Hey everyone! I hope you’re doing well and staying safe out there. This post is a shift from my usual recipe-related content, but it’s one I’ve been asked to do for ages now and I’m happy to finally have this post put together. It’s a bit of a beast! Be sure to see the bottom of this blog post because I’m announcing a fun live event in celebration of Oh She Glows for Dinner (which launches next week!). I hope you’ll join us on Oct 14th at 7pm EST!!

Skin care is such a personal journey, and I certainly don’t expect that what I do will work for you or that you should follow my routines because we all have vastly different skin care needs. That said, I personally love seeing skin care routines that other people follow (it’s a bit of an obsession in recent years). I hope you enjoy this post too!

As a teenager, I remember using strong acne cleansers and ointments that would strip my skin. And super coarse scrubs. I suffered from tons of bad breakouts in my teen years and just felt so insecure most of the time. I wish I could give that girl a big hug. Needless to say, my skin care has evolved over the years as I’ve learned more about my changing skin and which products and ingredients are effective for me. I actually didn’t get into a formal skin care routine until the past couple of years. When Adriana and Arlo were younger, I was lucky if I washed my face and threw on moisturizer before bed because I was so tired. I was also trying to solve ongoing allergic reactions so I was super careful about introducing new products and rarely ever did. If you are in a similar phase of life, be kind to yourself and don’t worry about having the perfect routine, or heck, a routine at all. Do what makes you happy and works for you, whatever stage you are in. Now that my kids are a bit older (and I seem to have figured out, at least in part, what was causing my allergic reactions), I’ve been loving getting back into skin care again because it helps me slow down and take some time for self-care. It’s a favourite part of my day.  

Without further ado, here are the cruelty-free products I’m using lately. I’ve also shared my AM and PM routines below. Keep in mind I am in no way claiming to be a skin care expert by any stretch of the imagination; I just love learning about it and consider this an evolving personal journey!

As always, this post is not sponsored. As you may know, I don’t do any sponsored content…this was a decision I made many years ago, but I like to mention it once in a while for new readers. :) I also purchased all of the products myself (nothing was gifted). There are affiliate links for some of the products below, however, so if you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may earn a small percentage. I’m always grateful for your support! 

First, a bit of info on my skin type to provide context:

• Combination skin (mixture of dry areas and normal/oily areas)
• Reactive (flushes easily)
• Prone to hyperpigmentation
• I’m still working on reducing melasma from my 2 previous pregnancies, and have made slow progress!

Thanks to Eric for taking this photo of me (this photo cracks me up…I’m looking all super creepy at myself while applying a mask).

Cleansers

In the evening, I use the double cleanse method because it’s really helpful to break down sunscreen and makeup. I start with a rich cleansing balm, then move on to the jelly cleanser as my second cleanse. In the morning, I only use the jelly cleanser since my skin doesn’t need much cleansing.

The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm (150 mL: $12.99 CAD/$9.76 USD; this product contains no animal derivatives, however they are not yet vegan certified)

This ultra-thick and rich cleansing balm is often sold out and for good reason. It’s so luxurious to use (I love to give myself a little facial massage when I use it). It has a fantastic price point for a cleansing balm, and I find that it calms my skin down and makes it softer! I do have one small complaint about this balm – for the first week or two of use, the balm is very hard to squeeze out of the tube..I’m talking major arm workout. But, once I’ve used it for a couple weeks, it starts coming out much easier. Thank goodness for that because I don’t have much energy at the end of the day to fight containers.

Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser (100 mL: $32 CAD/$24 USD, vegan)

I like that this cleanser doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry! It’s gentle and moisturizing, and one small pump is all you need for a full face lather! 

Serums

These are my current go-to serums! You’ll see how I rotate them in my routines below.

The Ordinary Niacinimide 10% + Zinc 1% (30 mL: $5.90 CAD/USD, vegan)

Targets: balances oil production, reduces appearance of acne, brightens skin tone

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane (30 mL: $6.70 CAD/USD, vegan)

Targets: fine lines, photo damage, texture

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1 (15 mL: $60 CAD/USD, vegan)

Targets: textural damage, uneven tone, enlarged pores, lack of radiance

NIOD Re:pigment (15 mL: $39 CAD/USD, vegan)

Targets: hyperpigmentation

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate (15 mL: $68 CAD/USD, vegan)

Targets: dynamic lines, static lines, fine superficial under-eye lines, loss of elasticity (especially upper-eyelids), dark circles, puffiness and textural unevenness. 

Vitamin C Serum

Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum (not pictured as I’m currently out and waiting for it to arrive. Photo update coming soon!) (1 oz/30 mL: $34.55 CAD/$25.95 USD, vegan)

This is a lovely, L-ascorbic acid serum that helps brighten and smooth my skin! In the past, I’ve had problems with sticky or oily vitamin c serums, but this one has a watery texture. I keep it in the refrigerator when storing.

Mineral-Based SPF

Paula’s Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50 (2 oz/60 mL: $43.94 CAD/$33 USD)

I’ve worn this moisturizer with SPF 50 year-round for years now. There is rarely a day I don’t wear it. I also wear hats religiously when outdoors…you’ll almost never find me outside without a hat on. When I’m outside in the summer during peak UV hours, I wear a goofy-looking wide brim hat, add a fresh layer of facial SPF, and mineral-based sunscreen on my body. Even though I can’t take away all those years I used to tan when I was younger (whyyyy, Ange, whyyy?), I’ve vowed to protect my skin now and in the future! 

Night Cream  

A thick moisturizer is the final step in my evening skin care routine and locks in my serums. I’m actually between night creams at the moment as a cream I love (Herbivore Pink Cloud Moisture Cream, vegan and pictured in this post) may have been discontinued (although I’ve seen that you can still find it at some physical Sephora locations). I also love Drunk Elephant’s Protini Polypeptide Cream (vegan), but I’m not a fan of the packaging. 

Oils

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil (30 mL: $9.80 CAD/USD, vegan)

I don’t use many oils, but this is a go-to of mine which I use some evenings. It gives the skin a nice glow! When my skin is looking extra thirsty, I’ll add a couple drops of this into my evening moisturizer or layer it underneath my moisturizer.

Masks

Tatcha Violet-C Radiance mask (50 mL: $117 CAD/$88 USD)

This new-to-me mask contains vitamin C as well as AHA’s from 7 different fruits (shown in mirror photo above). The biggest benefit I’ve noticed with this mask is that it makes the skin feel very smooth and is moisturizing. It’s a great one to use before makeup for a smooth application. I’ve noticed subtle brightening, but not as much brightening as I was hoping. Because of this and the high price point, I’m not sure whether I will repurchase it. I do like it overall, so I’ll have to see if something better comes along..I always like trying new things out! 

Chemical & enzyme exfoliants 

Since I don’t use any chemical exfoliants in my current daily AM or PM skincare routines, I like to get in one of these peels once a week. I always patch test new products, but this is especially important with peels. The Ordinary has a handy guide to patch testing here. 

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA (30 mL: $6.80 CAD/USD, vegan)

I primarily use this lactic acid for KP (Keratosis Pilaris), which I’ve struggled with on the back of my arms. Its gentle chemical exfoliation really helps smooth and soften bumpy skin with regular use and it keeps the skin hydrated at the same time. I tend to forget about applying it, but when I’ve used it regularly (every other day), it has really helped smooth my arms! Of course, you can also use this on your face, too, and it comes in an even more gentle 5% concentration, if need be. 

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution (30 mL: $7.20 CAD/USD, vegan)

This is a really effective chemical exfoliation for my skin, but you have to be careful with it as it’s not for everyone. Before using, I patch tested this peel on my inner forearm for 10 minutes (the max recommended time). Then I waited 24 hours to see if a reaction formed. When my skin didn’t react, I applied it to my face for just 1 minute for the first use. For the second use, a week or two later, I left it on for 2 to 3 minutes, and I worked my way up from there, very slowly. I’ve used at home chemical exfoliants in the past without issue and my skin has no problems with this mask at the recommended ‘up to 10 minute’ time, but I wouldn’t recommend it for sensitive skin types. The Ordinary says, “It is only suitable for experienced users of acid exfoliation.” It’s also important to make sure your skin is dry before application – there should be no water on the skin. Anyway, this mask makes my skin absolutely glowing and smooth…it’s truly a ride or die for me. I find that I only need to keep it on for 5 to 8 minutes max for great results…less is more. 

AlumierMD Enzymatic Peel 

This lovely enzyme peel mask contains 10% lactic acid with fruit enzymes for a gentle but effective exfoliation. I purchased it from my sister Kristi who is a trained skin care specialist with AlumierMD and is so knowledgeable about skincare! I find you only need to leave this enzyme mask on for a few minutes, so it’s nice for busy mornings when your skin needs exfoliation, but you find yourself short on time. It’s a beautiful one to apply before adding your other serums so they’ll soak in nicely. If you want to find out more about this product or AlumierMD products in general, drop Kristi a line at skinsavvyscience@gmail.com and say hello or follow her on Instagram :) 

Moisturizing Lip Balm

Summer Fridays Vegan Lip Butter Balm, Vanilla (15g: $29 CAD, $22 USD)

Oh boy, do I love this balm! Summer Fridays says it’s a “silky vegan lip mask that hydrates and soothes parched lips while sealing in moisture.” I would have to agree. I’ve tried quite a few vegan balms and this one is my favourite so far. I use it morning and night…and before going outside in chilly weather! 

Light-emitting diodes (LED) low-level light therapy

Project E Beauty Photon Face Rejuvenation Face & Neck Mask ($260 CAD/$195 USD)

It’s getting CREEPY up in here! I’ll start with what I don’t love about this LED mask and I’ll end with what I do love. Don’t love: the mask is heavy on the face (particularly on the bridge of the nose). I use the LED mask while lying down in bed and I hold the mask slightly lifted off the bridge of my nose. I’ve found that if I keep my upper arm resting on the bed (rather than suspended in the air) my arm doesn’t get that tired, but it’s still a bit of an annoyance. 

Okay, now onto what I love about it and what has made me stick with it—I’ve seen results. And I mean, my expectations were low. I use this diligently for 20 minutes, 5 to 6 times a week, and I’ve noticed that it has slightly plumped and firmed my skin over the past few months. My skin also feels smoother and softer to the touch. I love that this mask comes with a neck attachment. My neck used to be quite rough in texture and now it feels softer and is visibly smoother.

At first, I thought I was imagining the results and wondered if the results were actually from my skincare products, so I decided to try a little experiment. I tried this LED light on my thigh/knee area where I don’t use any serums. Lo and behold it had the same effect – skin softening and slight plumping. So, I’m pretty sure that the red LED light is doing some good things for my skin (consistent use is key). While this LED mask has a lot of wavelength options, I only use the red light which can help boost collagen production and it’s the one I have seen the most research backing (such as here, here, and here). The added benefit of using this device is that it has forced me to relax for 20 mins at a time – something I never used to make time for. Now I look forward to relaxing on my bed, closing my peepers, and kicking back while listening to various Youtube channels (about as close to meditation as I will likely get, but I’ll take it!). Anyway, I’m not totally happy with this product since it is uncomfortable on the bridge of my nose, so my advice would be to look into various brands.

My AM + PM skin care routines

Lately, I rotate between the following morning and evening routines. In other words, from the lists below, I pick only one morning routine and only one evening routine per day. I try to rotate them fairly evenly. The products in each routine are listed in order of use/application, too. For example, if I list NIOD Re:pigment before The Ordinary’s niacinamide, it means I apply Re:pigment first, let it soak in for about 30 to 60 seconds, then apply niacinamide afterwards. 

I created these routines by chatting with DECIEM consultants to determine which products can be combined (and in what order to layer them), and which ones should not be combined. I also love to refer to The Ordinary’s Regime Guide and this handy conflict chart over at DECIEM Chat Room as starting off points.

Morning routine #1: 

Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

NIOD Re:pigment 

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate 

Paula’s Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50

Morning routine #2:

Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

The Ordinary Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate 

Paula’s Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50

 

Morning routine #3: (photo coming soon!)

Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum 

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate 

Paula’s Choice Resist Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF 50

Evening routine #1:

Double cleanse with The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, then cleanse with Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

NIOD Re:pigment 

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate

Night cream

Evening routine #2:

Double cleanse with The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, then cleanse with Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

The Ordinary 1% retinol serum (2 times per week)

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate

Night cream

Evening routine #3:

Double cleanse with The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, then Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1 

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate

Night cream

 

Evening routine #4: (photo coming soon!)

Double cleanse with The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, then Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser

Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate

Night cream

Tips I follow:

• Always patch test new skin products. If using any The Ordinary or NIOD products, see their guide on patch testing.
• Follow product instructions carefully. 
• I like to use a slow, gradual approach when introducing new products.  
• Some of the products/ingredients above are not recommend for pregnancy or breastfeeding, so be sure to consult with your doctor before use.
• I try to do my evening routine 30 to 60 minutes before I go to bed, so the products have plenty of time to soak in and are less likely to rub off on my pillow. 

Whew, was this a beast or what? It was so much fun to put together. :) Drop me a line and let me know about your favourite skin care products…I love hearing what you guys use and love!

I’m excited to announce that Indigo and Chatelaine are hosting a free online event on October 14th at 7pm EST in celebration of Oh She Glows for Dinner! I’ll be chatting with the lovely Maureen Halushak and really hope you will join us! There will also be signed copies of my new book for sale if you’d like to treat yourself or that special someone. =) I’ll be donating 100% of my personal proceeds on the book sales for this event to Building Roots! Be sure to reserve your spot here if you’d like to join us. :)

Only a week to go until Oh She Glows for Dinner launches into the world! This week is the last week to take advantage of my OSG for Dinner Bonus Bundle, so if you preorder, please make sure you download the free bundle. I am so grateful for your support and can’t wait for you to start cooking! xo

Hey everyone, I hope you are doing well! I’m popping in with a fun fall-inspired cookie recipe today that’s been on repeat in this house. 

First, I want to thank you all so much for your support for Oh She Glows for Dinner! I’m immensely grateful for each and every one of you who believe in me and in what I create. It’s sounding like cozy, plant-based meals to enjoy at home is a theme you’re really eager for, and hearing this makes me so happy because this book was almost the end of little ‘ol me…hah ;) jk. Well, it was my biggest challenge to date, but sooo worth it and I’m thrilled with how it all came together. Now that I get to cook from this book in my own kitchen, it’s pretty darn special. I can’t wait for you to be able to do so as well.

Your pre-orders help a lot because the more pre-orders we have, the better chance we have to get the book stocked in more numerous and varied retailers, such as independent stores, chain stores, and online retailers, allowing everyone to locate the book more easily and support their favourite stores. I appreciate your help so much!! Click here to find out where you can pre-order your copy so you can start cooking up these delicious, cozy recipes as soon as it’s hot off the press! Not much longer to go now. :) If you pre-order, don’t forget to claim your pre-order Bonus Bundle here until October 13th.

Okay, now it’s time to ring in the fall season with a brand-new, lightly spiced, and completely addictive frosted pumpkin cookie. 

Sending you all my love and good vibes for the new season ahead!

For those of you who missed my earlier announcement, Indigo is hosting a wonderful contest in celebration of Oh She Glows for Dinner! Plum members who pre-order my new cookbook are automatically entered in this wonderful prize package. It is a great time to do so, because the book is on sale for 22% off right now (Please note, I don’t know when this sale ends). Click here to enter!

Hi everyone! I hope that summer is treating you well so far, and you’re staying in good health and good spirits during what has been a heartbreaking year. How are you and your families doing right now? 

At long last, I have some fun news to share with you today! This cookbook reveal was supposed to go out to you in May, then in June, and then in early July, but with everything going on in the world it just didn’t feel right, so I delayed it multiple times. I’m not sure it feels right even now, but I’ve had a lot of questions about the new book’s listing on various retailers online, so I knew I couldn’t delay any longer. I’m holding onto the hope that this news will bring a smile to your face and a bit of cheer. :)

If you haven’t guessed already, my new cookbook, Oh She Glows for Dinner: Nourishing Plant-Based Meals To Keep You Glowing, is finally complete and it comes out in a couple of short months! It’s been a wild ride to cross the finish line (never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be wrapping up a cookbook during a pandemic and lockdown), but after 3 years of working away on this project, I’m absolutely thrilled to let you know all the juicy (pun intended) deets about this new book. If you subscribe to my newsletter, you may have seen the sneak peek pop into your inbox yesterday! 

Here’s a little behind-the-scenes from earlier this year when I was going over the book design!

Shifting from “behind-the-scenes” mode to “in-the-spotlight” mode doesn’t come easily for me (I’m much more of a behind-the-scenes kinda gal!), so this “launching into the world” part of the creation process is a big challenge for me on a personal level, and oh boy, the nerves I have right now are unreal. I’d be perfectly happy to work away diligently behind-the-scenes and never have to self-promote. ;) Do any of you relate? I’m always up for a good challenge, though, and getting to reconnect with you all is the icing on the vegan cake! 

This book would not have been possible without your encouragement, patience, and support throughout the whole process! It also wouldn’t have been possible without my small-but-mighty team made up of Nicole and Eric. They are my rocks, my sanity savers, my reasons for inappropriate fits of laughter, my sounding boards, my reminders to drink more caffeine and breathe, and it goes on. My incredible, diligent group of recipe testers (a special shout out and thank you to Anna, Carin, Tana, Tammy, Laurie, Caroline, Danielle, Vanessa, Lynn, Audrey, Stephanie D., Anne, Kathy, Stephanie S., Andrea, Beth, Katie, Lindsay M., Bridget, Laura, Lindsay V., Erin, Heather, Suzanne, Adrienne, Stephanie M., Carolina, Kirsten, Lori, Marina, and Kristen) have tested, and tested, and tested these recipes right alongside me and shared the most helpful feedback. And last but not least, I have so much gratitude for the amazing teams at Penguin Random House Canada and Avery! 

I held this book in my hands for the first time last week! I can’t even tell you how fast my heart was a-thumpin’ when I opened the box! It is always slightly terrifying and thrilling to open one of my books for the first time, and it really never gets any easier to send my heart and soul’s work off into the world. But I am so darn proud of this book. It’s my very first hardcover book, too!

About this book

Oh She Glows for Dinner is a reflection of what you, my dear readers, have asked me for the most over the years—more plant-based, crowd-pleasing dinner recipes! 

Dinner is something I think most of us have struggled with (I know I sure have!), and when you throw “plant-based” into the mix it can be even trickier to figure out. If you’ve ever shrugged your shoulders over what to make for a vegan meal and resorted to toast or a bowl of cereal, you certainly aren’t alone. I knew I had to create this cookbook to help answer the ever-burning “what’s for [plant-based] dinner?” question. As an added benefit, the recipes in this book also make incredible (and often portable) lunches! You’ll also find the perfect, satisfying sides to add to your dish, meal-worthy salads for every season, hearty & healing soups and stews, and a bounty of flavour-poppin’ sauces, dressings, parmesans, and pestos that you can make to change up the flavour profile (or simply punch up your dish even more). And I threw in a delicious dessert/drink chapter, of course, because it wouldn’t be an Oh She Glows cookbook without some sweet, healthified treats! ;)

What you’ll find inside:

Dietary and Cooking Labels

Each recipe indicates whether it is nut-free, gluten-free, soy-free, grain-free and/or oil-free, raw/no bake or one pot. Out of 106 vegan recipes in this cookbook, 101 are gluten-free or have a gluten-free option, 90 are nut-free or have a nut-free option, and nearly all are soy-free. I also share whether the recipe is kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and/or if any advance prep is needed. My “on the glow” label tells you whether the recipe is portable. My goal was to pack in as much helpful info as I could for you (dare I say this is my most informative book yet?)…you know me, go big or go home…lol.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Almost all of the recipes in this cookbook also include specific storage and reheating instructions, customized to each recipe. My recipe testers and I spent so much time testing the recipes to take the guesswork out of them for you!

Active Time and Total Time

Each recipe tells you how much active time and total time will be required. Active time is the time you are actively preparing food in the kitchen. Total time reflects how long the recipe takes from start to finish. If applicable, we also share Soak time and/or Chill time.

Full-page colour photographs 

I am so excited to share that I did the food photography and food styling for the recipes in this book – there are more than 100 of my photographs inside! 

Glow Getter Meal Plans 

This book includes 4 meal prep plans! Each time-saving plan provides step-by-step instructions, so you can prep or fully make 3 dinner recipes in just 60 to 90 minutes. I knew it was important to create plans that would actually work for a busy lifestyle. I’ve tried plans in the past that take 2.5 to 3 hours each week, and they just didn’t fit into my life. These plans don’t take long (60 to 90 minutes at a brisk pace) and they set you up with a few hearty meals each week!

Menus To Get Your Glow On

I also share my tried-and-true menus for special occasions or themed nights, such as Girls’ Night, Mother’s Day, Game Night, The Oh She Glows Cookbook Club Night, and more. If you have ever struggled with how to combine recipes for special meals, I really hope this will give you the inspo you need to simplify your planning. Don’t forget to check out our bonus bundle below as it includes 4 designed printable menus which correspond to menus found in the book!

Helpful Recipe Lists

My Helpful Recipe Lists index at the back of the book provides at-a-glance searching of recipes by allergy label or preference, so you can find all the gluten-free recipes grouped together in one spot, or all the kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, nut-free, one pot, and on the glow recipes. 

My Pantry Staples, Kitchen Tools and Appliances

I’ve included a condensed list of the essential pantry items I keep on hand along with my favourite tools and appliances. If I have a preferred brand, I share those names with you, so you know exactly what I use in my own kitchen.

The Oh She Glows for Dinner Bonus Bundle is here! 

The response to my pre-order bonus bundles for my previous two cookbooks was so enthusiastic, I knew I had to raise the bar and add in some exciting and unique new bonus features. This Oh She Glows for Dinner Bonus Bundle is definitely my favourite, most cheerful and creative pre-order bundle yet. All the *heart eye* emojis for this one. I had so much fun collaborating with local artist, Kayla Whitney, to create an adorable, custom Oh She Glows “Glow” downloadable art print for you to print and hang on your walls! This is my very first custom Oh She Glows print and it looks so bright and cheery on the wall. If you end up hanging the print in your house, we’d LOVE to see it! Simply tag it with #ohsheglowsfordinner on social media.

In addition to the “Glow” art print, you’ll receive 4 artfully designed Oh She Glows for Dinner menus to download and adorn your dinner table on special occasions. Super-handy Glow Getter Meal Plan printables from the new book will make prepping the plans even easier when your book arrives. It’s so convenient to print the meal plans and place them on your counter so you can cross things off as you work through the plan. Lastly, I couldn’t make you wait until October to get cooking, so I’ve included 4 advance recipes in this bundle—a few of my summer-friendly ones that we’ve been enjoying during this hot season! 

If you pre-order Oh She Glows for Dinner, keep your receipt handy and follow this link to get your free bonus bundle PDF! 

Pre-order now at the following retailers:

Amazon.ca

Amazon.com

Indigo.ca 

Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble (signed copy)

The Book Depository 

Books-A-Million

Apple Books

Amazon.co.uk

 

Please note: We earn a small commission if you purchase an item through our affiliate links above. Thank you so much for your support!

I can’t wait to hear what you think!! 

With love and gratitude,

Angela xo

Hi everyone! It has been so hard to find the right words for this post as my heart is breaking for the world right now. I hope you are all staying safe and doing well. How are you doing? I’m wishing you all love and strength to get through whatever challenges may be coming your way during this pandemic. We’re about to start our 7th week of “sheltering at home” and are all doing well & taking things one day at a time. 

A gift from my heart 

We’ve been trying to do our part by helping the community in various ways, but I also want to do a little something personal for some of my blog readers who are working on the frontlines and in essential services during this pandemic. This idea is a small way for me to connect with you and say thank you for all that you’re doing! So that said, I’d like to mail a signed and personalized copy of my brand new cookbook (my very first hardcover….eek!), along with an Oh She Glows Recipe App download, to 15 frontline and essential workers located in Canada or the US. These gifts will be sent out as soon as my book launches early this fall. Side note: I almost nixed this idea because I worried there would be hard feelings if I couldn’t send one to everyone who reaches out (I will likely have a lot more than 15 emails), but I hope you’ll understand that even though I can’t send you all one, I’d still like to do this to bring a smile to some of your faces during this difficult time. (And I’ll be doing more cookbook giveaways for the entire OSG community in the late summer and fall, too, so there will be other opportunities coming up.) You can nominate yourself or someone you know. Please send a brief email along with your city, and province or state (or your nominee’s story and location) to frontline@ohsheglows.com by May 1, 2020. We’ll select 15 frontline and essential heroes and I will cover all costs of shipping, the book, etc. Due to the volume of emails we anticipate receiving, we’ll only be able to reply to those who are selected, but I want to say a huge thank you in advance for sharing your story with me and to all of you out there who are making sacrifices for your communities every day.

A little about this soup

Today, I’m sharing a versatile, nutrient-packed, and pantry-friendly soup that I’ve been making for the past several weeks. I can’t tell you how much of a go-to recipe this has been while trying to juggle work deadlines and refereeing (oops, I mean parenting) and homeschooling. You can use virtually any veggies you have on hand as long as it totals about 8 cups (be sure to see the Tips in the recipe below for ideas). I’ve created both Instant Pot and stovetop versions for you as well. I love that I can throw everything into my Instant Pot, turn it on, and walk away! And the stovetop version is almost as simple…the only difference is that you’ll need to stir it a few times during cooking. I’m whipping this up twice weekly until the warm weather sets in. I hope it brings you some comfort during these trying days. I’d love to hear which veggie combos you use…my favourite combo so far is: broccoli, carrots, butternut squash, frozen green beans, and sliced cremini mushrooms. A nutrient powerhouse! I’m not joking when I say that I’m eating this daily for lunch…it helps balance out all the baked goods that I’ve been stuffing in my face…lol. 

PS – I’ll be sure to share a lot more details about the new book (as well as the big cover reveal!) soon. If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for our newsletter, as we’ll be relaunching it this spring and revealing the cover and details there first.

Sending you all love, good health wishes, and big virtual hugs,

Angela xoxo

Many years ago, I was reading a blog post by a blogger I’d been following for a while. She wrote about a recent struggle with depression and her honest words made such an impact on me. I remember thinking how brave it was for her to tell her story. While I hated that she was going through it, I also recall feeling comfort in her words because it was another reminder that even those we admire and put on a pedestal are human. I was just like…Wow, it must’ve taken so much for her to share that. At the time, I was early on in my blogging journey, and I told myself that I would always try to share my struggles, just like she did. 

Last week, I gave a speech at the University of Guelph at their Awards of Excellence Gala (you can see some photos in my saved story on Instagram!). In my speech, I shared how I’ve struggled with my mental health, like anxiety, since I was very young and how it’s felt debilitating at certain points in my life. I spoke about how various personal challenges have coincided with a career that’s made me face them head on. The day before the event, I almost decided to scrap my speech and write something that was easier to talk about, but I said screw it and decided to share it. It was my story! Allowing myself to feel shame surrounding my story only gives it power. 

After my speech, a man with a warm smile came up to me, crouched down next to my chair, and thanked me for my speech. He talked about a time in his life when he struggled with his mental health, and we both had tears in our eyes by the end of our conversation. Another man came up later to tell me about his young relative’s struggles. This night was yet another reminder of the power of vulnerability and it left such an impact on me!

It’s been a bit of a strange year for me (one that I can’t believe we’re already half-way through!). I went through an emotional time for the first few months of the year and found myself in a mild depression. I lost joy and passion for so many things. At certain points, I couldn’t even bring myself to get back to messages from friends and family. It makes me emotional just writing about it now because the difficult emotions of that time come back so easily. After suffering in silence for 2 to 3 months, I finally opened up to my friends and family about it and got help. I’ve been in a much better place since the spring. I wanted to be honest about it and to let you know what was going on at the time, but I didn’t feel strong enough to talk about it when I was in the thick of it.  

There’s also been another reason for my absence and this is something that’s much easier to tell you about! I have a third cookbook in the works and I’ve been working on it for about a year and a half now! Okay, okay, I did let this news “slip” in the blog comments a couple times and also in my Instagram DM’s, too, so you may already know. ;) I’ve held off announcing it here because during certain periods, well, I wasn’t even sure if it was going to come to life. When I fell into my depression at the beginning of the year, I lost passion for almost everything. Creativity and motivation aren’t things that can be forced so I just went with the flow and tried to trust that I’d feel myself again.

After working through some things and starting to feel better, it was as if a lightbulb flicked on in my head. I came to life. I was suddenly thrilled at the prospect of creating again. I could not get to work fast enough. And since late winter, I picked up where I left off before January and dove into the work that I love so much. Shortly after, Eric, Nicole, and I started working with our recipe testing group (about 40 incredible testers strong!), and things have been going better than I could’ve imagined. The recipes are so delicious…my testers are telling me it’s my best collection of recipes to date. I’m so proud of it and I’m nearly finished, only about 1 month away from handing in my manuscript. Once my manuscript is in, I’m going to be diving into the food photography, which I’ll be shooting for this 3rd book. I’m a bit nervous at the prospect of shooting 100 photos in 2 months time, but I’ll get there, one day at a time! It will be fun to shift from recipe creation and writing to something so artistic like photography. 

The cookbook is going to focus on something you all have been asking for more and more of over the years, and that’s more dinner and lunch recipes! It’s mostly going to focus on savory recipes, with a dessert chapter, of course (how could I not include a dessert chapter?). It’s going to feature food you’ll want to make for weeknight dinners, weekend meals, portable work/school lunches, and special holidays and occasions. Gah. There are so many gems. It’s slated to be out fall 2020, so not too long to wait (at least in the publishing world, this feels SO soon)!! If there’s anything you’d love to see in the book, please leave a comment below and let me know!! 

Thanks for listening and for your support through the ups and downs of life. I’m so grateful you’re here as I’ve felt like a big ‘ol failure on the blogging front this year. It’s time to shake the guilt and move onward and upward. And if you’re reading this and struggling too, I’m sending you all the love in the world and hope you can find a support system!

This is my first ever vegan ice cream recipe on the blog (can you believe it?!), and oh dear me, it’s one we can’t stop eating. I’ve been in a bit of a vegan ice cream bender since I bought this Cuisinart ice cream machine in the spring. It’s so much easier to use than I thought! Almost too easy. 

Happy Canada Day long weekend to my Canadian Friends! And happy 4th of July to my American friends! Have a safe, happy, and delicious weekend, everyone.

Want to torture a person? Give them an ice cream cone on a hot day, and tell them they can’t eat it until you’ve snapped a good pic. bahaha.