To my readers: This book emerged largely through the inspiration I felt from your heartfelt comments through email, my blog, and on social media. Thank you for your sharing your plant-powered love and support with me through the years!
To Neal Barnard, MD: You embody compassion and are one of the most devoted leaders in the plant-based world. Deepest gratitude for contributing the foreword to this book, and for everything you do personally and with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine to help people eat healthy and with compassion.
To T. Colin Campbell, PhD: It has been a long-time dream to have you endorse one of my cookbooks. Thank you. Your work has been a huge inspiration in my life.
To Bryant McGill: My thanks to you and Jenni Young for your beautiful, gracious spirits. Know that I will always remember and appreciate that special chat with you both.
To Brian Wendel: Forks Over Knives sparked massive momentum in the plant-based community. Thank you for supporting this book, and for all the work you do to help people eat healthier.
To Gene Baur, Whitney Lauritsen, Susan Voisin, Angela Liddon, Aaron Simpson, Matt Frazier, and Nava Atlas: Thank you for being exemplary role models and pioneers in the vegan and plant-based worlds. I respect and admire you, and am incredibly grateful for your endorsements of this book.
To Nicole Axworthy: I am grateful not only for your beautiful food photography skills, but also for your exceptionally generous spirit. You made the food photography process so smooth it was almost effortless (at least for me)! Thank you for partnering with me. I feel very blessed that we connected.
To Heather Nicholds, RHN: It was so easy to work with you; thank you for bringing your nutritional wisdom to this book. I admire your love of life and how you live in the moment.
To Melissa West: Thank you for cheering on my work through your Namaste Yoga TV videos and site. Your spirit warms my heart.
To Lisa Pitman: You may not know this, but your joyful words have always meant a lot to me, including your review post of Let Them Eat Vegan! Thank you for your kindness.
To Matthew Bowtell and James Hultgren: Thanks for your whole-hearted support of my work from across the globe . . . and for always making me laugh!
To Michelle Bishop: I will forever cherish the quilt you made after the release of Let Them Eat Vegan! That was the most unexpected and beautiful gift; I hope you know how much it means to me.
To my recipes testers, many of whom have become friends . . . I dearly, deeply appreciate the effort you all put into testing out these recipes. You helped me clarify, tighten, and improve them all. I had an excellent team to work with, and am sincerely grateful. I’m also blessed to have so many of you as new friends! Deep thanks to Carrie Bagnell Horsburgh, Michelle Bishop, Cintia Bock, Matthew Bowtell, Darin Cordell, Brandie Faust, Bridgett Fultz, James Hultgren, Aimee Kluiber, Eve Lynch, Christine Magiera, Lynn McLellan, Jenni Mischel, Stefania Moffatt, Krista O’Reilly, Angie Ramsay, Sara Robson Francoeur, Caroline Swinn, Gina Van Hyfte, and Sarah Wise.
And to Carrie Bagnell Horsburgh, Cintia Bock, Eve Lynch, Christine Magiera, Lynn McLellan, Stefania Moffatt, Angie Ramsay, and Sarah Wise: Beyond recipe testing, thanks for your friendship and support of my work “out there.”
To Catherine: Thank you for your guidance, and for reminding me that my work is very much a part of me, that lights me up.
To Ashley Flitter: Thanks for your keen assistance on this project and many other things. You have helped me greatly—I'm lucky to have you!
To Lindsay Faber: These family photos will be cherished beyond my cookbook. Thank you for helping me bring my cover vision to fruition.
To Marilyn Allen: Thank you for representing me on this project and connecting me with BenBella.
To Glenn Yeffeth, thank you for welcoming this book, and for the beautiful group of people you have brought into your BenBella team. To Heather Butterfield, I appreciate your patience and help with our numerous rounds of edits and changes! And to all the other team members at BenBella, including Adrienne Lang, Monica Lowry, Lindsay Marshall, Karen Levy, and Sarah Dombrowsky . . . you’ve all been lovely to work with and have made my work easier.
Thanks to colleagues who share support and wisdom with me, including: Nava Atlas, Dynise Balcavage, Tess Challis, JL Fields, Alisa Fleming, Gena Hamshaw, Ricki Heller, Jaime Karpovich, Allyson Kramer, Kim Lutz, Tess Masters, Christy Morgan, Wendy Polisi, Kristina Sloggett, Susan Voisin, and Stephanie Weaver. Extended thanks to Emma Potts for partnering with me on photography projects. You are inspiring women, to me and so many others!
To my mom, sisters, and friends: Thank you for your love and encouragement. Special thanks to Greg and Deb for being there for me. Also, to Tanya—thanks for always keeping it real for me and reminding me that friendship transcends distance.
To Ricki Heller: You are one of the most gifted recipe developers I know, and yet you always remind me of my own value. Thank you for always being so genuine and open, and such a good friend.
To Julieanna Hever: Thank you for the heartfelt enthusiasm you have for my work; I’m honored that you regard it so highly. The plant-based world is most fortunate to have your passion and brilliance. And I’m most fortunate to have your friendship.
Finally, to my family: Paul, Charlotte, Bridget, and Hope. I love you to the depths of my soul, and I love that we are all in a book together—for the first time! Your daily appreciation for my recipes and food is my greatest reward.