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!
Well, there is reading, and then there is READING, only one being cookbook-related.
Cookbook: The most recent on that I perused was Man Eating Bugs: The Art and Science of Eating Bugs by Peter Menzel and Faith D’Aluisio–not exactly vegan or vegetarian fare, but then I don’t plan to cook from it!
Other book: I am reading India Becoming: A Portrait of Life in Modern India by Akash Kapur. This very readable nonfiction account illuminates some of the pros and cons of India’s ongoing transformation. I think many of the points made are relevant to other countries and regions for a variety of reasons.v
I have been reading Energy Medicine by Donna Eden.
I’m really enjoying The Sound and the Fury (William Faulkner), I was beyond fascinated with his narrative in the first segment, I may have to go back and read the whole book again to see what else I can pick up the next time through! I’m also reading The Black Dancing Body (Brenda Dixon Gottschild) which I recommend to everyone, dancer are not it’s really a revealing look at American culture, both within and outside of the world of dancing.
Love your blog and I finally have bananas soft enough to try and make protein bars with, can’t wait to try!
I’m reading “The Lady Cyclist’s Guide to Kashgar” and reading/cooking from “Vegan Eats World!” this week!
Hi there,
Right now I’m reading Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi. It is such a beautiful cookbook full of vibrant photos of amazing and flavorful dishes that remind me of how awesome Middle Eastern food is…Great, now I want some falafel…I would absolutely love to win the Flavor Bible! Your post about it made it seem like a must read. I am a cookbook-o-phile….
Can’t wait for the cook book! Right now I am reading: Raising Vegetarian Children. It is an awesome guide for raising a vegan family.
I recently read The Engine 2 Diet by Rip Esselstyn. I also just finished “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed, about a woman who hikes the Pacific Coast Trail by herself. Really good!
As far as cookbooks go, I’m loving ‘Super Natural Every Day’ by Heidi Swanson. The photos are stunning and the recipes are so approachable! Who knew eating whole, natural foods could be so easy?
I hope this post has given you a well deserved break. You are so close! I am excited for you. Another cookbook I am enjoying right now is Color Me Vegan – gotta love colorful pictures ^^
My husband got me the Smitten Kitchen cookbook for my birthday last week! I’m so excited to use it up! :)
So I am reading “Vegan is Love” with my daughter who is almost 6 years old. It is cartoon based and talks about all the reasons we stay vegan, including health, animal cruelty, etc. We also just picked up “Steven the Vegan” which is about a young boy who chooses to be vegan but we haven’t started reading that yet! Looking forward to it though!!
Skinny Bitch! Witty, entertaining and grossed me out about dairy and meat. The first time I read it, I was Vegan for about 2 days. After the second re-read, I committed.
Congrats on your book! Right now I am reading the Skintervention Guide by Liz Wolfe. I would love to read the Flavour Bible so I hope I win! Thanks!
I just finished A Dance with Dragons in the Song of Fire and Ice series. Epic, I finished it in less than a week!
Following you on Facebook (Jen Putnam)
I’m currently trying to get through The China Study. I’m interested in the message the book is relaying but must admit I find myself skipping through some paragraphs. Thanks so much!
Not at all food related, but I am re-reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower – which was one of my favorite books when it came out. This was sparked because I just saw the movie and it was incredibly cute!!
Count me as another one that can’t wait for your cookbook. I’m sure it will be fabulous. I am currently reading Gone Girl.
Also – I already follow you on Instagram AND Facebook!
I just finished The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – such an awesome book!