Alicia Moon's Expert Opinion on Vegetarian & Special Diets

Her occupation is: school teacher.

Vegan and vegetarian products and gifts have become a very important part of my life and I hope to offer you some useful information that you can utilize when shopping for someone with similar interests.

It is important when shopping for someone interested in vegan and vegetarian gifts to keep in mind:

1. Most importantly it’s crucial to know whether the person you're shopping for considers them selves vegan or vegetarian. 2. Veganism is a life-style where the person looks to avoid anything made that's associated with animal, human, or environmental abuse or exploitation. 3. Vegetarians are usually a little more lenient on what they buy or consume, so just be sure to ask them if there are any animal based ingredients they absolutely avoid.

As a vegan and vegetarian enthusiast my preferences tend to focus on: any type of food processor or kitchen equipment that will help me more easily prepare the food I serve my family, garden tools that would help me care for my own vegetable garden, cool clothing made from hemp, cotton, linen, or any other product that avoids using leather, wool, silk, or furs.

While keeping in mind the recipient's preferences when buying for the vegan and vegetarian enthusiast, knowing whether they are a beginner, intermediate or expert is also important in making the right decision.

With a beginner you must keep in mind:

1. Obviously whether or not they consider themselves vegan or vegetarian? 2. To look for products that have the words organic, fair trade, cruelty-free, herbal, natural, botanical or handmade on the labels. 3. Before you buy simply ask the person what type of products they would use and what products they would not.

For people who are new to this diet and lifestyle I would suggest products along the lines of: vegan or vegetarian cookbooks, wallets and purses made from material like rubber or hemp that do not contain anything that comes off or from an animal, kitchen products like blenders and food processors that will help them create delicious vegan/vegetarian meals for themselves or their family, beauty products for women that follow the guidelines I provided above.

With an intermediate you might keep in mind:

1. The guidelines I mentioned above and you should be safe when buying for anyone who's a vegan or a vegetarian. 2. Vegans will be much more particular about the products they use, so talking with the person you're gifting for will make all the difference in understanding what it is they will use and appreciate.

I would suggest products along the lines of: any music, movie, or book that discusses environmental causes and concerns. Most of the items I listed above can be applied to beginner, intermediate, or advanced. If you're really looking to find a gift that will make a person who is a vegan or vegetarian happy ask them what type of products or product ingredients they absolutely abhor and stay away from those.

With an advanced vegan or vegetarian enthusiast you might keep in mind:

1. Same as before. Someone who's been a vegan or vegetarian for a long time may have some extremely strict guidelines they follow, so go ahead and ask them what those guidelines are before wasting your money on something they would not use or may become offended by.

Here I would suggest products along the lines of: many of the suggestions I've mentioned earlier would probably be appreciated. Advanced vegans/vegetarians will obviously be much stricter about what they use and eat then someone who's just begun following this type of life-style or diet, but cooking ware, beauty products, gardening tools, clothing and accessories that follow the guidelines, and any neat accessories like artwork, or home furnishings that celebrate and promote the life-style they've chosen would be a great gift idea.

On the topic of gifts, the most unusual items that I have ever received or purchased, given my passion for veganism and vegetarianism have been the following items: vegan/vegetarian cookbooks, kitchen equipment like food processors, handbags and clothing that are vegan approved, exercise equipment, and vegan approved beauty products.

People who've chosen to follow this diet/life-style are very proud yet picky about the products and food they consume. Talk to the person you're buying for and never assume too much when trying to buy an acceptable gift.

In conclusion, there are many factors in giving the right gift and avoiding embarrassment. These are only some suggestions and you must rely on your knowledge of the person more than anything. Good luck and happy gift hunting.