I recently received a copy of Peggy Kotsopoulos’s Must Have Been Something I Ate to review from the vegan nutrition company, Vega.
“Peggy K is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist who encourages people to make healthier lifestyle and dietary choices that are realistic and delicious! Her new book is called Must Have Been Something I Ate and discusses the connection between the food we eat and how it makes us feel! It also features awesome recipes (vegan options, included) and how to live a more healthy and vibrant lifestyle.”
Kotsopoulos’ main argument is one that many of us food bloggers (and readers!) believe as well: that what you put in your body directly affects how we look and feel. So in her book, she highlights ways to alleviate depression (with omega 3s), fight road rage (with holy basil), induce drowsiness (with valerian root… the main ingredient in one of my college-era staples, Sleepytime Extra tea). She tells us about “PMS cures” and which foods are “weight loss wonders.”
While the book isn’t specifically labeled as a weight-loss manual, there is one chapter called “Muffin Tops” and another called “Thuttocks and Man Boobs.” Kotsopoulos’ writing style is VERY relaxed; she frequently refer to us- her readers- as “peeps”, and instructs us to “get our minds out of the gutter” after alerting us to the fact that asparagus resembles a phallus. Ahem.
One thing that was a BIG turn-off to me was that rather than simply promoting the healthfulness of her recipes, she’s given them names like “Apple Oatmeal Anti-Muffin Tops” and “Guilt-Free Blueberry Jam.” I dislike the common assumption that there is something wrong with our bodies that needs to be “de-muffined,” AND the idea that a single food can do that job in one sitting. We hear this enough from just about every media outlet, so shouldn’t a holistic cookbook be a safe place for us? I don’t need to set up a “PMS-proof cabinet” in my kitchen, nor do I believe that my cravings need to be “kicked to the curb.” If I’m having a real craving, my body is trying to tell me something!
The above aside, the recipes- mostly raw and vegan- do look scrumptious. I have my eye on the I “Heart” Key Lime Pie and the Lemon Berry Tart for when I have a little more time to spend in the kitchen. This past week, I selected a fast and easy recipe for Chocolate Mousse, because I happened to have all of the ingredients on-hand!
Chocolate Mousse, from Must Have Been Something I Ate by Peggy Kotsopoulos
Serves 4
- 2 cups cooked, puréed pumpkin
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix well with a fork.
–
It was simple and delicious, and very similar to easy desserts I already make at home. The coconut oil, however, brought a really rich dimension to the mousse!
I tried another recipe- for Quinoa Cookies- but it didn’t work out so well. It was probably my own fault because I made more substitutions than usual because of what I had around, but when I do have the right things I plan on trying them again.
Vega graciously gifted me two copies of the book, and one is for you!
Want to win one? Here’s how to enter!
1. Comment below (mandatory)! Say anything you like… bonus points if you have a funny joke 
.
2. Tweet this! “@Lilveggiepatch is giving away a @vegateam cookbook!”
3. “Like” Lilveggiepatch on Facebook. My fan page is lonely!
You have until Saturday, June 25th, to enter. (Contest open to US and Canadian residents, only, sorry. I’m shipping out of pocket!) Good luck!
i really dig your use of “de-muffined.”
while “anti-muffin top” oats don’t appeal to me so much… i could FOR REAL use some ancient holistic wisdom to get me good and sleepy. and if that sagacity is served with a side of sorority girl sass… i’ll take it.
and this is literally the only joke i know… are you ready?
what did the fish say when he swam into a wall?
“dam(n).”
… that one got me in trouble in middle school.
Wait.. Apples not asparagus will de-muffin my top in one sitting?!? If they didn’t look like green phalluses I would return the 3lbs of asparagus I just bought!!
A pirate walked into a bar with a steering wheel hanging out of his pants. The bartender says, “There’s a steering wheel in your pants!” and the pirate says “Arrrr… I know. It’s drivin’ me nuts.”
This book looks great. Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway!
Tweeted!
Liked you on FB!
I love how she focuses the book on how food really impacts your life, very cool! Hope you had a fantastic weekend
This book looks really fun!
How’s this for honesty: I just *ahem* apologized to Pea D and said, “Must’ve been something I ate.”
I think I earn a cookbook for owning that.
But that pirate joke is pretty awesome too.
I’m not feeling super hilarious BUT I’d love to win a new cookbook
Thanks for the chance to win! I hear this book is awesome:)
That book sounds like something I’d love to read! Thanks for the giveaway!
this looks interesting!!! id love to read it :]
tweet tweet! @____kelsey
i just recently heard of this book – it’s supposed to be great. thanks!
Ok, so I don’t have an awesome joke..but I did just google Best Jokes Ever, and so shall re-direct you to here: http://davesjokes.blogspot.com/
Apparently, it has the best jokes ever
OH, ignore that comment – I just realised it’s not a UK-too give away
I don’t have any jokes, but if you haven’t seen My Drunk Kitchen on YouTube, you totally should. Plenty of jokes and laughs, better than what I could do!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTyotI3IHFQ
Already liked Lilveggiepatch on facbeook!
Tweeted!
I’ve been curious about this book.
Well I have start saying “Are you kitten me?” instead of “Are you kidding me?” Some people pick up on it, others don’t, and the majority just think I am crazy.
I’d love to try some of her recipes! Thanks for the chance!
This sounds like a great book for some summertime inspiration. I’ve hit a major wall when it comes to creativity which is bad since I’m still working on my hubby to join the “dark side” of meatlessness.
What animals are poor dancers?
Four-legged ones. They have two left feet!
I’m a dental professional and I say to my very elderly patient “you have a lot of plaque today ” he replies with ” huh!? I got a lot of crack ? ” I lost it , good thing I wear a mask because I couldn’t stop laughing
mmm… chocolate mousse!
I totally agree with you that associating guilt with eating is not something I’m a fan of. I remember chatting with a group of classmates in college once when they asked me about a recent 40 mile bike ride I’d completed the previous day. I happened to be eating a cookie in the student union while this conversation was going on, and one of the girls in the group said, “So you biked all those miles and now you are just going to undo it all with that cookie?” How sad to constantly think that any kind of treat is “undoing” exercise! I believe in enjoying a cookie here and there with my fruits and veggies. I also belive in getting exercise that is as enjoyable as possible and focusing on how great I feel during and after, not what types of “sins” my exercise is fixing.
I have been hearing so much about this book lately. I would love a copy of my own to read!
I’ve been hearing about this book too much lately! I actually really wanna check it out now! Anyway a funny joke… hmm..
Oh how about one that my niece told me last night!
Why did Tiger looking in the toilet?
He was looking for Pooh!
~
Hahaha so cute & and cheesy! Brownie points?
Awesome giveaway love!!
ooo i have a joke:
A rude tourist was looking at paintings in a museum. He didn’t find anything interesting and turned to the attendant while pointing to a large frame.
Tourist: (making an ugly face) Is this what you call art?
Attendant: No sir, this is what we call a mirror.
hehe
xoxo
and not only do i like those cookies, I LIKE YOU ON FACEBOOK <3
I’m gonna link to this on my next post!!
Every time I post I put links to other blog’s posts that I like. 
I’m also going to like you on fb!!
I wish I had a funny joke but I’m having the summer blues before I move back home
tweeted! @Squigglemefloey
what did sushi A say to sushi B….?
WASSAAABIIIIIIII
hahahahahahahahahaha its my favorite corner joke
As an avid blog reader of this “healthy living” blog community, I’ve seen this cookbook offered in a few giveaways, but you’re the only one who really discussed the “fat talk” that is used throughout it. I love how honest you are you products and goods you receive (not that others aren’t honest, you just always give thorough reviews without holding back at all).
Regardless, I’d love to have a new cookbook to try out =)
Nicole G
Ooooooh! That book sounds intriguing. My boss in Colorado was a vegan, so I ended up trying a lot more vegan foods and vegetarian restaurants. It was enlightening; especially when she gave me her vegan waffle recipe and they turned out FABulous. Flax & water as an egg replacement may as well have been magic for how well it worked!
im so not a funny person, so this comment will not be funny (sorrrryyyyy) but ive actually made that mousse before – not because i was trying out a recipe but because i was just throwing together random ingredients that i liked – and it was yummy!
i tweeted!
I’m intrigued by the quinoa cookies — I’m eager to know if they turn out next time you make them!
What did the female mushroom say about the male mushroom?
He’s a real fungi.
I totally agree with you about the diet mentality of the book. Holistic nutrition should steer clear of this idea!
Sorry I don’t have any jokes. But, I would love to win this cookbook!
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/mgonyeo/statuses/84070452472979458
I “liked” you on facebook!