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Travelin' The NYC Outer Boroughs with Elisa

Explore the history, culture and dining in The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Long Island with Elisa!

LEARN ABOUT THE "OTHER" BOROUGHS

February 5, 2018 - 25 Great Valentine's Gifts for the Vegan in Your Life From Long Island & Online

2/5/2018

0 Comments

 
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(c) ustandart.com
As many of my followers know, I am not a vegan, but a "mostly vegetarian."  However, I try to incorporate as much vegan lifestyle into my way of life as possible.  My cousin, and Travelin' Cousins partner, Tanya, however, is and has been a strict vegan for years.

​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....
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1. Botanical Scented Vegan Bath & Body Gift Basket FOR HER or HIM from Kneipp
https://www.kneipp.com
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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.
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Kneipp Store, Roosevelt Field. Since 1891, bath & body products are all plant-based and vegan. (c) travelincousins.com
Founded by health pioneer Sebastian Kneipp, the Kneipp philosophy is grounded on the five basic principles of Water, Plants, Exercise, Nutrition and Balance. All products are made with plant-based functional ingredients, vegan, produced without animal testing, Preservative free, Paraffin free, Silicone free and Mineral oil free.  With stores on the east coast, two of which are right here on Long Island - Smith Haven Mall (200 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove, NY) and Roosevelt Field Mall (630 Old Country Rd, Garden City, NY), these products make the perfect pampering present, as I can personally attest, and so can my daughters as we are big fans.
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2. The Essential Vegan Travel Guide (2017 Edition)
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.
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3. Box of Vegan Treats from Sweet to Lick Bakery
78 Hillside Ave / 82A Hillside ave
Williston Park, NY 11596
516 385-8833 / 516 640-4100
www.sweettolick.com
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Treat your sweet to some of the darn best vegan cookies, desserts and scones on Long Island!
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4. Gift Card to VeganChic
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.

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(photo credit: yelp.com)
5. Afternoon Lunch at Tiger Lily Cafe
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.
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(c) travelincousins..com
6. Box of Donuts from DunWell Doughnuts
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Manhattan                     East Williamsburg
102 St. Marks Street       222 Montrose Avenue
New York                       Brooklyn
1-646-998-5492              1-347-294-0871
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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.
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Tanya & me at Dun Well in Brooklyn (c) travelincousins.com
I can personally attest to how good this is and is worth the drive from anywhere to Brooklyn or Manhattan! Note: they only accept cash.
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7. Palladium Boots
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.  ​
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Tanya wearing her Palladium boots in Krakow, Poland (c) travelincousins.com (CLICK IMAGE TO READ ABOUT OUR DAY)
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Elisa wearing Palladium boots in Yellowstone National Park (c) travelincousins.com (CLICK IMAGE TO READ ABOUT OUR DAY)
Made 100% of synthetic products including the bottom, which is made of rubber! Available online through most footwear sites as well as through their retail stores, one of which is in Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall. Tanya and I both have Palladium boots, having trekked many miles on our travels around the world, through National Parks and many places!
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8.  Nom Yourself: Simple Vegan Cooking Cookbook
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.
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(photo credit: foursquare.com)
9. Italian Dinner at 3 Brother's Pizza Cafe
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.
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At Three Brothers Pizza in July, 2014 (c) travelincousins.com
Chef Jay Astafa, the brainchild behind the vegan menu at 3 Brothers Pizza, was bestowed the honor of having his vegan pizza named best in the nation by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) back in 2011.  More recently, Astafa competed on Food Network’s “Rewrapped.”
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(photo credit: pinterest)
10. LipSense Lip Gloss
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


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11. For the Frugal Vegan: Eat Vegan on $4 A Day
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.
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​12. Bamboo Makeup Brushes Professional Set of 13
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
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13. Basket of Vegan Chocolates or Truffles
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!

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14. Subscription to VegNews 
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.

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15. Will Travel for Food by Kristin Lajeunesse
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

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16. Chelsea28 Faux Fur Jacket
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)

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17. Neil's Yard Remedies 
www.nealsyardremedies.com
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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.
****Neils Yard Remedies Spotlight****
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.
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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.
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Wild Rose Beauty Balm This best selling beauty balm is made to nurture all skin types for a glowing, radiant complexion and contains vitamin and antioxidant-rich wild rosehip seed oil. (photo credit: neilsyardremedies.com)
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Frankincense Intense™ Age Defying Collection this award-winning, age-defying collection, created with relaxing, hand-harvested frankincense and clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
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Frankincense Intense™ Lift Duo nourishing cream visibly lifts and recontours. Contains an exclusive Frankincense Active Phyto Complex which is an exciting scientific breakthrough with proven collagen protecting properties and a profound antioxidant effect.
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18. Double Strap Brown Cork, Beaded Bracelet
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.
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19. Eco Friendly Hair Treatment
FOS Living
13 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.
 

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20. Homemade Vegan Ice Cream Maker
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.


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21. Dried Fruit and Nut Tray
Harry & David
Tanger Outlets Riverhead
Address: 501 Tanger Mall Drive
Riverhead, NY
​www.harryanddavid.com
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What vegan doesn't enjoy dried fruit and nuts!  Almost as good as chocolate - ok maybe not, but it's still dee-lish!
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22. Everyday Dish: Vegetarian & Vegan Meals for Everyone DVD  
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.


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23. Bamboo Plant from Giving Plants
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!
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24. I Heart Dogs.com
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.
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25. Make a Donation to Your Favorite Animal Shelter or Sanctuary 
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










 


 





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               Elisa 

     Elisa is co-founder of Travelin' Cousins travel blog along with her cousin "Travelin' Tanya." She lives on Long Island, New York with her two daughters and her dog Punkin. An entrepreneur whose professional career has included a variety of businesses in the toy, licensing and direct marketing businesses, she is now a blogger and freelance writer. Since her teen years, she has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia and continues to travel these days throughout the world with her daughters and cousin Tanya. Her other passions include photography, cooking, dining, the theatre and shopping.   

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