#Linda Watson

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Another cute random household. Linda(top left), is an p astronaut who lives in Oasis Springs with her daughter Arden and her best friend Leinani, who Arden calls auntie Leinani. Arden had been adopted by Linda when she was 12 years old, since Linda had always wanted kids but couldn’t have any of her own. Arden’s now a young adult and she’s attending Britechester university as a language and literature major 😊

Oh yeah, and Leinani is Piper’s nanny. Piper really likes her already cause she’s nice and makes random silly jokes

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Tasty Holiday Gift Ideas

Here are a few gift ideas that any of your vegan or vegetarian friends would love. Of course, these gifts won’t disappoint a meat-eater either. Even the cookbooks have recipes that will please everyone at your holiday table.

Rescue Chocolate 

Not only is the chocolate amazing, but you are helping animal rescues by buying it. 100% of net profits goes to animal groups. You can take a look at their list of organizations and see where your money is going.   From their Peanut Butter Pit Bull to Feral (cat) Fig you really can’t make a bad choice. Some of the flavors will sell out, but keep going down the list and just try another delicious flavor. All their flavors are tasty and 100% vegan too!

   Rancho Gordo Beans  A great company that has a huge selection of heirloom beans. They also share their seeds with the Seed Savers Exchange. My most wanted gift is their Year of Beans. 6 bags of beans four times a year, it also includes a cookbook and some heirloom beans that will be only available in this package.   Nacheez  This is a great vegan cheezy dip that you don’t have to feel guilty about. It’s only 140 calories for the whole jar and perfect for a healthy after the holidays snack. You can choose from mild or spicy. It’s great with chips but you need to try it on pasta for a Mexi-twist on mac and not-cheese. It’s also on sale at Food Fight. (You can also enter the giveaway on Healthy Slow Cooking for a chance to try some for free.)   TofuXpress  If you eat tofu in your household you really need one of these. Instead of piling up cast iron pans on top of tofu wrapped in paper towels to squeeze all the water out, you just put it in here and let the press do all the work. I use mine all the time and swear by it. I promise the veg in your life will love this. (And, again, I'm doing a giveaway of one at Healthy Slow Cooking , so make sure to visit that post to see how to enter.)   Great Gift Cookbooks for Veggie Lovers: 

Vegan Holiday Kitchen by Nava Atlas Nava Atlas is a veg cookbook icon and I've loved her since her very first book. This book is full of must try recipes and Susan Voisin's photos are beautiful. You'll use it everyday as well as the holidays!  

The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions by Celine Steen and Joni Newman This is one case that the name does not say it all. Not only do you get a list of easy to use substitutions to use in your favorite non-veg recipes, but you get their original amazing recipes too. There is alot of goodness packed into this little book!   

Vegan Lunch Box by Jennifer McCann For anyone that packs a lunch for kids or grownups. Her lunch ideas are inspiring.

Vegan on the Cheap by Robin Robinson Perfect for the person on your list that's on a tight budget, but wants to eat delicious meals too.  

Candle 79 Cookbook by Joy Pierson A gorgeous book that I can't wait to cook from. It includes Chickpea Crepes, Ginger-Seitan Dumplings, Live Lasagna, Chocolate Mousse Towers, Cucumber-Basil Martinis, and more upscale vegan fare.  

Wildly Affordable Organic: Eat Fabulous Food, Get Healthy, and Save the Planet--All on $5 a Day or Less by Linda Watson This is a vegetarian cookbook with many vegan options. This book will get you planning tasty meals that are good for the environment and your wallet. (You can use her yogurt making tips to make your own soy yogurt too!)

Also make sure to check out the Key Ingredient Facebook page to enter to win a copy of my book, The Vegan Slow Cooker! 

Kathy Hester lives in Durham, NC with her 2 cats who would rather not live together, a cute dog with a belly rub addiction, a picky eater and has more slow cookers than any one person should be allowed to own. She is also the author of The Vegan Slow Cooker and HealthySlowCooking.com