acknowledgments

I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to the following people:

My editor, Debbie Harmsen, and her assistant, Sara, at BenBella Books for all their patience and hard work put in with the editing of my first book. My publisher, Glenn Yeffeth at BenBella, for taking a chance on me. My agent, Michael Ebeling, for also taking a chance on me. Kit and the design and production team for designing the most beautiful book of my dreams. My writing coach, Martha Murphy, for helping me discover my ability to write.

My friends, who supported and loved me even when I was a stressed maniac, who nurtured my creative spirit, and allowed me to stuff their faces with experimental food. And to all those who helped during cooking classes, photo shoots, and other events, I could not have done any of this without you.

Thank you to all my teachers, who have helped me grow into a magnificent chef and teacher, who continue to support me and teach me new things–Jessica, Christina, Sanae and Eric, Morgan, Chuck, Sheri, David, Neal, Colin, Verne, Bill, Warren, Will, Melanie, Bob, Meredith, Dawn, Brendan, Brian, Denny, Fran, Bryant, Ani, Julia and Carl, Mary, Rawsheed, Rip, Master Henry, and Rainbeau, to name a few.

To my photographers, Melissa Schwartz (www.schwartzstudios.com) and Melanie Shatto (www.melaniemorganshatto.com), thanks for creating beauty with my food and sharing so much of your time with me to make this book stunning.

To my lovely recipe testers (noted below), who worked so hard, also stuffing their faces, scouring natural food stores to find ingredients, and experimenting on their friends and family, I owe you a big thanks! You all had such great feedback, were honest about what sucked and what rocked your world, and helped me make the instructions easier to follow!

• Danielle Richardet (www.itstartswithme-danielle.blogspot.com) was my all-star tester, happily testing everything I could give her and trying it out on her kiddos.
• Lisa Pitman (www.veganculinarycrusade.com)
• Ryan Keck
• Erin Scott (www.veg-espot.blogspot.com)
• Judith Barnes (www.bigrawblog.blogspot.com)
• Leinana Two Moons (www.vegangoodthings.blogspot.com)
• Helen Pitlick (www.vegtastic.net)
• Christine Oppenheim (www.veggiefixation.com)
• Barrie Allen
• Carrie Underwood
• Meg Claire (www.yogasavestheday.net)
• Morgan Anger (www.littlehouseofveggies.blogspot.com)
• Christina “La Vegetaliana” Vani (www.veganinsuburbia.blogspot.com)
• Stefania Moffatt (www.ingredientsforlife.ca)

And lastly, to all my readers and friends in the blogging community. You inspire me each and every day. Thank you for all of your love and support. This book is for you.