I’m truly excited to share that I am a participant in Happy Herbivore’s 2013 book tour for her latest book, Happy Herbivore Light and Lean!

You can read more about my all things Happy Herbivore love, but today I am sharing an interview with HH creator Lindsay, the Thai Crunch recipe from Light & Lean, and a GIVEAWAY for one lucky FYS reader!!!

What Lindsay has to say about her new book:

“…they celebrate my new “light” approach to cooking. All the recipes are 350 calories or less—but they don’t scrimp on flavor or satisfaction! True to my cooking style, these recipes use only wholesome, everyday ingredients, without added fats like oil and this time with calorie count in mind too.

And because this book is titled Happy Herbivore Light & Lean, I’ve included “recipes” for your body as well, including my basic workout and workouts that will accommodate all levels, from beginners to advanced. It’s never too late to get moving!”

One of the most unique things about this book versus her other books or any cookbook I’ve read is the caloric table of contents list before the book even begins. Listing recipes by their calorie range is super innovative and helpful if you are trying to fill in a specific calorie range in your day’s meal plan.

The nice thing about oil-free plant-based eating is you can generally eat until you’re full and not worry or dote over calories but sometimes those last 10-15 pounds need a little calorie mindfulness and I think this small part of the book is an extremely helpful tool.

The recipes included in Light and Lean will fall under one of the following stomach satisfying categories: “Breakfast”, “Muffins & Breads”, “Sandwiches, Tacos & More”, “Hearty Burgers”, “Bowls & Wraps”, “Soups, Stews, & Savory Pies”, “Salads & Dressings”, “Pasta, Stir-Fries & Noodles”, “Satisfying Sides”, “Dips, Snacks, & Appetizers”, “Desserts”, “Drinks”, and “Do-It-Yourself”.

Light & Lean also includes helpful icons that make flipping through the book while looking for that ‘just right’ recipe easy with labels: quick, fat-free, gluten-free, soy-free, budget, pantry, and single-serving.

The recipe photos in HHLL are some of the most gorgeous food photos ever and are certain to sway any skeptics that oil-free plant-based is anything but boring.

As proof…

Simple yet delicious.

I thought it was very generous that Lindsay was able to do a little Q&A for the blog book tour. Thanks for being here Lindsay!

FYS: What is your favorite kitchen gadget? and do you use it for anything besides its intended use?

Lindsay:  I’m a minimalist so I don’t have a lot of gadgets. I have a food processor and a pressure cooker, both of which I use anytime I’m cooking.

FYS: What is your favorite muffin recipe from HHLL?

Lindsay: Asking a chef to pick their favorite recipe is like asking a parent to pick their favorite child 🙂

FYS: I was reading part of your ‘story’ excerpt that amazon provides and was shocked to find we have such a similar story. I was diagnosed at 19 with pre-cancerous/severe dysplastic cervical cells and after going through 3 procedures to have the cells removed, found myself on a similar life-altering journey. How important was it to your health journey to realize that you were your own best advocate and take on the responsibility to read, learn, and find a healing path forward?

Lindsay: If nothing else I learned you have to be your own advocate. Doctors, even nutritionists, sadly know very little about nutrition. I’m still shocked every day by the horror stories I hear — like when my Dad was having a heart attack and they gave him bacon in the hospital! A nutritionist actually argued with him when he refused to eat it. BUT Its not their fault, the institutions they attend fail them. You have to educate yourself. You have to make YOU a priority. There are two I’s in priority!

FYS: I read in one of your recent posts that you went to Comic Con. What movie or TV show brings out your geek when you go?

Lindsay: A friend of mine was showcasing there so I went to support and help him. I do love R2D2 though.

FYS: As a recent West Coast transplant myself, what do you love most about WC living? Least?

Lindsay: I live in LA and find the city and people here are very health oriented, which is nice to be around. I could really do without the traffic.

Thank you to Lindsay and those that stopped by for today’s book tour (my first!). I look forward to sharing a post next month covering all of the delicious things I’ve made from Light & Lean.

Here’s a few other morsels to take with you:

• An updated Happy Herbivore recipe master list (where various recipes are located/included)
• Video of Lindsay preparing the Ruby Chocolate Muffins (pg. 41 of HHLL)
• Video of Lindsay preparing Lentil Joe’s (pg. 59 of HHLL)

And now for the giveaway! This giveaway is to receive a copy of Happy Herbivore Light and Lean and is open to residents of the United States and Canada. Contest is open until Sunday December 22, 2013 at 12:00 am PST. I will then draw a random winner using WP plug-in And the winner is.

For a chance to win, please leave a comment below telling us your favorite and least favorite vegetable. May the odds be ever in your favor! xo