3 Vegan Friendly Edible Holiday Gifts in a Jar

These edible gifts in a jar are so easy to make, perfect for any last minute gifts! So pretty; festive; and taste absolutely amazing too! Vegan or not, anyone you give these to will love them! And the best part about them is that they're consumables and the jars can be 100% repurposed so no waste! 🎁✨

Whatever you're celebrating this year, Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones! ☃️❄️

Candied Pecans

Prep Time: 10 minute

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 2 cups

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tbsp. coconut oil (sub for vegan butter or margarine)

• 2 tbsp. brown sugar

• 2 tbsp. maple syrup (sub for all brown sugar)

• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon (optional)

• 1/4 tsp. sea salt

• 2 cups pecan halves

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat a pan on a stove top at medium heat and add in all the ingredients except the pecans. Mix together till the sugar has dissolved.

2. Once the mixture is completely combined, add in the pecans and mix to coat the pecans evenly. This takes about 5 minutes, but make sure your pecans don't get too brown.

3. Take the pecans off the heat and mix in 1 tbsp. of granulated sugar till all the pecans are coated evenly.

4. Let cool completely and place in a jar if gifting!

Christmas Vegan Brownie Mix

INGREDIENTS

• Layers in jar:

Vegan Brownie Mix Base

Layer 1: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour + 1/2 tsp. baking powder + 1/2 tsp. sea salt

Layer 2: 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder + 1/2 tsp. instant coffee (coffee optional)

Layer 3: 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Layer 4: 1/4 cup brown sugar

Mix-ins:

Layer 5: 1/2 cup coconut flakes

Layer 6: 1/2 cup fresh or dried cranberries

Layer 7: 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Layer 8: 1/2 cup non-dairy chocolate chips

What the gift recipient will need:

• 5 tbsp. water + extra on hand

• 1/3 cup flavorless oil

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)

Notes:

• Feel free to change up or omit the mix-ins! If you don't want any mix-ins the vegan brownie mix alone works just as well but the base needs to be included.

BAKING INSTRUCTIONS TO WRITE ON TAG FOR GIFTING

1. Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.

2. Make your flax egg by mixing the flax seed meal in this envelope [or in whatever you use] with 5 tbsp. of water. Set aside for 5 minutes.

3. In a large mixing bowl, add in the flavorless oil and mix in the flax eggs.

4. Add in the vanilla extract if using and mix everything till combined.

5. Pour in the contents of the jar into the bowl of wet ingredients. Fold in the dry ingredients just till combined. The batter should be thick, but all of the dry ingredients should be incorporated into the wet ingredients completely. If the batter is too dry add 1 tbsp. of water at a time.

6. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes and let cool completely before cutting.

7. Enjoy!

DIRECTIONS FOR GIFTING PACKAGING

• Add each layer one at a time in a jar making sure to shake the jar a bit so each ingredient can settle.

• Alternatively, you can mix all the ingredients together or just layer in some and mix the rest. It is entirely up to you!

• In a separate container, add in the flax seed meal. I used a small envelope but you can wrap it in anything from parchment paper, foil, or even plastic wrap (although I do encourage using more waste-free packaging).

• Write out the baking instructions on the small envelope of that is what you're using to store your flax seed meal. Otherwise, you can write it on a tag or make your own tag using any paper you have at home!

• Attach the baking instructions and flax seed meal to the jar by tying a ribbon around the jar and use a clothespin to clip the container of flax seed meal and the tag to the ribbon. You can also punch a hole in the tag and tie it in with the ribbon along with the flax seed meal. Whatever you use, get creative and have fun!

Chocolate Peppermint Cracker Bark

Prep Time: 5 minute

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: one 9"x11" whole sheet of bark

INGREDIENTS

• Enough saltine crackers (or any plain square/rectangular vegan cracker) to fill a 9"x11" pan

• 1/3 cup coconut oil (sub for vegan butter or margarine)

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

• 2 tbsp. almond milk (or non-dairy milk of choice)

• 1/2 cup non-dairy chocolate chips

• 5 chocolate creme cookies such as Oreos (I used peppermint Trader Joe's Joe Joe's)

• 1 candy cane or 5 pieces of peppermint candy

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.

2. Line a 9"x11" baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon mat. Do not skip this step or the bark will stick!

3. Fill in the baking sheet with rows of crackers all lined up and touching at the edges. You can break off pieces of crackers to fill in the gaps.

4. In a sauce pan or small pot on medium-low heat, mix in the first 5 ingredients till the sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes. Work quickly and continue mixing so the sugar doesn't burn. If the oil separates, it's okay.

5. Once the mixture is done, pour it all over the crackers. With a spoon or spatula, spread the sugar mixture evenly and go ahead and tilt the pan any direction so that the sugar mixture and spread evenly throughout the crackers and fill in the nooks and crannies.

6. Bake the crackers for 10 minutes.

7. While the crackers are baking, crush your candy canes or peppermint candies into little pieces by placing them between parchment paper and rolling and stomping the candies with a rolling pin. For finer pieces, shake them in a jar with a closed lid. Save the bigger pieces that won't break to eat later or save them as an "after dinner mint" for guests!

8. Crush the cookies with your fingers and set aside.

9. Once the crackers are baked, top them with the chocolate chips and let it sit for just a minute before spreading the chocolate in one layer all over the crackers. The heat emitting from the crackers will melt the chocolate allowing for a smooth spreadable consistency.

10. Once the chocolate is spread evenly, top it with the crushed peppermint candy and the chocolate cream cookies.

11. Pop in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to set.

12. Once the bark has set and hardened, break them into pieces at whatever size you want!

13. Enjoy!

MAKE THIS RECIPE?

Snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @samanthasambile and hashtag #eatwithsamsam. I'd love to see your creations!

Also, comment below to let me know how yours came out!

6 Effortless Budget-Friendly Decor Ideas

I used to sift through interior design magazines, watch tons of home tours on YouTube, and browse endlessly through home decor images on Pinterest. This isn't inherently a negative thing but what it did to me was. Prior to my minimalist journey, this made me want to consume needlessly. I weighed more value on visuals over functionality. I wanted to implement new design trends into my space whether it suited my needs or not, and that yearning never ended. All I had to do was walk into an Anthropologie or a Target, and I'd be itchin' for more. In the end I was merely cluttering my space with items that had no other purpose than to collect dust.

This mindset was wasting both my resources and the planet's so I changed my perspective and the way I viewed decor. I still appreciate a good home tour and pin pretty rooms onto my Pinterest board, but I no longer feel those strong urges. Instead I learned new ways to decorate my space in a much more functional and sustainable way.

1. Display your food. 🍋

The mix of colors, shapes, and textures add visual interest to your kitchen.

Some ideas:

• Beautiful bottles of oil, vinegar, pickled veggies, etc.

• Jars of dry goods like grains, legumes, pasta, nuts, or dried fruit

• A bowl of your fruits and veggies

2. Repurpose old jars, bottles, and cans

Waste not, want not and do so with style whilst saving that coin!

• Use old jars to store and showcase your food. Remember number 1!

• Use old jars and cans to display functional items like your make-up brushes or writing utensils.

• Turn them into vases! I personally love the look of flowers in tin cans. It adds a lovely rustic look to any room.

3. Plants 🌿

Relating to number 2, plants add so much life (literally!) and vibrancy to your space. A simple addition of flowers and greenery can transform your space from looking drab to looking charming and cozy.

Plants can sometimes get expensive so here are a few tips:

• Buy a cheap bouquet of flowers at your local grocery store or farmer's market and split them up into multiple bouquets so you can fill up multiple rooms for the price one. 💐

• Don't be afraid to forage! You can find beautiful fallen plants or gather sticks and twigs during a hiking trip or even while walking down the street. Simply arrange them in a glass of water and you're set! If you have your own garden or backyard, even better!

• Display useful plants like herbs or aloe vera!

4. Make your own art

This is a great way to personalize your space! Not to mention the fact that it's essentially free! All you really need are some scraps of paper and a pen. You can be as elaborate or as simple as you want with this! If you're already artistically inclined go crazy, but if art isn't your forte just keep it simple!

• Frame a handwritten note of your favorite quote or phrase.

• Hand draw random shapes and lines on a piece of paper.

• Create your own collage using pieces of scrap paper.

Pinterest is a great resource for tons of simple art DIYs so ahead; get creative and have fun!

5. Save pretty paper 🎀

With all the paper you get in your life you might as well save the pretty ones and use them as decor! I mean, why not?! These are items people just throw out everyday, and it can be so wasteful so this is a great way to combat that!

• Birthdays and thank you cards

• Business cards

• Magazines and catalogs

• Wrapping paper

• Packaging and labels

• Gift tags

Anything goes!

6. Use what you already have

We get so caught up on the high of purchasing new things that we forget that we already have perfectly good options in our home. Often times these items get stored away in the back of closets or hidden away in cabinets. Maybe you didn't realize you can use them as display or decor. Bring them out to life and utilize them! Remember why you kept them in the first place and give them the love they deserve.

Here are some ideas:

• An old throw blanket that you love

• A spare bowl in the kitchen

• Books with pretty covers

• A lovely dress you only use on special occasions

• Rustic storage baskets

Using what you already have ensures that you are surrounded with the things you already love. Not only does this help you avoid rampant consumerism, but it benefits your bank account and the environment all at the same time!

I love home decor; I always will, but now I can learn to appreciate the beauty in simplicity and functionality. I find that my place has a much more calming and airy vibe that doesn't distract from but complements my everyday life. Bonus: less to dust! 🙌

Vegan Pumpkin Waffles

Last week I put up a poll on my Instagram Stories asking you guy what you'd rather see this week, Pumpkin Waffles or Pumpkin Crumb Muffins and the verdict was in: Pumpkin Waffles! So here it is! Delicious, perfectly spiced with just the right amount of sweetness and topped with toasted pecans. 🍁

As someone who isn't a fan of pumpkin I can tell you that I flippin' loooove these babies. 😋 And if you don't have a waffle maker this batter also works as pancakes! ❤

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 to 15 minutes (also depends on your waffle iron settings)

Total Time: 22 to 25 minutes

Yield: 4 waffles (using a Belgian waffle iron)

INGREDIENTS

• 2 flaxseed eggs (2 tbsp. flaxseed meal + 5 tbsp. water)

• 1 cup whole wheat flour (substitute unbleached all-purpose flour)

• 1 cup spelt flour (substitute whole wheat or unbleached all-purpose flour)

• 3/4 tsp. pumpkin spice (substitute for cinnamon)

• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

• 1 tsp. baking powder

• 1/2 tsp. baking soda

• 1/2 tsp. sea salt

• 1/2 tsp. orange zest (optional but highly recommended)

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

• 1/2 cup orange juice (substitute for more unsweetened almond milk or water)

• 1/2 cup pumpkin purée (NOT pumpkin pie filling)

• 2 tbsp. brown sugar

• 1/4 cup flavorless oil + extra if not using nonstick waffle iron (I used coconut oil.)

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup pecans (for topping)

• maple syrup (for topping)

DIRECTIONS

1. If using pecans, preheat your oven to 350º Fahrenheit.

2. Make the flaxseed eggs by mixing the flaxseed meal with water. Set aside.

3. In a large medium sized mixing bowl, mix together both types of flours; the pumpkin spice and cinnamon; the baking powder; the baking soda, and the sea salt. Zest your orange and mix it into the dry ingredients as well.

4. Now for the wet ingredients, in a big mixing bowl, mix together the almond milk; orange juice; pumpkin purée; brown sugar; oil; and vanilla extract.

5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently mix till everything is incorporated.

6. Now spoon and spread the batter in your waffle maker. Cook according to the directions and settings of your waffle maker. (If you're making pancakes instead, spoon a 1/4 cup of batter onto a greased pan or griddle and cook on a stove top at medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes or just until golden brown with crisp edges, fully cooked through on both sides.)

7. Now for the pecans, spread onto a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes to toast.

8. Break into little pieces by chopping with a knife or doing what I did and just breaking them by hand.

9. Top your cooked waffles with the toasted pecans and drizzle on as much or as little maple syrup as you want.

For all of you who voted for the Pumpkin Crumb Muffins, not to worry, I will still be sharing these for something special coming up so stay tuned!

MAKE THIS RECIPE?

Snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @samanthasambile and hashtag #eatwithsamsam. I'd love to see your creations!

Also, comment below to let me know how yours came out!