Vegan Christmas Gift Guide 2019 | 20+ Vegan Gift Ideas

The festive season is upon us and it's about that time to start thinking about what to gift our loved ones.

Have you ever taken the 5 Love Languages quiz? Or read the book? If so, then you'd be familiar with the five main ways (according to Gary Chapman) that we give and receive love: words of affirmation, quality time, gift giving, acts of service and physical touch.

I've read the book and taken the test, and it turns out that my top two love languages are quality time and gift giving. It makes total sense - there's nothing I enjoy more than simply being in the presence of those I care about. When it comes to gift giving, it's all about the meaning and sentiment behind the item. Gift giving doesn't have to equal elaborate or expensive. And when you combine quality time with gift giving, what you have is the experience gift. I can't get enough of those. A weekend getaway; a pottery class; a cookery class; a spa day; a trip to the theatre - the options are endless!

Now, if you've got a special vegan in your life and you want your gift to them this year to reflect your recognition or support of their lifestyle, or if you're feeling stuck and in need of some last-minute Christmas gift ideas, then below are some suggestions spanning a range of budgets, interests and love languages!

A) The Vegan Chocolate Lover

Dapaaah Chocolates - Mmiensa Collection | £24.99

An indulgent, handcrafted collection of dark, mylk and white dairy-free chocolate.

Dapaah is making it their mission to produce luxury chocolate made from Ghana's organic, quality cocoa, thereby creating new jobs and better wages for local cocoa farming communities.

Booja Booja Organic Artist's Collection - Champagne Truffles | £21

Dark chocolate champagne ganache, enrobed in more dark chocolate. So dreamy.

These award-winning truffles come in a beautiful keepsake box that can be repurposed. The elegant, handcrafted design makes it a true piece of art.

Copperhouse Hot Chocolate Variety Pack | £9 - £29

Copperhouse is an independent vegan chocolate cafe and their signature hot chocolate collection is the stuff of dreams. 

Choose from flavours such as: gingerbread, cinnamon rose, raspberry, mint, chilli and orange!

My Gammies Free-From Petite Chocolate Cupcakes | £3

These petit chocolate cupcakes (box of 12) may be gluten-free and free from all 14 allergens, but they are unbelievably soft and delicious!

I've shared about My Gammie's in a previous post, which you should definitely check out if you want to find out more about why you should support this brilliant family business.

B) The Fashion-Forward Vegan

Moddanio Cork Bags | Starting at £28

Classic and elegant bags/accessories made from cork - a durable and excellent alternative to leather.  

All products are certified vegan, eco-friendly and sustainably sourced, making them an excellent choice for the conscious consumer.

Votch Watch | £120

Vegan 'leather' watches that are high-quality and stylish? Look no further.

All of their watches are lovingly packaged in recyclable materials with low environmental impact.  A luxury unboxing experience awaits your recipient.

C) The Vegan Foodie

Organic Livity Macarons Gift Box | £22

The finest French Macarons made with organic, plant-based ingredients by pastry chef extraordinaire, Sidney Marton.  Perfectly presented in a sustainable, eco-friendly box.

Available in boxes of 8, with flavours including: blue spirulina/vanilla, hazelnut and dark chocolate. Made fresh to order without any additives or preservatives or artificial flavouring. Contain nuts. No gluten.

Marie's Little Jar Gift Pack | £28

All four flavours of delicious Marie's Little Jar sauces in a beautifully presented box.

These aromatic, all-natural sauces are lovingly handmade by Carine whose products are influenced by her Cameroonian heritage.

Carine and I previously collaborated on a plantain social event and her sauces were the perfect accompaniment to our plantain creations!

Zero Waste Cutlery Set by Jungle Culture | £8.99

For the foodie who dines out a lot, this reusable cutlery set is indispensable. 

Lightweight and portable, this set can slip into any bag easily and is great for camping trips, festivals and events.

A stylish and eco-friendly way to ditch single-use plastic utensils!

GUTXY Reset+ (Microbiome Testing) | £342

This makes for a totally unique gift! GUTXY Reset+ is a program that helps you track how dietary changes affect your gut, allowing you to see what you should be eating to feel your best. Gifting a DNA ancestry test is cool and all, but this is next level brilliant and will go down well with the health-conscious foodie in your life.

All Nations Vegan House - Restaurant Gift Voucher | £22

All Nations is a family-run Caribbean vegan restaurant, serving up hearty and tasty meals in the heart of Dalston! Treat a loved one to a gift voucher so that they can experience the deliciousness. Voucher valid until February 2020.

Vegan Nigerian Dinner for 2 - Gift Voucher | £85

Open to residents in London zones 1-3.  

Treat a loved one to a Vegan Nigerian dinner gift voucher, allowing them to enjoy a three-course meal with another guest of their choice.  

They'll get a full private chef experience, with the meal prepared and served fresh in the comfort of their home - at a time and date that's convenient for them!  

The voucher is valid for up to 6 months.

D) The Vegan Chef

Tofu Press | £23.18

It doesn't get more vegan than a tofu press - designed to press the water out of a block of tofu, which helps improve the overall taste and texture.

For the experienced chef, it can also be used to make tofu from scratch.

Bespoke Binny Oven Gloves | £24.99

How utterly beautiful are these oven gloves?! Chef or not, I imagine that anyone would be thrilled to receive them.

Choose from a range of African print designs. The gloves are of the highest quality, lined with plain cotton and a specially formulated heat-resistant wadding.

Spiralizer | £17.23

I wouldn't blame you if you haven't used or come across a spiralizer. It's a fun, nifty kitchen gadget that transforms vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers and courgettes into pasta-shaped ribbons. Many a vegan dish incorporate this technique.

There's a lot of fun to be had with it and the compact design means that it doesn't have to take up too much space on the counter.

Electric Stand Mixer | £64.99

As a chef, if someone gifted me this, I'd love them forever and ever and ever.

This mixer is ideal for the vegan baker in your life and could be a win-win as they whip up cakes, breads, cookies and desserts that they then share with you. Just sayin'!

The Vegan Beauty Guru

SuperfoodLx Quinoa Shampoo & Conditioner | £29

 These highly nutritive formulas are vegan and SLS free.Formulated with hydrolyzed quinoa, chamomile, aloe vera, avocado and gentle plant based sugar and coconut cleansers to strengthen and fortify the hair.Their lightweight hair, skin and nail oil (£22) also make for perfect stocking fillers.

Soapnut Soap Gift Box Set by Living Naturally | £15

These beautiful handcrafted soaps, packaged in a natural Kraft box, make for the perfect gift. Soapnuts or soapberries are dried fruit shells which contain real natural soap and are 100% non-polluting, compostable, and a great alternative to conventional synthetic soaps!

Eco-Friendly Razors by Jungle Culture | £15.99

Suitable for both men and women, these reusable safety razors are a far more environmentally friendly alternative to single-use plastic razors.

The razors are available in two beautifully distinct natural bamboo grains and come complete with a hessian travel bag and gift box.

Afrocenchix Travel Set with Bag and Eye Mask | £45

This afro hair care set includes:  Mini Seal (30ml), Mini Swish (60ml), Mini Sheen 60ml), Mini Smooth (60ml) and Mini Soothe (20ml), eye mask, bag.  Their cruelty-free, natural products are free from: SLS/sulphates, parabens, silicons, parfum/artificial fragrances and harsh chemicals.

The Vegan Cookbook/Book Collector

Ageless Vegan by Tracye McQuirter | £18.99

Food activist, public health nutritionist, and longtime vegan Tracye McQuirter (50-years-old-going-on-30) teams up with her mother Mary (80-years-old-going-on-50) to share their secrets for staying young, vibrant, and healthy (hint: it's all in the greens), along with 100 delicious plant-based recipes. 

The McQuirters break down the basics of nutrition, how to build a vegan pantry, and how to make sure you're getting the best nutrients to promote longevity and prevent chronic disease, along with 100 recipes that are perfectly seasoned and full of flavor.

The Essential Vegan Toolkit by Sara Botero | £9.35

Activist and illustrator Sara Botero details the many reasons to make the change – animal welfare, our health, the environment – and offers tons of practical advice on nutrition and diet, including sections on alternatives, baking and drinking. Also covered are tips for vegan living, from clothing and make-up to cleaning and travelling. 

Finally, the Toolkit offers advice on vegan etiquette, activism and living in a ‘non-vegan’ world.  Writing with passion and expertise, and bringing a wealth of information to life through her charming illustrations, Sara Botero inspires us to extend our compassion to every living being.

Eat Feel Fresh by Sahara Rose | £12.73

Explore more than 100 plant-based, gluten-free recipes for every meal of the day, including contemporary twists on classic Ayurvedic dishes, such as turmeric-ginger kitchari. 

Packed with practical guidance and beautiful photography, Eat Feel Fresh integrates traditional Ayurvedic wisdom with modern nutritional science, inviting you to change your relationship with food and connect to your highest self.

Complete Herb List Guide by Paul Otote | £14.99

Herbs can heal and rejuvenate but the art of herbalism is not understood as much as it should be; especially amongst generation Y & Z.   

This herb guide aims to change that. In this book Paul takes you on a journey from the history of herbs to the present day uses. 

The perfect gift for the health-conscious and anyone interested in discovering how herbs impact the body.

Rachel Ama's Vegan Eats | £13.74

Rachel takes inspiration from naturally vegan dishes and cuisines as well as her Caribbean and West African roots to create great full-flavour recipes that are easy to make and will inspire you to make vegan food part of your daily life.   

Rachel’s recipes are quick and often one-pot; ingredients lists are short and supermarket-friendly; dishes can be prepped-ahead.

Aphro-ism: Essays on Pop-Culture, Feminism and Black Veganism by Aph and Syl Ko | £12.68

In this lively, accessible, and provocative collection, Aph and Syl Ko provide new theoretical frameworks on race, advocacy for nonhuman animals, and feminism. Using popular culture as a point of reference for their critiques, the Ko sisters engage in groundbreaking analysis of the compartmentalized nature of contemporary social movements, present new ways of understanding interconnected oppressions, and offer conceptual ways of moving forward expressive of Afrofuturism and black veganism.

Cooking with Kids by Kirly-Sue | £12.50

Kirly-Sue (aka Susanne Kirlew) is a vegan food writer, radio & TV presenter and published author. Her most recent publication is a vegan cookbook for kids! Perfect for the little vegans or vegan parents in your life. 

The 80+ child-friendly vegan recipes are tasty, easy to follow and guaranteed to spark creativity!

__________________________

In full disclosure, this post contains some affiliate links (particularly the Amazon links), which means that you're getting the best price on the item but I receive a commission when you buy. All of it is reinvested in the blog and keeps it chugging along, allowing me to create and share the free content that I do on a consistent basis :)

Vegan Nigerian Cookery Class in London

Back in May, I led a community cooking class in collaboration with Life After Hummus, teaching a handful of vegan Nigerian dishes to the public. Be sure to check out the video and highlights from that class!

It was exciting to be back again, this time with brand new recipes that included boiled plantain, boiled yam and scrambled tofu,  eba, okra stew and a papaya/avocado salad.

The video below captures how the evening went:



If you couldn't make it to this class, keep an eye out for future events by joining my mailing list or following on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

I also offer private cooking lessons to London residents, so if you'd like to find out more, get in touch!

Low-Fat Tofu Scramble

Still on my low-oil/no-oil cooking streak and absolutely loving it. I've shared a scrambled tofu recipe before (paired with boiled yam) but this one is quite different in look and flavour. The fact that it is oil-free doesn't hamper the deliciousness - if anything, I actually think I'd sooner always make it this way.

Growing up, bread and egg was my jam. Pillowy soft agege bread topped with eggs that had been scrambled with onions, peppers and all sorts of vegetables. Ask any Nigerian and they'll tell you that this is considered the breakfast of champions. In many ways, this vegan version is a worthy upgrade and most certainly holds its own.

I served mine on some dense rye bread which made for a great vegan brunch meal. And of course, if you're on the hunt for a filling vegan breakfast to get your day started right then this is definitely worth trying.

Ingredients
- 1 green chilli (finely chopped)
- 1 cup mushrooms (chopped)
- 1/2 cup sweetcorn
- 2 cups cabbage (shredded)
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1 block firm organic tofu (drained)
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)

Add 100ml water to a large frying pan or saucepan.

Add the chopped chilli, mushrooms, sweetcorn and cabbage. Water-fry on medium-high heat for a couple of minutes until the mushroom and cabbage have softened. Mix in the curry powder and turmeric.

Crumble the firm tofu into the pan, add the nutritional yeast and stir for about two minutes to combine. (If it looks a bit dry at this stage, add a little water, but the moisture from the tofu should prevent this - you're after a nice, creamy consistency).

Serve on some toasted bread and drizzle some hot sauce for extra heat and flavour.

How to Photograph a Self-Published Cookbook

It's been a whole year since I self-published Plantain Cookbook and to mark the occasion, I've put together this short, no-fuss guide to food photography, aimed specifically at anyone who is interested in self-publishing a cookbook but perhaps worried about getting the quality of photographs just right. This was a major concern for me, and so you can imagine my relief when compliments about the food photos started rolling in as people purchased the cookbook.

I used my trusty Sony Alpha A58 to take all my food photographs. This handy camera with 18-55mm lens has served me well for about five years now. But any reliable DSLR or one of these (Professional) Mirrorless Cameras will do the trick. A DSLR is worth the investment and will give you more control over the final outcome of your photographs.

Still, whether you have the most basic or advanced camera/equipment, there are a few principles to keep in mind when it comes to taking beautiful and eye-catching food photographs. Forget brushing your food with glue or any of those other crazy hacks you've probably heard of. Read on to discover a more down-to-earth approach to food photography.

1. Use Natural Light
You'll want to schedule your shoots for when you've got the most natural sunlight streaming in. At the time of writing my cookbook, I was also working a full-time job, so that meant favouring weekends or early mornings to do all my photography. As tempting as it is, avoid using lamps, artificial lighting or your camera's built-in flash. Move around and try different parts of your house. Don't forget to use a diffuser (this can be a white foam board or white sheet held up against direct sunlight) to soften any shadows. The image below was taken in my housemate's bedroom because it had more natural sunlight than our kitchen at certain times of the day.

Fruity Plantain Loaf

2. Use Props
Get creative and use props to tell a food story. If there's already a lot going on with the dish, with lots of eye-catching elements and colours, then you can scale back on the props or go for more neutral tones. Sometimes less is more. Otherwise, try using complimentary props such as coloured napkins, mugs, jars, textured tiles/fabrics, cutlery, ingredients or plants to bring a shot to life.

Plantain Scones

3. Try Multiple Angles
Better to have a lot of different shots to choose from than to regret not taking enough. Certain dishes look better from different angles - whether overhead or from the side - so be sure to capture as many sides as possible so that you can pick the one that best showcases the meal.

Plantain Dumpling Soup

4. Understand Basic Editing
Natural lighting will allow your food colours to pop, but if for any reason you discover something off about a photograph you've taken, the last thing you want to do is make the entire dish again and repeat the process. A good photo editing tool will allow you to make certain colours vivid or adjust the white balance or fine-tune the exposure - these little tweaks can make all the difference! Adobe Photoshop, Fotor and Pixlr Editor are just some examples of editing platforms I've used in the past.

Plantain Choc-Chip Pancakes

5. Make the Food Look Tempting
Once you've got your lighting, props and angles down, you're well on your way and can be as experimental as you want. But how's the actual subject looking? Try layering ingredients, add greens and fresh veggies/fruits where necessary to brighten up the meal. Remember, we eat with our eyes so if you're not tempted to lick or bite into the picture then you're probably doing something wrong!

Baked Plantain Burger

And remember...have fun! No, seriously. Banish perfectionism. The process of photographing your cookbook should be as enjoyable as possible. That's the empowering part of self-publishing - there's no limit to how creative you can be. Good food photography is a never-ending learning process and the more you play around with it, the better it will get.