides sweets. My daughter has the flu right now from too many cookie tastings and gifts from friends. The sad truth is that sugar in all its forms weakens the immune system….even the organic maple syrup I use in my cookies.
For a healthier holiday, try giving artisan pickles, kale chips, kimchi, nuts, sauces, the Vegg, artisan vegan cheeses (I still want to try Tal Ronnen’s Kite Hill cheeses), teas. (Why not try a savory tea! Numi Organics makes a wide variety of flavors including Broccoli Cilantro)
I am loving Go Raw’s Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds. I have been eating them everyday! You can find them at health food stores, online and I even got a huge bag at Costco!
My “keeping the flu away” lunch – Brown rice tortillas, spinach, swiss chard, arugula, nutritional yeast, sprouted pumpkin seeds, and pineapple/tomato/chipotle salsa.
I hope you have been inspired to purchase or make a great gift for a veggie pal!
Have a safe :: fun :: restful :: peaceful :: love-filled :: veggie holiday season!
Warm Wishes,
Cristina
Thanks for all the great ideas, Cristina. The Vegan Stoner Cookbook cover cracks me up!
I hope K is feeling better soon – her classmates are missing her 🙂