I am so excited to share a big, fun announcement today. The cover of my next cookbook has just been finalized, and HERE it is! Woohoo!
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As you can see, the theme of my second cookbook is "fast & fabulous," which means this one is full of the quickest, easiest, and tastiest real food recipes I could come up with (75 of which are new and have never before been published on the blog). It also includes loads of color photos, simple cheat sheets on how to avoid processed food, more packed lunches (for kids and adults, this time!), new meal plans (with shopping lists, of course), my top 10 grocery products from a variety of national chains, the truth behind more than a dozen supermarket myths, food prep guides, storage cheat sheets, and more. I've been a busy little bee! :)
And with it hitting store shelves on October 25th, it's already available for pre-order on some sites (hint, hint). Click the buttons below if you want to check it out in more detail!
Amazon | Indie Bound | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Books-a-Million
Behind the Scenes
It's so exciting to finally have a cover I can share because let me tell you what - it was no easy task getting to this point. As with my first cookbook, I had planned several different photo shoots to capture all the lifestyle pictures I thought we would need. This is not something my publisher handles - it's completely up to me to make it all happen!
So several months in advance--while my food photographer was working away on the close-up food pics at her studio--I started working on our lifestyle photos by selecting dates, figuring out all our outfits (with the help of my friend Erin, who's much better than me at that sort of thing!), picking local photographers, making a list of pictures we'd need to get, hiring food and prop stylists, scheduling someone to do my hair and make-up, inviting friends to be in some of the pics with us, willing the sun to be out and shining, and ...trying not to stress about so many different details. In case you don't already know, I can sometimes be wound pretty tight. :)
We had a lot to accomplish over the two different weekends I chose (when the sun did end up cooperating like I was hoping!), and the festivities began at a beautiful local, organic farm called New Town Farms. We shop at their booth at our farmers' market, and the owners (Sammy and Melinda) were kind enough to not only allow us to use their property, but to share their chickens, baby chicks, and baby pig with us. Baby farm animals, people - my children were in heaven! This was definitely the first time in my life my children actually thanked me after a photo shoot of any sort. I couldn't believe it. Things were definitely off to a fabulous start.
Here is a quick close up after they were given the baby chicks (look at those smiles!). Trust me, though, the pics that will be in the book are MUCH better than any of these that I took with my phone!
The day after the farm visit we were up at the crack of dawn (on a Saturday!) to get ready for more family pictures at our farmers' market. It was chilly and early, but we thankfully got some good stuff. Then we had a few days in-between to "rest" (or more accurately to live our normal busy lives of work/school/activities) before the real deal lifestyle pictures began the following weekend. This was when we had the whole crew there to help because I had a couple dozen recipes I wanted us to interact with in the photos. So, for the first time ever, I enlisted the help of a food stylist to completely take charge of that piece by purchasing the ingredients, making the recipes, AND cleaning it all up, instead of doing it myself while simultaneously trying to actually be in the photographs. Best. decision. ever!
But wait, here's the best part. Even with all of that help, this is how we felt after four solid days of being in photographs...absolutely exhausted! We were feeling so happy about a job well done but were not able to move from these spots for hours, LOL.
But then this is what happened next. I got the photos back and truly LOVED everything that was captured except for one thing...the cover photo (the original one - not what is pictured above). As soon as I saw it, I knew in my heart that one scene had to be redone. I just couldn't put a cover out there I didn't love. Soooo, we got to do more pictures!! The joke's on me, right?! Not exactly what I was hoping for, but in the end, it was totally worth it because I am just thrilled with how it turned out. Now do you see what I mean about it being no easy task getting to this point? I now appreciate every cookbook cover I see so much more! :)
What's Next
The hardest part is definitely behind me, although I am still in the middle of all the final edits before this thing can go to print. I am counting down the days to not only be able to hold it in my hands (October 25th!), but to be able to share it with you! Your feedback helped me decide what should be in this cookbook, and I hope you are as pleased as I am with the outcome. It truly contains the easiest and quickest (and tastiest) real food recipes I could come up with as well as all the food shopping resources you could possibly need to painlessly cut processed food out of your life. I cannot wait to get it into your hands and see what you think! :)
Amazon | Indie Bound | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Books-a-Million
Rachel McDaniels says
I'm such a big fan and so excited for the new book! I've tried several of your recipes out for my kids so far this year and they've loved them.
Of course the big his is the Peanut Butter Brownie Bars.
I'd love to come to any bookstore events if you ever do book signings :-)
Kelly ~ It took me 10 years to lose 10 pounds says
Love your back-to-the-basics approach. Inspired by all your passion and hard work. Congratulations Lisa!
Lynn says
yeppie can't wait thanks for the first one --- still using it --- :-)
Pam Bowman says
Since discovering that I have cancer in 2008, I didn't know anything about nutrition. A couple of years later I learned more and then found this wonderful book. I love it! I love all the natural foods. Can't wait for the new book!
Gail Bryning says
Trying to change my bad eating habits and choices, I sometimes eat like a teenager not thinking I must be more careful to think of health not just taste am diabetic so it's critical to pay attention and not check out and harm my health.
Beth says
Very exciting! Congrats can't wait to read it!
Nora says
I cannot wait! Love your blog and current cookbook! People are always asking me for the recipes (your recipes) and I recommend your book & blog!
Pam Christen says
Yay! Can't wait!
Melanie Brown says
Very Exciting! Congrats! I can't wait to get my copy! I love your 1st one & use it often!
Donna MacKenzie says
Super excited for this book,!! I had fun testing recipes for it & they were great, so I know this is going to be fabulous!! I love your blog & I always send friends there that are trying to get on the path to healthy eating! Congrats on the next step accomplished in publishing your second book, :)
Lisa Staten says
Congratulations! I love your 1st book and am looking forward to the next. And your girls, just like all our children, are growing up so fast!
Charlene says
Just pre-ordered! Can't wait. I love, love, love your first book and website. My hubby loves the meals I make with the recipes. My birthday is 11/3. Happy Birthday to me!
Sabrina says
Congrats! Thank you for all you do, will do. Your book, websites, vlogs saved my life. I have lost weight and my A1c went from 13 to 7 (YAY). God Bless you! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication.
Stephanie Chandler says
You're the best!!!!!!!!! I continually refer friends to your site and your first cookbook. It's the best all in one resource I've found for a real food journey. THANK YOU for taking the hard work and the risks to bring your story and your knowledge to the masses. I can't wait to get the second book :)
Marcia Solomon says
Adult lunches is a fantastic idea. Yes!
Nicky titcumb says
Hi Lisa,
I'm in England and accidentally came across your blog.
As someone trying new ways of eating I was interested by your honest approach to changing your families diet.
I thoroughly enjoy you're relaxed but relative and current attitude to food. Originally a contented carnivore, I have embraced a plant based whole food eating plan. You're adaptable recipes have inspired quite a few new dishes.
Good luck with the new book. It's what everyone's looking for, fast, healthy, unprocessed and delicious. Keep inspiring.
Many thanks
Nicky
Ana @ Ana's Rocket Ship says
Yeah!!! I can't wait till the new book book comes out!!!
Kary says
Sooo exciting, well done Lisa! Looks like another amazing and really helpful book. Love seeing our town in your book. And my Christmas list will be easy this year. Your book for everyone!
Also vey inspiring for, last year I created a cookbook from my blog for family & friends. Still working on my cookbook to publish, so I truly appreciate all the work you and your family have done. Maybe I just need to set a deadline:) Cheers! Kary
Pooja S says
Congratulations...Will be ordering your books soon.I am already a great fan of your blog and loves reading all your articles.