Christy Morgan - Blissful Bites: Vegan Meals That Nourish Mind, Body, and Planet

Christy Morgans deliciously divine cookbook will help you heal and soar, one blissful bite at a time.

Kris Carr, New York Times bestselling author

Christy Morgan's beautiful cookbook is so much more than a collection of recipes. Time-saving food preparation tips, helpful cooking techniques, and kitchen tool recommendations are peppered among recipes that nourish the body, mind, and spirit. Blissful Bites is a wonderful guide for those who want to experience the bliss of a plant-based diet!

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, bestselling author of such books as The Joy of Vegan Baking , Color Me Vegan , and The 30-Day Vegan Challenge

Blissful Bites is everything youve wanted on your path to optimal health, all in one beautiful book! The recipes are a paradise for your taste buds and a treat for your body. Christy Morgan has devised each one to bring you to the best of health in the most delicious possible way. If you want to slim down and boost your energy, or if you have any health concernexcess weight, high cholesterol, or diabetes, for examplethis book will give you the tools you need. Christy Morgans wonderful book makes the journey to health wonderfully easy and delicious!

Neal Barnard, M.D., president, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Finallya cookbook that speaks directly to the soul! Christy Morgans Blissful Bites is a perfect combination of healthy and satisfying recipe ideas, both light and filling, with just the right mix of food philosophy and spiritual inspiration blended in. Emphasizing local, organic, seasonal, plant-based cuisine, there is a solid and friendly feel to this book that inspires trust and confidence. Highly recommended!

Dr. Will Tuttle, Ph.D., author of the bestselling book The World Peace Diet , recipient of the Courage of Conscience Award , the co-founder of Circle of Compassion, and an acclaimed pianist and composer

Blissful Bites will take you on a spiritual culinary journey. It is filled with mouth-watering recipes that are healthy and easy to prepare. This cookbook should be a staple in everyone's kitchen.

Kim Barnouin, co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Skinny Bitch

Blissful Bites will inspire you to make delicious, healthy meals youll enjoy feeding your family. Christy Morgan makes plant-based eating easy and addictive!

Rory Freedman, co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Skinny Bitch

I met Christy a couple of years ago and was struck immediately by her passion for good food and healthy living. Her energetic style shines in the pages of this book along with a depth of knowledge not often seen in such a young chef. I love this book: the variety, the options, the way she alignsin harmonydiffering views on healthy eating. She blends macrobiotics, veganism, raw foods, and low-oil cooking to create truly blissful bites. A must-have for anyone interesting in healthy ... and blissful living.

Christina Pirello, Emmy Award-winning host of the national public television series Christina Cooks , bestselling author of six books, including Cooking the Whole Foods Way , named Healthiest Cookbook of the Decade in January 2010

The words clean, wholesome, and pure spring off the page from this refreshing cookbook full of light, enticing recipes that put the being back into human being. You'll want to embrace the energy of whole foods and real meals made easy as pie with Blissful Bites .

Ingrid Newkirk, PETA founder

What makes Christys book, Blissful Bites: Vegan Meals That Nourish Mind, Body, and Planet , stand out is her helpful nature, depth of knowledge, and ability to convey information to cooks of all skill levels in an enthusiastic, clear, and welcoming way. This book is a must-have for anyones kitchenvegan, macrobiotic, or just curious about eating healthy and delicious food.

Fran Costigan, author of More Great Good Dairy Free Desserts Naturally

Using only healthy, whole food ingredients, Blissful Bites is packed full of simple vegan recipes to help you add a delicious twist to any meal. This book is a must-have for every kitchen.

Ani Phyo, author of Ani's Raw Food Asia

I am constantly amazed by Christys ability to whip up stellar dishes seemingly out of thin air; she is prolific, talented, and an inspiration. Blissful Bites is a must-have in any healthy kitchen."

Jessica Porter, author of The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics

Dedicated to everyone on a path to bliss

Copyright 2011 by Christy Morgan

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

BenBella Books, Inc.

10300 N. Central Expressway, Suite 400

Dallas, TX 75231

www.benbellabooks.com

Send feedback to feedback@benbellabooks.com

Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available for this title.

ISBN: 978-1-935618-51-5

Editing by Debbie Harmsen and Sara Cassidy

Copyediting by Sherri Lerner

Proofreading by Stacia Seaman

Cover design by Kit Sweeney

Text design and composition by Kit Sweeney

Photographs by Melissa Schwartz and Melanie Shatto

www.schwartzstudios.com

www.melaniemorganshatto.com

Index by Christy Morgan

Printed by Bang Printing

Distributed by Perseus Distribution

www.perseusdistribution.com

To place orders through Perseus Distribution:

Tel: 800-343-4499

Fax: 800-351-5073

E-mail: orderentry@perseusbooks.com

table of contents

cheffave

chef favorites

fanfave

fan favorites

I love food. Actually, I am downright crazy about it. But I also love to feel healthy. Sometimes the two can create a tough balance especially as a vegan.

A decade ago, I was living on junk and fast foods. Even though I enjoyed every bite, the reality of eating that junk for so many years began to catch up with me. I couldnt figure out why I was constantly feeling like crap. So I started to explore the possible causes, and finally some research on my health issues led me to the disturbing finding that these ailments might be a product of what I was eating. It all became clear when I discovered the concept of healing through food. I thought it sounded crazy at first, but I decided to give it a try. After all, what did I have to lose? To my amazement, I started to get better. Then I started to feel better than I had in years, all thanks to foodthe right food, that is. After about a year of refining my diet, I decided to study holistic nutrition and share what worked for me with anyone who would listen. The light bulb went off in my head and my mission was born: Help as many people as possible change the way they eat. Thus, the Skinny Bitch series was born.

I first met Christy in late summer of 2009 for a blind lunch date at Seed Caf in Venice Beach, California. We both knew prior to the lunch that we had a lot in common. Were both crazy about food and passionate about helping people get healthy. In getting to know Christy, I learned about the path that brought her to where she is today and how her own discoveries of the healing powers of foods led her to be a powerhouse in the kitchen and a true educator through her cooking classes, instructional videos, and role as a blogger. I became one of the fortunate who have experienced first-hand just how amazing her dishes are, after she came to my house and worked her magic in my kitchen. (Note to parents reading this book: even my then 3-year-old son loved every bite.)