Hi everyone, Kaitlyn Dickie here! This is my first time contributing to the Chickpeace Refillery blog so I thought I should share a little bit about myself before I introduce you to the gift guides. I am a Kelowna local and I’ve lived here pretty much my whole life. One of my favourite things to do is travel. This past year I have been enjoying exploring and adventuring in my own backyard. I feel so fortunate to live in beautiful British Columbia where I can go hiking, camping and spend many of my summer nights in a tent on a mountain somewhere. When I am not in nature, I love being in the kitchen creating new recipes or “veganizing” recipes from my mom or my Grandma’s old cookbooks. With that passion and my love for good food, I started a blog and an Instagram account where I not only share my adventures, but also delicious plant-based recipes, cruelty-free favourites, zero-waste tips, and ethical products. All that said, Chickpeace encompasses so many of my values so it is an honour to be here.  

1. Backcountry Wok – Dehydrated Meals These Dehydrated Asian-inspired meals are packaged in 100% compostable and heat-resistant materials, perfect for any outdoor adventure. All of their dehydrated meals are Vegan. They have bibimbap, Thai green curry, and fried rice so, you really can’t go wrong. Pro tip: bring some chilli flakes to spice it up!

 

2 Patch – Bamboo Bandages 

These bandages are hypoallergenic, made from sustainable bamboo, and they are 100% compostable. If you’re an avid hiker then you know the importance of packing out everything you bring in, and that includes first aid items. With Patch, you don’t have to stress about a bandage falling off on the trail or in the lake because not only are they quite adhesive, but they will also just biodegrade back into the earth. They have a few different options including bandages for burns or blisters that contain aloe vera.

 

3 ReZip – Silicone Ziplock Bags

If you’re wondering why a reusable Ziplock bag is included in a gift guide for outdoorsy people, let me explain. These bags are perfect for bringing along snacks like dried mango, trail mix, granola, pancake mix, protein powder, oatmeal, etc. Once you’re done with your snacks, they are great for storing little pieces of garbage and they fold up nice and small so they won’t take up room in your packs. Not to mention, one ReZip replaces up to 300 disposable bags. They are also dishwasher safe, food-grade, freezer safe and BPA-free.

 

4 Zero Waste Movement - Reusable Cutlery

 The Zero Waste Movement utensil set comes with one canvas wrap, bamboo fork, bamboo spoon, bamboo knife, straw and straw brush and chopsticks. Water-resistant lining, washable wrap. One thing that is great about this set is that they are airplane friendly. 

 

5 Republic West - Enamel Camping Mug These cute little mugs were made for the outdoors. Not only are they impact resistant and made using high-quality ink that is printed on to reduce scratching, but they were also designed, and hand-printed in Kelowna, BC. I love sitting around the campfire and seeing everyone’s different enamel camp mugs.

 

6 Miiko Skin Co – Mini Cocoa Whip Body Lotion 

The perfect little jar to add to your hiking backpack. Hand lotion is considered a luxury in the outdoors but when you’re braving the elements, it’s always nice to have something to make that a little more bearable. This product is worth adding because it can be used for many different things. This product contains edible ingredients such as raw extra-virgin organic coconut oil, extra-virgin blood orange olive oil, and raw organic cocoa butter so it can even be used on your lips. Miiko has zinc sun-protectant cream too which is worth checking out. 

 7 Pela Case

Chickpeace carries many different Pela cases for many different sizes of phone cases. If you haven’t heard of Pela cases before, then you need to check them out. They are the world’s first compostable phone case, and their head office is right here in Kelowna, BC. Their goal is to prevent 1 billion pounds of plastic from ever being made. (Come visit, available in store only)

8 Organic Dried Mango

 

Dried mangos are such a classic hiking snack. Whenever you need a little energy boost or want a little treat, dried mangos always do the trick. Make sure you bring extras for your hiking buddies because I have never been able to keep them to myself. 

 

9 Organic Mountain Munchie Mix

 

Organic Mountain Munchie Mix is another one of those must-have snacks for when you're on the trail. Trail mix usually has some great sources of protein that will keep you going on long hikes. Available at Chickpeace in bulk which means get as much or as little as your heart desires.