I never thought I’d say this, but I’m in the final days of finishing my cookbook manuscript and handing it in to my editor. After 15 months of testing recipes, writing, and shooting photography, I finally feel like things are coming together. Very, very slowly, mind you. I’ve shot about 50 recipe photographs so far, but that means I still have at least 50 recipes to remake and photograph. gulp, gulp, gulp. I’ve heard the editing process is pretty brutal, so I’m just taking it one day at a time and not looking too far ahead. The journey of getting my recipes to a place where I’m happy (and all my recipe testers) has taken much longer than I anticipated, but I didn’t want to rush the process. Quality over quantity, I say. If this is the only cookbook I ever write, I want it to be something I’m proud of. And seriously, it might be the only cookbook I ever write!
Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and say hello! I might not be able to post as much as I’d like to over the next couple weeks, but just know that I’m thinking of you always and looking forward to sharing some recipe inspiration as soon as I can. Right now, every creative cell in my body seems to be on hiatus, but it will recharge soon enough. Isn’t that what red wine is for??
Now for the giveaway fun! In my mind, there’s nothing better than curling up with a good cookbook and feeling more inspired with each turning page. Today’s giveaway highlights a couple awesome vegan cookbooks that I have in my collection as well as my favourite recipe creation tool that I reviewed recently – The Flavor Bible! I’m giving away all the books below to one lucky winner. If you happen to already own one or some of these cookbooks, I’ll be happy to send you an Amazon gift card instead. You decide. The books will be shipped new directly from Amazon.
In this giveaway:
Let Them Eat Vegan by Dreena Burton
Let Them Eat Vegan! is packed with 200 plant-powered recipes for the entire family. Dreena offers notes on how to modify her recipes for those with allergies or common substitution questions. Natural vegan ingredients are abundant in her recipes, many of which I already have in my own pantry. See my full review here.
Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero
Veganomicon is truly a work of art. With over 250 recipes for any occasion, this is a cookbook I turn to often. Whether you’re in the mood for something quick and easy or something fancy and elaborate, this book will have it. There are also handy user-friendly guides for soy-free, gluten-free, low-fat, and quick and easy recipes.
The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg
The Flavor Bible, described as “the essential guide to culinary creativity”, profiles ingredients and the corresponding herbs, spices, seasonings, etc. that pair well with each of these ingredients. As someone who has grown to love recipe creation, this book is a resource tool that I turn to when I’m looking for a nudge in the right direction. When I have an ingredient in mind that I’d like to cook with, I often look to this book for suggestions of other “compatible” ingredients that I can include in the dish. For my full review, see here.
To enter: Leave a comment below and tell me what you are reading right now or maybe tell me about a book you’ve read recently that you enjoyed. If you’d like a second entry you can follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest and leave a second comment letting me know you did so. This contest is open to anyone, anywhere and the winner will be chosen at random on Sat April 27th . Good luck!!
Please note: The links in this post are Amazon Affiliate links – if you click on the link and purchase something I will receive a small percentage from Amazon which helps support costs involved for this blog. Thanks in advance!








I participate in the From Scratch Club’s online food book club and right now we are cooking and reading our way through “Great Grains: whole Grains for a New Generation” by Lianna Krissoff, and I am also reading “Getting Things Done” by David Allen.
I participate in the From Scratch Club’s online food book club and right now we are cooking and reading our way through “Great Grains: whole Grains for a New Generation” by Lianna Krissoff, and I am also reading “Getting Things Done” by David Allen.
“The Beauty Detox Foods” by Kimberly Snyder. Great food suggestions for eating an alkaline diet. This book also discusses how digestion affects your energy and overall health.
I’m reading Savour: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life and just recently finished Intuitive Eating. Both are very interesting! I love reading cookbooks too :)
I follow you on Facebook :)
I just finished The Secret Keeper by kate morton…great read!!! and I’m always browsing through tons of cooking magazines/cooking blogs at one time so I consider that reading material too :)
Right now I’m reading the cookbook “Chloe’s Kitchen”. So many fun recipes! I’m also reading Le Petit Prince to practice my french:)
I’m reading a few books right now….one is “Finding Ultra” by Rich Roll…the story of a former alcoholic turned vegan ironman super athlete! Fascinating & inspiring read! I’m also reading “Half the Sky”, a book that takes a critical look at the issues women face around the (assault, rape, prostitution, lack of education, lack of employment)…very intense, but also very inspiring :)
p.s. I follow you on Facebook & Twitter too :)
Currently reading The China Study … Interesting book!
As a busy art teacher by day and barista by night, it’s hard to find the time to do one of my favorite things (read!) but when I get a few spare minutes, I read a few more pages of Prague by Arthur Phillips. It’s an interesting novel about a group of American expatriates living in Central Europe in the early 90s. My Father is from Slovakia so it’s very cool to read about the traditions and culture of the region he is from. One thing I have been doing a lot of lately is cooking! I have been a vegetarian for 7 years but I’ve recently been making the transition to vegan. I’ve tried several of your recipes so far, and I can’t wait until your book comes out because that one will definitely be on my reading list :)
I went vegan just three months ago and I’ve eaten some of the best meals of my life since (I have you to thank for a lot of them!) and will never look back!
Taking that step has motivated me to do other things to tackle my health and well being and I’m hoping to do my first 5k run at the end of July!
I’m also currently reading Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness by Gillian Butler to help me over come some of my anxiety issues. It’s hard but I’m getting there!
Anyway I’ve rambled on enough!
Best of luck with your cookbook.
Ami
I am reading the Oxford Book of Aging, and Fossetts’, The Fall of Giants, and Trollope’s, the Claverings.
I have to say I love reading your sites. But, I am always so overwhelmed by all the information out there. It woud be great to be pointed in one direction. Perhaps your cookbook will help me do that. Where does someone who is all over the place with her (mine, of course) eating habits and ruled by emotion turn for guidance. Just need to be put in the right direction. Thanks. :)
I just finished reading ‘Wild’ by Cheryl Strayed…I literally couldn’t put it down and finished the entire thing in two days!
I have sadly been reading medical school textbooks….all day….everyday. Only a few more weeks and then I hope to pick up something good!
I am now following you on facebook.
love your website. check it daily.
im always making RAW ENERGY BITES for my daughters lunch/snacks
I JUST started reading SHANTARAM.
ive heard its excellent. book about bombay.
happy wednesday! stay healthy!
pam
I recently read Scott Jurek’s Eat and Run. He’s a vegan ultramarathoner, in case you’re not familiar. The Flavor Bible looks really interesting! If I don’t win I’ll definitely have to see if my library can get it for me. :)
cookbook I’m reading … The Gourmet Vegetarian Slow Cooker
fiction … Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend