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Happy 2025! Where did January go? It’s hard to believe we are days into February, but I am so thrilled because this is a very special month for Sweet Potato Soul. This past weekend we celebrated the 15th anniversary of this blog. And today, February 4, is the release day of my second cookbook, Vegan Vibes! I have been working on this cookbook for over two years, and I am so excited that you will receive it today.
In this edition of “Beyond the Kitchen with Jenné” I’ll share a little more about the cookbook and the process of bringing it to life! Plus some fun press and upcoming events 🙂
What’s New
It feels as though I have been working on this new cookbook, Vegan Vibes, since I moved to Atlanta. From signing the contract until now it has been over 2.5 years!! No wonder it feels extra exciting to finally share this cookbook with you.
I believe this cookbook is a culmination of my very best work. I strive to do my best everyday with this blog, the YouTube channel, and my content on social media. But there’s nothing like spending years testing recipes and writing a cookbook. There are 100 recipes inside (some are favorites from this blog, though the majority are brand-new). I wrote about my view of vegan eating as a lifestyle of abundance, shared tips for thriving as a vegan, give guidance on adding more plants to your plate, and shared the essentials for any well stocked pantry. The goal was to write the only cookbook you’ll need.
Recipes I’m Loving
I love each and every recipe in Vegan Vibes, but below are the ones I’m most excited for you to discover from each category:
Divinely Decadent Chocolate Pancakes page 44
Jerk Sweet Potato Fries (which we’re making on tonight’s live YT cooking class) page 106
Seaside Stew page 138
Perfect Pea Pesto Pasta (pictured below) page 185
Miso-Caramel-y Banana Pudding (pictured below) page 192
Green Girl Gimlet page 220
Wellness Tip
Eat 80/20 or 90/10. Meaning, no less than 80% or 90% of the time, consume wholesome minimally processed food. Restricting highly processed foods and alcohol to no more than 20% of your diet will help minimize the negative effects these foods may have on your body. This tip can also be used to help you transition to a healthier way of eating, or a plant-based diet. While I am 100% vegan, about 10% of what I eat is less-than-healthy (restaurant food, ultra-processed plant-based meats, and other refined foods like sweets). Despite not eating a super healthy diet all of the time, I feel great all of the time.
Perfection is not necessary when it comes to how you eat. Nutrient dense plant-based foods provide your body with the essentials to support health. When you can, let your food––whether healthy or not––bring you joy, as it is an important nutrient too.
Upcoming events
February 4, 2025 at 6pmEST. YouTube: Live online cooking class and Q&A on my YouTube channel.
February 6, 2025 at 7pm. Atlanta, GA: Book signing and discussion at Eagle Eye Books.
March 8-15, 2025. Holistic Holiday at Sea Cruise. I will be teaching multiple vegan cooking classes, and doing book signings. Book your spot today! This vegan vacation will sell out, so secure your Voyage to Wellness today.
Exciting Cookbook Press
- Forks Over Knives Interview: read it here
- Keep On Cookin’ Podcast: listen here
- Mother Magazine: read it here
- Vegan Posse Podcast: watch here
Listen to this podcast
I recently binge listened to The Telepathy Tapes podcast. This fascinating podcast is about the claims that some non-verbal autistic people have telepathy. The show consists of interviews with the telepathic autistic people, their families, and doctors and researchers. While there has been a lot of controversy around this show, and the methods of communication used by the autistic folks, it is an amazing journey into the world of this phenomena.
In closing
The release of this cookbook hasn’t been as busy as my last. I wasn’t invited onto any TV shows, and I’m not inundated with interviews. Instead I have been able to reflect on what this accomplishment means to me. I am proud of myself, thrilled to have this opportunity, and thankful to everyone who helped bring this cookbook to life. Thank you for your support. I hope I have created something that will make your life a little more delicious.
I have watched you grow as a vegan chef and as a woman and I’m very proud of you love. ❤️ I am a vegan as well. I pre-order the newest and woke up at 2am to get my kindle version, laid in bed and read through it for half an hour. BRAVO love
Thank you so much, Alecia!!