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 just finished reading the book Mindless Eating for my book club.
I also follow you on pinterest.
Hi! I’m currently reading “The Science of Skinny” by Dee McCaffrey. Just this week we made the lifestyle change to eating only unprocessed foods. This book has helped immensely with the transition with meal plans and food lists. Plus, I love the education I am getting from it!
Choke by Chuck Pahulnuik. Funniest book ever. Raunchy, dirty, disgusting, but also incredibly clever and deep and well worth your time.
Congrats on closing in on a complete draft manuscript! I’m just recently on the other side of the mountain, having handed in a draft of my graduate thesis – I’m now in the process of re-energizing my creativity both inside and out of the kitchen. To get back on track, I just started Michael Pollan’s new book “Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation” and have “Whitewater Cooks” by Shelly Adams open in the kitchen. Best of luck with the editing process :)
Congratulations on your book, I hope it will be a success! I really love cooking books but right now I’m reading great fiction novels, I just finished “The Master and Margarita” from Bulgakov, a very nice and romantic history, about how the devil appears in a little Russian town, and how this town goes crazy about that. Now I’m reading “Good Omens” (second time) this is a really funny and crazy history, about how some fallen angels do something wrong when the anti-Christ is born, and how this changes all the “”final battle between heaven and hell”” This one is written by two NY best sellers together, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, great fiction writers. Sometimes I also dedicate to look for Vegan recipes on internet and create my own vegan data base!
I’m currently reading A Shadow of Night… and just finished the first book of that series The Discovery of Witches. Not the best books I’ve ever read, but entertaining. I discovered this blog just this week and have already made a few things. I spent a good bit of the afternoon scraping and enjoying the left over dough from the cookie dough bites recipe. AMAZING!!!
I’m reading the new David Sedaris book. :)
I am reading Terrorists or Freedom Fighters by Anthony J. Nocella II. A must-read for anyone concerned about the future of the movement for animal liberation.
I have “You Are What You Eat” by Gillian McKeith in front of me right now. I started a elimination challenge this week and have been looking to your website regularly for meal ideas. So thank you! What you do is an inspiration to me!
Terrorists or Freedom Fighters? by Anthony J. Nocella II; a must-read for anyone concerned with the future for the movement of the liberation of animals.
First I love your sight and have prepared many of your recipes. Delicious. Just now perusing “Pure Vegan” a beautiful cookbook. Just finished reading “Gone Girl” a very entertaining and twisted read.
I just finished reading To Heaven and Back-an orthepedic surgeon’s story of her visit to heaven.
I’m reading Folks This Ain’t Normal by Joel Salitan. Amazing! Joel is a food world genius.
Congrats on the cookbook too!
I recently read The Engine 2 Diet, and really enjoyed it.
I’ve just started reading The Summoner by Gail Z. Martin, which so far is a predictable but enjoyable fantasy novel.
I am currently finishing up “Finding Ultra” by Rich Roll. Inspiring!!
I just finished reading The Posionwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, and also the secert Daughter by Shilipi Somaya Gowda.
I am so thrilled to have an excuse to write! It’s been three years since my kidney transplant.
Before surgery I lost 100 pounds, down to 197. At that time, I gave up white sugar, salt, white flour, processed rice, white potatoes, nitrites and all soda pop. I was able to move out of a nursing home… First graduating to assisted living and last August, to my own independent apartment. Some of my bad habits crept in, but I am now really working on this body. I stopped taking Prozac and Depakote cause I’m no longer depressed! I am studying self massage, reflexology and all the vegetarian recipes I can find. Also, I am busy editing my writing and photos for future publication. Follow me on Facebook or Pinterest. Thank you for your terrific recipes!