Today is one of those days where I feel overwhelmed by how blessed I am. Last night I got to celebrate accomplishing my biggest goal yet surrounded by my family, dear friends and inspiring coworkers.

I’ve spent most of the last year working with Chef Jo A Kaucher and all the incredible people at The Chicago Diner putting together a new cookbook in honor of the restaurant’s 30th anniversary. This project was the main reason I left Michigan to live full time in Chicago. The move and hard work paid off! I’ve wanted to write a cookbook for years, and thanks to the Diner, I was able to co-author a beautiful vegan cookbook.

The New Chicago Diner Cookbook features over 100 pages of Chicago Diner recipes including many all time favorites & current menu items. There’s gorgeous photography & step by step procedures for the novice, as well as advanced dishes for the experienced. The cookbook is designed to be user friendly and fun.

Recipes cover soups and salads, sandwiches, entrees and desserts, plus a section focusing on entertaining and cocktails, as well as sauces, dressings and dips. Surefire hits abound, such as Chicago Diner’s signature seitan with styles and marinades to make your own Radical Reuben™, Chorizo and Burgers.

In addition to Chicago Diner’s amazing seitan secrets, there’s a wide range of dishes utilizing a cornucopia of other plant based options like tofu, mushrooms, polenta, eggplant, beans, quinoa, nuts, and gluten free dishes, too.

Amazing dairy- and egg-free desserts from the bakery include the ever popular Cocoa Mousse Cake, Raw Cheezecake made with cashews, pies and do-it-yourself vegan birthday cake. And an absolute necessity: there’s easy instructions for making an old fashioned hand-scooped vegan strawberry milk ke just like at the Diner!

The book is available on amazon, is a Barnes and Noble featuring starting mid December, and will be in a couple local stores as well.

However, orders place through the restaurant web site of: www.veggiediner.com will be autographed by both authors and ship with an exclusive Bonus Recipe Pack No. 1 featuring seven additional holiday recipes, not included in the book. Cookbooks by local authors make great holiday gifts!

Seriously though, I am truly thankful for all the support I’ve received from my native Michiana. Last night I had former customers drive all the way from Berrien Springs in a snow storm to celebrate with me! It’s people like that, who have believed in me from the beginning and whose vegan journey I made a little easier that keep me going. It’s why I do what I do, and I thank you all for allowing me to do the work I love. Happy, healthy, holidays!