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Interview: Sarah Kramer + Contest Time
Sarah Kramer’s cookbooks have inspired vegan chefs for ten years now. As she celebrates the 10th anniversary of How It All Vegan, we interview Sarah to learn about her life and books. Plus, read to the end of the interview for a chance to win a copy of How It All Vegan.
Sarah's recent appearance on Canada AM to celebrate the book launch and to share some vegan lifestyle tips.
How many books have you written now?
I have four books: How It All Vegan, The Garden of Vegan, La Dolce Vegan, and Vegan a Gogo and one wall calendar under my belt. My first book How It All Vegan just celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.
What is your all-time favorite recipe?
That's like asking who my favourite child is. *laugh* My favourite recipes are the ones that make my husband moan with pleasure. There is nothing I like better than making people speechless with my food. :)
Where do you get ideas for recipes?
My inspiration comes from many places. Sometimes it's something I'll see on TV or in a magazine that I want to "veganize." Sometimes it's about doing something with an ingredient that catches my eye in the grocery store and wanting to do something new with it. I also receive recipes from my fans who want me to try their latest creation and sometimes their recipes will end up in the cookbooks.
How long have you been vegan?
I talk about my journey from vegetarian to vegan in my first book How It All Vegan but long story short I've been vegetarian since I was a child. My mother raised my brother and I veggie since birth and when she passed away when I was 10, my Dad continued to raise us vegetarian, even though he was a meat eater. I did a little "experimenting" with meat when I was a teenager and quickly went back to vegetarian. Eating animals was never something I was comfortable with.
What inspired you to go vegan?
The transition to veganism was a natural one for me. I have always been a lover of animals but didn't fully understand how much they suffered until I saw a documentary called The Animals Film which was an eye opening experience for me. I walked out of that movie a changed person.
I think that the transition from veggie to vegan is like everything in life. You're making a choice. A conscious choice to make a difference. Either you stick to your convictions or you don't.... but once you've drawn the curtain back and have seen how animals suffer for food and fashion. I don't understand how anyone could fall off the vegan wagon.
What advice can you offer for people starting a vegan diet?
Veganism is not a diet. It's a lifestyle. Diet to me implies a fad and fads are stupid. Lifestyle change is the new diet. *laugh*
But most importantly get yourself some good cookbooks and also I recommend reading Becoming Vegan by Vesanto Melina and Brenda Davis. It will answer just about any nutritional question you might have about going vegan.
What projects are coming up next?
I'm currently on the road promoting/celebrating the 10th anniversary of my first cookbook How It All Vegan as well as promoting my new 2010 Wall Calendar. A portion of the proceeds from the calendar to go to www.SeaShepherd.org. The calendar is full of silly fun photos as well as recipes. I think it's the perfect stocking stuffer!!!
Tell us a bit more about yourself.
I live in Victoria, BC with my husband Gerry and our fur-baby, Fergus, the dog. Besides the work I do on the cookbooks, my husband and I own/operate Tattoo Zoo in downtown Victoria. As for hobbies. I'm obsessed with my dog. Walking my dog. Playing with my dog. Hiking with my dog. If my dog isn't involved ... I'm not interested! *laugh*
For more information on Sarah or her cookbooks, visit her website at www.GoVegan.net.
Sarah's recent appearance on Canada AM to celebrate the book launch and to share some vegan lifestyle tips.
How many books have you written now?
I have four books: How It All Vegan, The Garden of Vegan, La Dolce Vegan, and Vegan a Gogo and one wall calendar under my belt. My first book How It All Vegan just celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.
What is your all-time favorite recipe?
That's like asking who my favourite child is. *laugh* My favourite recipes are the ones that make my husband moan with pleasure. There is nothing I like better than making people speechless with my food. :)
Where do you get ideas for recipes?
My inspiration comes from many places. Sometimes it's something I'll see on TV or in a magazine that I want to "veganize." Sometimes it's about doing something with an ingredient that catches my eye in the grocery store and wanting to do something new with it. I also receive recipes from my fans who want me to try their latest creation and sometimes their recipes will end up in the cookbooks.
How long have you been vegan?
I talk about my journey from vegetarian to vegan in my first book How It All Vegan but long story short I've been vegetarian since I was a child. My mother raised my brother and I veggie since birth and when she passed away when I was 10, my Dad continued to raise us vegetarian, even though he was a meat eater. I did a little "experimenting" with meat when I was a teenager and quickly went back to vegetarian. Eating animals was never something I was comfortable with.
What inspired you to go vegan?
The transition to veganism was a natural one for me. I have always been a lover of animals but didn't fully understand how much they suffered until I saw a documentary called The Animals Film which was an eye opening experience for me. I walked out of that movie a changed person.
I think that the transition from veggie to vegan is like everything in life. You're making a choice. A conscious choice to make a difference. Either you stick to your convictions or you don't.... but once you've drawn the curtain back and have seen how animals suffer for food and fashion. I don't understand how anyone could fall off the vegan wagon.
What advice can you offer for people starting a vegan diet?
Veganism is not a diet. It's a lifestyle. Diet to me implies a fad and fads are stupid. Lifestyle change is the new diet. *laugh*
But most importantly get yourself some good cookbooks and also I recommend reading Becoming Vegan by Vesanto Melina and Brenda Davis. It will answer just about any nutritional question you might have about going vegan.
What projects are coming up next?
I'm currently on the road promoting/celebrating the 10th anniversary of my first cookbook How It All Vegan as well as promoting my new 2010 Wall Calendar. A portion of the proceeds from the calendar to go to www.SeaShepherd.org. The calendar is full of silly fun photos as well as recipes. I think it's the perfect stocking stuffer!!!
Tell us a bit more about yourself.
I live in Victoria, BC with my husband Gerry and our fur-baby, Fergus, the dog. Besides the work I do on the cookbooks, my husband and I own/operate Tattoo Zoo in downtown Victoria. As for hobbies. I'm obsessed with my dog. Walking my dog. Playing with my dog. Hiking with my dog. If my dog isn't involved ... I'm not interested! *laugh*
For more information on Sarah or her cookbooks, visit her website at www.GoVegan.net.
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Contest Time: Win a 10th anniversary copy of How It All Vegan by answering: what is your favorite vegan recipe? Entries must be received by November 14, 2009 at 11:59 PST. Retail value: $24.95. 2 Ways to Enter: 1. Post a comment below. 2. Tweet your answer to @VegaTeam on Twitter. |
Comment
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Comment by Keli Adkins on November 9, 2009 at 9:18pm -
I have two favourite recipes. The First one is the spicy tomato peanut and kale pasta. This recipe is from "la Dolce Vegan" and is absolutely delicious. I have made this so many times that not only does the book automatically open to that page because it's been used so much, but there is dried food and crinkles all over the pages. awesome!
The second one is from the same book as well. It's the Maple chocolate flax brownies. It's so easy to make and so worth it. I actually made it gluten free by using different flours other than wheat. it turns out wonderful every time. I have about 20 vegan cookbooks and no matter what I always gravitate towards La Dolce Vegan at the end of the day. Sarah you are a Gem!
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Comment by martie on November 9, 2009 at 5:25pm -
Fav vegan recipe.... tofu & veggie thai red curry, or veg pad see ew. I guess I'm into Thai right now. :)
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Comment by Crazy Vegan Mom on November 9, 2009 at 4:21pm
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Chocolate chip cookies!
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Comment by Lee-Ann Ross on November 9, 2009 at 3:55pm -
The Truffle recipe sounds devine!! I am going to the grocery store tonight, I think I am going to make this recipe tomorrow!!!
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Comment by Nicole Lund on November 9, 2009 at 3:23pm -
My favorite vegan recipe is for 10 ingredient superfood truffles:10 Ingredient Superfood Truffles
Ingredients:
1 cup walnuts, raw
6 medjool dates, raw
½ cup raisins or currants
2 Tbsp agave nectare
1 tsp vanilla or 1 inch vanilla bean
Pinch sea salt
¼ cup gogi berries
1 Tbsp flax seed meal
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
1/3 cup raw cacao powder
½ Tbsp super spice (ginger, cinnamon, or maca root)
½ cup coconut flakes (or hemp seeds or cacao powder)
Directions:
1.Process walnuts in a food processor with an “S” blade attachment until very crumbly. Remove from the processor and set aside.
2.Add dates, raisins (or currants), agave nectare, vanilla and sea salt to the food processor and process until a thick paste forms.
3.Add walnut crumbles, gogi berries, flax seed meal and sesame seeds and process until well combined.
4.Add in cacoa powder and choice of super spice and process until smooth and well combined.
5.Roll mixture into ½ inch balls to form truffles. Roll truffles into desired coating.
This recipe was shared with me through a few other people so I don't know who to give credit to but I think it was a raw food teacher in Salt Lake City. Enjoy.
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Comment by Frances Worster on November 9, 2009 at 1:29pm -
Jason, I guess she's passionate about protecting the sea. It's an environmental organization, not necessarily a "vegan" one. As per their website:
"Our mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species. "
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Comment by Jason K on November 9, 2009 at 12:22pm
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Weird. Why would anyone support the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society? They largely aren't vegan and don't educate people to become vegan.
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Comment by Jennifer on November 9, 2009 at 12:00pm
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With out a doubt the deserts. I love RAW Vegan hemp balls! :)
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Comment by Suzie Senk on November 9, 2009 at 10:59am
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What a cutie - Sarah is a great poster child of Veganism!
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Comment by Suzette Henderson on November 9, 2009 at 10:55am -
I always enjoy making the vegan pizzas because it's also something my 15 year old son enjoys. The creations that show him how good eating vegan can taste... those are the best on my list!
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