After a bit of research and calling upon my own personal experiences, I've compiled a list of 25 gifts that would make any vegan happy! I'm happy and proud to say that most of what is on this list, I have either purchased for myself, use regularly and/or have patronized.
Well, here goes....
https://www.kneipp.com
Everyone loves to pamper themselves, and do so with good products, so why not give them a treat!
German-based Kneipp brand, although relatively new to the United States (about a year), it has a 125 year history and is well known outside America.
Does your vegan like to travel? We all know how difficult it can be to find places to dine and stay that cater to vegans. This step-by-step vegan travel guide shows you how to research and locate vegan-friendly (or vegetarian, raw, or gluten-free) fare in any city and where a vegan can eat in an city, anywhere in the world.
Beyond the food, the book offers hints for connecting with local vegans, choosing a place to stay, packing, and traveling (and keeping the peace) with non-vegan companions
It is available through Amazon.
78 Hillside Ave / 82A Hillside ave
Williston Park, NY 11596
516 385-8833 / 516 640-4100
www.sweettolick.com
Treat your sweet to some of the darn best vegan cookies, desserts and scones on Long Island!
www.veganchic.com
Vegan Chic is focused on bringing vegan fashion to the mainstream. Everything they sell through their site is 100% vegan, while never losing our focus on quality and style in footwear, accessories and bags.
156 East Main Street
Port Jefferson, NY 11777
p. 631 476 7080
f. 631 476 7084
www.tigerlilycafe.com
Named Best Vegetarian Restaurant from 2005-2010 and AOL City's Best • Long Island #1 VEGETARIAN 2008-2009, Tiger Lily offers alternative vegetarian eating specializing in bringing vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine to another level. Their menu includes wraps, sandwiches, salads, soups, fruit and soy smoothies, juices, protein energy shakes and an espresso and java bar.
Manhattan East Williamsburg
102 St. Marks Street 222 Montrose Avenue
New York Brooklyn
1-646-998-5492 1-347-294-0871
Not quite Long Island, but worth the drive to nearby Brooklyn, a winner on Donut Wars on Food Network, DunWell Doughnuts is to die for and will make the day for any vegan and non-vegan alike. If you are going there in person with your special person, absolutely try their Donut Sundae, which is their award winning raised glazed donut warmed, then topped with ice cream (vegan), frizzed with chocolate and agave.
www.palladiumboots.com
If you are not familiar with Palladium boots, here's a little history - Palladium® was founded in 1920 to make tires for the fledgling aviation industry. After World War II when the demands from the aviation industry were decreasing, Palladium® decided to open a plant in Pont De Cheruy, France, to start producing footwear that was as durable as their tires and in 1947 the legendary Pampa boot was born.
Vegan chef to the stars, Mary Mattern's new book is geared to the newly vegan and vegan-curious. Mattern offers her delectable American-with-a-vegan-twist recipes which include Beer-Battered Buffalo [Cauliflower] Wings, American Apple Pie, and Creamy Cashew Alfredo.
Available on Amazon.
75 Merritts Road
Farmingdale, NY
www.3brotherspizzacafefarmingdale.com
From pizza to pasta and many other great Italian dishes, 3 Brother's is a leader in vegan eating on Long Island. This is a regular "go to" whenever Tanya is in New York visiting. And they offer non-vegan as well.
www.lipsense.com
This has to be the coolest lip gloss ever AND it's all vegan! LipSense is the premier product of SeneGence and is unlike any conventional lipstick, stain or color. As the original long-lasting lip color, it is waterproof, does not kiss-off, smear-off, rub-off or budge-off!
Available in 50+ colors, it is made so it molecularly bonds tho your lips. It's permeable which allows the Shea butter and Vitamin E in the gloss to moisturize and protect lips from the elements. You can also create your own color palette by combining colors.
Tanya fell in love with these so much, she began a wholesaler! So, for the full 411, contact Tanya directly at her website - Sweet Luscious Lips
Who doesn't like to save money and still eat good? Vegan on $4 a Day show readers how to forgo expensive processed foods and get the most flavor out of delicious, high-quality basic ingredients.
Available on Amazon.
These brushes are made with bamboo (the Fastest Growing Plant on Earth) as well as synthetic bristles and not hair from animals. There are over 10,000 silky soft and fine density bristles in the kabuki, powder, blending and blush brushes allowing for picking up and distributing makeup products better, from liquid and creams to powder and minerals. Available on Amazon
Chip'n Dipped
342 New York Avenue
Huntington, NY
www.chipdipped.com
Phone: (631) 470-2579
Chip'n Dipped™ vegan gift baskets and vegan chocolates feature dairy-free dark chocolate without animal products. They are all natural, certified kosher, and amazingly delicious. In addition, products bearing their Long Island Chocolate logo are CERTIFIED ORGANIC as well. Their creamy smooth VEGAN TRUFFLES are made with real cream -- Coconut Cream!
www.vegnews.com
What's better than a gift that lasts all year. VegNews, the "source for all things vegan" will keep your special person up on the latest news, travel information and vegan buzz year round.
This totally cool memoir by Kristin Lajeunesse is the story of one woman's quest to break free and travel through 48 U.S. states over a period of two years, visiting over 500 Vegan restaurants!! Available on Amazon. Click here for: An Interview with Author Kristin M. Lajeunesse
What girl doesn't like the glamour of "fur" - especially when it's cruelty free! This adorable jacket pairs well dressy or casual. Available at Nordstrom (Roosevelt Field Mall, Garden City)
www.nealsyardremedies.com
Full line of skin care, bath and body, supplements and other wellness products with strict adherence to all natural ingredients, no animal testing or by-products.
Since 1981 Neal’s Yard, based in Covent Garden, in the heart of central London, England has been bringing the expertise of the apothecary and our holistic approach to health and beauty to people and communities. They were founded on the passionate belief that beauty should be natural, not synthetic. The company follows the "Precautionary Principle" and therefore their products do not contain anything that could cause you or the planet harm, just lots of ethically sourced, natural and organic herbs, botanicals and essential oils. As you know, Tanya and I only use products made from all natural and pure ingredients, not animal tested and 100% vegan in nature. On a personal note, I'd like to share with you just how obsessed I am with this line of products!! Let me preface this with the fact that I have tried MANY skin care products in my life. All the ones advertised on television by celebrities, the expensive department store brands, and the independent all-natural botanicals. However, when I tell you that there's something different about the quality, feel and more importantly, results from Neil's Yard's Remedies' products, I could not be more serious. I stumbled upon this line quite accidentally while chatting over coffee one day with a girlfriend. She took out some hand lotion and told me how hydrating it was, that it was 100% natural and vegan and offered me some. Allow me to digress about what I experienced...The Wild Rose Hand Cream had a substantial weight to it as I squeezed some out on the back of my hand. And yet, it was, simultaneously, not heavy or goopy. As I rubbed it in, I could feel immediately the difference in this product verses ANY other hand cream I have ever used. It was a combination of lotion and light oil, that soaked right in and did not leave my hands feeling at all greasy, but well moisturized and hydrated. That's when I decided to do some research on Neil's Yard and was so happy with what I found. The entire range makes use of high quality organic plant-based ingredients, and use the maximum organic, natural and wild-harvested ingredients available. Equally important, as we all know is what is not used in any of the products we put on and in our bodies, and none of the following ingredients will be found in any of Neil's Yard's range: * DEA/TEA derivatives * EDTA * Parabens * Phthalates * Silicones * Genetically Modified ingredients * Synthetic fragrances * BHT * Mineral oils * Triclosan I was blown away by their informative and gorgeous website, showcasing the full line and the amount of detail regarding their products and the ingredients. Today, their line of natural remedies, skin and body care are available here in America through authorized consultants. For a sales representative for this exquisite line of products, Click HERE. | |
This beautiful bracelet adds sparkle and polish to any outfit! Made of double dark bown cork leather bands that are joined with a magnetic clasp, this bracelet is easy to put on and take off. The silvery beads include multi-colored stones that catch the light. There is no nickel in any Cortizza jewelry. The beads are made of zamak, an alloy that combines zinc, aluminum, magnesium and copper. Available on Amazon.
FOS Living13 Nassau Blvd Garden City South
Long Island
(516) 481-5900
www.fosliving.com
Using only organic products for hair, skin, and body of the highest quality containing no ammonia, pesticides, synthetic insecticides, fungicides or genetically modified ingredients. They also use hair color and highlight formulas from several European color lines that are free from ammonia, formaldehydes, heavy metals, parabens, paraffins, silicones and p-phenylenedines.
The Donvier Eco-Friendly Ice Cream/Sorbet Maker allows anyone to create vegan ice cream or sorbet in just 20 minutes! Simply freeze the patented Chillfast® cylinder overnight, add your favorite ingredients, and turn the handle occasionally. No salt, ice, or electricity required. Available on Amazon.
Harry & David
Tanger Outlets Riverhead
Address: 501 Tanger Mall Drive
Riverhead, NY
www.harryanddavid.com
What vegan doesn't enjoy dried fruit and nuts! Almost as good as chocolate - ok maybe not, but it's still dee-lish!
In this 2-hour instructional DVD, 3 accomplished chefs share 15 of their best vegan recipes! Everyday Dish shows it all, from family-friendly meals to comfort food classics to desserts. With step-by-step instruction by chefs Bryanna Clark Grogan, Dreena Burton, and Julie Hasson, it's like having a private cooking class in your own kitchen.
Demonstrations include Italian Neatballs, Rich Brown Gravy, Vegan Chicken Cutlets, Vegan Pork Tenderloin, Chickpea Sensation Patties, Hummus Tortilla Pizza, Lemon Herb Tofu, Sundried Tomato Pesto, Deli Noodle Soup, Dinner Loaf, Tacos & Salsa, Chocolate Cake, Triple Chocolate Pudding, Lemon Lime Bars, and Chocolate Mint Melties. Available on Amazon.
www.givingplants.com
Their website encourages people to give plant gifts since they grow. I couldn't agree more! Everyone loves fresh cut flowers, but they do die rather quickly. Check out the adorable "love" themed plants available on giving plants.com. The True Love Lucky Bamboo will last long after Valentine's Day!
www.iheartdogs.com
This is truly one of the coolest sites I've seen in a long time. This site was started around the idea of encouraging people to make adoption their first choice when contemplating bringing a new furry friend into their lives.
Founded in 2014, by Justin Palmer, who was inspired by his rescued Siberian Husky Splash, he started a Facebook page called I Love Dogs. The page quickly grew to over a million fans and in 2015, Justin cofounded iHeartDogs.com with Marshall Morris, an army veteran. Inspired by their passions for helping shelter dogs and supporting our veterans, Justin and Marshall built a line of products that give back to shelters and raise money to provide service dogs for veterans in need.
Each product on the site available for purchase, includes how it provides needs to shelter dogs and includes apparel, mugs, and jewelry items.
33 Warner Road
Huntington, NY 11743
(631) 368-8770
www.littleshelter.com
There are so many shelters and sanctuaries doing amazing things for animals. Here on Long Island there are a few, to choose from - no-kill, of course. One, in particular, that has been in existence for 90 years, is Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center.
Little Shelter is a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter nestled on six wooded acres in Huntington, Long Island. Suffolk County’s oldest humane organization, Little Shelter has been dedicated to saving abandoned dogs and cats and placing them into loving homes since 1927. Age, physical condition, and socialization issues are never criteria for rescuing a dog or cat whose life is in jeopardy. Most of the companion animals have been saved from kill shelters on Long Island, in New York City, and in several southern states. It has won Best of Long Island 8 straight years (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017) for Best Animal Shelter/Rescue!
Here's wishing' you and the special vegan in your life a Happy Valentine's Day!!
-Elisa