Meatless Monday: Joining Hands for a Better World: 12.16.13

On December 3, I set out on a pre-Christmas challenge — to post a tip a day we can collectively follow with the goal of making the world a better place. 

Today’s suggestion: Have Some Fun with DIY Food Gifts  

Since I often blog about food in honor of Meatless Monday, I thought I’d share a few ideas for making homemade gifts of food. 

• First off, here is a recipe for Cocoa Mix from Whole Foods. Pack it in a Mason jar or special storage container, and you’ll have two gifts in one.
• Next up are 10 “Timeless Holiday Cookies” from Cooking Light. 
• Here are 32 “Edible Gifts to Make” from the chefs on the Food Network. The gifts range from fruitcake to soup in a jar. 
• Remember Chex Party Mix? My Aunt June gave us a coffee can of this every year. Here is Bon Appétit’s take on this classic. You still need to watch the salt.
• Finally, here is one for Nutter Butter Reindeer. These are fun to make with kids (who don’t have peanut allergies). I made these to decorate a cookie swap tray last year. Too bad about the M&Ms, but I don’t know any substitute.

If none of these ideas strike your fancy, start googling: DIY Christmas food gifts… edible holiday gifts… paleo chocolate chip cookies… homemade holiday gift ideas… You get the idea.

Food is appreciated by almost everyone. You don’t have to worry about the color or the fit or how much space it will take up in a crowded apartment. When it’s eaten, it’s gone. It’s the perfect present.

That’s it for today. “See you tomorrow.” 

“All together now,” as the Beatles once sang. Let’s see how much good we can do over the next few weeks.

I often blog on food, food issues, or gardening on Monday in support of Meatless Monday, one of several programs developed in the Healthy Monday project, founded in 2003 in association with Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communications. Meatless Monday’s goal is “to help reduce meat consumption 15% in order to improve personal health and the health of our planet.”