Happy 2025! How did January fly by so quickly? It’s hard to believe we’re already in February, and I’m especially excited because this month marks a milestone for Sweet Potato Soul. This past weekend we celebrated the blog’s 15th anniversary, and today, February 4, is the release day of my second cookbook, Vegan Vibes! I’ve been working on this book for more than two years, and I’m thrilled it’s finally in your hands.
In this edition of “Beyond the Kitchen with Jenné” I’ll share a bit about the cookbook and the process of bringing it to life, along with some press highlights and upcoming events.
What’s New
It feels like I’ve been developing Vegan Vibes since I moved to Atlanta—signing the contract to release has taken over 2.5 years. No wonder it feels especially meaningful to finally share it with you.
Vegan Vibes represents a culmination of my best work. I aim to bring thoughtful, flavorful vegan food to the blog, my YouTube channel, and social channels every day, but writing and testing recipes for a cookbook is a different kind of deep labor. The book contains 100 recipes—some favorites from the blog, but most are brand-new. I write about vegan eating as a lifestyle of abundance, offer practical tips for thriving on plants, show how to add more produce to your plate, and outline pantry essentials. My goal was to create the one cookbook you’ll turn to again and again.
Recipes I’m Loving
I love every recipe in Vegan Vibes, but here are a few I’m most excited for you to try from different sections of the book:
Divinely Decadent Chocolate Pancakes — page 44
Jerk Sweet Potato Fries (we’ll make these during tonight’s live YouTube class) — page 106
Seaside Stew — page 138
Perfect Pea Pesto Pasta (pictured below) — page 185
Miso-Caramel-y Banana Pudding (pictured below) — page 192
Green Girl Gimlet — page 220
Wellness Tip
Try the 80/20 or 90/10 approach: aim for at least 80–90% wholesome, minimally processed foods. Limiting highly processed foods and alcohol to no more than 20% of your intake can reduce their negative impacts and help support overall health. This approach can also ease the transition to a more plant-forward diet. I’m fully vegan, but about 10% of what I eat includes treats, restaurant meals, or processed plant-based alternatives. Still, I feel great most of the time.
Perfection isn’t required. Nutrient-dense plant foods provide the building blocks your body needs, and it’s important to let food bring you joy—enjoyment is part of wellbeing too.
Upcoming events
February 4, 2025 at 6pm EST: Live online cooking class and Q&A on my YouTube channel.
February 6, 2025 at 7pm, Atlanta, GA: Book signing and conversation at Eagle Eye Books.
March 8–15, 2025: Holistic Holiday at Sea Cruise — I’ll be teaching several vegan cooking classes and signing books. This vegan-focused getaway fills up quickly, so consider reserving a spot if you’re interested.
Cookbook Press
- Forks Over Knives interview
- Keep On Cookin’ podcast appearance
- Mother Magazine feature
- Vegan Posse podcast interview
Listen to this podcast
I recently binge-listened to The Telepathy Tapes, a podcast exploring claims that some non-verbal autistic people communicate through telepathy. The series features interviews with autistic individuals, their families, clinicians, and researchers. While the show has sparked debate about methods and claims, it offers a thought-provoking look into an intriguing topic.
In closing
This book release has been quieter than my last—fewer TV appearances and fewer interviews—but that has given me space to reflect on what this accomplishment means. I’m proud, grateful to everyone who helped bring the cookbook to life, and thankful for your ongoing support. I hope Vegan Vibes makes your meals more delicious and your cooking more joyful.