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 am newly vegan and am reading Forks Over Knives and making recipes from that cookbook and also The Happy Herbivore. I would absolutely LOVE to win these cookbooks and can’t wait to check yours out when it is published. Your blog has been a frequent stop for me as I try to navigate these new vegan waters!
I happily follow you on Facebook!
I am just learning of the health benefits of vegetarian and vegan diets. I have watched a few movies on the horrific things that are done to the animals we eat and how the food affects our bodies. I am currently reading “The Kind Diet” by Alicia Silverstone. I haven’t tried any of the recipes yet but I am starting this weekend! I think I will have to start by being a vegetarian and then working up to the vegan diet. I have gone about a week without any meat except for fish once. I don’t feel deprived and I actually have more energy. I would love to win these cookbooks to help me get started on the road to better health! Thanks for your wonderful website!
Just finished Brendan Brazier’s “Whole Foods to Thrive”.
Yah!!! More Cook Books! Great posts, I follow you on FB now too! :)
http://theyogalifechicago.blogspot.com/
Hi. I’m reading eat to live and it’s changed my life…now I’m slowly introducing it to my family.
Entering for the cookbooks… I think this is a great way to continue on my journey of becoming a Vegan.. It’s very difficult to find recipes to support this way of life.. Now that my husband is on board too, I have to find some good foods to support us or he will go back to his old habits… thanks so much for the information!
I’m reading Birth Matters. Got to prepare for number 3!
I’m about to start Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella. Her books are smart and funny and a great way to forget about the stresses of your day!
I just read a bunch of Terry Pratchett books! (Also, these cookbooks look amazing!!)
Jane Austen’s Persuasion, because I can’t get enough of her work lately! I love your blog; it’s so inspiring!
I am in the middle of ‘Gone Girl’ and also a book about natural disasters. :)
I’m reading Born to Run by Christoper Mcdougall. I highly recommend it!
I just got Betty Goes Vegan..a great cookbook for vegans who like comfort foods. Made a few of the receipes and they came oue great!
I have been reading The Song of Fire and Ice series by George R. R. Martin. I wanted to know what all the fuss was about. I have been in a slump in the kitchen lately – new cookbooks are just what I need to revive me!
Undiet by Meghan Telpher – suggested by you a few blogs ago!
I just picked up the books The Idiot’s Complete Guide to Plant-Base Nutrition, and Engine 2 diet. I’ve been trying to go vegan, but I do well for awhile and then mess up. Hoping these book will help with some good recipes for the family and make the transition easier.
I am currently read “A Sudden Glory”. This has been inspirational and uplifting to me at this time in my life. I am transitioning into a Vegan lifestyle with two boys 13 & 11 and I tell you it’s not easy weening them off of meat. But I will keep trying and I am so excited to have found this website. I am excited to keep trying new recipes and see my boys get excited. Thank you for what you do and for this site. It may be what helps me get over this transitional hump. Blessings
Hi, congrats on your cookbook. Looking forward to it! Just finished reading “The Mysterious Benedictine Society”. First fiction, fun reading I’ve done in a long time. It was delightful!!! Usually reading for education, health etc. Latest cookbook Im reading is Essential Gluten -Free Recipes. I’m trying to figure out the right diet for me and my family. Vegan? Gluten -free? Paleo? Raw?
Then I have four picky eater children.
Help!!!!!!
I just finished “Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Fabulous, and definitely worth all of the great reviews it has gotten. Best of luck going through the trenches these next few weeks!