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’ve been reading a lot of books about cooking in the Pacific Islands since I’ve been in Fiji for the past 3 months. It’s amazing how many ways you can use a coconut. Coconut milk is often substituted for real milk just because of its availability. I can handle that!
Just finished 1Q84 but haven’t started a new book yet. I could use this post for suggestions :)
I just started reading The Thrive Diet by Brendan Brazier…
I already follow you on instagram and twitter..
love your blog ;) at the moment i’m reading anna karenina, a great book about former russia and about love ;)
I’m reading Heartstone by C J Sansom. It’s about a lawyer in the Tudor era. It’s actually very interesting. Though I read your review of The Flavour Bible and am very interested in reading that!
Oh and I follow you on Facebook and Instagram!
I’m reading a book that is scaring me death: Salt Sugar Fat by Michael Moss.
The destructive foods being sold in the grocery stores and fast food places is too much to contemplate.
I just finished reading Raw food for real people by Rod Rotundi. It has a lot of information and recipes for eating raw. Very inspiring
I’ve just finished (okay I’m on my third time through it!) Eat to Live, bu Joel Fuhrmann….it jus tmakes so much sense to me! Love your blog!
I’m reading “Thrive Foods” by Brendan Brazier. It’s a fabulous vegan book that incorporates healthy, natural, and raw ingredients to create awesome recipes. I got it from the library and am pretty sure I’m going to buy it.
I finished reading The Beauty Detox by Kimberly Snyder recently and find your site as a helpful companion to her book.
I’m reading safe Haven right now
I love Veganomicon. I have read Eat Drink and Be Vegan, but not Let Them Eat Vegan, which I would love to have! I also am very intrigued by the Flavor Bible and I’m sure it would be a go to reference for me!
I am reading the Storyteller by Jodi Picoult, which deals with the Holocaust. Very moving and horrific.
Thank you for offering such a great gift! I could get lost in all of the comments about the great books out there! A book I return to often is “The First 30 Days” by Ariane de Bonvoisin. It reminds me that I am stronger than I think and that I can find a way through any change. I am really grateful for the lessons it has taught me.
I can’t wait to read your book! Currently I am reading the fifth GoT book, Dance With Dragons.
I’m reading the Frommer’s travel guide to Scotalnd, since we are headed there for 2.5 weeks in July! Getting excited!
I also just followed you on Pinterest. I’m new to it so didn’t realize you were on there :)
Congrats!!!!! I just finished reading ‘The Lucky Ones; My Passionate Fight for Farm Animals’ by Jenny Brown. It was a wonderful book and even a handful of recipes at the end. I love Dreena’s cookbooks and Let Them Eat Vegan! would be a terrific addition to my collection.
Darn, just realized I’m a day late for the contest!