I’m feeling grateful lately. Not about any particularly ‘big’ happenings, but I guess about many little and everyday things. On the most significant level, these past few months I’ve known of several serious illnesses, including with children, in my circle. My heart goes out to those families and I cannot help but be thankful for the lives our children have and our good health. I’m not arrogant about our health. I feel we do the best we can to live healthy and prevent illnesses through our plant-based diet, but there are always factors outside of diet and not so much in our control. So, yes, I am very grateful for our family’s health. I hope to grow in my knowledge to empower us as parents – and therby empower our children later in life.
On a work-level, despite the fact that I seem to keep myself in a somewhat perpetual state of busy (to the point of chaotic many days), it feels as though many things are connecting with my work. But also in the vegan world in general. We are reaching a pivotal point, where awareness will soon break open much wider and inspire more people to at least significantly reduce their consumption of animal products if not adopt a full plant-based or vegan diet. Do you also feel this? While I am not oblivious to the great amount of work we have ahead to eliminate animal suffering and improve our culture’s state of dis-ease, I really feel a shift in beliefs and habits is on the horizon.
I am feeling hopeful for changes in society, and also grateful for those of you that connect with me everyday. Through email, here on my blog, and also facebook and twitter – you motivate me to continue my work. On a lighter note (because this post is getting serious!) – this week my ‘online kitchen’, aka my facebook page, reached 10K likes. Pretty fun! I thank you for joining me and being so engaged with posts and discussions. Don’t tell pinterest and twitter, but facebook is my favorite. Shhh. 
One final gratitude entry. I have received kindness and goodwill from people I’ve come to know online, as well as in person. Some of you I knew only as acquaintances and now we have friendships. Others have reached out to provide some assistance to me in my work, knowing I’m juggling too many balls! So, I thank you for the kind and helpful and generous people you are. I’ve expressed as much by email to you, and if you are reading this just know I appreciate your goodness.
Today, I want to give back a little. The best way I know how is with a good ol’ giveaway of my stuff!
How about we line up FIVE of you with one of my cookbooks (your choice!) plus… my new ebook? That’s 5 winners, each taking home a cookbook and ebook. If you have my books and ebook, enter anyway! I’ll send them to a friend for you.
I saw this image with Gratitude Mantras from Integrative Nutrition, and thought that this is something we can all reflect on daily. When we are having a crummy day, a hectic “Calgon-take-me-away” mama day (yes, I’ve dated myself), or just any kind of challenging or ‘blah’ day –
– we can always remember the blessings we do have.
To enter this “Gratitude Giveaway”, join me with a comment of something you are thankful for right now - be it big or small, silly or serious.
I am grateful for all of the love I have in my family and life, and for the community of supportive and enlightening readers I have in you. ♡
Now I am off to make cupcakes for our wee girl’s 4th birthday. 
