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!
Woops forgot to add what I was reading….I am in grad school right now so I don’t have very much time for “fun reading.” I am reading “Getting the Love You Want” for my couples counseling course and it is really interesting and enlightening!
If I may, thank you for being so kind as to do this. I know there are many out there who would benefit from reading those books. :D
Right now, I’m actually reading a couple books. The one I’m focusing on is Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. I’m actually rereading it. I’m a big fan of her work. I also picked up a curious read called The Vegan Table by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau. I’m not actually vegan, but I wanted to learn more about it whilst making some nice healthy meals that reflect well on the inside and out. I recently made some new friends who are vegan and I wanted to learn more about it as a result.
HOLY SMOKES! Look at all those comments.
I’ve been dying to get my hands on one of these books! As a poor college student the only books I get to purchase are for school. Booo! My fingers are crossed! (=
I’m a Facebook and Pinterest follower!
I’ve just read “consider the fork” which is a history of invention in the kitchen by Bee Wilson. It’s fascinating. I’d love to win these.
I followed you on twitter as @gingerpigling
I just finished reading The Lucky Ones by Jenny Brown – highly recommend this book!
I just finished “The Art of Racing in the Rain”, which is now one of my favorite books of all time. It’s about the issues that happen to a small family when one of them get’s sick, but it’s told from the perspective of their dog! It’s an amazing story about love and forgiveness, you have to read it!
On a separate note, I love this blog and am so happy that it exists! It actually inspired me to buy a food processor, which I never thought I would do! Thanks!
Also, I just recently went to Israel and found this amazing substitute for honey, in case you are interested (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jordan-Valley-Silan-Date-Syrup/dp/B004BZN02K)
Congratulations on being so close to getting published! I just finished rereading Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. I love that book, and it reminds me how much good we are doing for the world three times a day :)
Not too long ago I read Super Immunity by Dr. Thurman. Great insights!
Im currently reading “the oldest cuisine in the world” by Jean bottero. It’s about food history in ancient times. great book!
I have just finished reading ‘In Defense of Food’ by Michael Pollan – a wonderful read and very inspiration to stick with the fresh, vegetarian diet, and it was the motivation to commit to a community supported agriculture program in our city. Loved it!
Cookbook wise – I’m enjoying Crazy Sexy Kitchen. I’m also reading Megan Telpner’s Undiet. Non cookbook wise I’m reading “Creating Time”.
I will definitely check out the books you mention as I became vegan last fall when diagnosed with breast cancer. Was mostly vegetarian before. I just found your blog and can’t wait to try many of the recipes – where to begin…
I’m re-reading Eckhart Toll’s The Powe of Now. He puts forward the premise that the path most of us are on is a journey of insanity and explains that all we need for inner peace and contentment is already within.
I’ve recently began my vegan journey, and the current cookbook I’m reading and cooking from is Happy Herbivore. My current novel being read is by Kelley Armstrong. Love your blog! :)
I’m reading Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide by Brazier and I love it!!
I’m also following you on instagram!
I’m in a college course called fairy tales, and we have been looking at modern retellings. I just finished reading Maria Tartar’s Classic Fairy Tales book, which is insanely interesting!
Also, I’m following you on FB!
On my kindle, I’m reading Death and the Penguin. At night, I’m reading American Dervish which is a paperback because I don’t like to move the kindle around and forget where it is (in my purse.) Love your webpage!