Christmas Gift Ideas for Vegetarians and Vegans

When you have anyone with alternative dietary or lifestyle needs in the family, some thought has to be made to ensure that the gift you choose is appropriate. As the mum of a family where the majority of us are vegetarian and vegan, I am used to sometimes having to think outside the box when it comes to buying gifts or developing our own family traditions at Christmas. I enjoy sourcing ethical gifts, dairy-free chocolates, vegan nut roasts and cruelty free products at this time of year, to keep our celebrations in line with our beliefs.

Buying presents needn't be a daunting task. Here are some cheap and cheerful, yet thoughtful ideas for what to get for the vegan in your life!

There is an increasing number of stockists of vegan confectionery with brands such as Booja-Booja, Plamil, Moo Free and the Fabulous Freedom Factory producing exciting chocolate gifts. Even supermarkets are doing their own Free-From ranges including sweets and chocolates.

Check out Vegan Town who do an excellent £20 vegan treat box containing 10 to 14 vegan chocolate, sweets and cruelty free goodies. They are available as a one off purchase or as a monthly subscription. I bought one last year and it was incredible. No one has to miss out on sweet treats this Christmas! 

Cosmetic companies such as Lush, Montagne Jeunesse and The Body Shop are all proud to be cruelty free, so it's easy to buy lovely toiletries and cosmetics, which always make great gifts.

Faith in Nature is a British company that produces an organic, cruelty free, vegan range of products that use the power of plants for their healing properties and gorgeous fragrances, just as nature intended. They are free from Parabens and SLS so contain no nasty toxins and are packaged using recycled plastic. 

I love their Pineapple and Lime shampoo and conditioner, made with an uplifting blend of pineapple, lime and mango, bursting with tropical fragrances. It is fruity and fresh, bringing some much needed sunshine into your morning shower. The handmade Faith in Nature soaps contain essential oils and natural ingredients. The Coconut Soap has a lush tropical scent and moisturising properties. The soaps come individually wrapped in 100g bars. The Rejuvenating Facial Wash contains aloe vera which has antioxidant properties. It is a simple product that foams with water, cleanses, refreshes and feels nice on the skin. The Restorative Hand Cream contains hemp oil which is rich in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and minerals. It's a great saviour product for the winter, keeping hands soft and moisturised.

It makes a very thoughtful gift to buy a selection of products such as these and package them up in a basket, box or bag, to make a bespoke pamper hamper. Faith in Nature products can be purchased at discounted rates at www.discount-supplements.co.uk, online suppliers of health and fitness items at low prices. Prices start at £1.81 for the bar of soap to £6.05 for the hand cream.

Kitchen gadgets always make great gifts for aspiring vegan cooks. Shops such as Lakeland stock lots of gadgets and gizmos, some with a novelty touch, some more serious. When it comes to a fun kitchen gadget that has a real Christmas vibe, the Chef'n Twist 'n Sprout is perfect. If you are a fan of vegetables - and in particular Brussels Sprouts - this is an excellent gift idea. It's a bit of a novelty - but is also actually pretty useful when it comes to making Christmas dinner.

Preparing sprouts is pretty laborious, but with the Twist 'n Sprout, it is much more fun. This gadget has a circular blade with a point. You pierce the stem with the point and then it works like a reverse pencil sharpener, boring out the core with a simple twist. It trims the outer leaves and takes out the core for evenly cooking your sprouts. It'll be a god send on Christmas Day!

The Twist 'n Sprout is £7.95 from Lakeland.

Another great gift idea for vegans and vegetarians is to make your own bespoke hamper, filled with exciting foodie products. It's great at this time of year because there is such a lot of choice in supermarkets, pop-up shops, food halls in garden centres or from gourmet brands. Many products are accidentally vegan so just check the labels when you are shopping. You'll be surprised how many products are suitable.  Here is a selection of some really interesting foodie treats that are perfect for Christmas.

Barry Norman is best known for being a movie buff, but he also makes some excellent premium pickled onions, which taste as good as homemade ones. They are hot and spicy, crisp and crunchy, adapted from a nineteenth century family recipe. A festive essential! RRP £2.40 from Ocado.

Clement Faugier's Vanilla Chestnut Spread is a festive treat containing crushed candied chestnuts in a sweetened, vanilla flavoured chestnut puree. Eat it on its own or with vegan ice cream, on crepes, in a pastry or as a topping for toast. Christmas in a can! It is available from Waitrose for £2.05.

Opies is a family owned food company dating back to the 1880's. Their quality foods are just perfect for Christmastime. Take for example their Pickled Walnuts, packed by hand these are a world renowned English delicacy. Great with some vegan cheeses and crackers on Boxing day.  They make a delicious sounding potato, mushroom and walnut salad. £2.49 from Ocado.

Opie's Stem Ginger in The Famous Grouse Whisky is new for 2016. Young ginger stem is carefully preserved in an alcoholic syrup, and is another Christmas essential. It can be used in recipes or poured over vegan ice cream for a simple, but very indulgent dessert!  It is £8.00 from Ocado. 

See the whole range with many vegan and veggie friendly products at www.opiesfoods.com.


Whoever you are buying for this year, just have fun with it and enjoy giving something thoughtful!

Eat Well with Olives Et Al

I was sent a selection of products from Olives Et Al, which is a Dorset based company specialising in award winning olives, nuts, dressings, marinades, sauces and oils.  With authentic global flavours, this lovingly handcrafted gourmet range gives us the opportunity to enjoy some fantastic fayre in the comfort of our own home.

I received some Red Chilli Harissa Sauce, Pink Grapefruit Marinade, Chipotle Chilli Olives and Chilli Billy Jelly Relish to try out.  They are all suitable for vegans, vegetarians and are gluten free and will enhance meals with their intense natural flavours.  They are additive free and made using the finest ingredients.

Ian is a huge fan of olives and was delighted to sample the Smoky Chipotle Chilli Olives.  The whole green olives are marinated in chipotle chilli infused extra virgin olive oil to give a lovely smoky warmth.  Once the olives are eaten, the oil can be used to add a spicy, smoky depth to dishes.

The intense, fiery, aromatic flavour of the North African style Red Chilli Harissa Sauce gives a flavousome hit of heat to dishes.  I made Harissa Houmous, combining chick peas, oil, lemon juice, nut butter, smoky paprika and a spoonful of Harissa.  It gave the houmous a lovely kick of flavour, enhancing its taste.

Serving the Harrissa flavoured houmous and the Chipotle Olives alongside a plate of warmed, sliced wholemeal pitta bread made a wonderful supper for my family.  Delicious and so simple.

The Chilli Billy Jelly is a chilli and ginger relish, which is perfect with cheese or can be added to soups and stews.  For me, it will be served as the condiment on a Halloumi and Portabello Mushroom Burger. The relish has a powerful kick of heat with the warmth of ginger, which will work perfectly with the salty cheese.  It will be a great relish for the festive season with all its cheeseboards! 

The Mojo Pink Grapefruit Marinade and Dressing is inspired by a recipe from the Cayman Isles in the Caribbean. For a tasty vegetarian accompaniment, it can be served with rice or salads, adding a fruity Caribbean twist to mealtimes.

I love the all natural products, made from real, fresh ingredients.  It is great to find such quality, authentic, flavoursome products that are suitable for vegetarians and vegans alike. They are versatile and can add a flavoursome punch to an array of dishes. 

I'm planning on adding Harissa to mayonnaise to serve with veggie burgers and and the Chilli Billy Jelly will be great in Chinese dishes such as marinated Tofu stir fry. 

They are available online at Olives Et Al and from other stockists (detailed online).  The products I have tried all retail at £4 each, which is a great price for such quality.

The Handpicked Foodstore

The launch of the Handpicked Foodstore from the Handpicked brand is an exciting development for those of us who want to enjoy some of the finest, luxury gourmet food available to buy in this country.  The site features award winning smoked salmon and other fine foods from artisan British producers, handpicked by food experts to ensure outstanding taste and quality.  With Christmas fast approaching, it is the perfect time to discover this one stop shop for some of the most indulgent foods available on the market.

From super smart gift boxes which would make very special presents to incredible bottles of flavoured olive oils to a selection of hand smoked delicacies, the Handpicked Foodstore has something to tempt every tastebud.  So if you are looking for something really special for this festive season, it is a good place to start!

I was sent a taster of the finest Scottish Salmon.  My eldest daughter was home this weekend for her 21st birthday celebrations, and I was happy to give her the job of chief taster!

The salmon arrives well packaged with an ice pack in an insulated polystyrene box.  An information sheet is enclosed with tips on storage and serving so you get the most out of the product.  

This finest, award winning Scottish smoked salmon from MacGilvray is delicately oaky flavoured with a melt in the mouth texture.  It isn't at all fatty or oily.  It made the perfect pairing with cream cheese.  You can taste the quality!

Image from Handpicked Foodstore.

Find out more at www.handpickedfoodstore.com

Looking For Something Deliciously Different?

I have tasted the future of confectionery and it tastes very much like popcorn!  But not just any popcorn...it's handmade gourmet popcorn.  Never has a snack product created such a buzz in my household as when we taste tested the amazing award winning  Joe & Seph's Gourmet Popcorn.  I cannot convey just how delicious this stuff is...but I'll try!

The pouches contain the finest air popped mushroom corn which has been thickly coated with exquisite real butter caramel and then flavoured by infusing natural ingredients into the recipe.

Especially for Easter, Joe & Seph have created two incredible flavours.  Caramel with a pinch of Ginger and Caramel with Cookies & Cream, Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate.  The egg shaped labels have been specially designed to celebrate Easter, complete with a little picture of an Easter bunny.

The Ginger infused Caramel popcorn is exquisite.  The sweetness of the caramel gives way to pure taste of stem ginger.  The effect is like eating gingerbread but it is lighter.  The popcorn morsels have a crisp, crunchy yet chewy texture.  I've never tasted anything quite like it.  The kids also loved it and tucked into handfuls of the moreish and delicious treat.  

If you are a chocoholic then this chocolate trio is for you.  The smooth, creamy caramel is perfectly combined with cookies and cream, white chocolate and Belgian milk chocolate.  The result is a comforting taste sensation which melts in the mouth.  Delicious!  This is a serious contender to chocolate bars.

I am not surprised that Joe & Seph have won awards for their gourmet popcorn range which includes both sweet and savoury flavours.  They are available in pouches or in gift tins or jars, making a wonderful Easter gift for a loved one!  They can be purchased on line at joeandsephs.co.uk and delivered free to your door in the UK.  The popcorn costs £12 for 3 pouches or £19.95 for 6 pouches.

The popcorn is also available at selected stockists such as Harvey Nicholl's and Selfridges food halls and independent retailers of fine foods.

Joe and Seph's Gourmet Popcorn offers a unique taste experience that totally beats any other popcorn I've ever tasted.  It is indulgent, rich, creamy and luxurious.   The flavour choices are inventive and quirky.  I'm definitely going to buy some...especially as the kids and I polished off both packets and didn't save any for poor old daddy!  I think he'd love the Caramel Macchiato and Whisky flavour or maybe the Caramel and Espresso flavour.  Then again there is Goat's Cheese and Black Pepper or Blue Cheese, Walnut and Celery.  Decisions, decisions, decisions!

My "Moment" with Rachel's and Hand-Picked Hotels

Sometimes in life, perfect pairings are created...such as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, strawberries and cream or Brad and Angelina.  One other such perfect pairing that has recently come to my attention is the delightful union of Hand Picked Hotels and Rachel's Organic!

Culinary expert and Hand Picked Hotel's Head Chef Lucy Hyder has partnered with Rachel's as part of their "Moments" campaign.  Celebrating that moment in the day when you can relax and unwind with your favourite, luxurious Rachel's Organic product, the "Moments" campaign asks us to reflect on that special time when time stands still and we can enjoy an oasis of calm in the storm of our hectic day!

I was absolutely over the moon to be chosen to enjoy my own special moment with Rachel's and Hand Picked Hotels, when I was invited to the sumptuous 4* Buxted Park Hotel in East Sussex for an exclusive cookery and dining experience to help celebrate the partnership.

I am already a big fan of Rachel's.  I love their passion and commitment to producing gorgeous organic products in harmony with nature. Ever since reviewing a selection of Rachel's products back in March, the brand has been a firm family favourite.  The superior tasting dairy products made with love and the company ethos make Rachel's a quality brand with a big heart.

Hand Picked Hotels boast seventeen superb country house hotels throughout the UK, Scotland and Jersey, where elegant architecture and exquisite interiors blend seamlessly with modern comforts and technology and you are encouraged to kick off your shoes, feel at home and relax.  They stand at the forefront of a renaissance in fine British hospitality.  These hotels are built for pleasure and enjoyment with attentive friendly staff who really care.  They offer a fine dining  experience with emphasis on sourcing local produce where possible, creating a better quality and flavour of food made with creative passion and culinary flair.  Combining such luxury with the relaxed atmosphere of home is a perfect combination for those of us who enjoy the finer things in life without any pretensions.

It makes perfect sense that these two brands, who do so much to indulge us in blissful "me time",  should go hand in hand!  A perfect pairing indeed!

On October 5th, I drove the 4 hours down to East Sussex accompanied by my eldest daughter Megan to be guests at Buxted Park Hotel with Rachel's.  From the moment I arrived at my VIP parking space in the courtyard I knew I was in for something special.  When we were shown to the King George V Suite, our home for the night, my feelings were confirmed! This two roomed suite was fit for royalty!  Antique furnishings, original features, works of art, a marble fireplace and outstanding views of the estate make this a truly indulgent experience.  But there is no feeling of intimidation...it is relaxing, homely and comfortable.

Buxted Park Hotel

Our view of some of Buxted Park's 312 acres!

We were treated to a cocktail reception and an introductory presentation in the hotel's cinema.  From there we made our way into the kitchens to enjoy a cookery demonstration with Head Chef Lucy Hyder.  She was amazing.  A visionary who transforms simple, quality ingredients into outstanding dishes where textures and flavours combine to deliver a contemporary gourmet meal.  She was down to earth, with a passion for home cooked comfort foods and home grown, seasonal produce. Her attitude to sustainability was wholesome and honest and I loved how she spoke so passionately about food.  Lucy has created some inspiring recipes using Rachel's Organic Yogurts that she demonstrated to us.  Gourmet Cookery Schools are held at the Buxted Park Hotel where you can learn the tips of the trade needed to cook gourmet dinner party dinners at home.

Lucy Hyder (and me!)

I will be sharing a recipe from Lucy Hyder using Rachel's Organic yogurt in another blog post coming soon!

Using Rachel's Natural Yogurt on Lamb Tagine

In the evening we gathered in the Crystal Bar for exquisite canapes and champagne.  From there we made our way into the sophisticated and contemporary Dining Room where we ate from the bespoke Rachel's Menu.  We were served food matched wines throughout and were overwhelmed by the amazing dining experience that we were given.

Vegetarian Canapes

Gazpacho, Celery Sorbet and Vodka Jelly

Goat's Cheese Risotto and Cherry Tomatoes with Balsamic Glaze

Mediterranean Vegetable Pave with Chick Pea and Apricot Cassoulet

Cranberry Sorbet

Chocolate and Almond Tart with Apricot Sorbet

I can honestly say I have never enjoyed a dining experience like this in my life...it was exquisite.  The vegetarian options were inspired.  The flavours in each dish worked so well together. I was really blown away by the attention to detail, the skill and the craftsmanship involved in the production of this meal.  My compliments to the chef Lucy Hyder and her team!!

Check out the Hand Picked Hotels website for details of locations, dining experiences, events and special offers available at the seventeen locations.

Go to the Rachel's Facebook Page for a great competition...just share your moment and create your very own pot!  Here's mine!

Find out more about Rachel's on the website. Look out for the Rachel's new TV ad too!

**The experience was completely complimentary...I feel so privileged to have had my moment with Rachel's and Hand Picked Hotels! It was wonderful! **