I’ve been waiting for this day for over 2 years. I finally get to tell you a bunch of stuff about my book, its launch, some practical information, and a fun pre-order surprise too! I’m going to lay this all out in slightly longer bullet points so that I don’t talk TOO much because I don’t want to bore you–I could honestly go back and forth about this book, the work that went into it, and its life cycle for days and days. I’m sharing some sneak peek photos here too!
THE BASICS
–The First Mess Cookbook will be out March 7th, but can be pre-ordered now. More about that below.
-There are 125 recipes in this hardcover book that weighs a little two pounds. It’s comprised of almost entirely fresh material–just a few well-loved blog recipes in the mix.
-The book is divided into the following sections: Mornings and Breakfasts, Soups and Stews, Salads and Dressings, Hearty Mains and Big Plates, Vegetables and a Couple of Grains, Energizing Drinks and Small Bites, Desserts and Small Treats.
-There’s a beautiful photo for every single recipe, plus some bonus photography throughout for that little touch of “atmosphere” ;)
-Every recipe is vegan, and there are symbol notations for gluten-free, cane sugar-free, sugar-free, nut-free, and oil-free options.
-I wrote a big, feel-y introduction on how I got to this stage in my career/life, what kinds of things you’ll need in your kitchen in order to cook from the book, and some light observations on my favourite ingredients for plant-based cooking success.
-There are two covers. The blue-ish background one is the US version. It features live arugula from Slegers and it was taken on my parents’ concrete garage floor. The one with the pot pies/cute little casseroles on the cover will be released in Canada because reminders of cozier fare to get us through the winter are essential. Despite the different covers, the book is exactly the same on the inside.
If you enjoy the content from the blog, my Instagram account, or any sneak peeks via the #FirstMessCookbook hashtag, you’ll probably love this book. Even when I make a salad or a vegetable side here, I always try to make it hearty and filling somehow–the book follows through on this effort. When the recipe isn’t an outright main course, there’s usually a healthy fat or protein-rich component involved to make it feel satiating anyway. I’ve tried mightily to position this book at the intersection of hearty, elegant, earthy, and seasonal.
This book will give you a glimpse into how I cook for myself, my family, and my people at large for plenty of occasions, whether that means a quiet earl grey latte with lots of vanilla for me and me alone to enjoy in the early hours–or it’s a gluten-free, cane sugar-free, totally vegan, and utterly delicious coconut cream tart because I need to impress some semi-skeptical omnivores. I know that sometimes I go funky with the ingredients for drinks and such here (like the cordyceps from earlier this week hehe), but rest assured that the focus of this book is recipes made with accessible and seasonal ingredients. Simple and great!
There’s a few tricks, too. I show you how to make fresh almond milk in less than a minute, the easiest shortcut to steel-cut oatmeal that won’t have you hovering over the stove just stirring and stirring, how to make luscious (non-banana-based) ice cream without an ice cream maker, the pantry ingredients that pretty much guarantee a lifetime of flavourful food, and, most importantly, how to make raw cookie dough into a semi-sensible afternoon snack.
WHERE TO BUY – USA 🇺🇸
Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Books-a-Million // Indiebound
WORLDWIDE 🌍
Book Depository (free shipping worldwide)
ELECTRONIC VERSIONS 🖥
Google Play // iBooks // Kindle // Kobo // Nook
The thought of real people finally having this book is, somewhat predictably, thrilling one moment and scary the next. I think that’s normal for any creative work that’s put out there, and I’m finding a bit of calm just in that thought alone. Off and on, this project took up over 2 years of my life, so just flipping through these pages gives me so many vivid memories of time, place, and feeling. I really gave this thing everything I had, and it’s my hope that the sincerity translates when you finally get to see it. Until then, all my gratitude and love, all the time :)
So BEYOND excited to get my hands on this cookbook. You create the most ridiculously delicious recipes. I never get bored of cooking healthy foods thanks to you.
pre ordered, huge congrats x
I pre-ordered the book in early November! I am SO excited I can hardly wait! How nice of you to create a pre-order bonus. Looking forward to downloading that soon! Thank you for all your efforts! Cheers!
Congratulations, Laura! Can’t wait til March!
YAAAASSSS! I pre-ordered this in December and CAN.NOT.WAIT. to get it! I’m planning on working my way through all of the recipes and having a very happy tummy. :)
Can I just say I am SO glad you decided to release this in March? I find that at the end of February is when I start getting to the end of my rope with the winter “blahs” (I live in Newfoundland -__-) and cooking my way through it always seems to help. Can’t wait! :)
Congrats x1000, Laura! I’ve been eagerly awaiting your book for a long time. Can’t wait to get my copy!
Preordered today and so psyched for the bundle of recipes to tide us over till the book’s release date!! I don’t know if I’ve ever been so excited to receive a cookbook – congrats on your hard work, long hours, and thanks for your inspiration!!
Cannot. Wait.
I am so excited to get this book – I have been waiting impatiently since you first announced it!! Pre-ordered a few weeks ago, so now I’m just counting down the days! Congratulations!
YAHOO! Can’t wait! Huge congratulations!
Looking amazing– huge congratulations!! The recipes (as always) look incredible and so very appealing! Thanks for the sneak peak:)
So exciting! Congratulations, Laura. Love that Canadian cover :)
I was thrilled to pre-order your cookbook. How exciting. Huge congratulations!
Congratulations! Hard work pays off and just think of all the wonderful meals you and your family had to eat.
Just ordered one cookbook for me and one for my daughter. I live in Peterborough, but grew up in Fonthill and always feel like I am visiting home when your recipes and photos arrive in my email.
Just ordered! I can’t wait to start cooking from it <3
Congratulations! The book looks so beautiful- and I love the fonts on the covers. It’s obvious you’ve poured your heart and soul into this, and I can’t wait to break into it and cook.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I pre-ordered the cookbook literally the second it came on Amazon, and I CANNOT WAIT until it comes out!! I’M SO EXCITED FOR YOU LAURA!!!! Sending so many hugs!!!!
Ordered! So excited!
The biggest congrats to you, Laura! Your book looks gorgeous and I can already tell just from this post that you gave it everything you had. I’m so excited to see it live in person!
YES!! So looking forward to cooking from this book. Congratulations!!
girl! it looks amazing! I can’t wait to get a copy — congratulations x a million!!!
I pre-ordered, too! So excited!
Oh mannnn, those photos look incredible! Congratulations on your book and I’m so excited to see it. By your description it sounds amazing. :)
Also, I think it’s worth mentioning that both Amazon UK and DE offer preorders for the book, which is convenient for all of us living in Europe as they both ship all over. (As an alternative for anyone that doesn’t like Book Depository.)
Yay! So incredibly excited for this book. I have mad respect for your recipes – and I’m not even vegan! but because of your blog, I probably eat at least 3 vegan meals a week now.
So exciting!! Big congrats Laura and I can’t wait to get my hands on this beauty!! x
Laura! This is gorgeous! Congratulations! I can’t wait <3
The book looks absolutely gorgeous. You’ve done an amazing job, Laura! Enjoy this moment to the fullest, as it’s so exciting and truly a unique moment in life. Can’t wait to have a copy! <3
I CANNOT WAIT!!!! Also, your kitchen is #goals.
Laura! Huge congrats. Your book looks so delicious and absolutely gorgeous. I’m so excited for you (and for all of us!)
xoxoxo
E
Congratulations, Laura! It looks beautiful. Thank you for explaining the difference between the Canadian and American covers. I always wonder how authors chose and why they are different. I’m looking forward to receiving it!
YAY!!! I seriously can’t wait to get your book and I already know it’s going to be the most gorgeous thing EVER. Cheers to all your hard work and long days, you deserve it girl! xoxo
Huge congrats on the final rollout, Laura! Having recently become a big fan (by some fluke, your blog has missed my regular reading radar until now) I couldn’t be more excited. I love the way you describe your targeted recipes – in that sweet-spot of an intersection between hearty, elegant, comforting and seasonal…precisely the recipes I gravitate toward year-round as I generally don’t feel my best eating precious or dainty types of meals. (BTW, I loved that creamy mushroom and kale stew that we discussed the other day – so simple and so satisfying!) Best!
This is a GREAT accomplishment. I look forward to ordering the book. With a household of 8 I’m always looking to keep it fresh, exciting, tasty and healthy in the kitchen and this new resource will help me do just that.
Congratulations Laura, I look forward to receiving my hard copy soon!
Preordered! I have been waiting for this book since first coming across your blog a few years ago. Your photographs are always so beautiful and recipes are over the top delicious. Congratulations!
Ackkkkk! SO STOKED to get your book!! Congrats:)
Yay!!! Hugest congratulations, Laura! It all looks beautiful and I can’t wait to get my copy. Very excited for this one! xo
AH i can’t wait to order!
There’s so many new vegan cookbooks that have come out/are coming out, and I can say without a doubt that yours is the one I’m most excited about! I love the vibe of your blog and Instagram feed and absolutely can’t wait to get my hands on this book. Congrats on your labor of love :)
I’m so happy for you Laura :) The photos are gorgeous and I can’t wait to cook from your book. Thank you for making it more acessible ingredient-wise!
Congratulations*
I’m SO excited for tour cookbook! I was one of your recipe testers, I make some of the recipes that I tested very frequently – including my favorite if them just last night for dinner! Can’t wait to have a compilation of your amazing work all in the book. Congrats on your cookbook!!!
AHHHH, Immediately ordered your book. I guess (and hope) I’m your first german “customer” #fangirling
all the best
Lena
(aka theghostonmyback)
I can hardly wait! Your book is released on my Birthday so it must be my karma to have it in my life. I have been a big fan of your blog for years and have made loads of your delicious recipes. This is just icing on the cake. All the best to you Laura, from one Pices to another :-)
The Lime Tofu bowl looks AMAZING! I can’t wait to get this and try your recipe’s.
Abigail Alice
Hi Laura,
so excited about your new book. The photos/dishes look fantastic and I can’t wait to get it. Cogratulations! It really looks like a labour of love.
Congratulations Laura! It looks beautiful and delicious. Can’t wait to see it.
Immediately pre-ordered your book! I’m not at all ashamed to say that I have been stalking your blog since the first inkling of a cookbook. I’m SO looking forward to reading it! Congratulations!!!
Hi Laura,
I just pre ordered your book! I hope to recieve it very soon in The Netherlands! I am a big fan of your recipes and very inspired by your photo’s! Enjoy the ride! Greetz Floortje from Holland