There was a time in my life when almost all of the books on my bookshelf were fictional stories – The Babysitter’s Club, Ramona, Goosebumps, anything by Roald Dahl or Judy Blume, and of course, an extensive collection of Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Fast forward to my 20s and you’ll now find that almost all novels have been replaced with these:
Cookbooks. You could say I’ve got a bit of a thing for them. I’ll admit that I have a few whose recipes I’ve never made, but still love because they have pretty pictures and ideas that make my tummy start to growl. (They also get me thinking things like “what could I swap for that to make it a bit healthier?” and “something like this would look so beautiful on my blog!”) If asked to pick a favourite, I don’t think I could do it. But recently yet another one has made its way into my home and it’s sitting right at the top of the charts.
One of my favourite things about being a blogger is the friendships that I’ve developed with so many other wonderful like-minded foodie friends. Oh She Glows was one of the first blogs I ever found, and Angela, the kitchen goddess behind it all, was one of the first bloggers I ever met.
My life would be quite different if I hadn’t met Angela. For starters, I’d probably still be taking photos with my camera in auto rather than manual mode, because Ange and her husband Eric taught me pretty much everything I know about photography (and helped me realize that it’s actually a lot of fun!) I also might not know about the gorgeous waterfalls and hiking trails that we have so close to home, which she and Eric introduced me to a couple of summers ago.
Without Ange, I may not have been able to stroke “See Oprah in real life” off of my bucket list, because she was super speedy and jumped on getting tickets for the Lifeclass Tour stop in Toronto in 2012.
Had I not met Angela, I’d probably be walking the aisles of Whole Foods for hours on my own because none of my other friends consider that a fun Saturday afternoon/evening activity. My blog might not even exist today if I hadn’t received the encouragement and helpful tips that she’s provided me with over the (almost) 4 years that Eat Spin Run Repeat has been alive.
The day Ange told me that she’d just signed a book deal, I was beyond excited. Now that her gorgeous book is hot off the presses and entering the homes of her loyal followers, I get shivers up my spine because I’m so proud of her! It’s absolutely stunning, full of recipes for breakfast, smoothies, juices and teas, appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, snacks, and desserts. And of course, in true Oh She Glows fashion, the book is full of stunning photos that will make your mouth water.

I recently did a quick Q&A with Angela about her cookbook, and here’s what she had to say:
1. What’s your favourite recipe in the book?
Oh boy, I knew I was going to be asked this question! It’s tough to choose, but I think I’d have to say it’s my Life-Affirming Warm Nacho Dip from the appetizer chapter. I haven’t met a person who didn’t like this cheesy, oil-free dip and it’s always a huge hit at parties and pot lucks. People will actually hunt you down for the recipe!
2. As many food bloggers would likely agree, there are times when recipe ideas flow like crazy, and other times when it’s impossible to think of something you haven’t already made. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Oh I can so relate to having those periods when nothing seems to inspire an idea! I go through that once a week probably,haha. I usually get my inspiration from reading my massive cookbook collection (I think I have over 100 cookbooks!), reading my favourite blogs, watching cooking TV shows, going out to restaurants, traveling, and reading food magazines.

3. In all of your years of blogging, what has been your biggest kitchen disaster?
It was a pecan pie I made last year. I popped it in the oven, set the timer, and walked away. Well, wouldn’t you know I came back to a pie that had EXPLODED all over the bottom of my new oven (and I didn’t even have a liner down). It was hysterical, so I couldn’t really get mad. I had to wait until the sugars cooled and hardened before I could chip it all off!

4. Do you have a favourite food photography prop?
I have some old barn boards that I love to use for a surface. I’d say it’s my most authentic prop and I love how it looks in photos. The only problem is the wood is dusty and I think it bothers my allergies! So I keep them in the garage most of the time. I also have this super retro electric beater (it’s PINK!) that I picked up from an estate sale. You can see it in my Seductive Raw Chocolate Walnut Fudge post.
5. What’s up next for Oh She Glows? Any surprises you can let my readers in on?
Well, we’re still working hard on our first app! My husband Eric is creating it from scratch so it’s been a huge process. We will have it ready sometime this year and it will feature tons of recipes from my blog (with new recipes added each week), a grocery shopping list, and more. Other than that, we’re working on some exciting business ideas, but I have to keep that under wraps for now!

Want a taste of one of the recipes from the Oh She Glows Cookbook? Angela and her publisher (Penguin in Canada, Avery in the US) have graciously allowed me to share The Empowered Noodle Bowl, which comes with 2 sauce options: Thai Peanut and Orange-Maple Miso. I chose the Thai Peanut one because I’ve got a thing for Thai food, but the Orange-Maple Miso would make for a great nut-free option.

Empowered Noodle Bowl with Thai Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
Thai Peanut Sauce:
- 1 large clove garlic
- 2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 3 tbsp natural smooth peanut butter or almond butter
- 2 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 3 Tbsp fresh lime juice, plus more if needed
- 2 Tbsp plus 1 tsp low-sodium tamari
- 1 to 2 tsp granulated sugar
Salad:
- 4 oz gluten-free soba noodles
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 16oz bag frozen shelled edamame, thawed
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 seedless (English) cucumber, diced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 4 green onions, chopped, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup, fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- sesame seeds, for serving
Instructions
- Make the Thai peanut sauce: In a mini or regular food processor, combine the garlic, sesame oil, peanut butter, ginger, lime juice, tamari, sugar, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of water. Process until combined.
- Make the salad: Cook the soba noodles according to the instructions on the package. Be sure not to overcook them – they should only take 5 to 9 minutes, depending on the brand. Drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water. Transfer the noodles to a large bowl and toss them with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil (this prevents them from sticking together).
- Add the edamame, bell pepper, cucumber, carrot, green onions and cilantro to the bowl with the noodles and toss until well combined.
- Pour your desired amount of the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Portion the salad into 4 bowls and garnish each serving with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and some green onions. Serve any leftover dressing on the side.
Reprinted with permission from Angela Liddon and Penguin Canada.
This recipe was super easy to make, and just as I’ve come to expect from all of Angela’s recipes, absolutely delicious. If you’re looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet, or if you’re just looking for a little healthy inspiration in the kitchen, you will most definitely find it in the Oh She Glows cookbook.
So tell me…
- Have you got your hands on Angela’s book yet? If so, what recipes have you made?
- Whether you’re a blogger or not, where do you get your recipe ideas from?
This post made me a bit misty eyed, Ange!!! haha. I can’t thank you enough for this beautiful post. I’m so grateful that our blogs brought us together! You are an amazing friend and blogging accomplice. Thanks again for taking part in my tour…you are the best! xo
No problem, and thank YOU times a million!! Can’t wait till Thursday! 😉
that noodle bowl with the peanut sauce looks awesome!!
Oh it is… trust me, if you make it, double the sauce recipe because you’ll want to put it on everything!!!
LOVE HER and yet have never met her.
adored this post….
LOVE.
What a lovely tribute to your friend and another favorite blogger of mine. I don’t have the cookbook yet but am itching to get my hands on it!
I’m super stoked to make the noodle bowl for lunch!
I’m happy I don’t have to but if I had to pick one recipe resource it would be OSG hands down! I don’t think I’ve ever gone wrong with Angela’s recipes. I can’t wait to get the book!
I’ve been following Angela for a very long time (and actually had the chance to work with her on a mushroom project a few years ago)… it’s so nice to see her success and blog booming!
I’ll be grabbing this cookbook asap!
I love Oh She Glows! I was really excited to see she has a cookbook now. I will definitely be checking it out!
I am anticipating my copy in the mail, can’t wait!
amazon hasn’t shipped my copy yet and i am getting SO antsy! haha. this bowl sounds amazing, and i’m so intrigued by the orange maple miso sauce! ahhh yummm 🙂
Trust me Marlies, it will be well worth the wait! I hope you enjoy the book as much as I have so far. The photos alone make it the most beautiful cookbook I own!
I haven’t bought Angela’s book yet but it’s on my list of must-haves. I’m a huge fan of her blog which is where I get a lot of my cooking inspiration from. I also was just introduced to Finding Vegan. OMG. Heaven!
Oh my goodness Kelly, YES! I totally agree about Finding Vegan, and I felt the same way when I discovered Foodgawker and Tastespotting. Definitely not good sites to look at if you’re already hungry!
I do not have her book. I get recipe ideas from ingredients I need to use up or from something I’ve seen on the web that looks good !
I love Oh She Glows and I can’t wait to try out all the recipes in her cookbook. Regardless if I win this giveaway, I’m definitely buying her book. Pick me anyway, though 🙂
So many delicious recipes! I love Oh She Glows!! I gotta get my hands on this book!
The OCD part of me is irked that you didn’t organize your books by author 😛
I really love Angela’s food photos, I get jealous of her mad skills!
LOL, I have a lot of OCD tendencies, but cookbook organization isn’t one of them… weel, not yet anyway! Arranging my closet by colour however, is a must! 😉
Don’t have Angela’s book yet, but would love to get my hands on one. Lately I’ve been stuck on her blog, getting all sorts of ideas for snacks and all of my meals.
oh she glows cookbook is on my wish list; and one of the first places I look for inspiration in the kitchen.
I’m so glad this brilliant woman has finally been published! I’ve been following her since before I became vegan(with her influence) and I would benefit greatly from seeing more of her recipes. I’m not the best at coming up with things my friends and family will eat, or getting them to try new things. Having a cookbook in the kitchen with beautiful pictures would really help get my people motivated to eat more plant-based foods! Pleeeease!
=)
Every recipe I’ve tried of Angela’s has been amazing! I’d love to win this book!
i love oh she glows and would love this cookbook!
Love Oh She Glows fir recipe ideas; I’m super excited about this cookbook.
I haven’t gotten her book yet, but she sure makes those nachos sound great! I get my inspiration from bloggers like you and Angela 🙂
I do not have a copy of the book yet, but would LOVE one! I get most of my recipe inspiration through food blogs and checking cookbooks out from the library.
I came to your blog via Angela’s blog (I’m such a fan! I pre-ordered her cookbook and am awaiting its arrival!). Love your post, how beautifully written. I also browsed your blog – love it! I’m signing up with you too!
xS
Aw thank you SO much Shauna, that is so sweet of you! I’m so glad you found me and hope you’ll stick around. 🙂
Angela is quite a talented woman! Thanks for the review & info. 🙂
I love Oh She Glows! I really want to try out her new cookbook. We have lots of family favorites from her site! So grateful I found it.