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’m like a juggler, I like to read several books at a time:) Current reads include:
The Women – T.C. Boyle
The Complete Book of Women’s Running
Triathonling for Ordinary Mortals
The China Study
The Raw Food Detox Diet
New Rules of Lifting for Women
I just started following you on instagram- @veganrenee
Currently reading ‘The Professor and the Madman’ by Simon Winchester (love history)
and my recent cookbook purchase is ‘Happy Herbivore’ which includes photos (I always love a visual reference, just to make sure I am doing it right!!)
Love your blog
I am almost done with Being Genuine by Thomas d’Ansembourg about being loving and accepting towards people the more we as individuals accept and authenticate ourselves. Life journey but good info. Also Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Diet book in bits as I have read a good bit of it but reading again.
I’m currently reading Call the Midwife.
I’m reading Persepolis, which is really spectacular.
And I’m following you on Twitter now! Surprised I wasn’t already!
I’m just about to start the Children of the Promise series (for the second time) by Dean Hughes! They’re a great read :)
I am reading Crazy Sexy Diet bu Kris Carr and I am absolutely inspired. I’ve always been very health centric and prefer the term “clean eating” to being labeled as a vegan/vegetarian which I am, but she takes it to another level. It’s all about how after being diagnosed with pretty much terminal cancer and the doctors tell her there’s nothing they can do, she takes matters into her own hands completely reforming her diet and lifestyle and in turn kicking cancers butt! It’s full of facts and knowledge about food and how your diet affects your overall body not to mention TONS of really delicious recipes! It’s a very inspiring ready with some tasty additives.
Following you on Instagram as @HipMom!
I am currently reading the Art of Fermentation by Sandor Katz. It’s a beast of a book but I am so into it. I also just finished reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and it may just be my favorite book ever. I highly recommend it!
I also followed you on Twitter!
I just got back last night from a trip to Greece and some books that I really enjoyed while on the trip were Crank by Ellen Hopkins and The Book Thief by Markus Zusack ! Both books were really good, I would highly recommend them. Crank was a quick read, I finished it in about 3 hours. It kept my attention the whole time though
Right now I’m reading “Gone Girl”…very slowly. It hasn’t quite captured my full interest yet.
I also follow you on all social media sites!
I’m reading George St-Pierre’s “The Way of the Fight” – it’s a very interesting read! Not the usual type of book I read, but interesting nonetheless!
I follow you on Facebook :-)
I just finished reading Unbroken and LOVED it. Such a great reminder of the sacrifices that have been made by so many for our freedom. :)
I’m reading the Art of Racing in the Rain. As a dog owner it’s a fun read. I also just read through a vegan slow cooker cookbook that I loved! I’d love some new vegan inspiration!
I am now following you in pinterest!