Black Owned, Vegan Holiday Gift Guide

This year more than ever it’s so important to shop small and shop Black Owned for the holidays so I’ve put together a helpful Holiday Gift Guide featuring Black Owned Vegan & Sustainable brands to support this holiday season.

This guide has been broken down into 5 categories, Jewelry, Skin & Beauty, Self Care, Food, as well as Art & Paper Goods to make your shopping easier.

GEMZY:

Ethically Sourced Crystals and pendants

GILDED GROTTO:

Artisan crafted crystal and themed jewelry collections

THE INDEPENDENT YOUTH:

Handcrafted bohemian jewelry

ROSEN SKIN CARE:

A skin care line that specializes in clean acne care

FLOWER AND FOLK:

Handcrafted soaps, candles and shampoo bars

PROPA BEAUTY:

Makeup brand concentrated on creating inclusive products for all shades of skin tones

HABIT COSMETICS:

Non Toxic Nail Polish and Creme based color pots and highlighters

ESOTERIA WELLNESS:

Vegan Skincare & Holistic Wellness

BEAUTY BAKERIE:

Cruelty free and Philanthropic makeup company with a mission to donating money, clothes, toys, and other supplies needed to orphanages around the world.

THE LIP BAR:

Vegan and Cruelty free makeup brand that stands firmly against all forms of animal cruelty and advocates for inclusivity in the beauty community.

SMILE NATURAL PRODUCTS:

Ethical hygiene company focused on non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty free ingredients.

FREEDOM APOTHECARY:

Holistic Wellness brand specializing in natural skin care products

OUI THE PEOPLE:

An inclusive beauty brand focused on shaving and skincare for sensitive skin

CANDY X PAINTS:

Offers non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty free nail polish

PEAK & VALLEY:

Specializing in herbal supplements for holistic wellness

THE HONEY POT:

Biodegradable and cruelty free natural feminine care

WELLNESS APOTHECARY:

Offering non-toxic beauty and wellness products like body butters and bath salts for the ultimate self care

SUITE ELEVEN:

Luxury nail care brand offering non-toxic and affordable options

MAYA’S COOKIES:

Gourmet Vegan Cookie Company shipping nationwide

(Also offers Gluten free Cookie options)

TEALING & CO:

Normalizing self care in the form of specialty loose leaf tea

NIKKI’S FAT ASS CAKES:

100% vegan pancake mix shipping nationwide

(Gluten free options available)

GOLDE:

Specializing in superfood self care with products that are 100% natural and vegan friendly like matcha powders and cacao turmeric latte blends

BLK & BOLD:

Specialty Coffee and tea company making a domestic social impact in communities local and nationally by supporting at-risk youth

BRIA NICOLE ART:

Bria Nicole is a visual artist and illustrator with a focus on modern lifestyle imagery offering prints of food, plants, figures, and landscaped by layering minimal shapes and lines.

AVA PAPER CO:

Offers calendars, totes, and greeting cards with a focus on sustainability and Black representation

UNWRP:

Provides creative, vibrant, quality gifting goods that are produced with ethical and environmental values

AUSTIN VEGAN EATS: COUNTER CULTURE

HEALTHY, PLANT BASED COMFORT FOOD IN THE HEART OF AUSTIN

If you ask a local in Austin for vegan recommendations, Counter Culture will most likely be at the top of their list. Counter Culture has become a pillar in the Vegan Community, offering healthy plant based versions of the familiar comfort foods like mac and cheese, pizzas, and quesadillas.

But what makes this place so special is the mission behind their food. Counter Culture’s mission is to transform the world with healthy affordable plant based food and make their space inclusive to all, even offering gluten free and soy free dishes for those with sensitivities and allergens.

Counter Culture is incredibly transparent in their core values of promoting equality and celebrating diversity, making their establishment a safe space. They also go the extra mile to ensure they compost or recycle 97% of their waste.

Like many restaurants, they closed their dining room due to Covid but have just recently opened up their patio for patrons to enjoy some of their new menu items. With the weather cooling down from the hot Texas summer months, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a delicious meal out on their patio.

The owner, Sue, and her staff have gone above and beyond to take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe dining experience for their guests. Masks are required for pick up and upon entry to the patio. hand sanitzer is available if needed, and they now offer a scannable QR code menu customers can download via their phone to view their offerings.

WHAT TO ORDER:

Some of my favorites on the menu here are:

• The Breakfast Hash

• Smoked BBQ Seitan

• Buffalo Mac & Cheese Balls

• Lemonade Lavender Mimosas

• Pac Man Salad

• Any Cheezecake on the menu! (Seriously don’t skip out on dessert here, even if you have to take it to go! This is some of the best cheezecake in town!)

Have You Been To Counter Culture?

If so, comment down below which dishes are your favorite to order here.

EASY VEGAN SWEET POTATO PIE

NO LONG BLOG POST ABOUT THE RECIPE. GET THE RECIPE, COOK THE FOOD, EAT, ENJOY!

THE GREAT FULL GIRL’S RECIPE TIPS FOR VEGAN SWEET POTATO PIE:

• Pie Crust: For this recipe, I opted on using a pre-made store bought pie crust. I prefer to use a graham cracker crust. The pie crust I used was the Keebler Graham Cracker Pie Crust which you can easily find in most grocery stores like Target and Walmart.

• Vegan Whip Cream: I love to top my sweet potato pie with vegan whip cream. The brands I recommend that are easy to find are So Delicious and Reddi Whip.

• This is how I like to chop up my sweet potatoes to cook quickly in the oven: