Easy Vegan Truffles

by Liz Child

Truffles look fancy don’t they? But do you know what? They’re actually really really easy to make and a gorgeous way to make your favourite bar of chocolate go further. All you need is good quality chocolate (we have a range of ethically sourced, organic, plastic free options), some oat milk (or any plant based milk you prefer) a little vanilla and maple syrup, and some gorgeous, bitter cacao powder. We stock everything you need here. Treat yourself or your loved ones with a box of homemade truffles this Valentine’s Day.

I love darkest dark chocolate, but you can use any chocolate you like, plain or flavoured, it will all work. You can also choose to roll your truffles in chopped nuts, or rose petal powder, or blueberry powder, or toasted, desiccated coconut or anything you prefer. Make them your own to your own taste.

Liz x

Ingredients (makes around 12 truffles)

  • 100g good chocolate, chopped into small pieces
  • 50ml oat milk
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1-2 tbsp cacao powder

Method

  1. Chop your chocolate and put it in a heat proof bowl.
  2. Heat the milk, maple and vanilla to boiling then pour it over the chocolate.
  3. Let the chocolate melt, give it a gentle stir every now and then to incorporate the ingredients. You should end up with a shiny, thick melted chocolate.
  4. Put the bowl in the fridge to set for 20 minutes or so. Spread the cacao powder out onto a small plate and have a clean plate ready.
  5. Use a teaspoon to scoop out balls of the mixture, place them on the plate of cacao powder. Roll them around in the cacao powder and then roll between your palms to create the truffles. Put them on the clean plate.
  6. Enjoy right away or set them in the fridge again before eating. They will keep well in a sealed container in the fridge for a week.

3 Ways to Show the Planet Some Love this Valentines

by Liz Child

Green gift ideas and activities for Valentines Day.

The cynics amongst us will scoff at Valentines Day as a marketing ploy to get people to buy more, consume more, spend more. Us healthy cynics, well unfortunately we are usually right. Out of season, worryingly cheap roses grown with untold chemicals and slave labour are wrapped in plastic and flown across the world. And don’t get me started on the crappy, unsustainable chocolates! But Valentines Day doesn’t have to be all about overconsumption, after all if it’s to be about love, let’s show our nearest and dearest (and the future generations to come) some love by taking care of our one and only, incredible planet Earth. Here are 3 easy ways to show the planet some love this Valentines Day.

1. Send A Card

Not just to your love interest, write to your local authority or TD and ask for positive, environmental change in your area. Write to your favourite brands and businesses and ask for positive change. Could they use more sustainable packaging? Could they source products or ingredients from closer to home? Put up cards in your community and get together to do litter picks, beach cleans, walk to school schemes, car shares etc. Start a food waste prevention club in your community or how about a composting club? Write to people and let them know you love the planet and your community, you never know when the feeling might be reciprocated.

2. Sustainable is Sexy

Consciously choose gifts, treats and sweets that have a lower impact on the planet. Look for organic, plastic free chocolates. Gift your loved ones a subscription to an organic veg box. Plant some trees? Start a vegetable garden together? How about sourcing second hand gifts to keep new products from being made needlessly and keep old products out of landfill? For the ultimate thoughtful gift, get a local cobbler or tailor to mend your partners favourite worn out boots or coat as a surprise.

3. Eco-Activities

Enjoy the great outdoors with your loved ones this Valentines. Head to your local woods, hike that mountain, go to the beach. Take care of the earth as you go. How about organising a beach clean or a local litter pick? And after all that fresh air? You should eat a really delicious meal together. Support a local restaurant or cook up a feast at home using local, organic ingredients for the lowest impact. We can help with that here.

We’d love to hear about what you are getting up to this Valentines in the comments. Keep it clean though folks!