This Christmas just gone, I had been in receipt of the wonderful new book 'Vegan Food Gifts' by the even more wonderful Joni Marie Newman, who is author of the famous veggie burger bible, The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet. This meant that many of my loved ones got given hand-made jars of all things nice and vegan from me this year, thanks to some of the ideas in the book.
I was very excited about the arrival of Vegan Food Gifts. It was full of intriguing and creative ways to make unique gifts that are so much better than anything you can buy in the shops. I was most interested in making up jars from the 'Just Add Water' section - I did the Fudgy Brownie Mix, the Spicy Taco Mix, and a couple of others. My recipients seemed to be very pleased with their gifts!
In the book, you'll also find wonderful ideas for wrapping, packaging and sprucing up your gifts to make them look lovely. And there are many baked goods as well as ideas for infusions such as oil and alcohol, plus special 'boxed sets' and hampers to conjure up. I was very impressed.
What I like most is that it means you can give people thoughtful and interesting gifts that you have put a lot of effort into, that they will use, and that are meaningful. I have stopped wanting to just buy yet more 'stuff' for people to shove in the back of their cupboard, and this book brings gift-giving back to what it's supposed to be about - something given with love and care, not just something grabbed off the shop shelf last minute in a "That will do" moment.
And guess what? Joni Marie Newman (who I have also interviewed) has kindly agreed to give away a copy of Vegan Food Gifts to one of my readers!
Enter the Prize Draw
To enter the prize draw to win a copy of Vegan Food Gifts, all you have to do is leave a comment below THIS post to say that you'd like to enter.
The closing date is midnight on the 28th January 2013, and the winner will be drawn randomly afterwards and informed the following week.
Terms & Conditions (that is, the small print)
1. The final date of entry is 23.59 hous GMT on 28th January 2013. No entries can be considered after this.
2. You must follow the steps as described to enter. If not fully carried out, your entry is invalid.
3. Only one entry per person is allowed.
4. The judge’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into. The prize cannot be exchanged or transferred and no cash alternative will be offered.
5. The prize is subject to availability by the sponsor. No responsibility can be taken by Chocolate and Beyond on when or if the prize/s reach you. Once the competition closes the prize responsibility is entirely in their hands.
6. The prize draw winners will be randomly selected.
7. The prize draw is open to entries worldwide.
8. No automated entries allowed. These will be disqualified.
I'm Andrea, and am obsessed with creating fabulous food. After I managed to ditch dieting, the reason Chocolate and Beyond was born, it seemed natural to evolve my site into a foodie blog. More so since I also ditched animal produce to be vegan. Now, I love showing how inventive cruelty-free cooking can be. And sometimes I like to rant, too. I wouldn't be myself otherwise :) x 
Hi. I'd like to enter the prize draw. Kind regards,Jenny Liddle:)
Posted by: Jenny Liddle | January 14, 2013 at 01:09 PM
Inspiring and exciting, as always on your blog, Andrea! Would love to win this book! x
Posted by: Cid | January 14, 2013 at 01:20 PM
would love to win this book!
Posted by: Wendy Cleaver | January 14, 2013 at 01:26 PM
Would love to enter the competition to win this book, would make a great birthday gift for myself lol :-D
Posted by: Bonnie Duffy | January 14, 2013 at 01:44 PM
I would like to enter ... thanks.
Posted by: Andy Levy-Stevenson | January 14, 2013 at 01:59 PM
I'd like to enter too - the book looks lovely
Posted by: Maresa Bossano | January 14, 2013 at 02:26 PM
I am new to the vegan life and would love any help I can get.
Posted by: Lisa McEachin | January 14, 2013 at 03:07 PM
please enter me into the comp...can't beat vegan grub! ;)
Posted by: Caroline Higson | January 14, 2013 at 03:15 PM
Would like to enter - looks great :) Great blog too!
Posted by: Camilla Røstvik | January 14, 2013 at 03:37 PM
I'd love to enter!! I really need some vegan cook books, I'm stuck in a rice with veggies kinda life.. >.>
Posted by: Theresa Fogle | January 14, 2013 at 04:12 PM
I would like to be entered to win "Vegan Food Gifts". Thank you!
Posted by: Jen | January 14, 2013 at 04:30 PM
Would like to enter to win! Thanks!
Posted by: Kirsty | January 14, 2013 at 04:43 PM
Yes please!
Posted by: Mariannedrysdale | January 14, 2013 at 06:02 PM
the book looks great, I'd like to enter the prize draw, thank you! :)
Posted by: Lara | January 14, 2013 at 07:24 PM
My Mother-in-Law is the chutney and jam fairy, I would love to be able to give her a homemade gift in return. It is so much nicer than something you just buy. Please can I enter your competition.
Posted by: Tamara | January 14, 2013 at 08:33 PM
I love making homemade gifts. This Christmas was the first year since I can remember that I didn't make any so I am determined to make up for it next year. This book would provide great inspiration, please enter me in the prize draw. Thanks.
Posted by: Caroline | January 14, 2013 at 10:20 PM
I'd love to win this book!
Posted by: Dana | January 14, 2013 at 10:20 PM
I'd like to enter the prize draw! Thank you! :)
Posted by: Teddyplanet | January 14, 2013 at 10:35 PM
I'd like to enter this great prize draw! Thanks!
Posted by: Eileen Burton | January 14, 2013 at 10:50 PM
I'd like to enter please. I love Joni's books.
Posted by: panda cookie | January 15, 2013 at 02:39 AM
I would love to enter - so need some inspiration xXx
Posted by: LyndallKay | January 15, 2013 at 09:05 AM
What a great book. I would love to enter!
Posted by: Celine L | January 15, 2013 at 10:58 AM
I'd love to win this book! I have a couple of hers already and they're great. I posted a comment yesterday but I don't see it now, not sure if I did it wrong maybe (I'm not trying to enter twice!). Please delete one of the comments if my other post is still around.
Posted by: Linzi | January 15, 2013 at 11:41 AM
That looks a wonderfully useful book! I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Posted by: Cathy Bryant | January 15, 2013 at 05:01 PM
To give a vegan yummy gift, what a nice idea! I'm in!
Posted by: Catherine Lapointe | January 19, 2013 at 11:42 AM
Yes please! I need some new inspiration for my homemade gifts!
Posted by: Julia | January 22, 2013 at 11:21 AM
I would like to enter the prize draw - you are an inspiration for vegans (and non-vegans!)everywhere!:)
Posted by: Deborah | January 22, 2013 at 11:41 AM
I'd like to enter! Always looking for new ideas!
Posted by: Christine Adams | January 22, 2013 at 11:49 AM
Hi. I'd like to enter the prize draw. Thank you.
Posted by: Jessica Schwartz | January 23, 2013 at 11:05 AM
I would like to enter the prize draw please :)
Posted by: Roisin | January 23, 2013 at 11:10 AM
I would like to enter the prize draw too!
Posted by: Tom | January 23, 2013 at 11:12 AM
Vegan Food Gifts looks like an amazing book! In the 15 years or so that I've been Vegan I haven't seen a book like it, and me being a creative person this book will be PERFECT! :)
Posted by: veganpanda | January 23, 2013 at 11:19 AM
Hello. My name is Stephanie and I'd love to enter the drawing to win a copy of 'Vegan Food Gifts' by Joni Marie Newman!
Posted by: Stephanie Ocasio | January 23, 2013 at 11:35 AM
I'd really love to win this book :) Please let me enter the prize draw :)
Posted by: Carolina Costa Leite | January 23, 2013 at 11:41 AM
I'd love to win this book - in these times of austerity, food gifts make sense AND it would be a great way of showing people how scrumptious vegan food is. Liz Nicolay
Posted by: Liz Nicolay | January 23, 2013 at 11:44 AM
I would very much like to enter this price draw :-)
Posted by: Sasha | January 23, 2013 at 11:50 AM
Love the blog !
Enter the Prize Draw
like to enter the prize draw to win a copy of Vegan Food Gifts
Posted by: rodrigo | January 23, 2013 at 11:54 AM
Yes please! I have been eyeing this book for a while
Posted by: Mariannedrysdale | January 23, 2013 at 12:10 PM
Oooo, I'd like to enter the prizw draw to win Vegan Food Gifts. Thank you.
Posted by: Carolyn | January 23, 2013 at 12:20 PM
Please enter me sounds like a great book :)
Posted by: Jen E | January 23, 2013 at 12:21 PM
I'd like to enter please.
Posted by: Leigh Tooley | January 23, 2013 at 12:27 PM
This looks like such a great idea book! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
compelledbywords at live dot com :D
Posted by: Omtastic.blogspot.com | January 23, 2013 at 01:02 PM
I would like to enter the drawing please.
Posted by: Sandra Carr | January 23, 2013 at 01:25 PM
I would like to enter :)
Posted by: Patricia | January 23, 2013 at 02:23 PM
I would like to enter!
Posted by: Carla Eilrich | January 23, 2013 at 02:46 PM
Hi:)
I would love to enter the prize draw!
Looks like a great book :)
Posted by: Hope K | January 23, 2013 at 03:31 PM
I would like to enter into this prize draw please
Posted by: Conor Hand | January 23, 2013 at 03:33 PM
I'd like to win! Thanks!
Posted by: Luisa L | January 23, 2013 at 03:41 PM
I would like to enter please!
Posted by: Lib Wilson-Stephens | January 23, 2013 at 03:56 PM
This sounds a fantastic book! I'd love to win a copy of this, please enter me in the competition
Thanks
Posted by: Claire Foster | January 23, 2013 at 04:12 PM
Crosses everything crossable, please please me!!
Posted by: Theresa Fogle | January 23, 2013 at 04:36 PM
What a fun book, I would love a chance to win it. Thanks!!!
Posted by: Jason Thompson | January 24, 2013 at 03:19 AM
Count me in :-)
Posted by: Maggie | January 24, 2013 at 09:01 AM
hey andrea, i'd like to enter this giveaway please and thank you.
Posted by: jules joy | January 24, 2013 at 09:20 AM
I'd like to enter, thank you Denise
Posted by: Denise | January 24, 2013 at 11:18 AM
Please enter me.
Posted by: Sarah Spencer | January 24, 2013 at 03:41 PM
Please enter my name in the drawing!
Posted by: Kasey Minnis | January 24, 2013 at 04:19 PM
would love to enter please
Posted by: iain | January 24, 2013 at 06:03 PM
please enter me :)
Posted by: Pariah999 | January 24, 2013 at 06:05 PM
Enter me please :)
Posted by: Carly | January 24, 2013 at 07:17 PM
sound fab i would love to enter
Posted by: Laura Banks | January 24, 2013 at 08:01 PM
I would like to enter the drawing to win a copy Vegan Food Gifts.
Posted by: Elma | January 24, 2013 at 08:20 PM
I'd like to enter please
Posted by: sharon wigul | January 24, 2013 at 08:34 PM
Please enter me in the draw.
Posted by: Rikka B | January 24, 2013 at 08:41 PM
Please enter me in your prize draw. Thank you.
Posted by: Ian Yates | January 24, 2013 at 10:14 PM
I'd like to enter the prize draw Please
Posted by: Isobel Gibbons | January 25, 2013 at 08:52 AM
While my friends aren't vegan, I am and I really don't like to purchase non-vegan gifts. I'm always on the lookout for gifts they don't even notice are vegan. This looks perfect.
Posted by: Kate Leigh | January 25, 2013 at 11:08 AM
Hi. I would like to enter the draw please. Looks like a great cookbook
Posted by: Celine L | January 25, 2013 at 12:12 PM
hi please enter me
Posted by: Eleanor Powell | January 25, 2013 at 12:42 PM
Hi,
I would love this book. I have a best friend who is vegan and she has done so much for me and my family and I would either keep the book for myself and make her special thank you gifts using the wonderful ideas (maybe convert me too!), or I would give it to her as a gift.Either way it will be well used and loved. many thanks
Posted by: Kim Styles | January 25, 2013 at 01:42 PM
I'd like to enter please!
Posted by: Eleanor Jones | January 25, 2013 at 08:20 PM
Would love to enter. It's something I am looking more and more into. Wishing everyone the best of luck. Thanks for the chance :) :D x
Posted by: Tracy Hanson | January 26, 2013 at 12:00 AM
I would love to win this amazing prize! I've always loved making food gifts for people and I've recently become vegan so this book looks awesome! xx
Posted by: Christina Jarrett | January 26, 2013 at 04:13 AM
I would love to win this!
Posted by: Carl Upshon | January 26, 2013 at 08:12 AM
Would love to win this book, it looks great.
Posted by: [email protected] | January 26, 2013 at 12:22 PM
Fantastic book. Would love to own a copy
Posted by: julie Brooke | January 26, 2013 at 04:24 PM
Yes, please enter me. Looks fantastic.
Posted by: Victoria W | January 26, 2013 at 07:30 PM
Please enter me
Posted by: Pam Gregory | January 26, 2013 at 08:30 PM
The best vegan food i have had was at the cornbury festival and hope to make some like that for my tea.
Posted by: Keith | January 26, 2013 at 08:31 PM
Wow fantastic please can you enter me thank you
Posted by: emma gooch | January 26, 2013 at 09:41 PM
Please can you enter me :)
Posted by: Charlotte Hood | January 27, 2013 at 08:44 AM
I would like to enter the contest please
Posted by: Anne Eames | January 27, 2013 at 09:32 AM
I would love to win this!
Posted by: PatanneWalker | January 27, 2013 at 09:49 AM
Please can you enter me in this fabulous contest, I am a vegetarian of just 2 months and actually was inspired to turn vegetarian by my 13 year old daughter who gave up meat 2 years ago.
I am really intrested in all things vegan as its something I've been thinking about.
Good Luck everyone :-)
Posted by: Louise Hutchings | January 27, 2013 at 10:11 AM
Yes please, I'd love to enter the prize draw.
Posted by: KatieJoyceAnna | January 27, 2013 at 11:29 AM
Oooh, please enter me into this prize draw. I've been a vegetarian for years and have been vegan on an off for most of them but more seriously for the last few years. Now that I've cut back on my paid working hours, I made the decision to start cooking more, from scratch, rather than relying on shop-bought burgers, etc. My daughter introduced me to the Choclate-and-Beyond web-site and I think it's brilliant. I've never considered myself much of a cook but am finding it quite easy and very satisfying (in more ways than one!) and this web-site is the best source of inspiration I've found.
Thank you!
Posted by: Cynthia | January 27, 2013 at 02:50 PM
Please put me into the draw - thank you xx
Posted by: Gholmes724 | January 27, 2013 at 03:15 PM
I'd like to enter - Cheers
Posted by: Fiona Matters | January 27, 2013 at 04:46 PM
Please enter me in the draw
Posted by: Circles_of_mind | January 27, 2013 at 06:31 PM
i'd love to enter the draw
Posted by: karen dixon | January 27, 2013 at 06:53 PM
It will be 2 years next month since we went from veggie to vegan and this book will give us plenty of inspiration with little gifts for our curious family & friends!
Posted by: Cheeta Lagas | January 27, 2013 at 07:01 PM
This sounds a great book, love the sound of some of the gifts.
Posted by: Dee Sherwood Wallace | January 27, 2013 at 07:10 PM
Looks great - I'd like to enter
Posted by: Christine Dodd | January 27, 2013 at 07:18 PM
I'd love to enter. I'm not vegan but I am veggie and I have lots of veggie and vegan friends so I'd definitely make good use of this book!
Posted by: sue willshee | January 27, 2013 at 07:32 PM
Please Enter Me
Posted by: Straysuzi1 | January 27, 2013 at 07:33 PM
fab prize! count me in please
Posted by: Janine Atkin | January 27, 2013 at 07:36 PM
Just turned vegan and struggling with food options so the book would be a real treat!
Posted by: ruth | January 27, 2013 at 07:57 PM
Count me in too! thanks
Posted by: JamieGalcomps | January 27, 2013 at 08:05 PM
I'd love to enter. I'm thinking about going vegan and this would help sort gifts for my sister and cousin
Posted by: Stitchinwolf | January 27, 2013 at 08:26 PM
Hi, I would love to have a go! This looks a great book.
Posted by: olivia kirby | January 27, 2013 at 09:09 PM