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Self Improvement / Healthy Living

Interview with Lindsay Nixon the Happy Herbivore – Part 2

Michael Anthony

Lindsay Nixon the happy herbivore interviewLindsay Nixon is a chef and the author of two vegan cookbooks: The Habby Herbivore and Everyday Happy Herbivore (and a third one is on the way: Happy Herbivore Abroad).  You can follow her blog at: HappyHerbivore.com.

Q: Your second book was recently released which is another great cookbook, Everyday Happy Herbivore, and I know that you’ve been a blogger for some time now, but how did you make the jump into becoming a best-selling author? What was the process like for you?

A: You can read about how I got my first book deal here:

http://happyherbivore.com/2011/12/how-i-got-my-book-deal/

and read about my life as an author here:

http://happyherbivore.com/2011/10/how-i-make-living-hint-its-not-blogging/

I attribute all my success to my fans and their word of mouth campaign. They made me a best seller.

Q: I know what it’s like to publish a basic non-fiction book—a lot of going back and forth with editors, fix this, change this, get rid of that—but what is it like for a cookbook? Does the editor or someone at the publishing company have to try the recipes before they make it into the book? Or is that just a bonus for them?

A: I have a team of testers so by the time my publisher gets my manuscript all the recipes are fully tested and ready for print. All I do with my publisher is discuss layout, the design for the cover and my copyeditor cleans up my grammar where necessary.

Q: For those vegan and vegetarians who have recipes of their own, what tips do you recommend if they want to get their cookbook published?

A: It’s a really tough business and there’s no money in it, even if your book is a best-seller. The market is so over saturated with vegan books that you have to have a totally new idea– something that hasn’t been done yet. You also have to have a large and very supportive fan base; you need their help to get the word out about your book and you need them for a publisher to find you attractive.

It also has to be about passion — I can’t harp on that enough. It can’t be about fame or money. Most books don’t make it. Most authors don’t see much money for their work. To have a successful book, you have to work harder than you’ve ever worked and with the sobering reality that your book still might not make it — and the only way you’ll do that is if you have unrelenting passion.

For those who are really serious, check out the 2012 Guide to Literary Agents and prepare for lots of rejection.

Q: What was the hardest part of the publishing process?

A: self-doubt.

Q: What was the best part about becoming an author?

A: Knowing that my books are helping people eat better. I get to play a small part in changing peoples lives. That is the most rewarding gift of all. It’s why I do what I do.

Q: Both your books combined give us over three hundred recipes. That’s an insane amount of options, and it seems like you’ve already covered everything–there can’t be too many things that you haven’t already put in the books. So is that it, or can we expect more great recipes in the future. Anything good you’re working on now?

A: Happy Herbivore Abroad will be here December 4, 2012 and I’ve just signed on to write three more cookbooks.

 

Read Part One Of This Interview: Part One of an Interview with Lindsay Nixon The Happy Herbivore

 

Best Of, Self Improvement / Healthy Living, Self Improvement / Healthy Living

Interview with Lindsay Nixon the Happy Herbivore

Michael Anthony

Lindsay Nixon the happy herbivore interviewLindsay Nixon is a chef and the author of two vegan cookbooks: The Habby Herbivore and Everyday Happy Herbivore (and a third one is on the way: Happy Herbivore Abroad).  You can follow her blog at: HappyHerbivore.com.
Q: Your first book, The Happy Herbivore, features over 175 healthy vegan recipes, which is a huge number of recipes—most people, myself included, probably only know a dozen—so I’ve gotta ask, what keeps you going recipe after recipe?

A: What keeps a painter painting? Exactly 🙂

Q: What’s would you recommend for someone who wants to start coming up with their own recipes?

A: Get in the kitchen and try. Find your own style and vision. Don’t be afraid to fail.

Q: Your recipes are all healthy and vegan, but sometimes it’s hard to get someone to eat something healthy, and I’ve heard the best way to do it is a little bit at a time. So if you were trying to convince someone to start eating healthy, what’s the first thing you’d tell them to do; give up sugar, give up meat, give up dairy or wheat, etc?

A: If nothing else, give up dairy. It’s the worst. It’s a good starting point, too but I find most people have better success (long-term) when they make a total 180 rather than take baby steps, but we all have to do what’s best for us.

Q: You’ve mentioned to me that your father and brother-in-law both served in the military, and for all those veterans who are vegans/vegetarians or are thinking about becoming one, what tips can you give for when they’re out in the field or are deployed to a secluded area where a Whole Foods, or any grocery store for that matter , aren’t available? (I.E. What vegan snacks/foods would you recommend for a very, very, very long camping trip?)

A: A friend of mine is a vegetarian in the Army. He’s been deployed twice and both times they had vegetarian options in the field, which I think is fantastic. He also has a lot of care packages sent from the states. I sent him instant oatmeal, granola bars, trail mix, packets of peanut butter.

I’d have sent canned beans if they weren’t so heavy!

Another friend of mine works for the UN and spent about a year in rural Africa doing humanitarian relief work. She stayed vegan the entire time; she got by eating the vegetables and grains she could find (including digging yuca roots from the ground) and she took a suitcase full of mori-nu tofu.

I also took a class last summer on edible wild plants and will never look at the ground the same. Anyone who is camping or being stationed abroad (assuming it’s not the desert) absolutely should take one of those classes. You’ll never go hungry if their are leaves, weeds, flowers and roots to eat. Some are quite tasty!

Q: When you’re working on a new recipe how long does it take before you’re happy with it?

A: It depends. Most recipes I nail it on the first try. Others take a second go, a small tweak or something. A small handful took over 5 tries, but I really wanted it to work so I kept trying. Usually if it’s not a win first time I move on to something new.

Q: How do you decide which recipes make it into the book?

A: I have a large group of testers. Their feedback determines everything.

Q: Favorite recipe from The Happy Herbivore Cookbook?

A: Asking a chef to pick their favorite recipe is like asking a parent to pick their favorite kid 🙂

Q: You’ve got another book that recently came out, Everyday Happy Herbivore; what can we expect from your new book that wasn’t in your first?

A: EHH came out last December- – and I have a new book coming out this December, Happy Herbivore Abroad.

My first book (HHC) is all about comfort foods — recreating healthy and vegan versions of foods we grew up with like “fried” chicken, or “meatball subs” or pizza. EHH is more of a streamlined “back to basics” cookbook. HH Abroad, as the name suggestions, is international cuisine.

Q: Any last tips for someone trying to cook a healthy vegan meal?

A: Stick to the basics: fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.

Read Part Two Of This Interview: Part Two of an Interview with Lindsay Nixon The Happy Herbivore

Blogishness, Self Improvement / Healthy Living

Landmark Forum Video’s From Veteran’s

Michael Anthony

I’ve had a few posts about the Landmark Forum, my first was a thorough review, and the second, most recent one, talked about how Landmark is holding free forum’s for Veteran’s.  Well, recently, I came across some videos with veteran’s talking about their experiences with Landmark and I thought it’d be relevant to share.

The first video is Tim Maloney a Vietnam Veteran:

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzXKgxGYDPk&[/tube]

 

The Second one is Gary Rideout a Desert Storm Veteran:

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVltnOyhY8Y&[/tube]

 

Related Posts:

The Landmark Forum for Veterans

My Thorough Review of the Landmark Forum

 

Politics / News

Issues Surrounding Veterans and Prisoners of War – Guest Post

Michael Anthony

One of the possible subjects in writing military essays is the issues that surround veterans and prisoners of war.  There are quite a many issue involving veterans and POWs, which should be addressed not only by military essays and reports but also of their respective governments. Veterans and POWs often get special attention from their respective countries because of the sacrifices they made during a conflict.

Before naming the issues, it may be helpful to define first the words “veteran” and “POW.” Military essays often used jargons understandable by a few people, and it is better if readers know what this article is referring to. The term veteran used in this composition refers to any military individual who has experienced being directly involved or exposed to acts of armed conflicts. The term POW, meanwhile, refers to any individual, whether civilian or combatant, who was held in custody by an opposing side during or after an armed conflict.

One issue that surrounds veterans and POWs is that some of them have found it very hard to adjust to normal life after retiring from military service. Some of them have developed suicidal tendencies and penchant for violence and alcohol problems. Not a few veterans and POWS have developed post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. This disorder causes severe fear and helplessness after exposure to any event that could psychological trauma like wars.

Another issue that involves veterans and POWs is the lack of government support or care for veterans and POWs. According to an article in the London Metro, many war veterans “plunged into alcohol problems, crime and suicide” upon their return from a conflict, since not enough was done to care for them. Many veterans and POWs also succumbed to homelessness and relationship deteriorations. Instead of getting support, they are now suffering.

Related Posts:

Veteran’s Day Post

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Afghanistan War Poll

 

Uncategorized

Me and My Personal Statement – Guest Post

Michael Anthony

Looking back at the past, one of my dreams when I was a tenth-grader was to enter a prestigious college in the country and study medicine. Back then, my choices were Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial College. I’m now a student at a good medical school, although it might not be as great as the schools of my dream.

There was a time when I thought I could not enter a good college because of my grades. I’m a good student, but there were
occurrences that caused me to lower my guards and to become lax in my studies.

But why am I now a medical student?

The main reason why I am now studying a medical course is because I was able to convince the people manning the admission committee of my chosen university that I am suited to become a doctor.

How? Just through my personal statement. When I submitted my application to the UCAS, prime agency in charge of admissions in the UK, I made sure that I included a very convincing and emotion-moving personal statement. It was my only chance to prove that I am suited to become a medical student!

Well, I did focus all my personal feelings into my personal statement. That was the only way that I could justify my grades in high
school and persuade the university to accept me.  Of course, I have to support my statement with facts. I also focused on parading my skills and strengths, on how I could use them to succeed in this course. I also outlined my hobbies and interests that show the attitude that I could use to spring myself to success.

I think those were the secret why I’m now a medical student. I would not mind if you pattern your statement after mine!

Additional Posts:

5 Tips to Writing an MFA Personal Statement.

Blogishness, Self Improvement / Healthy Living, Uncategorized

INTRODUCTION TO THE LANDMARK FORUM FOR VETERANS

Michael Anthony

Where:  317A W. 33rd St. (in Manhattan—33rd and 8th Ave near Penn Station), New York, NY

When:  Monday, March 26, 2012 at 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm (all guests are requested to arrive by 6:45 pm)

Cost: Free of charge

The Landmark Forum is a 3.5-day seminar centering on a unique and seldom-studied area of practical philosophy known as “ontology.” In independent research, more than 94% of participants surveyed reported that The Landmark Forum made a “profound and lasting difference” in their lives. In addition to the benefits participants expected to receive, they reported entirely unexpected benefits, including:

• More satisfaction, peace of mind, happiness, and enjoyment in their jobs, studies, and other pursuits.

• Better relationships with co-workers, families & friends.

• Renewed ability to create career opportunities; clarity to make important decisions regarding one’s future career.

• New ability to be fully self-expressed; freedom from resentment and regret.

In this evening you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the Landmark Forum, connect with other Veterans and potentially discover some of the decisions you’ve made in your past that, the knowledge of which, will have a profound impact on your future.

Your family members, friends, co-workers are absolutely invited as well.

As indicated in the flyer, this Special Introduction is being held on Monday, March 26th, at 7:00 PM (arrive at 6:45 PM), at Landmark Education’s Manhattan location: 317-A West 33rd St. (between 8th & 9th Aves.) (closer to 8th Ave., on the North/uptown side of 33rd St.)

To reserve a seat, email Karen Aramino at: karamino@landmarkeducation.net

CLICK HERE TO READ MY REVIEW OF THE LANDMARK FORUM

 

Blogishness, Politics / News

Late Guest Post — Happy Veteran’s Day!

Michael Anthony

This is a guest post from Marc.  He was a medic in the Army for six years, until he had to leave because of an injury.  He wrote this note a few years ago on Veteran’s Day and wanted to share it.  I know it’s not currently Veteran’s Day, but who cares.  Vets are Vets every day.  Here’s his post:

“In honor of all of our nations veterans on this…the week of Veteran’s Day…I thought that I would share my own thoughts on the matter at hand…and that is, what it’s like to be a Veteran, and maybe shed some light on the complexity of the contrast of being here at home, and the other side…

People call us heros…like we saved 30 kids from a burning bus, and we wear a cape…I understand the mentality behind this depiction of young men and women gearing up to go do things that 98% of Americans won’t do, and the sacrifice’s that we make to do our jobs…I just don’t think any of us consider ourselves heros…hell, the majority of us feel as if we didn’t go do what we have done than we didn’t fulfill our contractual obligations…for some, that is just not acceptable…We have a job to do, that we were trained to do…and most of us trained as hard as we did to the standard of combat, not to the standard of being on home soil during peace time…From Basic Training on through AIT, our training is driven so that we can react in a combat situation…Not so that we can look good in our uniforms at the local Wal-Mart…

Life down range is different than life back home…I’m not just talking about the obvious differences like the landscape, the temprature, and the fact that we are surrounded every day by people who not only want to kill us, but want to distroy the American image in the process…I’m talking about our everyday life over there…our daily interactions with people…eating habbits, our excercise habbits, our sleeping patterns, our dress code, our state of mind…all different than it was back home….On the other side it seems as though things are just more simplistic…There are people who cook our food for us…people to cut our hair…a PX to buy necessities…a mail room…hell for most of us in the days, months, and years we were over there, we  didn’t even have to flush a toilet, and our biggest concern was whether or not we would have hot water for our shower that day…We spend a bunch of time trying to find the best way to communicate with the people we are working with…the barriers of language are a hurdle some can’t seem to overcome…complacency is an enemy…and soon breeds stupidity, so most leaders over there are just trying to find ways to keep their youngin’s from getting into trouble…and of course keep themselves out of trouble…This is an impossible task sometimes….

Some of us found ourselves in some very hairy situations…the kind of situations that will be the highlight of some Holywood director’s screen play some day…bullets flying, explosions, blood, and of course radio chatter…These situations are hard to forget…we try…but it doesn’t just go away…It has been said and written many times that the worst scares of war are the ones you can’t see…There is a truth to that, because you can’t put a bandage on the mind and make it all disappear…and for the most part time doesn’t help the situation out any either…actually time makes healing unabtainable….Everytime a well wisher shakes my hand and thanks me for serving my country, all I think to myself is…”If this guy only knew some of the shit I did…I doubt he would be thanking me”…but I take the gesture as a part of them saying thank you for doing something that most of us won’t do…and that seems more realistic to me, and that is how I justify to myself that it’s ok to get those thank yous…

There are so many stages of deployment…It sucks when you leave your family back home…It sucks that you share a housing area with people you normally wouldn’t live with….it sucks that every meal revolves around chicken…It sucks that when you have the runs, you have to shit in a porta-potty…It sucks when you wake up late and miss your workout, and you have to take a cold shower…it sucks you can’t do your own laundry…it sucks not getting mail…the holidays suck…the heat really fucking sucks…the critters suck…the sand sucks…internet connection sucks…AFN only shows a few football games and it’s never your team and that sucks…It sucks getting shot at…it sucks knowing you may have to shoot back…and yes it sucks when you have to come home….

Coming home is the hardest thing you can do as a troop…I know that sounds stupid, seeings how you just spent the better part of a year wishing you were back home…but your daily routine is set into place…you have a scence of accomplishment and a scence of abandonment at the same time…and believe it or not what you did while you were there is a small blip on the screen for a very large cause…and you just know that there is so much more to do…the cultivated relationships you formulated while you were there vanish in the matter of seconds…and your scense of drive just got the smack down layed on it by the reality of…oh shit…I have to go home and be normal…Not an easy task…

So… to all my brothers and sisters in arms…I say to you welcome home…I know how you feel…Happy Veterans Day my friends….

 

Similar Posts:

Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Fund

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Best Of, Politics / News, Politics / News

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund – Remembering Those Who Served (Guest Post)

Michael Anthony

My name is Jan C Scruggs, Founder and President of the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial. 30 years ago, I helped build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This
monument healed millions with the engravings on a black granite wall.  Now, I am taking those names and putting a story and picture behind it in a new museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC; the Education Center at The Wall.

The Education Center of The Wall will change the people who visit it. For the
nearly 40 percent, of visitors who weren’t even born when The Wall was completed, it will transform the long list of names cut in the smooth black
granite. Instead of simply names visitors will see the faces and know the stories of the 58,000 heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War.

Through interactive exhibits and primary source materials, visitors will be able to better understand the profound impact the Vietnam War had on their family members, their home towns, their communities and the nation. Visitors will understand the importance of The Wall and the role it continues to play in healing the deep physical, emotional and societal wounds left by the war.

One of those interactive exhibits is called the Call for Photos. VVMF is trying to collect every single photograph of each person on The Wall. People are sending us photographs daily, along with personal remembrances. Here is one we received yesterday. It was written for Charles Perkins from Barbara:

“He was shot on Hill 861 on March 28, 1968 while patrolling the perimeter. He was dusted (taken by helicopter) to the U.S.S. Repose where he was operated on some 34 times, given too many blood transfusions to count and he died on May 17, 1968. Chuck was a wonderful man and always a Marine first. He was respected by his peers and his troops as well. He loved everything about life, loved boating, fishing and long walks on the beach. I have heard from so many people over the years and all so nice. A Dr. who cared for Chuck on the U.S.S. Repose called me and told me how hard he fought to come home but it was not to be. He was the love of my life and I will always miss him.”

Barbara and Charles were engaged just before Charles left for Vietnam.

It’s my goal to share Barbara’s submission in the Education Center, so generations to come can know the legacy of this great patriot. It’s also my goal to break ground on the Education Center this Veterans Day.

In order to raise the rest of the needed funds so we can break ground, from now until Veterans Day, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is issuing a Service Branch Challenge. The challenges each of us to support the Education Center and show pride in one of the branches of the service.

General Barry McCaffrey, USA (Ret) has agreed to lead the charge for the US Army, in their efforts. “The Education Center at The Wall will be a place where our fallen comrades and their stories will live on forever,” said McCaffrey. “I’m proud to lend my support and encourage those who love the US Army to get involved. Supporters of the Army are already leading the way, and have donated more than $21,000. I challenge leaders of the other branches to step up to try and catch us.”

Join Gen. McCaffrey and me in some good natured competiveness and help us remember the legacy of service made by all 9,000,000 million men and women who served with the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard during the Vietnam War Era.

Jan C. Scruggs,

President and Founder of VVMF

www.vvmf.org