I'm taking a short break from scrolling through news articles in my Facebook feed and silently screaming "NOOOOOOOO!" over and over to share a couple of little (positive) things with you dear readers.
I just found out that my little cookbook was nominated for an IACP award in Health and Special Diet. I couldn't be more thrilled! Winners will be announced early in March, but I don't even care – just being nominated is a high honor. I'm so happy for all the nominees and proud to be in their company.
So if you want to come celebrate with a high five, nibble a slice of Chocolate Bergamot Truffle Tart, or pick up a copy of Alternative Baker for your Valentine/Galentine, I'll be at Omnivore Books this Sunday February 12th from 3-4 pm nerding out on flour and signing books.
And on March 14th a.k.a. Pi Day a.k.a. the best day of the year, I'll be toting some GF pies down to Books Inc. in Santa Clara along with GF bread maven Jane Bonacci of The Gluten-Free Bread Machine Cookbook.
A bunch of us bloggers are banding together in solidarity with immigrants from countries targeted by the Muslim ban to share our stories about immigrant food. Stay tuned for the story of my family's hasty departure from Europe last century and a favorite recipe later this week (hint: there's cheese involved) and read about the other #ImmigrantFoodStories here.
Last weekend I got to spend a few days in beautiful Cambria in central California with some of my favorite blogging ladies (Sarah, Sasha, Betty, Natalie & Holly, Alana, Lily, Laura, Carey, Eva, Shelly, Trisha, Haley, and Renee).
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There was apple baked oatmeal with hawaij and maple cashew cream. There were tacos. There was soup, congee, and chocolatey champurrado.
There were walks on the beach, mist in the hills, wildflowers blooming in fields, cows, goats and sheep by the road. There was the best ever plant-based ice cream and lots more delicious treats.
Whatever your week is bringing you, I hope you're able to find a bit of light among all this darkness.
And maybe a kitty to snuggle.
*Thanks for reading! For more Bojon Gourmet in your life, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest, purchase my gluten-free cookbook Alternative Baker, or subscribe to receive new posts via email.
i dont even know what to and what not to believe in the news anymore. its ridiculous but seeing so much love and unity from everyone is pretty powerful stuff.
Seriously! Agree on all counts.
Alternative Baker getting that recognition is more than a little bit of light. Congratulations! Other than that, though, I'm really struggling with the darkness. It's that much darker here in DC.
Aw thank you Sully! Oh man, I cannot even imagine what it must be like in Washington rn – a bit like the hobbits reaching Mordor I would guess??
The thing is, the government of the United States is remarkably efficient, professional, non-corrupt, and lean for a country of our size. But for years since Reagan politicians have been promising to come here and clean it up because it gets them elected. For Trump, that's meant continuing a pay freeze for federal workers and imposing a hiring freeze as well. So federal workers now enter the seventh year with no pay raises and while the baby book generation retires it isn't being replaced and younger queues can't be promoted. Yeah--Helms Deep here.
Congratulations! Well deserved!!!
Aw thanks! :)
Congratulations!!! I am sooooo happy for you!!!
Thank you!!
Congratulations Alanna, your book is amazing and you deserve all the success! Often in the evenings, when I'm curled up under the blanket on my sofa, I flip through the pages of your book just to get lost in those beautiful photographs. The only problem is that I always get hungry along the way! :D
Thank you Lili! I really appreciate your kind supportiveness. So glad you're enjoying the book, too!
Congrats, babe! Your book (and you) deserve all the praise and recognition in the world. xoxo
Aw thanks Haley! <3
That's fantastic news about Alternative Baker! I find your book so inspiring, every recipe I have tried from it has been delicious so you definitely deserve every accolade you receive!
Aw, thank you Georgina! That means a lot to me.
Congrats, Alanna! All that publishing agony is worth it -- at least in your case! Our mutual friend Shawna is wearing out your book trying so many of the recipes.
Haha, thanks Gary! Shawna is the sweetest. Miss you all!
Congratulations! and.. so much more coming from you.. plant based ice creams.. still relishing your beet, citrus salad.. you're a sweet addition daily.
Aw thank you Sara!
What incredible news for you! Congratulations on the nomination!
Aw, thanks Bella!
It was so great to hang out! Can't wait for the next one. Thank you for all your thoughtfulness and generosity in the kitchen!
Yes it was! Thanks for putting together such a beautiful weekend.
What a great collection of photos here, I want to eat all of them!
Aw, thanks!
I am delighted to hear about your nomnomnomintaion! I've been on quite the journey through your book. It has really expanded my horizons in the most delicious way. I just purchased an extra copy to give to my favorite little health food store in Pasadena. "Granny's Pantry". They tend to have all of your wild ingredients or will order them for me. Just in the last half hour, my husband came home from work and ravenously polished off a berry/cherry pie with the Teff crust. Thank you!
Haha, thank you Shawna! And thank you for sharing my book and recipes around with friends. That pie sounds DELICIOUS! I definitely want to try that combination asap. <3 <3 <3
Oh dear,am totally a baby,in regards to alternative foods.Have become so enlightened by yours and many other blogs with such wonderfully,healthy eats!ALWAYS excited when one of you lovelies gets nominated for awards;(even if I am clueless,lol).Have been cooking for nearly 40 years,so goes to show how one NEVER stops learning!My friends,I only am on Pinterest,so ...But am a huge fan of VICE news on HBO.Come out of the darkness and please stay in the light !❤️We ALL descend from immigrants.Are bad apples in this crazy world;but so many kind,loving,accepting people;that I wish to believe outnumber those bad apples.Us good ones must lead by example,with strength,perseverance,and love towards each other.Tolerance and patience.Choose too be happy and be strong.Strength in numbers.Unity.🤗
Yes!
Congratulations on the nomination! All your recipes always look incredible (btw, the chocolate bergamot truffle tart sounds fab!) so fingers crossed! :)
Thank you Julia! It was the most hoarded recipe when I was testing it, haha. Jay loves his citrusy chocolate. :)
So much congrats on your nomination!! Well deserved, my friend. <3
Aw thanks Trisha! <3
Wonderful. Thank you for the beautiful and deliciousness you bring to the world!
Aw, thanks for the sweet note.
Congratulations, Alanna! It's a fantastic book. I'm on a hunt for chestnut flour to add to my gluten-free baking. See you and Jane soon!
Oooh, yes, I get mine at Rainbow. Looking forward to the event and to seeing you!!