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Last Minute Gift Guide | Vegan & Eco & Minimalist

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Welcome to the vegan gift guide for the conscious consumer (perfect for you and I and any one who simply doesn’t have their sh*t together in time)!

How does it feel like Christmas just happened? It rolls up so quickly, and then it be like… AH no time! Or is that just me?

Are any of you organized for Christmas morning in November? If so, I bow down to you.

Christmas can be stress-inducing, when really it should be the opposite.

This word ‘Holidays’ should really mean quality time spent with the ones you’re incredibly fond of, giving to those who need it the most, and eating delicious plants in the form of comfort food surrounded by Charlie Brown Christmas tunes and the smell of:

But, it’s not always that simple, is it?

If the scramble for presents is taking away from the simplicity of what the Holidays are really about, then you have come to the right place.

PLUS, in the attempt for achieving a sustainable and minimalistic holiday, I’ve added in eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas, at the bottom for you.

Merry Christmas!

THE GIFT OF EXPERIENCE:

What goes on in your town? Make it a gift of experience this year by getting tickets for a concert, festival or play…or maybe a ski ticket, or something like Vallea Lumina… or a staycation itinerary, farm sanctuary visits, or maybe even a mini close-by vacation. Just a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing. Create memories for a gift this year.

KITCHEN + HOME:

SUPERFOODS/SUPPLEMENTS:

  • Stay Wyld Organics Medicinal Mushrooms (Reishi, Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Turkey Tail)
  • Complement Protein Powder + Complement Plus ‘3 in 1 supplement’ (B12 + Vitamin D3 + Micro Algae Epa/Dha)
    • Go here and use Discount Code: ‘HOOKEDONPLANTS’ for 10% off
  • Pranin whole food iron + vitamin C (use code ‘hooked’ for a discount)

EAT!:

FOODIE GIFT CARDS:

This is your opportunity to show your friends and fam something new, and support a biz you love (PLUS, it’s the ultimate last minute gift idea).

DONATIONS

We mostly think about our close ones when it comes to gift-giving, but there are so many businesses, animals, and people that could really use our help during the holidays. To donate money in the name of someone else, and hand over a card saying you did so, is incredibly meaningful.

Farm Sanctuaries and Animal Shelters:

Vancouver/Whistler/Victoria:

Toronto:

Global:

World Hunger & Shelter & Environmental Protection: 

  • A Well Fed World: Plants 4 Hunger helps feeds hungry children without harming animals!

EXPERIENCES

ONLINE GOODIES

COOKBOOKS

CRUELTY FREE CLOTHING | JEWELLERY | ACCESSORIES 

These may not work as last minute, but they’re great ideas for future gift-giving!

ECO-FRIENDLY GIFT WRAPPING

Can you imagine what a pile of thrown away wrapping paper would look like after Christmas is over?

Apparently it would cover 5000 football fields!!!

Plus, this stuff is died, and laminated, making it difficult to recycle.

So, let’s opt out and go for these natural looking, enviro-friendly ideas instead.

  • Scarves from your local Thrift Store or Re-Use-It Centre
  • Newspaper
  • Brown paper and twine (both can be found at Staples, Michael’s, or your local farts n’ craps’ store;)  for an organic look.
  • Jars, cans or boxes you have around the house. Just tie twine around it and, voila!
  • Grocery bag totes that they can re-use
  • Paper bags
  • Any kind of fabric you have kickin’ around! Time to get creative.

Simple One-Pot Vegan Chili | Ready in 30

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CHILI SEASON (can I get a whooooop whoop?)

I’m going to make this post short, to the point, nutritious, and delicious, just like this simple one pot vegan chili (aka dinner in 30 minutes).

All you need is a pot, some cans from the pantry, and some of your usual suspects from the veggie kingdom.

If you want to take it up to the next level, top it off with this 5 ingredient vegan sour cream or smokey vegan parm, and of course a side of rustic sour dough (our go-to is always a fresh loaf from Whistler’s vegan bakery Ed’s Bred).

This recipe makes a lot. Freeze it or just keep it in the fridge to eat it over the next week on top of quinoa, in wraps, sloppy joe style…. you name it.

Gotta love that chili versatility action.

Simple One-Pot 3 Bean Vegan Chili
 
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A last minute dinner idea. Just need a few veggies and a few cans from the pantry, and you're dinner is ready in 30 with one pot to clean.
Author:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 8 mushrooms, chopped (white, cremini, portobello, your choice)
  • 3 sticks of celery, diced
  • 3 carrots, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-2 tbsp veggie boullion powder (or 1 cube)
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 3 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp oregano spice
  • Pinch of salt & pepper
  • 1 large sweet potato, chopped
  • 1 jar tomato sauce (HACK: you can use pasta sauce! I used this one)
  • 1 can each: kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas (or any other beans you have), rinse first
  • 1 can of corn
  • 1 head broccoli, chopped
Instructions
  1. Oil-free sauté the onions and mushrooms (heat pan to medium, add onions and mushrooms, let brown for a few minutes, add a bit of water to de-glaze the bottom of the pan, let sauté another minute or so)
  2. Add celery, carrots, garlic, veggie boullion, cumin, chili powder and oregano with a ¼ cup of water. Mix together and let sauté 3-5 minutes
  3. Add sweet potato, beans, corn, tomato sauce and stir.
  4. Add enough water until it just covers everything.
  5. Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 20 minutes.
  6. Add broccoli for the last 5 minutes.
  7. Serve it up with cashew sour cream, green onion and your fave sourdough (I'm looking at you Ed's Bred.

Making this? Tag @hookedonplants

Need a guide towards a plant-based lifestyle?  Try the 80/20 Plants Program

Check out my e-book (your new vegan handbook) AKA …all you need for a #PlantsForAWeek mini challenge.

For more inspiration and info on eating plant-based, sign up to my emails for bi-weekly inspiration, recipes, plus a free PDF on How to Get Hooked On Plants!

You’ve Watched The Game Changers…Now What?

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This question needed a post all to itself. I can’t count the amount of times friends, friends of friends, the Hooked on Plants community, and even family have said… “I just watched Game Changers. Guess I have to go vegan now! Where do I start?”

SO, here we go: a place for the veg-curious!

Step #1:

Get connected with your personal WHY

Head to the ‘Why Vegan‘ Page to help with this. Is it for athletic endurance? More energy? Disease prevention? Weight loss? Clearer skin? For the environment? For the animals?

Make sure you’re doing this for a personal reason that you truly care about.

Step #2:

If you can’t grasp on to your ‘why’, watch:

Step #3:

Sign up for the 80/20 plants Program

80/20 Plants is the most basic, non-preachy, structured way to transition to an 80% whole foods plant based diet & 20% indulgent plant based lifestyle.

This is what I wish I had during my year long transition in 2015.

What’s in it?

  • Full support with meal plans
  • Hundreds of recipes
  • A supportive 80/20 community
  • 1:1 coaching (phone calls and messaging)
  • 30 Video lessons (from me) through out the 4 phases
  • 4 phases: breakfast first, then snacks, then lunch, then dinner, all at your own pace.

Step #3.2:

If you’re into going ‘cold tofu’ and taking the #PlantsForAWeek mini challenge, grab my E Book. I still recommend doing the 80/20 Plants program as well for the consistent, baby step, long-term approach that will actually stick.

Step 4:

Stay Inspired….

A) Have FUN: Go eat at vegan restaurants & go to veg fests

B) Follow these INSTAGRAM accounts:

C) Subscribe to these YOUTUBE Channels:

D) Subscribe to these PODCASTS:

Step #5:

Do this with a buddy.

Stay accountable by sharing recipes, vegan news, wins and struggles.

Tips to transition towards a vegan lifestyle
PS: Watch out for Whistler Vegan Fest 2020 by Andrea and I… you heard it here first!

Step #6:

Have comfort in knowing…:

  • Every nutrient necessary for humans is found in plants
  • Skipping the middle man (the animal) and going straight to the source is becoming a necessary action for human and planetary health (and the animals).
  • It has been proven that you can thrive in all stages of life by eating only plants. Check out this Adventist 2 study here (done on one of the longest living populations in the world who were all either vegetarian, or vegan. About 4% of the study were vegan, and happened to be the healthiest lot of the whole study).

Ask me anything over on instagram & remember why you felt the personal pull. When you feel pulled in the other direction, just put yourself in the animal’s shoes.

Comment below to share your why!

Warm Vegan Pumpkin Spice Banana Milkshake | 3 Ingredients

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Sometimes all you need is something warm to put your hands around. Enter: pumpkin spice and bananas.

With just 3 ingredients and a blender, you will have this delicious pumpkin spice banana milkshake (minus the dairy) to knock your cozy socks off.

The taste?  Pumpkin pie in a cup (but, actually good for you).

Fall is definitely upon us, and this comforting bevy will be the cherry on top of your Netflix n’ chill sweatpants.

Tis’ the season for pumpkin everything. Let’s make the most of it.

Benefits:

Bananas should be enjoyed be in their ripe form (with spots). They’re amazing for digestion, high in potassium and rich in fibre.

Pumpkin Pie Spice gives us that spicey cinnamon and ginger, both bringing us great benefits. Ginger is a well-known immune-booster, and cinnamon? The king of lowering those blood-sugar levels.

Vanilla (the pure extract) is anti-inflammatory, helping you fight disease, and allowing your body to thrive.

Warm Pumpkin Spice Banana Milkshake

On to the recipe!

Warm Vegan Pumpkin Spice Banana Milkshake
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Warm Vegan Pumpkin Spice Banana Milkshake

Recipe by julesCourse: breakfast, snackDifficulty: Easy
Servings

2

servings
Prep time

4

minutes
Cooking timeminutes

Ingredients

  • 3-4 ripe bananas

  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

  • 1 cup hot water (or steamed plant milk)

Directions

  • Blend all ingredients in high speed blender for 2-3 minutes, until warm! (If you don’t have a high speed blender, blend until smooth, and warm on low, stirring constantly in a pot for 2-3 minutes)
  • Pour into your favourite mug and enjoy!

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Halloween Goblin Green Dip | 4 Minutes | Protein-Packed

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It’s all about dat’ dip!

…or sauce, or spread, or how ever you want to put this easy peasy goblin green dip to use.

I figured this one deserved it’s own post. It’s beautifully green, it’s super delish, and ridiculously nutrish (plus it happens to be the secret magical ingredient in the Wild Mushroom Green Lasagna last week).

Packed with protein from white cannelloni beans, kinda cheezy from the ‘nooch’ and ridiculously easy to whip up.

A great addition to the Halloween table!

This makes a big batch so you can keep it in the fridge to use on your next buddha bowl, tempeh burrito, or grilled cheeze sammy!

Easy Peasy Green Sauce | 4 Minutes
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Easy Peasy Green Sauce | 4 Minutes

Recipe by JulesCourse: Lunch, Dinner, SnacksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

4

minutes
Cooking timeminutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white beans, rinsed

  • 1 cup nutritional yeast

  • 2 cloves garlic

  • juice of 1 lemon

  • 1 tbsp onion powder

  • 3 cups spinach

  • 1/4 tsp salt

  • 1 tsp balsamic reduction like Nonna Pia‘s (or maple syrup)

  • 1/2 cup or more of water or unflavoured/unsweetened plant milk (depending on how thick or runny you want it)

Directions

  • Blend all ingredients until smooth (in your blender or food processor)
  • Dip with your fave crackers (we used Eve’s Crackers made in Whistler by our friends Eve and Sarah), spread, or thin it out a bit more with veggie stalk and use as a pasta sauce!

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