The good news is that my manuscript is submitted to my editor. All 258 pages of it. Holy Crap, holy, crap, holy crap, is what I said to myself when I uploaded it yesterday. I was sweating and my heart was beating fast. This is by far the biggest project I’ve ever taken on, the scariest, most doubt-inflicting project I’ve ever taken on. Writing a cookbook seems like such a glamorous thing, but to be honest it’s scared me to no end. I guess that’s a good thing? I still have 50 recipes to re-make and photograph over the next few weeks – that’s about 2 recipes and shoots per day plus blog posts. So, I’m definitely not over the hump yet or breathing a sigh of relief, but I’m getting there slowly but surely. When I took on this project I truly had no idea how much time it would take me away from this blog and that has been the most challenging part by far. I miss my regular blogging schedule and can’t wait to get back into a groove! Thank YOU for your patience with my crazy schedule over the past year.
More good news? Spring decided to finally arrive here in Southern Ontario! Mainly, the sun came out and it stopped pissing rain all day, every day. Well, I guess that was spring too, but I like this glow-y version much better. I’m fighting the urge to spend all day outside doing aimless things when I should be indoors working my tail off. People are out walking, running, cycling, swatting bugs, laughing, and otherwise just loving life. I’m totally feeling that whole New Beginning Vibe and the fact that it’s my birthday month (a big 3-0 birthday month!), makes it all the more inspiring to do good things with my life. I’m drinking a lot of these apple, beet, cucumber, carrot, lemon smoothies, for instance.
Yesterday, I went out for a few drinks on a patio to celebrate and then I came home and organized my closet. I’m not even joking. I’m one of those people whose house reflects the current state of their life/mind. My closet floor looked like Wal-Mart the day after Black Friday. Or worse? I’ve never been in a Wal-Mart on Black Friday or the day after, but I’ve imagined it many times. Why does it pain me so much to put something back on a hanger after trying it on? I don’t know how Eric puts up with me; he’s such a tidy man and the fact that he shares this chaotic space with me must drive him up the wall. I wrote nice things about him in my book, so I hope that makes up for it?
So that’s where my head is at lately. I’m trying to keep it screwed on tightly, but some days it spins uncontrollably. Such is life. I’m just enjoying this adventure and so thankful for those of you who stop by each week. If it weren’t for your words of encouragement I don’t know if I would have the motivation to see this through. Big hugs!
I believe I have a giveaway winner to announce…
A big congrats to Kiana for winning the Trio of Cookbooks giveaway! Kiana wrote, “I’m reading Salt, Sugar, Fat by Michael Moss. Good eye opener book.” I will shoot you an email today to collect your mailing info. Thanks for everyone who entered! I now have a long list of books to check out this summer. Ye-haw.
I’m really looking forward to reading your finished cookbook. I know that your blog has really helped me on my own vegan/health journey and your story is very inspirational. There needs to be more positive voices out there for all women. Thanx for spreading the love, especially in food! :)
Congrats to the winner and CONGRATS TO YOU for handing in your manuscript! What a huge accomplishment! Can’t wait to read your writing in book form! :)
Congratulations. I am sure your cookbook will be a knock-out drop dead beauty (just like your blog!). :)
Congratulations! I know the feeling of wanting to re-organize your room after a big accomplishment. I like to think I’m a neat freak, but then I look at my desk after a busy week of cooking. I’ve got notes and recipes sky high! “Clear-out” days seem all the more frequent now that I’ve started blogging. We had our first rain the other day in Winnipeg and it was a nice break from snow. Glad to hear its getting warmer in Ontario!
You just reminded me to clean my desk. hah. I totally get that feeling. I hope the rain melts your snow soon!
I’m excited to see your cookbook come together. I’m sure it’s been an incredible, exhausting journey :)
Wow I know once all that work is done your going to sleep for a whole month! I know it must being exhausting. I am excited to read your cookbook, I just love your recipes so much!!!
Congratulations! That smoothie sounds really good – can you post the recipe?
Hey Sharon, For sure I can share it – it’s a very rough toss-it-all-in type smoothie:
1/2-1 cup water (just enough to get the veggies blending)
1 medium beet, peeled and roughly chopped
1 small/medium cucumber, peeled and roughly chopped
1 medium carrot, peeled and roughly chopped
1-2 tbsp lemon juice
1 apple, roughly chopped
I think that’s pretty accurate to what I’ve been tossing in! You can skip the apple depending on how sweet you like it. It makes A LOT – 3 cups I think?
DO you cook your beets first?
I don’t bother b/c the Vitamix can handle it, but if you have a less powerful blender you might need to gently cook or steam them beforehand.
YUM this sounds so good! Do you think a Ninja could handle a raw beet?
Not sure- never used one! Maybe someone else can chime in if they’ve tried it. :)
Can you used canned beets for this? Our one and only grocery store doesn’t carry fresh beets!
I can’t see why not – just start with a small piece and add to taste.
Thank you!
Congratulations! All I can say is, wow! After all the time, effort, and love you’ve put into it, it must feel good to know you’re in the home stretch. And as for having a spotty schedule making blog posts… I honestly have no idea how you manage to fit it in at all! I don’t think you have anything to worry about, anyway. We (your readers) aren’t going anywhere! Can’t wait to see the finished book! :)
That smoothie looks great! Do you have rough amounts for each?
I’ve been making one lately that rips off a Booster Juice smoothie: carrot juice, apple juice, strawberries and beets.
So funny you mentioned that Booster Juice smoothie – Eric just got that yesterday and it was really good! I told him I’d try making it at home sometime. It almost tastes like there is frozen yogurt in it, but I guess that is from all the frozen fruit. Oh and I just posted the rough recipe above in the comments section if you are interested.
Congratulations!! 258 pages?? That sounds fantastic! I’m so happy for you.
I also cleaned my closet out yesterday – must be a spring thing! I hope it distracted you from the playoff game last night…
omg how depressing was that game!! Oh well, we’ll get ’em Saturday. ;)
Congrats, Angela!! That’s so exciting!!
Congratulations on accomplishing a huge goal! We are all incredibly excited to get our paws on the final product :) You may have said already but do you have a publish date in mind?
My mum used to always say “Tidy space, tidy mind” and I definitely see that reflected all over my apartment when I’ve been through a busy period; my first instinct is to tidy up!
Hey Laura, It’s expected to be out Spring 2014 as far as I know :) I will update when I have more precise info though!
Looking forward to it! We’ll be glad to have you back to a regular blogging schedule before the craziness of a book launch!
Congratulations Ange! I am looking forward to (hopefully) being able to order your book in the UK! Love your blog!!! xx
Congrats to you on your accomplishment and to the giveaway winner! I can’t wait to read your book :)
Angela, what an inspiration you are ~ including that closet fix-up!
I don’t know how my husband puts up with me either ;) lol
All that hard work will pay off soon – Congrats!!! xo ella
Congrats Ange!!!! Such a huge step in your journey to publishing the most amazing cookbook ever! Can’t wait to get a copy :)
Congratulations! What an accomplishment to hand in a first manuscript! I wish you the best of luck and more ease from this point and I cannot wait to get my hands on your cookbook!!
Congratulations Angie I am so excited for you! Simply can’t wait for the book!! PS…. You are not the only one with a closet floor that looks like walmart gone awry. …another question… why is it so hard to fold clothes as the come out of the dryer… seriously it takes ten minutes and you feel great once laundry is done but on average my clean clothes sit in a pile for 2-3 days before I actually put them away… silly!
Congratulations on getting out your manuscript! I agree with everyone else, cannot WAIT to read your book! Your recipes and story have inspired me in so many ways… I have made a lot of them since discovering your blog about a year ago. Thank you for putting yourself out there. The comments on this post are evidence of how many lives you have touched.
Congratulations! I can’t wait to read your cookbook! I absolutely love your blog (you make being a vegan so easy!). Hopefully your life will calm down soon but as one of your devoted readers, I can hardly contain my excitement!