There are so many exciting things going on today, I can hardly contain myself.
First, I’m happy to reveal the official Canadian cover of my cookbook at long last!
What do you think? As you may know, I have a long, passionate history with parfaits so I think it’s quite fitting. I love how fresh, healthy, and colourful the cover is. The U.S. cover, while super fresh and colourful too, is completely different. I’ll be showing you that cover in a future post.
Some fun facts about the book:
- More than 100 vegan recipes – including over 95 gluten-free recipes!
- Around 100 full-colour, full-page photos
- 8×10 inch trim size
- Very nice paper quality and thickness
- A huge vegan pantry section detailing all of the main ingredients I use
- 10 recipe chapters: Breakfast; Smoothies, Juices, and Tea; Appetizers; Salads; Soup; Entrees; Sides; Power Snacks, Desserts, and Homemade Staples
For more info on the book and where you can pre-order online, please see this page. I’ll be updating it with other retailers soon!
A little story for you – this cover photo wasn’t the original parfait photo. When my editor told me that they were selecting my parfait photo for the cover, I panicked a little. You see, when I shot the photo I wasn’t planning on it being the actual cover photo and even though I liked the shot, I would’ve spent more time styling it had I been shooting for a cover. It’s like your significant other telling you that you are going out to a nice restaurant and then you find out you are actually going to dine with the Royals. No matter what you had on, you probably still feel underdressed. You feel me? So, I persuaded my editor to let me reshoot the cover, even though I knew they were in a big time crunch. Promising it would be back by the end of the day, I raced around town to assemble my props and ingredients, baked the granola, meticulously styled the parfait, and spent a long time trying to get the perfect angle I needed for the cover.
I had a laptop tethered to my camera so I could see the incoming shots and another laptop next to that one with the original parfait photo on the screen. If it wasn’t the perfect angle with the right amount of space for the title (after being cropped to 8×10” trim), I knew it wouldn’t be accepted. I also took the same shots with about 4 different spoons because I couldn’t decide which one looked best. Some things never change!
Thankfully, we all ended up loving this photo more than the original so it was worth the extra effort.
This concludes my Canadian cover story. :)
As it turned out, I ended up re-shooting tons of recipes in the book, especially the photos that I shot early in 2012. My photos have changed a lot in a year so the ones I shot in 2012 stuck out like a sore thumb and were driving me crazy. If I write another book, I’ll try to shoot the photos as close together as possible (probably near the end since I ended up re-testing many recipes anyway) so my style doesn’t change too much.
5 Years
Today also marks this blog’s 5th birthday! Oh how they grow up so fast. My very first post, Boo, was written on October 31, 2008. Here is the very first thing I said on my blog 5 years ago:
“Am I ever glad it’s FRIDAY!!! What a long and exhausting week.”
and then I talked about the weather. Oh boy. Some things never change.
It’s hard to believe I’ve shared almost 500 vegan recipes since then. I’m often asked by friends and family if I’m ever sick of creating recipes and taking pictures, but if anything, delving into something so much has only increased my interest for it. Sure, some days I want nothing to do with it, but thankfully that’s rare. I can honestly say that I love what I do and you, my lovely readers, are a huge reason why. It’s been really fun to get to know many of you and be a part of this community. Even if we’ve never met, I hope that some day we do.
Each year, I feel like I can trust my instincts in the kitchen more. This is something I rarely did when I started out. Everything felt much more rigid and intimidating, but I’ve noticed a real shift in recent months. I thank the cookbook for really pushing me out of my comfort zone. It’s starting to feel more enjoyable, especially with photography. I’m learning to trust myself (and the food) and this doesn’t just apply to the kitchen, but in many areas of my life. So my advice is not to get discouraged if you are new to cooking (or photography) and feeling overwhelmed, it takes time to feel comfortable!
Eric and I have many fun things planned for the future of this blog, starting with our very first vegan recipe app that will be launching soon. Eric is building it on his own and I am helping with the design work and recipe uploading. It’s going to feature the popular recipes from this site as well as totally new recipes you won’t find on this blog. We’re hoping to release it by the holidays, but I won’t make any promises yet!
Aside from some new projects, I want to keep growing as a writer, recipe developer, and food photographer. The saying, the more you learn, the more you realize how little you know, rings true. And that’s exactly why I don’t get bored with it. Most of all, I want this blog to continue to be a place of inspiration for a compassionate plant-based lifestyle. Every time I hear from a reader who has fallen in love with a recipe or got their meat-and-potatoes dad hooked on veggie burgers, it really makes me feel like I’m on the right path doing what I should be doing. Who knows what I’ll be doing in 10 or 20 years down the road, but for now this feels right and I couldn’t be happier to be here.
I’ll leave you with this…
We decided to go with a cat theme this year. Sadly, I can only take credit for the gut-scooping. Eric is the master carver (and crazy cat man, obviously).
If you are looking for last-minute Halloween recipes, see this page. I have lots of recipes from vegan candy (think homemade Twix, Rolos, etc) to dips, soups, and everything in between!
Happy Haunting!
I can’t wait to see the US cover and I can wait to buy the book!!!
Congratulations, Angela! So excited about your cookbook! You are truly an inspiration and clearly on the right path. Thank you for sharing your unique gifts with the world!
I love the cover! That parfait looks so delicious. Congratulations on the anniversary!!
Love it! And congrats – can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!
It’s beautiful! I saw the cover with the carrots on Amazon.ca when I went to pre-order and I prefer the parfait photo, so appetizing! Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy, and Iove that so many recipes will be gluten-free. Congrats, again. I hope to meet you one day too!
congrats! of so many bloggers out there, I think you work incredibly hard to put quality recipes and photos for everyone to enjoy- can’t wait to buy your book :).
Can’t wait to get your book! The cover is beautiful.
Are you planning to have a dedicace session in Oakville? Organic Garage? You should!!!
Gorgeous cover and I can’t wait for the release! Hopefully some book signings will be in the future and you’ll get to meet some of your readers. :)
Hehe, I still talk about the weather in my posts. It can be chilly out there for us Canadians.
Happy 5th anniversary!
So so so excited for your cookbook! I can’t even tell you how many people ask me where I get my recipes from and then after I tell them it’s you, they become die hard fans too! You are great at what you do! Thanks for making my vegan journey that much more amazing!
Congratulations! The photography is beautiful and I can’t wait to read it!
Hi Angela,
I’ve been following your blog since the summer and what a great find.
And even though I’m a relatively new follower there’s heaps of back reading to keep me happy and of course occupied with by attempting the recipes, which have all been successful. Your dedication to detail whilst being consistently creative shines through.
Is there a plan for releasing the book in the UK? If not I’ll guess it’s a case of ordering plus shipping costs.
Stunning stuff and thank you.
Hi Janet,
Thank you for the note, this means so much to me. I do expect the book will be sold to an overseas publisher, however I probably won’t know that info for a while. I will be sure to follow up with my editor to see how that process works and when it usually happens! Thanks so much for your interest in the book!
Happy Blogiversary!! You were the first blog I discovered when I switched over to a vegan diet, so you have been a HUGE inspiration to me. Because of your blog, I was encouraged to try different flavor and food combinations that I never would have considered before. My cooking has come a loooong way and now I have a blog and vegan related business of my own. I’m still pretty small potatoes, but I’m glad you inspired me to at least give it a try :)
BTW, your book cover is gorgeous and I loved the “behind the scenes” shot!
Awesome. Pre-ordering!
Congratulations! I’ve been following you for years now (you’ve been such a great inspiration in my own eating/cooking/blogging path), and the Cookbook is the best news yet! It was such a natural progression, but with years your pictures & recipes have gotten more and more beautiful / mouthwatering – it’s just the perfect timing.
The cover looks so fresh & natural, I can’t believe it wasn’t taken outside!
Thanks so much Matea. I’m off to check out your blog!
Hi Angela,
I just wanted to say that I’ve been reading your blog for a little over two years now and I LOVE it. It is hands down my favorite vegan blog (and I read a lot, maybe even too many :)) Your pictures are gorgeous and your recipes are always delicious and inspiring! And something else that I really admire about your recipes is that you really keep health in mind, which I’ve noticed some vegan bloggers do not. I’m currently getting a masters in nutrition and last weekend my class went to a health expo and I can’t begin to tell you how many women asked us for ideas for healthy recipes and I told many of them to check out your site. Anyways, I absolutely cannot wait for your cookbook and thank you so much for doing what you do!!
Congratulations! I’m so excited for your cookbook. I love that it will have lots of photos. Nothing irritates me more than flipping through a cookbook devoid of pictures. I would find it odd if your cookbook didn’t have so many photos given what beautiful photos you take of your creations.
What wonderful milestones! Congrats on both your gorgeous cookbook cover (can’t WAIT to get it!) and 5 years of blogging. Your photos and recipes are always a great inspiration to me.
P.S. I accidentally posted this comment on your first post…haha :)
No pressure or anything with that cover shot, eh? :) And why does it always go down with books like this…you have months and months of nothing to do with a certain task and then all of a sudden, the editor needs something THAT DAY and it’s mission critical and everything else in life has to be stopped to meet that deadline. Yeah, been there. But thankfully not with the cover shots! You did a great job with the photo (obviously you know that) but I love the play of the textures and the colors that pop!
And 5 years later…I know I have read every post you’ve written since early 2009 because that’s when I started my blog and felt like your blog was already so huge and magnificent :) The more we learn, the less we know. Isn’t that the truth.
Congrats on such an amazing 5 yrs!!!!
Congratulations on 5 years! The book cover looks fabulous, I wish I had one of those parfaits for lunch today. I can’t wait to see the entire book.
Happy blog anniversary Angela! I found your blog about two years ago and instantly fell in love with it. Your blog has a warm inviting feel that makes you want to come back every day. I introduced my mom to your blog and she fell in love with it also. Every time we talk on the phone we always say “ did you see Angela’s new post, doesn’t it look SO good!” lol Thank you for the great tasty/looking recipes!
Love the Canadian book cover! Can’t wait to buy it
Have a great day!
Sarah
It is beyond beautiful, Angela. Bright, clean, fresh, inviting, happy. Just like you. xo
Happy Cat-a-ween! Happy anniversary! Happy cookbook cover! I’ve pretty much migrated to an 80/10/10 diet but I still am totally going to buy this! I can’t wait. I’m so proud of you and truly appreciate you sharing yourself, your life, and your delicious recipes for the past several years.
This is SO exciting! I’ve been reading your blog since 2009, when I discovered you through Weight Watchers message boards and “The Green Monster.” You are the reason I even know blogs existed and helped me find my love for green smoothies and healthy, real foods! I can’t wait to purchase your book. I live in the US but I love love the parfait picture and wish I could have that book! (I know, I’m weird) Is there a big difference between the Canadian version and the US version? I do love the carrots cover too, though! Congrats!! You deserve the best :)
Yay! I’m excited about the book! Congratulations and the cover looks great. I love the spoon, by the way. It’s the first thing I noticed. I can’t wait to get my copy and try out the recipes :)
Congratulations Angela, on your 5th anniversary and your new cookbook. Can’t wait to get it!
I hope you realize how many people you’ve inspired over the last five years. I’m one who is relatively new to your site (About a year) and I check in to see what’s cooking every day! You must really love what you do because it is reflected in your writing and your generous spirit in sharing all these wonderful recipes with us.
Gorgeous cover. Your attention to detail is inspiring :o)
Congratulations on 5 years – you have accomplished so much, it is amazing to see. Thank you for being such an inspiration. I really love every single one of your posts!!
I am beyond excited for this, Angela! If you’re doing a virtual book tour; sign me up! This is already on my christmas wish list and has been for months!!
Congratulations, happy anniversary and Thank you for all that you have give to your readers! Question…will there be a digital version of the cookbook on the horizon???
Yay for your book! The cover looks gorgeous, I must say — and it’s great to know that all that hard work paid off. :)
And, with that, happy Blogiversary (or however you spell it)! OSG is one of my favorite places on the Interwebz, and I’m so very glad that things worked out for you the way they did. Here’s to many more years of blogging fabulousness!
Congrats! I can’t wait to purchase your book! I have loved everything I have made from your site so far and I am looking forward to having more recipes in hard copy
Congratulations on your cook book! I’ve never commented before but I just wanted to say I absolutely love your recipes and cannot recommend them enough to my friends and family – vegan, vegetarian or otherwise. I have yet to make something of yours that I haven’t liked!
Congratulations Angela – on the book and the 5 year anniversary! Time flies. I’ve been an avid reader for years and have loved watching the blog grow. Your book has been pre-ordered. Can’t wait :)
I am SO excited for your book and I am thrilled to see that so many of the recipes in it will be gluten-free!!! Your blog has been my favorite for about 2 years and I have NEVER made a bad dish when following your recipes.
Your food showed me that veganism can be delicious before I went vegan and now that I am vegan, I use it to show those around me how good it can be.
Once again, I can’t wait for the book!
Best,
Helen
I love it. Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait for the book. I am so happy to have found your site and hope you continue to make this your passion so that I can be the happy and appreciative recipient of your tasty and healthy creations!!
Congratulations Angela! Pre-ordered my copy today and can’t wait to check it out. I absolutely love all the recipes on your blog!!!!
Congrats Angela! Your blog has been my saving grace and online foodie inspiration/companion since I stumbled across it in 2009 which began a series of major life changes for me. I’m so proud of your progress of soon publishing your first cookbook! Your passions and dedication stand true through time and seep through and come across off my computer screen with more inspirations to get back into the kitchen to enjoy, cook, and eat plant-based food! Xo
Happy 5 yr blogiversary!!! Your blog is amazing, and so are you. I CAN’T WAIT for your cookbook to come out. Gorgeous cover, btw. Can’t wait to see the US version. Keep up the fantastic work – you inspire me!!!!!
That’s why your blog and your recipes are such a joy…it’s obvious you put your heart and soul and boatloads of effort into it! I used to do graphic design and editing, so I feel your gotta-get-it-perfect pain, but it’s always worth it in the end. :)
Congratulation hugs to you and much gratitude for all you share! Happy Halloween!
I love the cover! And vegan recipe app!??! So fun and exciting! I always cook with my iPad in the kitchen so I am all over that idea!!!
Happy Blogiversary and Happy Halloween!!!
Gorgeous cover! I preordered the US version on Amazon…so that is not going to be the book cover that they show?? Can’t wait to see the index!
What a beautiful cover! I can’t wait till we can pre-order the book in Europe! If you need someone to translate it into Dutch, just let me know ;)
Awesome cover shot! Definitely worth the extra effort. And happy blogiversary!
Angela, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BOOK!!! I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Are you planning on releasing a European version? It’d be handy for the measurements; otherwise I hope you will host a giveaway/competition on your blog for a few lucky readers.
I can’t remember for how long I’ve been reading your blog now, but I’m sure glad I found it years ago. It was a big help when I first became vegan. Thanks for sharing your scrumptious recipes with us. <3
You go girl! You are such an inspiration! I am rooting for you all the way! I recently began eating a vegan diet and discovered your blog. I can really identify with your story. You have given me confidence that the positive changes that I’m trying to make in my own life will work out. I wish you the best of luck in selling your new book!
So happy to hear about the changes you are making in your own life. Thanks for your kind words!
Ange, please tell me where you go prop shopping! I love that old wooden cutting board and that spoon! I’ve been looking for spoons like that everywhere.
Congrats on 5 years of blogging and your cookbook! I will for sure be buying one.
I’ve been silently following your blog for a few months (hope that’s not creepy?) and I just wanted to thank you for helping make my vegan lifestyle easier. Also your openness with eating disorder has helped me to begin to overcome my own. Honestly I can’t thank you enough for being so awesome! x
Not creepy at all. :) It’s hard to find the time to comment on all the blogs I love, so I can totally relate. I’m happy you left this comment though! Best wishes with your recovery, Rebecca. I’ll be sending you lots of positive vibes.
Hi Angela, I am so excited for your cook book! Looking forward to seeing the US cover.
Wow Angela, so much to be excited about! 5 years of amazing inspirational blogging comes to a head with a beautiful cookbook! I think I’ve been following Oh She Glows for a good 3 or 4 years now and only hope you carry on for many more.
If I ever make it to Canada I’d love to meet you :)
P.S. Will the UK be getting the US or UK edition? Please tell me it’s coming to the UK?!!
Will the book be out in time to make my Christmas list??
Hi Angela, I started reading several years ago, but I don’t think I’ve ever commented. Congratulations on all of your success! You are an inspiration! I can relate to the anxiety and stuff, and I’m glad you write about it. It helps to see someone who deals with similar feelings going for their dreams! I really love your blog and thought you should know that I happen to have not one but two of your recipes on my menu this week! Butternut and black bean burritos (which we’ve had many times) and Not Your Average Potato Soup, which I made for the first time on Mon and it was FANTASTIC! I thought it was pretty cool when I realized that, after planning my week :) I’m not vegan but I do love your recipes! Thank you!