Amalia, 5
{The story behind these pictures is last Saturday morning we went on a bike ride. When we got back, Joseph made everyone smoothies & the kids sat out on the driveway & drank them. They found these plastic frames on the ride, & when we got home the kids took turns wearing them while drinking smoothies. They thought they were sooo cool. Proof that the funnest things don’t cost much money.}
So, the news about our upcoming addition was only part 1 of my exciting news.
Exciting news part 2 is that I am currently working on several ebooks.
I’m the publisher, photographer, recipe developer, designer, & marketer. Which I love. I want all the control over my work, because more than anything, it will be an extension of me & I want it to be authentic, real, & beautiful. And most of all–helpful!
I first thought of doing an ebook about 4 years ago. But other pressing matters filled my time, & I kept putting it off.
Also, there’s part of me, that kept saying: “No need to create another cookbook, let the professionals do that.”
The problem is, so many professional vegan cookbook authors (aside from a few like Dreena) don’t know what it’s like to have to cook on a budget or for a large family.
I finally realized (after some encouragement & prodding from a few bring joy readers), I have something unique to offer which is: I have 4 kids!
And further, I’ve raised them all on a plant-based diet for the last 7 years.
That means I’ve had 3 successful plant-based pregnancies, & 4+ years of breastfeeding. That combined with my experience as a fitness professional & my approach as frugally minded vegan, I have a unique perspective & some insights to offer.
Salem, 2
So here’s what I’m working on:
♦ a quick-start guide & intro to plant-based eating,
♦ $5 family meals–all of our favorite dishes which kids & Joseph both like, with recipes, tips & tricks (& lots & lots of photos)
♦ how to make soy milk that tastes like Silk (Believe me, it’s not as easy as you think. After much trial & error I’ve discovered the “magic” recipe. Hallelujah.),
♦ weight loss after baby: how to safely lose the baby weight while breastfeeding,
♦ 10 dessert staples–10 staples you should know how to make for parties, crowds, & celebrations,
♦ vegan pantry & food storage basics–how to use food storage & a well stocked pantry to save time & money,
♦ & finally, how to make fail-proof bread, every time.
All recipes are gluten-free & vegan, with no meat substitutes, geared towards simplicity & good taste.
I include a wheat version of recipes (I know most cookbooks do it the other way around, they offer a wheat recipe with a gluten-free version).
I also do something unconventional, which is, for the family meals, I include ideas for making plant-based dishes that can easily have meat or dairy added to help non-vegans or vegetarians. You may know, Joseph isn’t vegan (he’s not even vegetarian), but since I went vegan, we’ve worked out a system that works beautifully for us. I make plant-based dishes that he likes & many of which can have an animal-based garnish if he chooses.
Many women (& I’m sure some men) want to transition to a whole foods plant-based diet (WFPB) but throw in the towel after awhile because the spouse isn’t fully on board.
It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, & not everyone in the family has to go complete veg for a plant-based (or mostly plant-based) diet to work.
I share some of what we’ve found that works to make a harmonious “blended” marriage. I also take on matters of family & social gatherings, & what I’ve found helpful to maneuver such situations.
My goal with these ebooks is to show the world that you can do vegan in a big family, on a budget, or even if your spouse isn’t vegetarian. And you can do vegan, even if you don’t want to be 100%. It isn’t about perfection, or about labels, but about creating sustainable, healthful, dietary patterns & rituals that enrich the family experience.
It doesn’t have to be time-consuming, expensive, or exotic.
But, if you do it right, it’s always beautiful, satisfying, & more often than not, healthful.
Stay tuned.
{P.S. All proceeds of my ebook sales will go towards paying off our debt. Yay!
Once we’re out of debt, I’d like to donate a portion of proceeds towards a worthy animal-friendly cause.}
♥
Anything specific you’d like me to address in my ebooks? Give me a shout out below, or shoot me an email. I always welcome your feedback & questions. (Though forgive me if it takes me a bit to respond to your emails.)
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