Give Your Valentine an Uncommon Gift #uncommongoods

I received products from UncommonGoods in exchange for a review and post. I received no further compensation. All opinions are my own.

love vase

Valentine’s Day calls for giving gifts that say I love you. Knowing your Valentine’s special loves like cooking, gardening or crafting, makes it easier.

Picking something unique can be a bit harder. UncommonGoods is here to help.

UncommonGoods motto is, “We offer remarkable designs by independent makers, and we do it with a positive impact on both people and our planet.”
As a B Corporation, UncommonGoods members have a share in how the company operates as a force for good.

Every design they carry incorporates elements of creativity. UncommonGoods looks for goods that:

  • Serve a purpose
  • Solve a problem
  • Stun us with their beauty
  • Are handmade with exceptional craft and skill
  • Use unusual, reclaimed, or recycled materials
  • Are made without leather, feathers, or fur
  • Make us wonder, “Why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?”
  • You can learn more about their force for good here.

    I wanted to share a few of my favorite Valentine gift ideas with you.
    Valentine Gifts

    Stuffed Waffle Iron

    waffle in iron
    If waffles are on your special treat list thhis easy to use stuffed waffle maker is a great choice! I’ve used it for breakfast and as pictured above, dinner too!

    Heart Shaped Tea Bags for your tea loving Valentine.
    Heart Shaped Tea Bags
    tea bags
    Got your heart set on a little tea time today? Opt for these charming bags from maker Jacqueline Aliotti . Growing up in Lyon, France, she spent hours at her parents’ tea shop, and wanted to capture the happy feelings she remembers from the customers who frequented it. The fun shapes only add to the joie de vivre. Contains caffeine. Made in France.

    Blooming Lollipops for flower lovers.

    These delightful lollies are a daydream come true. One day, Brennan Clarke was thinking about how he could inspire special memories like the ones he has of gardening with his grandma: What if a lollipop could grow an herb or flower? Voila! Eight all-natural botanical flavors on seed-filled sticks. Savor creative yet delicious combinations like lavender-lemongrass and strawberry-basil, then plant the stick to grow an ingredient in the lollipop. Farm to table, then back again—what a memorable treat. Handmade by Brennan Clarke and Taylor Morgan in California.

    Gourmet Oil Dipping Spice Kit is a fun way to try spice blends.

    spice kit
    Dip into the flavors of the four corners of the world. These 15 herbs and spices by Julie Pedersen let you explore the core flavors of five different cuisines. Start your journey in France with herbs de Provence, tour Italy with oregano and crushed red pepper flakes, dash over to Spain with a pinch of smoked paprika, then zip to Morocco with za’atar. Try one of the recipes and bread pairings included under the lid, or liven up your party spread by creating your own worldly blends. Assembled in Canada.

    For even more great gift ideas check out Valentine section of ideas LookBook.

    Posted in gifts, spice, Valentine's Day, waffle, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , | Comments Off on Give Your Valentine an Uncommon Gift #uncommongoods

    Peanut Butter Fudge

    No cook Peanut Butter Fudge is a sweet way to enjoy #PeanutButterDay. Creamy or chunky peanut butter you pick!

    Peanut Butter Fudge

    Peanut butter is one of my favorite foods. I love it as is, on bread, in cookies, sauces, pancakes, or dip for apples! Oh yes, bananas too! Easy peanut butter fudge? I’m in!
    peanut butter fudge
    I’m so happy to be part of our Festive Foodies National Peanut Butter Day celebration!
    Thanks Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures for hosting our p-nutty event!

    I like a bit of peanut butter fudge as a snack. You can eat it as is or with fruit, nuts or what ever you please.
    Four ingredients. That’s it. Oh and a 2 hour to fudge countdown.
    Peanut Butter Fudge

    Peanut Butter Fudge

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup unsalted butter plus a bit extra to grease pan
    • 1 cup peanut butter
    • 4 cups powdered sugar
    • 1 tsp vanilla

    Instructions
     

    • Place 1 cup butter and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes, stir to mix
    • Lightly grease a sheet of parchment with butter. Place the parchment paper in a n 8x8-inch pan.
    • Fold in powdered sugar and vanilla. Spread into prepared pan. Refrigerate for about 2 hours until set. Cut into bite-sized pieces.

    Get more ways to use peanut butter! Enjoy these great peanut butter treats from Festive Foodies.

    National Peanut Butter Day Recipes

    Posted in #FestiveFoodies, candy, peanut butter, peanuts, What's For Dinner? | Tagged | 3 Comments

    14 Valentine’s Day Desserts Just For Two

    Valentine’s Day just got a bit sweeter! Here’s 14 recipes design for just you two. Enjoy these delicious picks from today’s food bloggers.

    Valentine Desserts

  • Heart Shaped Puff Pastry Pear Tart by Mom Foodie.
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Lava Cake by Rhian’s Recipes
  • White Chocolate Mousse by Celebrating Sweets
  • Easy Tiramisu for Two by Delicious on a Dime.
  • Valentine Desserts

  • Gluten-Free Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie by Strength & Sunshine.
  • Vanilla Cake in a Mug for Two by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures.
  • Quick Berry Pie in a Jar by Gluten-Free Palate.
  • Rich Pink Velvet Cupcakes by Living Sweet Moments.
  • Valentine Desserts 3

  • Flourless Chocolate Cakes by Claudia Canu.
  • Mini Oreo Cheesecakes by Home Cooking Memories.
  • Paleo Dark Chocolate Strawberry Bark by Homemade Lovely.
  • Chocolate Avocado Pudding by A Bajer’s House.
  • Valentine Dessert 4

  • Valentine’s Day Cocktails by Hill City Bride.
  • Heart Shaped Brownies by Tasty Galaxy.
  • Posted in dessert, Valentine's Day, What's For Dinner? | Comments Off on 14 Valentine’s Day Desserts Just For Two

    Make Ahead Freezer Soup Starters

    Make soup anytime without braving travel in wintry weather. Turn extra veggies, great grocery deals or Farm Market finds into easily stored freezer soup starter kits.  What’s nice about this idea is you can use these in soups, casseroles or puree to make a veggie slurry to thicken sauces and soups.

    For this particular one I used chicken stock, but water or veggie stock would be fine.
    freezer harvest soup ingredients
    I don’t season the vegetables, that way it gives me more options for meals. If you are not using stock, a little salt and pepper is fine.

    Cut your vegetables in sizes according to how fast they cook. You will only be blanching the batch for a few minutes.
    freezer harvest soup ingredients chopped
    I add the vegetables to a saucepan and only use enough liquid to cover by about 1/2 inch.
    freezer harvest soup cook
    Bring the pot to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 2 minutes. You want the veggies to be crisp tender. They will cook a little more after you remove them from the heat.

    Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate to quick cool.

    I like freezer bags over containers. Label and date the bags. I use the same method for filling the bags that I use to fill pastry bags.
    freezer harvest soup bag
    Drape the bag over a cup or bowl and fill with cold mix.
    freezer harvest soup fill bag glass
    I love this ladle with drain holes!
    freezer harvest soup ladle
    Squeeze out excess air and seal. Lay the bags flat in the freezer until totally frozen.

    Viola! Your soup kits are ready for your next culinary masterpiece!
    freezer harvest soup kit bag
    Freezing individual vegetables is also a good idea. You can just take out what you need as you make a meal. I’ll freeze greens as is and throw a few handfuls into dishes to add color, taste and nutrition.
    freezer harvest soup greens
    A version of this post was originally published in 2014.

    Posted in soup, vegetables, What's For Dinner? | Comments Off on Make Ahead Freezer Soup Starters