Kathy Hester's Blog, page 27

Last Minute Holiday Gift: DIY Body Powder

We have a shelf in the closet for cool things we find all year to give as presents, but we never seem to have quite enough. I hate to go out shopping during this time of the year, so usually I make a few things instead. Luckily, everyone always appreciates a homemade gift.

This DIY Body Powder can be customized to use different base ingredients. The best part is that you can use your favorite essential oils or baking extracts to make it smell delicious.

It’s ridiculously easy to make. You a...

Gluten-free Vegan Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies Made with Teff Flour and Coconut too!

Sure, you could make these Gluten-free Vegan Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies anytime of the year. But it’s the time for cookie swaps and adding in a few sweets, so why not make it a little healthier?

Please note that this post is sponsored by The Teff Company, the makers of Maskal Teff™ products. If you can’t find them in your local store you can order Maskal Teff™ products on Amazon.

I just got back from my last trip of the year, and I’m ready to settle in for the holidays. I went to New Orlea...

Vegan Food Gift: Vanilla Mint Vodka

Photo by Celine Steen

Here’s another great DIY vegan holiday gift that there’s still plenty of time to make – Joni Newman’s Vanilla Mint Vodka from her book, Vegan Food Gifts!

I love Joni and like to make my own gifts so I think Vegan Food Gifts is a winner! There are canning recipes like Lemon Lavender Curd and a homemade coffee liquor and vegan Irish creme.

The dry layered jar recipes let you gift a nice meal. Joni  includes beautifully designed printables to go along with them. She let me...

Vegan Holiday Gingerbread Pear Crumble From OATrageous Oatmeals

Photo by Kate Lewis

Nothing says December like gingerbread. I love those spicy scents as they fill up the kitchen. I’ve even been known to put some whole spices and ginger in a pan of warm water to smell up the house if I’m not cooking.

If you love those smells, chances are good that you will enjoy the flavors of my vegan holiday gingerbread pear crumble. It’s from my book, OATrageous Oatmeals and it’s oil-free, soy-free and has a gluten-free option if you use your favorite gluten-free baking...

Last Minute Holiday Food Gift: Homemade Focaccia Bread from Food Swap

It’s that time of the year when you realize you accidentally left someone off your gift list. This Homemade Foccacia Bread from Emily Paster’s Food Swap is a great gift and so is the book itself.

I’ve been meaning to share the book, Food Swap, with you. I have to say it’s  not a vegan book, but in addition to having some vegan recipes, it talks about how to join or start a food swap.

What’s a food swap? I asked Emily and here’s what she had to say:

Do you love to cook or bake? Do you have a...

Vegan Teff Gingerbread

Isn’t about time to take a break?  I suggest you enjoy a piece of gluten-free vegan teff gingerbread and a comforting hot drink. The past few months have been whooshing by for me. But for now I’m planning on curling up with a plate of this spicy and moist cake. But don’t worry, I’ll only stay cocooned for a little while.

Please note that this post is sponsored by The Teff Company, the makers of Maskal Teff™ products. If you can’t find them in your local store you can order Maskal Teff™ produ...

Vegan Pear and Cranberry Instant Pot Cake

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Whole Earth Sweetener Co.. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’ve started to get ready for the holidays and receiving a shipment of sweeteners from Whole Earth Sweetener Co. put me in the mood for making some healthier sweets. I also got a ton of beautiful, fresh cranberries and knew I had to make something delicious with them. That’s how this Vegan Pear and Cranberry Instant Pot Cake came to be.

When you make a cake in your Instant Pot using its...

Vegan Slow Cooker Gingerbread Latte

This holiday coffee has the spiciness of gingerbread with just a hint of molasses. It’s a perfect way to warm up while you are cozy on the couch or after a walk in the snow.

I still make this with cold brewed coffee and you can get the super simple how to make it here. Cold brewed coffee is less acidic and much easier on your stomach. Plus, once you make the concentrate it can stay in the fridge all week. It’s perfect for a quick iced coffee and easy to heat up for a hot coffee too.

I make m...

Vegan Mint Double Chocolate Black Bean Cookies

It’s time to make some Christmas cookies! My Mint Double Chocolate Black Bean Cookies are always a big hit because everyone loves them. The original recipe (that doesn’t contain mint) comes from The Great Vegan Bean Book. Don’t worry – you can’t taste beans at all.

These cookies are soft and cake-like. Use your favorite gluten-free blend to make them gluten-free, and they are already oil-free and soy-free. They will fit most people’s diets and makes these a must for holiday parties.

I haven...

Instant Pot Pumpkin Coffeecake Steel-cut Oatmeal

This recipe for Instant Pot Vegan Pumpkin Coffeecake Steel-cut Oatmeal makes a ton. It’s a departure from my usual recipes for two servings. You actually get 6 to 8 servings – enough to make once and grab breakfast from the fridge or freezer all week long.

Looking for my older recipe for Pumpkin Coffeecake Oats that uses a small slow cooker? Don’t panic, it’s not gone and you can find it right here.

One of the things I love about my Instant Pot is that I can make large or small amounts in i...