I feel as if I’ve been writing this post for a long time – almost from the moment I learned from Somer that she had signed a cookbook deal with Vegan Heritage Press.
When Somer first told me about it, my first thought was, “Well, DUH!!” followed immediately with a feeling of happiness for her and pride in what she’d accomplished. And then when she asked me to take the photos, well – I was beyond thrilled. And scared to death! I really cut my photography teeth on this book.
Taking the photos for Somer’s book not only gave me a buttload of food photography experience, it gave me a unique perspective on the recipes. I prepared, photographed and ate a good percentage of them. And every single recipe was hands down delicious. Not that that will surprise anyone who knows of Somer’s recipes.
The Abundance Diet: The 28-Day Plan to Reinvent Your Health, Lose Weight, and Discover the Power of Plant-based Foods grew out of Somer’s Green Smoothie Challenge shared via her popular blog, Vedged Out. So much more than just smoothies, GSC was a month-long diet plant-based feast that inspired many of her fans and followers to join in (including me and Kel!). A warm and supportive community grew around the diet; people who had struggled for years to lose those stubborn 5 pounds lost them; others gained energy and focus, some realized how much they loved fresh fruits, vegetables, and greens, still others saw an alleviation in their chronic illness symptoms. The Abundance Diet builds on the sturdy bones of GSC. It’s jam-packed with dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, and oil-free recipes, shopping lists, meal plans, fitness tips, and so much more. Somer leaves nothing to chance and guides you for a full 28-days of delicious, healthful eating that includes cheeses, desserts, soups, wraps, salads, casseroles, snacks – and of course, smoothies.
I have no doubt that this is a book that both plant-based eaters and omnivores will be turning to again and again. Many of Somer’s recipe testers and those who have already followed TAD report that they were too full to eat the amount of food included for each day! Kinda turns the word “diet” on its proverbial ear, don’t you think? You can expect to lose weight, gain energy, and feel a new appreciation for the power of plant-based foods.
I’m very pleased to be able to offer one U.S. reader a copy of this amazing book. You can enter the giveaway below. If you just can’t wait or you would like to give a copy to a family member or friend, click here.
Below are some photos that I took after the book’s completion, and a few that appear in the book. What can I say? Somer’s food is photogenic!
Congratulations, babe. Love and guts.
CHIA LIMEADE
BLACK BEAN BURGER VEGGIE SALAD
COWBOY PASTA
CURRIED BROWN RICE SALAD
ROASTED VEGETABLE LASAGNA
- 2 tablespoons raw cashew pieces, or whole cashews, roughly chopped
- 2 to 4 soft medjool dates, pitted and snipped into bits
- 2 cups filtered water
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- In a blender, combine the cashews, dates, water, and cinnamon. Blend the ingredients until completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
If you’ve already purchased THE ABUNDANCE DIET and noticed that the Meal Plans were inadvertently omitted, you can access them here.
Connect with Somer:
- Vedged Out (website)
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!
Sounds like a marvelous cookbook! I love all of Somer’s recipes on her blog.
It’s an incredible achievement for Somer – and a true gift for those who follow her diet.
I follow Eat to Live, but I don’t know if it is really a diet plan so much as a lifestyle
I look at The Abundance Diet as a plan that leads to a lifestyle change. It really sets one up for a complete overhaul. And I agree with you – Eat to Live is definitely a lifestyle!
The only true diet plan I’ve ever followed has been through Weight Watchers. I had success as long as I strictly adhered to it, but once I strayed, that was the end of that! I’d much rather just eat good, healthy unprocessed food – this book looks like a beautiful way to help me maintain a healthier eating lifestyle.
Arlene – Somer’s plan makes it so easy because the food is delicious, packed with nutrition, beautiful to look at – and most importantly, fills your belly! Thanks for the comment!
Somer’s recipes are fantastic, and so are your photos – simply stunning! I love this book!
<3 Thank you, Kristina!
I’ve never followed a diet plan. Vegan is my way of life. This book looks to have lots of healthy & tasty recipes, though.
This is a book for those struggling a little bit, who have chronic health issues, or who are transitioning into a plant-based diet. Yes, for SURE veganism is a way of life (and the author would 100% agree with you) for many of us – but it IS also a way of eating. This book affirms how nurturing and delicious vegan food can be while causing the least amount of harm to animals and the earth.
This is a wonderful giveaway.
Thanks, Angela! Appreciate you entering!
Somer is so awesome! Fabulous recipes!
Three cheers for Somer :-)!!
I’m committed to a whole foods plant-based diet, though I don’t always do it perfectly. Always vegan, but sometimes refined foods creep back in.
It happens! Key is not going overboard (or beating yourself up) – sticking to good, unprocessed whole foods the majority of the time. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
This is exactly what I have been searching for! Thank you and all the best!
A few years ago I learned of the Plant-Based way of eating, after being diagnosed with type 1.5 diabetes. I changed my way of eating and haven’t turned back. Although I’ve gotten healthier, I’m still hanging on to that last 5 pounds…and entering menopause (bleh), so I think that’s not helping! I’m super excited to try the Abundance Diet and see if that helps. I think meal plans will work wonders with me. 🙂
What I really love are the shopping lists that go w/ the meal plans! Takes the work out of organizing. So helpful. I hear ya on those last few stubborn pounds (and menopause…). When I last did the green smoothie challenge, I saw a big difference. Anyway – – thanks for entering the giveaway!
I’m very excited to participate. Hope to win!
Best of luck and thanks for entering!
This book is waiting anxiously in my Amazon wish list. I just started eating better/vegan to rid myself of some health issues and also to try and lose weight.
If you don’t win this copy, Denice, definitely treat yourself to Somer’s book. You will love it and I’m sure it will help you achieve your healthy goals!
I love her green smoothie recipes!!!
The best!
I’ve done very high raw for a month. I want to get back into that as well. I love Somer’s recipes too
Such an awesome project come to light! I’m looking forward to getting my hands on a copy soon – so good to see you guys work together on this! xo
I am a gluten free vegetarian. The recipes in this book look wonderful.
Thank you!
Yes, I’ve been vegetarian (and 98% vegan) for years!
I just love that you took her photos, and it gave you such great experience. Both your cookbooks have fantastic images! This horchata looks great, love the dates as the sweetener.
This book seems to be exactly what I have been searching for. I have followed a vegan diet for 2 years but have plateau on my weight loss due to eating too many vegan possessed foods. I have been wanting to go plant based but did not know where to start. I will be checking it out. Photos look amazing!
Oh and I recently tried to make vegan horchata and it was a nightmare! Spent over an hour expressing the horchata through a nut milk bag! Can’t wait to try out this recipe without the rice.
Oh my gosh! You have to try this EASY recipe! You’ll love it. And best of luck making those really important changes to your diet. I know Somer’s book would be a great help to you. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
My daughter Lucy is about to open a small vegan cafe in Hitchin Hertfordshire on 29th August she is a dedicated vegan but not in your face , she just wants people to learn about the alternative foods that are available , and how delicious , nourishing, and good for you.
Some years ago she had an eating disorder for 4 years, she has turned her life around , I’m so very proud of her.
I will forward this to her to get some more deliciously , good health food in her Cafe
Well done a you Vegans
Hope some of you can make it on her opening day ,
Dawn
Hi Dawn – your daughter sounds like an inspiration! I agree with her philosophy: sharing delicious food is the best way to reach people and change lives. I wish her the best of luck with her cafe – how exciting!
You and Somer make a superb pairing, all of these dishes look utterly delicious and I’m going to have a bash at making that lovely looking horchata this afternoon. Thank you both for the recipe and sumptuous pictures.
Thanks, Lorna! Hope you enjoy Somer’s tasty beverage :-)!
Tragedy – no dates! I substituted sultanas and a dash of agave nectar, which worked fine, but I’ll have to try it again when I’ve got some dates. I’ve got a heap of cashews that need using up so I’ve got a good excuse. 🙂
Love it!
Like many people, I’ve tried a number of eating plans. Haven’t been able to stick to a one! Except giving up meat several years ago. That was so much easier than I could have anticipated because I do it for compassionate reasons. I am working towards vegan despite my omnivorous husband, and this 28 day plan sounds like a huge help. Love the pictures!
Looks amazing!
I found out two years ago i am fructose intolerant and it can set of my colitis so I have to watch out for that in a lot of things i eat! I also cut out sugar for a month
I hope that your modifications are working for you! And thanks so much for entering the giveaway.
yes as I am vegan (and before was vegetarian or pescatarian for 30 years) My family still finds this a bit funny as I grew up on a dairy farm 🙂 [ i just ordered this book yesterday but would love to win a copy for my daughter]
Sounds Interesting!
SUCH. STUNNING. PHOTOS!!!!! 😀 And I want to make every recipe I’ve seen from the book! Everything sounds so incredibly delicious. Great review, Annie! Now I want to go have some horchata (which I’ve never had before). Yum!!
YUM YUM YUM YUM …. I need this in my life!!!
You do! You do!
Not a diet plan, per se, but rather a diet lifestyle. Vegetarian for many years, and going more and more toward totally vegan.
I have been aiming for a plant-based nutritairan diet for a while. Still not totally there yet!
Struggling a bit with making healthier choices ~ this book might be a great help!
I’ve been vegan for 3 years but don’t eat as healthy as I could/should. Would love to win this cookbook. Great job on the photos – they look amazing!
Thank you! It was wonderful to work with Somer.
A question for you: do you know if the Kindle version has all the beautiful photos?
It does, Julie!
Thank you! 🙂
Amazing review as always! Everything looks just incredibly delicious!!
I began eating a plant-based diet 2.5 years ago, but would love to cut down on my sugar intake and avoid more processed foods.
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I can’t wait to get a copy of this book. I love Somer’s website– the photos are gorgeous and the recipes are mostly easy and always delicious. Her kick ace cheese ball is my go-to app for omni friends. The only thing I’ve committed to long term is my plant based lifestyle, but I don’t consider that a diet.
I was vegan for 7 years but I fell off the wagon
<3 <3 <3
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