Even though the weather is already climbing into the 80s in Ocala, chili for dinner still sounded fantastic this evening.
I’d say it’s never too hot for chili, but I’m pretty sure that’s a lie. It does get too hot for chili, but it never gets too cold for ice cream!
Tonight I prepared a big batch of vegan chili that I made by following a recipe from Skinny Bitch Book of Vegan Swaps.
The book was sent to me a few weeks ago as part of a Blogger Book Tour and, while I’m not vegan myself, I love preparing delicious, meatless meals and am always game for enjoying both vegetarian and vegan dishes.
I thought the book would include a lot more recipes detailing how to transform a traditionally meat-heavy recipes (like chili) into something delicious and vegan, but I was mistaken.
While there are a handful of vegan recipes included, the book is more of a vegan guidebook and provides a “label decoder” for vegans to break down ingredient listings on labels to make sure they’re eating 100 percent vegan. (I actually found this section really interesting, as it taught me about some of the obscure ingredients I see on many labels!)
The book also lists vegan-friendly restaurants by city, dairy swaps and brands that make great vegan food and where to find their products. A very large portion of the book is dedicated to listing vegan-friendly foods and alternatives which I would imagine would be a great resource for vegans, especially those who are new to veganism.
Unfortunately I am not vegan, so I’m not really the target market for this book and really was hoping it would be more of a recipe book that I would be able to frequently use. Luckily, the recipes that were detailed in the book that I did try, like the chili I made this evening, were very good!
The chili was hearty and packed with beans and flavor. Plus, it was incredibly easy to make which is always a great thing in my book!
Since I am not vegan, I figured that one of you out there who is vegan or would like to learn more about vegan alternatives would really enjoy this book and use it to its full potential, so I’d love to mail it to one of you!
If you’d like to receive my copy of Skinny Bitch Book of Vegan Swaps, simply comment below and let me know and I’ll randomly select someone tomorrow morning.
Enjoy your night! 
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My daughter, almost 17, has recently chosen to start eating vegetarian and is moving in the direction now of eating mostly vegan. I could really use a book to help guide me in making the right food choices at the store for her as well as getting some recipes I can use to make her meals. My current way is just getting a little frustrating…research recipes online, print, shop, cook and then inevitably end up losing the recipe in the process!! A book dedicated to vagan recipes would be a god-send!
Winning a copy of this book would be amazing! I’ve been a vegetarian for 8+ years now, and the original Skinny Bitch book is what convinced me to make the switch to vegan-ism 9 months ago. I’ll never go back!
The chili looks delicious, by the way.
Thanks for offering the book! I’d love to check it out!
Sounds like a neat book. I’m not vegan but I’d be interested in flipping through it.
I agree!! You can NEVER go wrong with ice-cream!! I love learning about different people’s food choices!! I love making meals and trying new recipes so I can get a taste of how it is to have different food perspectives!
Since moving to the Bay Area, I’ve been exposed to a whole world of veganism! At one point, I forgot what it was like to eat meat… I can totally see the benefits of vegetable proteins and vegan dishes but I love me some pot roast and potatoes 🙂
I’m a vegetarian and on my way to being vegan. this would be great because i get in the rut of making the same thing over and over again b/c i know it’s safe. this would be some good inspiration!
I’d love to read the book and be curious to try some of her ideas!
I’d love to try out some of these recipes!
i’d love to check out this book!! I’m not a vegan but i’ve recently been dieting (so far down 15 lbs with a goal of losing 30 lbs!) & would love some vegan inspiration!
I am a vegan and have a hard time finding recipes that I can eat and taste great. I will definitely have to check this book out!
My husband and I did the 28 day Engine 2 Challenge last fall and since then I’ve been trying my best to eat all Vegan. When I do, I feel so much better. So, I’d love some new ideas!
AHHH this book seems AMAZING! I would love, love, LOVE a copy 🙂
PS I am jealous of your weather… it reached a whopping high of 42 where I am today
hey julie! thank you so much for the email today. it MADE my day, you have no idea. i would LOVE a copy of this book. while i’m not vegan, i often bake and cook vegan recipes. the chili looks mouthwatering 🙂
I would love a copy! I’m a vegetarian and can’t eat eggs or milk unless cooked in something, so some new ideas and info would be great!
You had me at vegan, Julie – but you already knew that. 😉
I recently adopted a vegan diet and am looking for new recipes, this would be perfect! 🙂
I have been trying to eat more meatless meals so I would love this book!
Wow, how generous of you…
I’d love to receive your copy of Skinny Bitch’s Vegan Swap.
Thanks!
Being vegan is definitely something that has caught my interest. This book sounds like it would be beneficial in learning more about veganism! If nothing else, I’m like you… I love cooking/eating meatless!
i would love this book! it would be fun to try out some fun recipes in my college apartment 🙂
i would love this book as I’m trying to learn how to cook more meals rather than relying on hummus, frozen meals, and microwavable grains 😉
I’m vegetarian and would love this!
I’m a sucker for cookbooks and collect them like it’s my job 🙂 Adding another one to my collection would be fantastic!
Skinny Bitch does make actual recipe books–and they have good recipes. My sister and mom are both vegan, and I know they would love this book!
I would love that! The original Skinny Bitch book completely changed the way I eat. Loved it!
Um, yes please. I’ve been wanting to try out the Skinny Bitch cookbook. Would fit nicely with my other cookbooks!
The chili looks yummy! I have a great 3 bean vegan chili I make frequently when it gets cold. This is clearly not one of those seasons this year!
I would love to win this! My boyfriend and I are trying to incorporate more meatless meals into our diet and it would be super helpful! 🙂
I am a recent vegan and would love to check out this book!
I am a new began! I would love to get the book. How to read labels would be extremely helpful 🙂
This chili looks scrumptious. I’ve officially been a vegetarian for about 4 months now and am interested in learning more about vegan eating too!
I love the Skinny Bitch books and the authors’ tough love style! I saw something about the Vegan Swaps book and have been meaning to check I out. Very cool!
I’m not a vegan either, but I would love a copy! I eat a vegetarian almost all the time, aside from fish and the occasional turkey bacon 🙂
My husband and I would LOVE to be able to own that book- I am a baby in the vegetarian/vegan world and would love this tool!
That’s so nice of you to give your copy away! My husband is vegan and has been for a little over a year now. Although I’m not vegan or vegetarian, I love making him delicious, nutritious meals.
If you ship to Canada, I’d love the book!
That chili looks yummy! I’d love a copy of the book! 🙂
I would love to win this book 🙂
I have flirted between being a vegetarian and vegan for the past year and would love to read this book!
I have been trying to be more “healthy” and would love to look into being vegetarian/vegan so i think this book would be a great step towards it!
I am not vegan, however, I try to eat vegetarian and vegan meals several times a week and this would be a great resource for me!
My parents recently went vegan and I’m sure they would find this book to be an awesome resource. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I recently became a vegetarian, and would love to check out some new recipes!
I’d love a copy!
I have to eat a primarily vegan diet because of a lot of food allergies that I have. There are so many books out there that to chose from but I have heard a lot of interesting this about this one. I would love to take a look at the information and recipes!
That chili looks delicious. Loaded with beans, just the way i like it!
We’ve been vegan since the beginning of the year, that book sounds like something we should check out!
I would love to win!
that chili looks great! i was thinking of making some type of chili tomorrow, as the cold weather is back in the northeast right now.
i am not 100% vegan, but eat very few animal products and may transition at some point down the road. i’m interested in learning more, first! i’m especially interested in what you mentioned about labels being broken down to determine if a particular food is actually vegan.
I was vegan for 5 years and have been strict vegetarian for almost 16 years now! This book looks beyond amazing! I haven’t heard of it, I would use the heck out of it! 🙂
The original Skinny Bitch is what made me go vegan! Love the idea of explaining easy vegan swaps…was definitely thinking about buying it!