Monday, November 18, 2019

Chowhound Gift Guide 2019: Gifts for the Eco-Conscious Cook

Eco-friendly gifts are perfect for that environmentally conscious, food-loving friend or relative, or for that loved one you’d like to aggressively push gently guide toward being more environmentally conscious. Since the ideal green gift leans more thoughtful than preachy, it’s important to choose items that are both meaningful and fun—and maybe even delicious!




As Kermit the Frog famously said, “It’s not easy being green,” but we’re hoping to take a little pressure off with these eco-friendly gift ideas for that beloved cook or food aficionado in your life.

For the Sparkling Water Enthusiast:
Aarke Sparkling Water Carbonator, $219 at Sur la Table

Sur La Table

A home sparkling water carbonator helps you avoid constantly buying packaged bubbly water in bottles or cans, creating less waste in a world where recycling isn’t always perfect. Though we like the utility of the SodaStream, for a holiday gift that packs a punch, the Aarke Carbonator II is next level. With colors like copper or brass, this soda maker is more of a pièce de résistance for your countertop, adding sophistication and a little glitz to everyday soda water making. And for the consummate host, this is the perfect gift to match the ambience of a stylish holiday party.

Be aware that the Aarke does not include the required CO2 canister, though it does work with SodaStream refill carbonators that can be found at Target as well as Bed Bath & Beyond (each with their own used-canister exchange program). In this way, you get effervescent elegance from Aarke, while minimizing soda can waste through the CO2 canister refills.

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For the Coffee Lover:
Driftaway Coffee Subscription, $75+
Driftaway Coffee Subscription
Driftaway Coffee

With the goal of carbon-free coffee by 2022, Driftaway Coffee is hyper-focused on sustainability. They minimize energy use through their green sourcing, roasting, and shipping methods, and they offset their remaining carbon footprint through contributions toward an organization that fights deforestation. Not only that, but their packaging is compostable. So much green!

Given that, a gift subscription is a wonderful present for an eco-aware java-holic, and a tasting kit subscription delivers an extra element of variety and fun. As an example, a three-month tasting kit subscription will cost $75, delivering four mini (4-ounce) bags of whole bean coffee each month for the recipient to brew and sample.

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For the Friend-About-Town:
Stojo Pocket Cup, $14.99 on Amazon

Amazon

At coffee shops and fast-casual restaurants, having your own reusable cup for beverages means saving a paper or plastic cup from use and from the trash. The trouble is, you can’t always come prepared with a spare cup—until now! Give the gift of the Stojo Pocket Cup, and let your recipient marvel at the packability of its scrunched-up form. Toss it in a bag or in a coat pocket, and never worry about having to plan ahead with a reusable cup. And don’t forget about those coffee shops that provide a little discount for bringing one’s own cup—it’s sort of like you’re also giving the gift of 25 cents off drip coffee, then, too.
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For the Conscientious Cook:
“Cooking with Scraps” by Lindsay-Jean Hard, $12.23 on Amazon

Amazon

A hardcover cookbook is always a nice gift for a home chef, and when that home chef is passionate about helping the environment, then a book about minimizing food waste is the way to go! “Cooking with Scraps: Turn Your Peels, Cores, Rinds, and Stems into Delicious Meals” is a book full of clever recipes for using banana peels, watermelon rinds, broccoli stems, and other food parts that mind otherwise end up in the trash. Amazon reviewers love the approachable tone and the unusual recipe ideas—great for an eco-minded person looking for ways to reduce food waste.
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For the Seafood Fan:
Patagonia Provisions Salmon + Mussels Gift Box, $59

Patagonia Provisions

No stranger to corporate responsibility, Patagonia applies similar values to its food division, Patagonia Provisions. For the environmentally-focused seafood lover, reading up on sustainable sourcing practices can be complicated and time-consuming, but Patagonia Provisions provides transparency on how and why they source both salmon and mussels. As such, the Patagonia Provisions Salmon + Mussels Gift Box makes a marvelous present for any seafood aficionado who is also concerned about responsible sourcing!
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For the Meat-Free Dabbler:
Vegan Starter Kit, $36.81 at Thrive Market

Thrive Market

More and more people are exploring meat-free cuisine with environmentalism as a motive. To help offset the hefty greenhouse gas emissions associated with meat production, even some carnivorous folks are trying out flexitarian diets, or the occasional Meatless Monday. For someone dabbling in vegetarianism or veganism, a kit full of vegan goodies is sure to delight and inspire.

Thrive Market’s Vegan Starter Kit includes an eclectic selection of vegan products to pique the interest of that friend curious about animal-free eating. Plantain chips and pinto beans ease you into the kit, while kelp noodles and vegan jerky might test your propensity for adventurous eating. Obviously, this is NOT the gift to force upon family members who have given no indication they are interested in a more veggie-forward diet—no need to make the holidays tempeh-stuous!

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For the Hangry Vegetarian/Vegan Minimalist:
Vegan Snack Kit, $40.10 at Thrive Market

Thrive Market

Or, for those already squarely in the vegetarian or vegan side of things, consider the gift of snacks. We all have that friend who is constantly eating (it’s me), and that friend who would prefer online gifts that don’t create a lot of clutter (it’s also me). This gift of Thrive Market’s Vegan Snack Kit is green in its enablement of a meat-free lifestyle, and it’s perfect for someone who enjoys trying new foods like Vegan Rob’s Probiotic Cauliflower Puffs or Pan’s Mushroom Jerky. Consume without all the consumerism!
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For the Planner:
Zero Waste Starter Kit, $43.95 on Amazon

Amazon

Some people really embrace the set-up around a new hobby or passion—these are the people who research the perfect racquet and shoes before ever setting foot on the tennis court. No judgement; for these people who get energized for new habits through new gear, this Zero Waste Starter Kit will help them embrace a greener lifestyle. Comprised mostly of food storage and lunch accessories, this kit includes a biodegradable travel cup, reusable bamboo cutlery, beeswax food storage wraps, and more. First the zero-waste kit; next, the zero-waste world!
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For the Wildcard:
MightyFix Subscription, $33-$114 on MightyNest

When you’re not sure exactly what your giftee might like, lead with the element of surprise. The promise of a MightyFix subscription is simple: “Each month we will send a fun, unique product that encourages a healthier, greener lifestyle.” A three-month subscription will cost $33 (plus a $3.95 shipping fee per box), and you can either choose the first gift yourself, selecting between a Stasher storage bag, Bee’s Wrap food wrapping, or a Swedish dishcloth (all reusable, of course)—or, you let MightNest choose the first send gifts online from their most popular items, making this present a surprise for all involved.
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For the Tidy Chef:
Seasons Cleanings Bundle, $22.95 on Grove Collaborative

Grove Collaborative

For most of us, cooking doesn’t end when the meal is finished—there’s usually cleanup to be done. As I’ve learned, cleaning is more fun when using products that smell nice and aren’t full of chemicals, like the Mrs. Meyer’s soaps and cleaning spray in this Seasons Cleanings Bundle.

Grove Collaborative upholds high standards like non-toxic ingredients and minimal packaging with its products and partners, plus they offset the carbon footprint of every shipment! This means you get quality plant-based products from a company that funds earth-friendly initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. With scents like Iowa Pine, Orange Clove, or Peppermint, this bundle is sure to get eco-minded chefs in the holiday mood.

source - https://www.chowhound.com/food-news/245572/gift-guide-2019-eco-friendly-food-gifts/

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