We know you guys have plenty of bff’s to please this gifting season, and unlike your dog, they won’t be satisfied with a kong full of peanut butter. Enjoy our first Holiday Gift Guide of the season, and be prepared for regular blogs chock full of  unique prezzie ideas - from breaking the bank to DIY for pennies - over the next Month.  From non-profiteers in deep dept to Daddy Warbucks - we aim to please.

—

The easiest gift is always a frame.  Plus it’s the perfect way to say “I love ya, slutcakes” with a cute photo of the two of you already popped in, lest you be that presumptuous.   This is probably not a good gift for your Dentist.  He doesn’t like you enough to have your photo in his office.

Kitsch Baroque Photoframe from SmakParlour.com, $16.

Call us weirdos, but we really do want a set of stuffed gnomes, or at least a vintage copy of this book that used to make us sequel with the possibility of a fairy n’ gnome underworld as children.  We bet older, creative kids would like these odd little stuffed toys too.

$11.50 each at GoodEggShop.com

Our un-siliconed lips craved this ring the minute we laid eyes on it.  You’ll want to dreamily gaze at Solange’s gorgeously crafted enamel creations on her website all day long.  This isn’t jewelry - this is truly wearable pop art.

Hot-lips ring, Solange Azagury-Partridge, $2,398.

Big spenders looking for a big, green purchase for their loved one should consider a romantic couch from eco-furniture designers Cisco Brothers; who use FSC certified wood, water based glues, and chemical free natural upholstery options in their glam designs.   We’ve got our eye on this baby below.

Soy foam couch by Cisco Brothers

What’s a more useful stocking stuffer for the Mermaid n’ Pirate lover in your life than handmade magnets made from recycled bottle caps?

Set of six magnets, $18. KateGrenier.com

Yellow gold makes us all giddy inside.  And these ornate earrings are the sort of thing we’d totally forget to buy for ourselves but would love to own.

DREAM MULLICK- Vermeil Mini Bali Sky Earring, $63.

Vegan, organic, chemical-free Lipgloss that tastes like cotton candy?  Sign us up!

Holiday USDA Organic Vegan Lip Glosses by organic-girls.com, $5.

The worlds simultaneously coziest and coolest looking hoodie is yours for the giving.  It has a fitted shape that’s almost like a dress, with really special stiching details.  Your best friend would so wear this to get her organic green tea at the local coffee shop every morning.  Plus - it’s made from 100% organic cotton, and is so thick you can almost wear it instead of a jacket!

Prairie Underground "Prairie" Hoodie, at Kaightshop.com, $205.

Our guy is always drooling over the gorgeous knick nacks on DL & Co’s Site.  We are especially grooving on the black skull candle which would look to-die-for on our dinner table.

D. L. & Co. Black Skull Candle, at Barney's, $85.

While you are busy gifting your tush off, think of yourself too, sweet cheeks. You are in serious need of some festive holiday cocktail dress attire.  Like this hemp silk dress from GreenwithGlamour.com, which incidentally has some of the most beautifully designed eco-gifts we’ve seen in worms years.

Ranier Hemp Silk Dress, Ecoskin $179.

Get your favorite work-a-holic to chill the frick out with our absolute favorite bath oil from Space NK made of patchouli, vetiver, bay and lavender essential oils. It’s not cheap, but in this case you absolutely get what you pay for.  This bath oil makes us happier than an basket of kittens.

Sleephead Bath Oil by Space NK, $45.

Stay tuned for more gift ideas, lovemuffins.

We know you are in Tofurky induced food coma right now, and the last thing you want to consider doing is eating more… but it won’t last long.  In mere minutes - the carb craving will come fast and furious and you’ll be gladder than glad to have this tasty, cholesterol free, vegan, yummorific recipe handy dandy. Make these cookies for your non-veg, unconvinced love ones as a holiday treat to prove that one need not sacrifice taste for animal-free eats.

Ingredients:cj note: go all organic if possible!! Your bod and the environment will thank and spank you!
1/3 cup canola oil
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup plain soymilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, beat together oil and sugar for about 3 minutes; add molasses and soymilk.
2. In a separate bowl, sift together all the other ingredients, then add in batches to wet mixture; mix together with a firm spoon until well combined (dough should be stiff).
3. Flatten the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for an hour (Note: if chilled longer than an hour, let it sit for 10 minutes before proceeding).
4. Preheat oven to 350 F and lightly grease your cookie sheets.
5. On a floured surface roll the dough out to a little less than 1/4 inch thick; cut out in shapes with cookie cutters or glass and gently place on cookie sheets.
6. Bake for 8 minutes then remove from oven and let cool completely if decorating.

Thanks to www.veganchicksrock.blogspot.com for this recipe! Visit this blog for super creative holiday recipes!

This is for all our readers who write in and say “Wow, you do so much!! I could never find the time!”  To that we say; YES YOU COULD!  We all have ten minutes a day to change the world, and CauseCast is the perfect platform for busy would-be activists.  Dubbed “a one stop philanthropy shop,” it’s a platform where media, philanthropy, social networking, entertainment and education converge to serve a greater purpose. People want to do good, want to be inspired, and want to inspire others to join them in giving back.  Whether your cause is human rights, animals, children, environment, or health - you’ll find a great community on this innovative site.

Click to learn more about Causecast.org

Causecast makes this easy by providing users with means to CONNECT with people, leaders, charities, nonprofit organizations, and brands that inspire them.   We are moved, stirred, and shaken by this wonderful video (in response to Prop 8) that uses Harvey Milk’s speech, by our dear friends at CauseCast. 

This is a MUST watch for all;

CauseCast makes changing the world easy.  Plus they throw a hell of a party.  Get involved now. http://www.causecast.org/

Loyale is a fashion-forward, sustainable clothing company for men, women, and the wee eco nuggets. We think it’s simple, comfortable, and utterly easy (kinda like us - minus the comfy part) on Prom night.  While designing at fashion companies, such as Calypso, Catherine Malandrino and Kate Spade, 30 year old compassionate cutie pie Jenny Hwa began to notice a lack of stylish clothing made with regard for the environment. It’s extremely rare to see a clothing company that was concerned with the social and environmental issues involved with producing a collection, so Jenny sprung into action! These observations lead to the founding of Loyale… loyal to style *and* loyal to the environment.  Thank GODDESS!

Loyale launched in Spring 2005 with the goal of transforming the uninspiring organic market with a fashion-forward, organic cotton collection.  Loyale’s clothing is inspired by understated sophistication, alluring fit and organic textiles for the fashionably conscious set. Taking an ecological stance, while creating frocks with beckoning silhouettes and charming details are Loyale’s signature criterion.

We took a hot second to ask this conscious diva a few Q’s;

Who are your favorite designers? My favorite non-Eco designers are Dries van Noten, Marni, APC,  Paul Smith, Theory, J.Crew.  My favorite Eco-designers are Mr. Larkin, Del Forte, Ciel, and American Apparel.

How did how you grew up influence your design aesthetic? Being raised in Nor Cal inspired me to consider my existence on the planet and what role I play in either adding to its demise or improving the odds for humanity. I have always firmly believed one person can make a difference, so that is path I took with loyale. Design aesthetic wise, I have a British mother, yet grew up in a very laid back, Cali atmosphere; as a result loyale collections regularly consist of a tasteful mix of wearable, timeless separates.

Describe your personal style: Classic - if you imagine Audrey Hepburn in “Sabrina”, that is how I like to dress and design my collections.

What are three things you couldn’t live without? 1. My husband, he is so generous and supportive. 2. Optimism 3. Delicious organic food & wine.

What is your favorite upping the ante green tip? A lot of people eat meat everyday and that is why our planet is so abused.

Have you felt that the recent outpouring of positive mainstream response to eco-fashion gave your business a big boost in the last few years? Thankfully, yes! So many consumers and buyers are becoming more conscious and aware of what steps need to be taken to improve the health of the planet…

Do any celebrities wear your line, if so who? Emily Deschanel, she is a loyal loyale fan and a total vegan hottie! Also Rachel McAdams, Jessica Alba, Courtney Cox, Alice Waters, and Kristin Gore wear Loyale.

There are so many advancements in fabrics every day (see our recent eco-fabrics blog) like Seaweed and Corn derivative fabrics; what are some of the new fabrics you have been experimenting with? What do you see as the future for green fabrics? To be honest, a lot of these fabrics freak me out and I am down right obsessed with using 100% organic cotton, the fabric nature intended. Bamboo, Soy, Seaweed and Corn fabrics disturb me for a few reasons; One, I don’t believe that food products should be used for creating fabrics and two, the number of chemicals needed to make these various products into a wearable fabric is not environmentally sound. My mission is to reduce the amount of chemicals being used and then worn, so I am on a mission to spread the word about conventional, non-organic cotton. Growing conventional cotton uses 25% of the world’s insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides. To make a cotton product, more than 8,000 chemicals are involved and it takes about 1 pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to produce the cotton for one pair of conventional jeans and t-shirt -that is 2 cups of synthetic chemicals for just one outfit! Milling and dyeing cotton are also chemically intensive processes that include toxic bleach, formaldehyde and heavy metals. My message is: Wear organic cotton, it’s really important to your health and the planet’s health!

100% Organic Cotton Twill & factory reclaimed overstock fabric - made in NYC

What sort of routine do you have when you design? Do you just get ideas and sketch on the go or do you have some sort of routine (i.e. listening to loud salsa music and eating jelly beans)? I design collections year round. I am inspired by reading a ton of different publications and books at one time and music is a huge influence. For instance I am designing fall 2009, but spring 2010 is already percolating while I read “Atlas Shrugged,” Vanity Fair magazine, Ode magazine, Travel & Leisure magazine, Women’s Wear Daily, Earth magazine and scope out The Sartorialist Blog. while listening to bands like, Arthur & Yu, Devendra Banhart and the Weepies. This is my wacky world!

THANKS JENNY!!  SHOP LOYALE ONLINE HERE: http://www.loyaleclothing.com

**30% OFF WITH COUPON CODE “Gogirlie08″ til December 1st!**

Learn how to make it by watching the video below - or simply follow the actual recipe below and stuff your sexy, filthy little face.   This is a perfect recipe to wow your family with on T-day!  Put on your apron and make like Martha, dollbaby. xo

Fig & Wild Rice Seitan Roulade Recipe;

For the Seitan

• 1-1/2 cups vital wheat gluten
• 1/4 cup almond meal
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed and finely chopped
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 6-1/2 cups vegetable stock, divided
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• cheesecloth

For the Stuffing

• 1-1/2 cups mixed wild and brown rice
• 3 cups water
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 shallots, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 1 cup dried figs, chopped
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup almond meal
• 1/2 cup vegetable stock
• handful fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• black pepper to taste

For Cooking Stock

• 1 large onion, cut in sixths
• 3 parsnips, quartered
• 3 carrots, quartered
• 2 ribs celery, quartered
• 2-3 cups of vegetable stock
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper

How-to

Prepare the Seitan

1. Prepare a large covered dish for the seitan, filling it with 4 cups of the vegetable stock
2. Combine vital wheat gluten with the almond meal, chopped garlic, sea salt and black pepper.  Stir to combine.  In a measuring cup or small bowl, whisk 1-1/2 cups of the vegetable stock and olive oil together.  Pour the wet mixture slowly over the dry and stir to form a wet dough
3. Scoop the dough out onto a clean surface and pat into a rectangle roughly 8 x 12″.  Cover with a length of double thick cheesecloth, leaving a generous overhang of 5-6″ on each end.  Beginning at the end furthest away from you, begin to loosely roll the rectangle toward you, covering the exposed seitan with the extra cheesecloth as you go
4. Place the fully wrapped roulade in the vegetable stock and cover the dish.  Bake covered for 1-1/2 hours.  Remove from oven and allow the roulade to cool completely in the dish for several hours.  Do not discard the broth

Make the Stuffing

1. Cook the rice in 3 cups of water
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat
3. Add the shallots and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened
4. Add garlic and cook until golden brown.  Add celery, stirring for a minute to soften slightly
5. Scoop the cooked rice into the skillet and add the figs, bread crumbs, almond meal and stock.  Stir to combine and heat through, 4-5 minutes.  Remove the heat, add in parsley and season with salt and pepper

Prepare the Stock

1. Remove the roulade from its cooking pot and set aside.  Combine all above ingredients with the remaining stock in the pot and stir

To Assemble

1. Unroll the seitan and remove its cheesecloth
2. Gently flatten the seitan on a clean surface and spread with the stuffing
3. Use a lightly oiled hand to press the stuffing flat against the seitan
4. Loosely re-roll the seitan, carefully pressing the stuffing in if it falls out.  Once fully rolled, re-wrap the roulade in a slightly loose cheesecloth.  You may also choose to tie the roll with kitchen twine, but leave some room for the seitan to expand as it cooks
5. Place the wrapped roll back in the pot, arranging the vegetables around it and adding any additional stock to ensure that the liquid covers at least half of the roulade
6. Bake covered for 1-1/2-2 hours, turning halfway through

To Serve

1. Lift the roulade out, unwrap the cheesecloth and cut in 1/2″ slicesThe vegetables may be served as is alongside the roulade or puree them with some of the stock to make a simple sauce that is good with the roulade or with an accompaniment of mashed potatoes

Note on Ingredients

• Vital wheat gluten can be found in many stores, often in the baking section, or check the bulk section of health food stores for a less expensive option
• Almond meal, sometimes called almond flour, can be purchased pre-made or you can make your own by simply toasting raw almonds lightly for 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven, allowing them to cool completely and then processing into a fine powder

ps — LUCKY BOSTONERS

Emilie is teaching two upcoming classes.  You can sign up for either here or learn more about darling Emilie and her tasty treaters here.

Vegan Desserts for Winter
In this course we will create several healthy, sophisticated, and beautiful dairy- and egg-free desserts perfect for the colder months that will please everyone, regardless of their dietary preferences. Recipes include olive oil and anise cake with blood orange macedonia, yeasted sugar cake with spiced fig and apricot compote, black pepper apple galette with salted caramel sauce, and a variety of truffles. Instruction will explore the general principles of dairy- and egg-free baking in a way that can be extrapolated to other dessert-making projects. Limited to 16.
Sec. 01: 1 Saturday, 11:00 am-2:00 pm. Jan. 31, 42 Brattle St. | $69

&

Creative Vegan Cuisine
In this two-session course, we will create casually sophisticated, balanced, and delicious dairy-, egg-, and meat-free dishes. With different kinds of tofu, wheat-based seitan, cultured-soy tempeh, nuts, beans, and bean flours, we will make dishes from around the world, including chickpea polenta tart, white kidney bean and seitan stew in phyllo cups, fennel sausage and pear pizza, fettuccini alfredo, tofu laksa, cashew cheese endive and roasted beet salad, macadamia kibbeh, and tempeh sambal. Limited to 16.
Sec. 01: 2 Mondays, 6:30-9:30 pm. Mar. 9 & 16, 42 Brattle St. | $119